MAME Control Panel

So a few months back, I finally decided to build my own MAME machine with an authentic, custom control panel.  The debate was whether to go big like the old school cabs or go more modern a la the "nanocade" project. 

Either way, I knew that I would need a proper control panel, so I decided to tackle that first; I wanted to use exactly what is found on arcade units, so I went with Happ brand. I bought a bunch of cherry micro-switch pushbuttons and competition joysticks, as well as some USB-based, i-PAC2 controller interface units, and threw together a quick-n-dirty single player controller. 

Happ Joysticks and Pushbuttons: http://na.suzohapp.com

i-PAC2:  http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html

To keep it simple, I bought some lexan scrap from a local plastic-fab store and designed a layout-template using Solidworks. I printed out the template and used it to position my drill, and used a 1-1/4" hole saw bit for the pushbutton holes and a 1-1/8" hole saw bit for the joystick hole.  (Make sure you use slow speed when cutting the lexan or else it tends to crack.)  I wanted the controller angled, so I used some left over particle board shelving and put the panel on a 15-20 degree slope.

Figure 1: Top view of Controller, 

arc layout with 4-button setup on bottom for neo-geo games

the graphic inlay is actually a novelty playing card of 'Ace of Spades' that i bought at Party City

Figure 2: Bottom side (before mounting lexan shield to underside) depicting wiring

Figure 3: i-PAC2 control interface (screw-mounted/ rubber washers for height)

Figure 4: Test set-up with laptop running Model 2 emulator with Virtua Fighter 2