Making a temp/practice CP on cardboard...

[Sylentwulf]

OK. I have to admit, I've never "worked" with cardboard before. I really want to make a mock CP before getting into the wood, but...

For example - How do I make the holes for the buttons? I have a 1 1/8 spade bit, but thats not going to work on friggin cardboard is it? I'm NOT taking a razor blade to 21+ button holes, plus 3 joysticks and trackball.

If anyone else has any other suggestions on how to do this, I'd appreciate it

[Ed ONeill]

The spade bit might work if you use a piece of scrap wood behind the cardboard it might work.

The other thing you can do is just use some scrap wood . If its a large control panlel then try to make a layout for each area....example make player1 with buttons, then make. next area trackball,spinner..etc

If you have no scrap wood go to Home depot and see if they have any "cull" lumber (damaged discounted wood). I just picked up some 2x12 #2 pine for some shelving for $2.00 a board ...the boards were actually to long were the wood was damaged ended up as scrap.

Just my 2 ccents
Ed

[Witchboard]

I used that cheap pressboard paneling like what goes on walls.  I think it's popular to put around toilets for a splash guard.  I'm not sure how much it runs in the stores but I picked up a 4x8 sheet at a garage sale and I've been cutting it up to the size of my CP.  Spade bit may really tear it up though,  I have a hole saw.

[crashwg]

I got a microwave cart from next to a dumpster.  It wasn't necesarily for testing button configs but more so I had something to play with.  But who knows, you may find something more useable for testing and you can't beat the price.

Here's some pics of what I did... (if I can find it)

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=17776

[hyiu]

for cardboard.... you don't need to cut perfect holes....

using a cutter and slice a cross "+" shape and stuff the button on it, with the help of maybe minor duck taping for mistakes....

then you can have a feel of how it looks.... put your hand on it and how it fits.... that's all....

and yes.... if you have scrape wood... that will be better....
 

[simplygriff]

The holes don't have to be perfect like hyiu said.  I just did this for my trackball panel and it was really helpful.  

Just cut simple crosses and push the buttons through.  I think spending the time to do it in cardboard is better than wasting the time in wood.

[Sylentwulf]

Crosses and push the buttons through.... boy I feel like an idiot.

I wasn't looking for perfect circles, but as I said, I've never done wood working with cardboard before

I feel like I was just told that I forgot to plug in my monitor before pushing the power button.

[Apollo]

Or get the correct diameter piece of steel pipe file one of the ends so it is sharp and whack it with a hammer. He he home made hole punch.

[EndTwist]

wood working with cardboard before

lol...interesting...

+'s will work...besides - it's a waste of time with the wood, just make it quick rough done

[brained]

I've made out my testing control panel out of cardboard and it

[Setabs]

I've made out my testing control panel out of cardboard and it

[krick]

Never underestimate the things that can be done with cardboard if you're really determined...


http://digitalbloc.com/archives/featured/casemod/casemod1.html



http://www.maidu.com/gyra/phranc/phranchome.html

[brained]

CardBoard rocks!!
It even makes great toilet paper    , for a rugged feel!!  LOL

[spystyle]

Why don't you get a sheet of 1/8" hardboard from Home Depot and cut it with all your regualr bits/tools ?

It's cheap but durable enough to take a hole saw/spade bit.

Just an idea, that's what I would do.

[Paul Olson]

I'll second spystyles suggestion.  Hardboard works great.  Cut it to size by scoring with a razor, then snap, like you would do with sheetrock.  Then drill holes with spade bit.  Home Depot and Lowes sells them in 2'x4' sheets.

Paul