@PresidentCamacho - I can do it, but I can’t guarantee it would be very cheap. Most custom cases run $220-$275 because its “new” and a volume cost of “1” At that point though, we can setup all sorts of customizations and make it unique.
Hmm, I think I’d opt to dremel in that case, then. I don’t need another stick at all (already have way more than is needed), but I do like the idea of having a Panzer, given the quality of the panel I bought from you. Maybe I’ll try to unload 1 or 2 of the sticks I have and make the upgrade before long.
I am back in town and will be catching up this weekend on orders and builds. Thanks for your patience while I settle back in from the time change! I want to a great effort from a buddy Travis and his marathon with the Extra Life Event! Please check it out below. For those who donated already, thanks a million!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10404366_1712230699002945_7905457006863729077_n.jpg?oh=1318ba3bda50e9cad2b783baf12be153&oe=54F117EE&gda=1424993156_ddb1333356b27242ba69cfeb7e8cbd9d
Please support Travis here: bit.ly/tbxl2014
Watch his Twitch.Tv Stream here: twitch.tv/travistyoj
You open to the idea of a Lego-like “Panzer II” re-design? Since you’re doing one-off builds with a cutting cable (just a guess…), it should simplify things a bit. Lots of little savings to be had like 30mm button holes being good enough for American and Korean buttons, single “medium body” vs separate standard/wide widths, etc. Could even automate all the CAD work with AutoLISP or something.
Here’s all the variables I can think of for 95-99% all requests and eliminate most one-offs:
Height:
- Standard
- Thick (HAPP/IL/Wico)
Width:
- Compact
- Wide
Home/Select/Start:
- Side
- Top
- Face
Stick:
- HAPP/IL/Wico
- Korean
- Sanwa/Seimitsu
Buttons:
- 2-button (pre-JAMMA 4-way)
- 4-button (Neo Geo)
- 6-button (Noir/SF2/Vewlix)
- 8-button (Noir/Vewlix)
- Hitbox
Stick/button spacing:
- 59mm
- 85mm
- 95mm
Plug:
- Neutrik
- Neutrik & DB15
Plexi:
- Yes (standard)
- No
Anti-slip undercoating:
- Yes (standard)
- No
You’d have to have some order form checks like no IL sticks/buttons in a standard height case and default stick spacing for the selected button layout, but nothing too fancy needed that I can think of.
All great ideas! The only issue is each variable creates a new combination… which means setup costs for each type and design time for each type plus volume considerations. Ultimately, making it cost prohibitive. I am working on some new fun ideas for 2015 that may help with a few of these things though 
Hey all just wanted to share my wide-body Panzer that Jasen just created for me! write up here and more pics here
To that end I’ve been thinking about what it would take to reduce part SKUs, get heavily customization, and fill some holes in the market.
Standard options:
- ~450mm overall width
- 85mm stick spacing (SF2: 95mm)
- Universal American/Korean/Japanese stick mount
- Start button on top, Home/Select away from user
- Plexi
- Anti-slip
- PS360+ w/ external headset jack
- Neutrik & DB15
Slim depth:
- Hitbox
- Noir 6/8-button
- Vewlix 6/8-button
Deep depth*:
- Neo Geo 4-button
- SF2 6-button
- 3" trackball 3-button (because hey, why not? :))
Standard art options (trademark logos/characters removed and button-agnostic):
- Blackout Jasen’s Customs corporate logo
- Capcom SF2
- Midway Ms. Pac-Man
- Namco Noir
- Sega Astro City
- SNK Neo Geo (red & blue versions)
- Taito Vewlix (red & silver versions)
- Williams Robotron
Assuming the extra buttons and DB15 can be drilled/knocked out at build time (your shop can do knockouts in steel?), you get the following main component SKUs:
- 10 art inserts
- 6 tops w/ plexi
- 2 bottoms
- 2 paint colors (sandtex black, gloss white)
- 1 hardware kit
- (optional) “Korean Edition” kits w/ 27.5/35mm plexi drillings and joystick plate**
- Totally optional and likely build-to-order only. Would keep the MAME guys happy at least, along with the IL button guys.
** Near as I can tell all Korean stick mountings are not only all the same, but also overlap both 3.0"x2.6" HAPP/IL and Sanwa JLF plates. Getting a universal mount may take two separate plates (Seimitsu/Sanwa/HAPP/IL and Crown/Myoungshin). Chassis itself could have a ~80mm square stud pattern with a 35mm top panel drilling.
Random thoughts:
- Hori RAP V3/VX Kai and Fighting Edge sticks have great ergonomics. The 85mm spacing, lower-left button dead center horizontally, angled wrist rest, side start button, width, etc are all excellent. Start here.
- The Razer Atrox’s anti-slip treatment is the best I’ve seen in both materials and implementation. Using a single anti-slip mat also eliminates the parts and drillings for screw-in feet.
- Watch overall panel depth. The Razer Atrox, for instance, is juuuust deep enough to prevent all Seimitsu snap-in buttons from latching (Seimitsu PS-15 are the shallowest panel support I’ve seen).
- Headset support is mandatory in my opinion
You lost me at “angled wrist rest”.
He lost me at the mention of “American” style parts.
Nothing American about American style parts.
Something I picked up on with the recent Hori RAP boxes. Resting my right palm on the the angled section in the front makes a noticeable comfort improvement for long gaming sessions, but that’s just me apparently. Some others out there too like the KDIT sticks.
True, especially these days, but I’ve heard “American” used loosely in reference to the 3.0"x2.6" stick and 1-1/8" button Wico and HAPP-branded IL stuff since the 90s, at least in my neck of the woods. Non-metric measurements too, which gives some idea on historical origin.
Great news everybody. I can now confirm that RG switches in screw in buttons will just barely fit inside a Panzer.
I’m curious (because a friend asked me to check when I got my panzer) I take it you had to bend the quick disconnect pins to get the RG switches to get in there?
I didn’t have any on hand to check with when I was asked to measure the height for him to see if RGs would fit.
Latest SuperGun complete!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10734186_1717635458462469_5164665647360522619_n.jpg?oh=e16dfdd521e99dd85fd61b57aefa910e&oe=54E73FF9&gda=1423775858_04923a883bf5a3febe442d8d84b80f89
With a pair of new Panzers to boot!
No pin bending necessary.
Super Shiny! This was a custom Stainless Steel Panzer made for a customer:
He polished it up with metal polish and sand paper starting around 1000 Grit.
Big shout to @SusanInParadise for polishing up the Bat Top and Dustwasher and combining his parts order with a shipment of mine to save him a little in shipping and shopping. #CommunityEffort
Very cool, I’m wondering how smudgy it will get though. I like the simple look, much more classy than character art IMO.
It does gather a few fingerprints but it’s really not too bad. I just have to wipe it off with a cloth for a few seconds when I’m done and it’s back to looking pretty. My other stick that has a shiny black plastic top is actually worse as it’s harder to wipe off.
A huge thanks to Jasen for not only getting me the custom case I’d been thinking about for a while now but also taking my parts list and shipping it all together which saved me money and some hassle. He’s a pretty awesome guy 
Also, thanks to Armi and Susan as well. The polished bat top and washer looks amazing
@Amerika - Happy to help. I appreciate the compliments and comments, when we work together we can make great things happen!
These are going to be awesome and revealed at Free Play Florida (www.freeplayflorida.com)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1479507_1722767821282566_7472866907203463210_n.jpg?oh=20cad8a44ab02837b70d19544a02ac54&oe=551EDFB8&gda=1424648402_23dd4c70b358f0489fa6fb712d40fd46
A more formal announcement to come… but this is sweet and in the very near future!