- joystick to control X and Y axes with a button to toggle to Z axis control (gcode will be sent to the Shapeoko arduino/gshield from another arduino over serial)
- rotary encoder to change step size/speed (maybe a display to show the current step size)
- E-stop
- GRBL reset
- GRBL hold
- GRBL start/resume
- switch for arduino/gshield power
- switch for spindle power (DW660)
- switch for vacuum power
- a nice wooden box to hold it all (made on the Shapeoko, of course)
I've decided to make it using all/mostly arcade controls. I'm not a huge gamer but I have lots of friends who are and I've grown to love the aesthetic.
I'm going to make the case last, since I still need to figure out all of the electronic bits and the placement of all the controls. So, I was going to start with a plastic container with the controls mounted on the lid, but what I had handy was the cardboard box the joystick was delivered in. I can now say that I've drilled holes in cardboard. Believe me, I'm laughing at the ridiculousness of the prototype as much as you are

Here it is in all its glory: http://imgur.com/a/PNXy0/all
I've attached an Arduino sketch for capturing the joystick input. I'm having trouble doing the same for the rotary encoder and fear that I borked it while trying to solder wires to it. Hopefully I'll figure that out soon and move on to getting arduino to arduino serial communication worked out.