I play a lot of <ahref="https://www.elitedangerous.com/"target="_blank">Elite: Dangerous</a>. And while I use a reasonably nice <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Flight-System-Controller/dp/B000LQ4HTS"target="_blank">HOTAS</a>, I've long wanted a flight panel: a bank of toggle switches with LED indicators that would act as a USB joystick. I can only find one company <ahref="http://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/Switch_Array/index.htm"target="_blank">selling such a thing</a>, and their solution leaves exposed wiring. (a no-no when you live with cats) Also, their website looks like it is from the 90s and just feels kind of sketchy. (Seriously, guys, if you happen to read this, your website does not inspire confidence)<br/><br/>And, anyway, I've been looking for an excuse to learn some basic electronics for a long time. So, I built my own! Several other people have built similar things, but I decided to jump in head-first and not follow any guides, in hopes of learning about electronics and wiring along the way.<br/><br/><h2>Acquiring Gear</h2>First up, a parts list:<br/><br/><ul><li><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B4ZQ3L0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01"target="_blank">Wire</a>! Stranded, 22 AWG wire is perfect for general hobbyist electronics work.</li><li>An <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E5WJSHK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01"target="_blank">Arduino board</a>, and an accompanying <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076FWAAK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s04"target="_blank">sensor shield</a>. (But see my lessons learned section)</li><li><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CO87DD8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01"target="_blank">3-pin dupont connector housings</a> combined with the sensor shield make it possible to wire each switch in a modular way.</li><li><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X9W87XS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01"target="_blank">Female dupont connector pins</a> or else the housings are useless.</li><li>Some <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010UIW82E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01"target="_blank">LEDs</a>, and accompanying <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P3FMGP4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00"target="_blank">LED holders</a>.</li><li><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P3FMGP4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00"target="_blank">Toggle switches</a>, the satisfying clicky heart of the project.</li><li><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003E48ERU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00"target="_blank">Resistors</a>.</li></ul><div><br/></div><div>And a partial list of tools I needed:</div><div><ul><li>A <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DHCRVSC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01"target="_blank">crimping tool</a>.</li><li>A <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NPT5TO?keywords=needle-nosed%20pliers&qid=1446664371&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1"target="_blank">wire stripper</a>.</li><li>A <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/J-L-SI60-Watt-Soldering/dp/B0006NGZK0"target="_blank">soldering iron</a>, and <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/Kester-Pocket-Pack-Solder-0-031/dp/B00068IJNQ/ref=pd_sim_469_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=31-IEj9o8CL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1ACK2379SKPG2V3BA0E0"target="_blank">several</a><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZPGDLA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00"target="_blank">accompanying</a><ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003E48ERU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00"target="_blank">accessories</a>.</li><li>Smallish <ahref="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NPT5TO?keywords=needle-nosed%20pliers&qid=1446664371&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1"target="_blank">needle-nosed pliers</a>.</li><li>A drill. (a Unibit c
