My Wood Grain Pedestal Project Completed

[Saltshaker]

First time poster and builder here so go easy on me but I just wanted to share my first attempt at my pedestal. This took much longer than I thought but I am quite pleased with it. Granted its not perfect by any means and it is still a work in progress but at the very least, my girlfriend is OK with it in the living room
Obviously I did not take the classic approach, this style was more to my liking and I really enjoy how it looks in the room. I borrowed and modified the artwork that was made by AceTKK and inspired by motorfish to meet my needs. Of course if any one is interested in a copy of the PSD file, just let me know.
The led controls are a bit cheap as I was a little limited on budget but I did perform a nice little joystick mod which allows over the top switching from 4 way to 8 way control. The wood knob is spring loaded, just pull up and switch and your done. Inside the pedestal is a nice tower I built from spare parts which can be powered on and off from the main buttons and a pull out drawer for keyboard/mouse access.
If you have any questions/comments then feel free to contact me. Thanks for looking.

[vwalbridge]

I'll save pbj the effort.

You need a bigger TV.

[pbj]

Overall I like the look, but replace that TV.


Too many admin buttons.

You lost me on those hinges.

[Generic Eric]

I'll save pbj the effort.

You need a bigger TV.

In my house, the availability for a project like this would be that another TV in the house was upgraded and freed up the unit seen here.  HMMV as well as YMMV.

[Saltshaker]

Thanks...I got the monitor for free so I couldnt complain. But I have plans to replace it once I have the cash with something larger.

[reptileink]

I have to second PBJ  on those hinges. With a nice stained hardwood pedestal, you should have opted for internal hidden hinges brother. Those things just scream at me from the pictures. Otherwise, a clean build, everyone else already covered the TV, but if you got it free, I can't hate on that. Love the "on the top" switching you made for the 4-way - 8-way! 

[yotsuya]

Does you hand hit the spinner when using the trackball. On my first panel, I had something similar, and if I was playing Centipede or Missile Command and my hand hit the spinner, since a spinner is a mouse (like the trackball), it would mess up my game.

[harveybirdman]

I don't think I'd like to play Golden tee on your pedestal.

But I see no point in being over critical since it's already done, congrats.

[vwalbridge]

@ Saltshaker:  Curious why you felt the need to put an access door on the front? Let alone 2 of them.

and I agree... I will not argue with free.

[Saltshaker]

@ Saltshaker:  Curious why you felt the need to put an access door on the front? Let alone 2 of them.

and I agree... I will not argue with free.

I intended to have a door to access the front of the tower if ever needed. The other has a shelf inside for controllers and a pull out drawer for the keyboard. The hinges were meant to be hidden but those wouldnt work that way and time was limited to complete it so I left for now until now but I intend to fix that later when time permits. As I said, its still a work in progress so I'll fix the front panel over this winter.

[Saltshaker]

Does you hand hit the spinner when using the trackball. On my first panel, I had something similar, and if I was playing Centipede or Missile Command and my hand hit the spinner, since a spinner is a mouse (like the trackball), it would mess up my game.

The thought crossed my mind but its not really a problem, I've used it fine without issue, even played Golden Tee yesterday so Im not too worried about it.

[vwalbridge]

@ Saltshaker:  Curious why you felt the need to put an access door on the front? Let alone 2 of them.

and I agree... I will not argue with free.

I intended to have a door to access the front of the tower if ever needed. The other has a shelf inside for controllers and a pull out drawer for the keyboard. The hinges were meant to be hidden but those wouldnt work that way and time was limited to complete it so I left for now until now but I intend to fix that later when time permits. As I said, its still a work in progress so I'll fix the front panel over this winter.

If you get your computer and Front End set up correctly, you'll never have to touch your computer again and thus never need a keyboard drawer. And in the rare moment you actually need a keyboard, just use a wireless keyboard/trackpad combo.

[Saltshaker]

@ Saltshaker:  Curious why you felt the need to put an access door on the front? Let alone 2 of them.

and I agree... I will not argue with free.

