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Inexpensive mini-spinner and construction question
HeadRusch:
Question1: Does anyone make an inexpensive spinner that doesn't take up oodles of space, something you might use on a Mini-Mame control Panel? Performance obviously wouldn't be stellar but we're talking about sacrificing size for basic functionality
Question2: For that matter, what about a basic inexpensive trakball, something small??
Question3: I built my last MAME control panel out of 3/4" MDF. And let me tell you, that thing could support an automobile its so strong. Its also, IMHO, overkill.
I'd like to build a mini-mame cab out of something lighter..no, no cardboard :)
I was hoping to use 1/2" MDF which I have here. My only concern at this point would be how to put the thing together using fasteners that wont stick through the ends?
I assumed if I used 1/2" stock I could put the thing together with L brackets and then...what...1/2" woodscrews?? Obviously I dont want the screws poking out, my only
other option would be to use bolts and have the bolt-heads on the outside and the nuts on the inside.
Whats the smart way to do this here? The cab I'm talking about building would be small, maybe no taller than 3' high, for adults or kids to play. (Then again, I might get lazy and build myself a coctail instead). What do you think?
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: HeadRusch on June 01, 2005, 03:24:08 pm ---Question1: Does anyone make an inexpensive spinner that doesn't take up oodles of space, something you might use on a Mini-Mame control Panel? Performance obviously wouldn't be stellar but we're talking about sacrificing size for basic functionality
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Nasty-Spinner ??? http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,17522.0.html
--- Quote ---Question2: For that matter, what about a basic inexpensive trakball, something small??
--- End quote ---
Kensington PC trackball mounted to panel ???
--- Quote ---Question3: I built my last MAME control panel out of 3/4" MDF. And let me tell you, that thing could support an automobile its so strong. Its also, IMHO, overkill.
Whats the smart way to do this here? The cab I'm talking about building would be small, maybe no taller than 3' high, for adults or kids to play. (Then again, I might get lazy and build myself a coctail instead). What do you think?
--- End quote ---
1x1 supports and T-nuts under the side laminate?
MrTroy:
Thenasty still hasn't gotten back to me on mine. If only there were a way to mass produce the components needed to make the spinners. To avoid having to destroy old Hard Drives.
KenToad:
Tiger-Heli's advice is good IMO. Also, do a search for Twisty-Grip's Spinner plans. At least I think that's the name I remember. I built a spinner for about $10 using his plans. There is a PDF document that has his instructions and also printable encoder wheels at various resolutions (meaning notches). Basically, you print out the page of encoder wheels on a transparency and mount that printed out wheel between a bunch of washers on a 1/4 inch bolt threaded through, preferably, two small bearings you can probably pick up at an auto parts store. I wrapped duct tape around the bolt to make it fit snugly inside the bearings and used a caster wheel as the spinner knob. All you need then is to find a suitable mouse to hack. I think using a ball mouse would be easiest. Here is a pic of my homemade spinner mounted on my control panel. The other bearing is recessed into the top of the control panel. I meant to replace the rubber band holding the mouse guts in place, but haven't gotten around to it. The thing has never given me trouble. I use it for all spinner games and it's the most wonderful thing to impress guests especially with games like puzz loop.
MinerAl:
If you're going to use 1/2 inch ply, I'd suggest 1x1 glued corner supports and 1 1/4 inch counter sunk (sinked?) screws from the outside. You'll have to wood putty the heads of the screws, but it'll be strong.
As for skinny spinners, I think the tornado spinner is the smallest horizontal real estate spinner commercially available. You can make a spinner easily enough that if that's not sufficiently small, just design a smaller one!
For trackballs, you will lose every kind of functionality going much smaller than 1". That said, look into kacking one of the logitech or microsoft "red ball" optical pc trackballs.