Growing up in the arcade generation, and with the creation of MAME, I desired very much to have the perfect arcade controller designed exactly the way I wanted it.  When I first started my search I noticed that Tim Eckel of the ArcadeAtHome site had designed a great controller.  And Tim was willing to build one for me (and only one) - a prototype so that he would also get a chance to document all the building steps for his site.  But alas he got too busy, so instead he pointed me to Arcade Solutions.

At Arcade Solutions I spoke with Andy Desak, and explained my situation.  Not only did I want to completely specify the entire layout, but I also wanted to add both a trackball and a spinner, a combination that at the time and to my knowledge had not been done before (and probably still to this day is only available for sale at Arcade Solutions).
 
 

(Click for a larger view)

(Click for a larger view)

Andy didn't hesitate from venturing into new territory.  He scouted out additional high quality parts for the spinner and found a unique and clever way to hook the spinner and and trackball together so that they both worked off the same (serial) connection to the computer.  All I have to do is throw an easy switch in the back and I can select on the fly whether to use the spinner or the trackball.  Since no games that I know of require both, this solution is very efficient.  Additionally Andy made sure that his custom designed spinner would handle and last like a real arcade unit.  Its made from very solid parts, and from one spin it keeps on spinning many times.

The unit performs very well.  Its programmable and I can also even use both my normal mouse and keyboard at the same time with the unit (without any switchboxes).

I also have to say that after looking inside the unit by opening the access panel on the bottom of the unit, I am just as impressed from the workmanship on the inside as the great appearance of the unit on the outside - its build like a truck and wired very neatly.  There's also an attractive handle on the side of the unit which allows you to carry the unit with one hand.

I found Andy to be very good to work with.  He was patient and was willing to talk in length to whatever degree that was necessary to understand all the details I gave him.  He even sent me some verification pics of my specified layout during the design phase to help insure that everything was accurate.

Overall I am extremely pleased.  This unit should last a lifetime, and its just what I wanted.