New Product: TurboTwist

[RandyT]

Will there ever be one in black?

My control panel is just all black and I think it would look good if I put one of my nickel tokens on the knob.

I think the first batch will be stainless, but I will be looking at other materials and finishes.  Some nice gunblue or black-oxide coated steel could be cool with the nickel tokens (I have some of those kind as well.)

Hi Randy,
                 Are the tops of these the same size as a US Quarter.... I was thinking maybe glue one of those in....

I got given one in change the other day here in the UK Grrrr!.  They're almost identical in size to a UK 10 pence piece. Slightly thinner, but the diameter is the same.  For someone in the UK having a quarter in the top of the spinner is quite a cool idea. Although I'd guess that most Americans are asking why anybody would want to do that. LOL 

Not a bad idea.  But a U.S. Quarter is smaller by about .040".  Which means it will fit, but will have a small gap around it (and you'll need to center it in the recess.)

RandyT

[Fozzy The Bear]

Not a bad idea.  But a U.S. Quarter is smaller by about .040".  Which means it will fit, but will have a small gap around it (and you'll need to center it in the recess.)

RandyT

Fair enough.... It'd still look good.... Especially if I glue it in place with some coloured resin, that would then fill the gap round the edge as well ... Maybe a nice blue to match my control panel.

I'll be up for one of these

Now to persuade my other half to let me have the spinner to go with it LOL

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[JODY]

RandyT...when I order one of these I'd like to also get an extra OptiWiz with the encoder optics and a spare encoder wheel to mount to the end of a steering wheel shaft I bought on Ebay that came missing some parts.  I got some payment back from the seller and was planning on buying the parts from Oscar.  Think the higher resolution would benefit...   Do you plan to sell encoder wheels separate and the OptiWiz with the encoder optics?

[saint]

Looks ... er... groovy to me  

I love it, no objections here.  Saint?

[whammoed]

Randy, if you go with stainless steel do you think it will affect the way the spinner feels?  In other words will there be too much mass to it with both a shaft weight and a steel knob?  I would think there would be an optimal mass that gives the spinner a nice feel but still allows for a quick change in direction.

[RandyT]

Randy, if you go with stainless steel do you think it will affect the way the spinner feels?  In other words will there be too much mass to it with both a shaft weight and a steel knob?  I would think there would be an optimal mass that gives the spinner a nice feel but still allows for a quick change in direction.

I'll be watching for that when I start getting some parts in.  I always get a few proof parts to make sure things will work ok.

I have him quoting an aluminum one as well, and I might crank up the molding equipment and try some resin ones for kicks.

On the other hand, the stainless might end up being a good way to add a little more weight for one who actually preferred a heavier feel.

Thanks,
RandyT

[Fozzy The Bear]

On the other hand, the stainless might end up being a good way to add a little more weight for one who actually preferred a heavier feel.

I vote stainless, as long as the price is good. .... Those early Atari spinners were very heavy things, that's the feel I want on my spinner.  There's a couple of other bits and bobs I need at the moment, so I'm going to hang fire ordering until these are ready to ship.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[squirrellydw]

Any plans on making one that lights up or glow??

[Kremmit]

Any plans on making one that lights up or glow??

 

[RandyT]

Any plans on making one that lights up or glow??

Kremmit gave me a interesting thought on an approach for this and it is being considered.  The hard part about getting great suggestions is that they can't all be worked on at once

RandyT


Hehe, he beat me to it

[Kremmit]

I keep telling you, I'm always ahead on these things.   

[brophog]

I'm glad I left that extra space on my control panel. I'll be watching this thread VERY closely!

[aumameman]

Any plans on making one that lights up or glow??

THAT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL! I THINK FOR BEST RESULTS THE TOKEN SHOULD BE ALREADY SEALED IN THE SPINNER TOP.

[pointdablame]

THAT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL! I THINK FOR BEST RESULTS THE TOKEN SHOULD BE ALREADY SEALED IN THE SPINNER TOP.

[Tiger-Heli]

COOL IDEA RANDY!!!  THINGS I LIKE - FINISH LOOKS GOOD - TOKEN INSERT IS COOL - GROOVES ON SIDE ALLOW FOR O-RINGS IF SOMEONE WANTS THAT FEEL -

PREFER BLACK OXIDE OVER GUN BLUE, IF YOU START ON DIFFERENT COLORS.  PREFER STAINLESS OVER ALUMINUM (I THINK).

Ooops - To PDB - I didn't have Caps Lock on - I just held down the Shift key - Worked just as well.

[pointdablame]

Ooops - To PDB - I didn't have Caps Lock on - I just held down the Shift key - Worked just as well.

Bah... now I need a second picture

[Kremmit]

Ooops - To PDB - I didn't have Caps Lock on - I just held down the Shift key - Worked just as well.

Bah... now I need a second picture

Your second picture is right there, under your name.

[southpaw13]

Spinners are sold out....
When is the next run going to be available?

[PoDunkMoFo]

I keep telling you, I'm always ahead on these things.   

It's true...  This is the guy that foresaw the Afterburner Cockpit shortage of 2012.   

