Here’s the status of where I’m at. Sorry the pic is so blurry:
http://www.numbski.com/cab/Site/Arcade%20Machine_files/AUT_6512.jpg
I have more detailed shots on the page I’m tracking my progress on:
The issue I’m running into right now, is that if you look closely at the plates, I have indeed inset the joystick and button plates, but being as this is the first time I’ve mounted this kinda stuff, it’s a pretty bad hack-job. :\ I don’t have a router, so I used my Roto-Zip with a 1/2" inset router bit and attempted to set it to 1/8" depth. I failed though…it appears to be closer to 3/16", and I used 20 AWG plates to make the plates, which appear to be the exact same thickness as the joystick plates.
I’m curious. When I go to put artwork on here, how critical is it for me to have that surface 100% flat? I’m imagining that if I don’t fill in every little gap with bondo and sand the whole thing smooth, any imperfections will then show through on the artwork when I sandwich it down with plexi, right?
The other thing is that with a surface this large, it’s going to cost me upwards of $50 to do a NICE artwork print for that surface, so I want to get it right the first time. I’m a bit nervous about gluing artwork down. I’m thining maybe a light double-stick tape to hold it in place long enough to cut the button holes with an xacto knife and then screw down the plexi. I run the risk of damaging the artwork or cutting in the wrong places if it isn’t firmly in place though, so I have to be careful no matter what. Any tips?