I intended to have a door to access the front of the tower if ever needed. The other has a shelf inside for controllers and a pull out drawer for the keyboard. The hinges were meant to be hidden but those wouldnt work that way and time was limited to complete it so I left for now until now but I intend to fix that later when time permits. As I said, its still a work in progress so I'll fix the front panel over this winter.

If you get your computer and Front End set up correctly, you'll never have to touch your computer again and thus never need a keyboard drawer. And in the rare moment you actually need a keyboard, just use a wireless keyboard/trackpad combo.

True...since this was my first build and being a newbie and all, I didnt know what to expect. But there is room to change it up a bit as time allows me too. I just dont see many units like this so I thought it would be fun to build and share, which is was and the wealth of info here is great so I got tons of more reading to do

[reptileink]

 The hinges were meant to be hidden but those wouldnt work that way and time was limited to complete it

 
I'm confused, were you under a deadline to....yourself? I never understood why people say, I would have done XYZ, but I ran out of time, but now it's going to take more time to fix/change it. 

I'm all about doing it right the first time, even if it takes more time. My first build I wanted to finish before a cookout, and the worst thing I did was rush things. Now I am spending more time "fixing" a machine that I could be playing because I "ran out of time". Look forward to your update.

[yotsuya]

 The hinges were meant to be hidden but those wouldnt work that way and time was limited to complete it

 
I'm confused, were you under a deadline to....yourself? I never understood why people say, I would have done XYZ, but I ran out of time, but now it's going to take more time to fix/change it. 

I'm all about doing it right the first time, even if it takes more time. My first build I wanted to finish before a cookout, and the worst thing I did was rush things. Now I am spending more time "fixing" a machine that I could be playing because I "ran out of time". Look forward to your update.

**Applause**

[Saltshaker]

 The hinges were meant to be hidden but those wouldnt work that way and time was limited to complete it

 
I'm confused, were you under a deadline to....yourself? I never understood why people say, I would have done XYZ, but I ran out of time, but now it's going to take more time to fix/change it. 

I'm all about doing it right the first time, even if it takes more time. My first build I wanted to finish before a cookout, and the worst thing I did was rush things. Now I am spending more time "fixing" a machine that I could be playing because I "ran out of time". Look forward to your update.

Thanks, I do feel the same way actually. In fact I am the type that is never fully satisfied with any of my projects/hobbies no matter how perfect it can be but without explaining the complexities of my personal life, which I will spare you, you'll just have to trust me that unfortunately time became limited for this one. But I am happy with it as it stands and we enjoy playing it. I wont build another most likely, just improve upon this later a little bit. Just wanted to share something I feel proud of, maybe even help inspire someone's future project. I understand that I may not be a purist to my build but I had fun and will look forward to checking out more info here.

[RetroArcadePro]

Looks good, love the look of stained wood. sweet job on the 4/8 way switch.

[reptileink]

Thanks, I do feel the same way actually. In fact I am the type that is never fully satisfied with any of my projects/hobbies no matter how perfect it can be but without explaining the complexities of my personal life, which I will spare you, you'll just have to trust me that unfortunately time became limited for this one. But I am happy with it as it stands and we enjoy playing it. I wont build another most likely, just improve upon this later a little bit. Just wanted to share something I feel proud of, maybe even help inspire someone's future project. I understand that I may not be a purist to my build but I had fun and will look forward to checking out more info here.

Hey man, the most important thing is you are enjoying it, and that's the bottom line. It's a great start, and could be a beautiful finished piece once you are fully finished tinkering with it.

[Locke141]

+ 1 on getting better hinges.

Don't sweat the small TV for now, you can upgrade later. One of my all time favorite pedestal builds started off life with a to small tv.


http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137637.80.html

[Token]

I really like the 4-8 way switching mod you made.

A little edge banding on that plywood would be a nice finishing touch. It should take the stain just like the ply.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-13-16-in-x-25-ft-Birch-Edge-Tape-657608/202843396?keyword=plywood+edge+banding=plywood+edge+banding

[flylear45]

+1 on the joystick switching. Can you detail it a bit more?

I suppose once I had one of those joys in my hands it would be more clear, but that seems like a great idea.