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Significant Others beware ! Here comes the Time (wasting) Machine...
thijey:
Update : I've been quite busy these last 2 weeks, but I still found some time to put on the TwMachine. It is now 90% completed, with all the main panels tinted in a Dark Mercury color, varnished and put back on the frame. The effect is really nice, you get that "classic black arcade" look, but still can see the woodgrain. I'll post a picture a.s.a.p.
I was also very pleased with the cutting of the plexisglas. To be honest, I was really scared to screw up and crack or chip it, but somehow I managed to do neither. Thanks to all the folks here who tested different tools before me ! I will assemble the CP tomorrow.
The only minor drawback is that I printed the CP and marquee designs at a local office supply store (Staples, who also print posters in a glossy finish, very neet), but I forgot that even though the poster is officially 20x30", the actual size of the image on that is a bit smaller. Result : they shrinked both the marquee and CP designs byt a 5-8% factor. No big deal in itself, but enough to be obvious. They told me there is no way for them to print "actual size". So, next time, I'll go to a professionnal printing company and have it printed in real size. Meanwhile, I had to work some design solutions to accomodate the shrinked images. It turned out alright, but I learned my lesson.
There's something else I wanted to point out. I was able to use only freeware/open source programs for everything in the design process, so no pirating needed. SketchUp, which needs no introduction, and a combination of The GIMP and Inkscape for the marquee and CP. They are not perfect, but you get some powerful tools for no money, as well as huge communities to help. I just thought I'd share about them ;)
And while I'm sharing, I should had this : while punching holes through plexisglas, I found that a very sharpened spade drill bit (or a brand new one in my case) with a press drill will do extremely well. No chipping, no cracking, and a fluffy cloud of scrapped plastic for every hole (looks almost like sugar candy, but a little harder).
Pics to come soon !
thijey:
Well, only 2 weeks before I leave and I was able to complete the cabinet last week-end. Yeeeeaaah ! Better still, since we were able to accumulate enough money for our trip, I didn't need selling it anymore. Soooo...
...I gave it as a birthday present to the brother in law ! He honestly deserved it, and that way I still have my first aracde creation at hand's reach (i.e. at a 4-minute walk range). He's not home today, but as soon as I can in the next few days and before I leave for Peru, I'll make sure to take a few pictures and post them here.
By the way, the ticking clock in the marquee really adds something !
netmare:
Wow man, lol, you went from wood and unprinted CP pics to "I'm finsished!". I really want to see the finished product. I'm diggin' that shape. :cheers:
cg