[RandyT]

Looks ... er... groovy to me  

I love it, no objections here.  Saint?

Great.  Thanks to everyone involved in that one. Pixelhugger was the last one I need an OK from and he's cool with it as well.

So that means I'll be able to offer them with the tokens pre-mounted as well as "bare" for you to put your own in.

The bad news is my machinist buddy just had a death in the family (elderly mother) so he's picking up the pieces at the moment.  I don't want to put too much pressure on him right now, so it's probably going to be a bit of time before I have some to offer.  But they are in the works and I'll find another source for the first batch if necessary.

Thanks,
RandyT

[squirrellydw]

Any plans on making one that lights up or glow??

Maybe even something like this, where just the base lights up....
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/#

[MYX]

Things that light up are cool!!! You could do it with the resin idea.


Hey Randy, seeing that it is just a little larger than a token, is this too small? Big hands and all.

[RandyT]

Things that light up are cool!!! You could do it with the resin idea.

Hey Randy, seeing that it is just a little larger than a token, is this too small? Big hands and all.

Hmmm...If you count the rings, it's a little larger in diameter than an actual Tempest knob.  The rings actually extend beyond the rim, which extends beyond the token.  Its size may be a bit deceiving due to the design.

You might have to try it to find out.  The Tempest knob was good for the masses in the arcades, so this one should be pretty comparable.

RandyT

[mahuti]

From a guy that can palm a b-ball... the tempest spinner is just fine.

[Cornchip]

  Wow...I like the look of the new spinner over the  black phenolic knob. I sure feel stupid for ordering one of the first spinners that you made. Doesn't pay to  be first.   

[RandyT]

  Wow...I like the look of the new spinner over the  black phenolic knob. I sure feel stupid for ordering one of the first spinners that you made. Doesn't pay to  be first.   

Don't feel stupid.  It's not going to be the stock knob. That one will have a bit of a price tag to it and be an additional item.

As for being first...if you like the spinner, be happy.  The next batch isn't going to last long either from the looks of it.

RandyT

[whammoed]

Randy,

Very original BTW.  I was wondering how yours would be different.
What is the diameter?  The one I use now is 1.75" and I like it, but I may just be used to it?
Also, if you know, what was the diameter of a tempest knob?

[RandyT]

Randy,

Very original BTW.  I was wondering how yours would be different.
What is the diameter?  The one I use now is 1.75" and I like it, but I may just be used to it?
Also, if you know, what was the diameter of a tempest knob?

The stock black phenolic knob is right around 1.25" , as is, if memory serves me, the original Tempest knob.    The skirt is what makes the Tempest knob look larger, and that is 1 7/8".

The "TokenTop" is about 1.35" at the widest part of the grip.

RandyT

[Cornchip]

  Nah...I'm not to upset. It does give me ideas on upgrading what I'll be getting. I have a few machinist tricks up my sleve. I'll make it my mission to come up with something a little different.   

[RandyT]

Spinners are sold out....
When is the next run going to be available?

Now.


RandyT

[southpaw13]

Got it....as Napolean Dynamite would say....Yesssssssss

[Kremmit]

I keep telling you, I'm always ahead on these things.   

It's true...  This is the guy that foresaw the Afterburner Cockpit shortage of 2012.   

I know where there's another one, if you wanna drive up here again.

[KevSteele]

I'm gonna have to buy some of those knobs - they'd make cool paperweights as well as spinner tops. Especially with these tokens:



 

Kevin

[RetroJames]

I will be very interested to see WHICH side of that token ends up on top...

and I want those spinner tops as well!

[Santoro]

Did you clear coat those tokens?

[KevSteele]

Did you clear coat those tokens?

No, I think it's just an artifact of trying to "clean up" the photo in Photoshop. As you know, it's very hard to get a good shot of shiny objects!

Kevin

[JODY]

RandyT...

Posted this previously but didn't see a reply...when I order one of these I'd like to also get an extra OptiWiz with the encoder optics and a spare encoder wheel to mount to the end of a steering wheel shaft I bought on Ebay that came missing some parts.  I got some payment back from the seller and was planning on buying the parts from Oscar.  Think the higher resolution would benefit...   Do you plan to sell encoder wheels separate and the OptiWiz with the encoder optics?

Looks like I missed the second run.  For awhile yesterday the site didn't have the spinner on it and when it showed up it was sold out again...

[Witchboard]

RandyT...

Do you plan to sell encoder wheels separate and the OptiWiz with the encoder optics?

Here's a question.  Will the encoder wheels by themselves be available for purchase?  I didn't read all the technical stuff so I'm not sure if the high resolution benefit is reliant on both the encoder wheel and the optic board, or just the wheel.  If it's just the wheel, it would be nice to upgrade my existing spinner.

All components of the TurboTwist

[brandon]

I believe that RandyT was talking about using those encoders with a different optic board though.. I can't imagine how a spinning shaft, whether it be a spinner or a steering wheel is going to be any different as far as the OptiWiz is concerned...  but maybe so

[Havok]

You'll just have to buy the whole spinner and "retrofit" the wheel...