I’ve hand‑sawed a few boxes myself, but that kind of retro‑vintage work is usually more about a solid frame than fancy touches. Wood can add a warm look, sure, but it’ll need to be strong enough to hold up the heat from the Atari and any extra wiring. As for a custom controller with haptic, it’s a nice idea, but make sure the motor isn’t going to wobble the panel or pull on the screws. If you keep the build tight and let the wood breathe, you’ll end up with something that feels as solid as the old machines were meant to be.