Making my own metal pad

[DMS]

So, for my birthday I will be getting enough money to build my own metal pad. I plan to use RipTide's design, but with matr1x sensors instead of sheet metal/screws, and I have a few questions.

1. Would it be better to use my old PSX analog controller, or my old soft pad's control box for the circuit board?

2. What's an alternative to the stickied thread on lighting the panels. I am no where near tech savvy enough to do it that way.

3. I want my pad to be as close a replica of an ITG2 dedicab pad, and I know the arrows are less recessed than a DDR machine. How would I go about making it closer to an ITG2 pad, and where could I get the arrow decals?

4. Could I put some kind of feet on the bottom of the pad, like at the arcade, to help replicate the arcade feel, or would it mess it up since the pad base is wood?

5. What is the best way to construct a trick bar, and how difficult would it be to install the buttons for start/select in the bar, instead of the pad?

Thanks in advance.

[ChilliumBromide]

Please use the sticky.
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I used to be active here lol

[Discoman]