Author Topic: New project (Read 16307 times)

Zakk · « **on:** October 10, 2006, 09:29:36 pm »

Okay, this guy just 'hired' me to do him up a jukebox. I took the job because I understand what he's going for, and after I met him, I know he's not able to do it himself. He has a house in one of the expensive 'old' sections of the city. Anyway, he wants to convert his old 'all-in-one' 8-track, phonograph console unit into a super-spiffy juke. I went and checked out the old piece of crap, and you know it just might be pretty neat.
So my idea is to rip out all the inside stuff, and install a meaty computer, a good amp, some half-decent speakers, and a touchscreen. He does like to use the stereo to listen to the radio, but when he entertains he wants to be able to flip the lid up and let people pick their own music.

I'm just going to plow into this project, but thought maybe some of you guys would have some neat ideas? I've got a budget of about $1500 to do it up, I figure a lot of that might go into the touchscreen... never used a touchscreen before.

Anyway, any help/ideas you have are more than welcome. I'm a bit excited to get into this, oddly enough.

spacies · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2006, 01:33:08 am »

I am wanting to build something like this.
I will be watching keenly on how you go.

Most of it would be pretty simple, the only thing is where to mount the LCD?
Do you mount it on the under side of the lid? Or cut a hole so it is flush with the top? Or on the front?

If it were on the front you could have a fold down panel with the LCD.

I also wouldn't remove anything internally if I could help it. Leave it all there for the original look but maybe hinge it inside to gain access to the PC and amp etc. You might even have to lift it up for more room underneath? With the PC, do some reseach to see if there is a radio freq remote available. That means you can leave the amp at full noise and control everything via remote. That would be cool.
You could pimp out the PC and have a fold out door on the front to expose all the neons etc.

Are you going to buy some 2nd hand speakers? That would save you some $$$. Remove the drivers from there cab and mount them to this puppy. I would re-inforce the speaker enclosures and put a tuned port in the rear of each side too.

Anyway, all the best.

I will be watching.

spacies · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2006, 01:42:58 am »

OR,

you could totally modernize the whole thing.

Gut it, sand it down and stain a nice dark cherry with some satin clear.
Replace all the old fabric with new black stuff and add some chrome bits and fancy blue lights. Not too many though, maybe a power led?

Just as cool.

BobA · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2006, 02:07:32 am »

Marks jukebox is a great example of using and old console for a starting point.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=52624.0

Zakk · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2006, 11:40:24 am »

Oh man, expect me to copy all of that project

Was the jukebox software worth the money? How hard was it to get cover art for everything?

spacies: I'm definitely not going to leave the guts in this thing, I've hated the look of the electronics of these things since I was a kid. However, I won't change the outside look except where needed. I was going to mount the lcd to the decklid, and hook up some gas lifters to help with the weight, but now I might just mount it in the cabinet as in BobA's project. I'll play that one by ear.

BobA · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2006, 12:13:28 pm »

Sorry not my project it belongs to Mark (thajenius).

I tried Norbeat that Mark is using and prefer SKjuke for my touchscreen. Definately worth a "donation".

BobA

Zakk · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2006, 12:26:13 pm »

Oh yeah....guess I got click happy with the link

I'll check out SKJuke too...that one I think I have tried before, rings a bell.

Barry Barcrest · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2006, 05:24:47 am »

Would be cool to have the screen pop up when you opened the lid... Have you seen the foldable binoculars? Use that principle, i think it could work really well.

Zakk · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2006, 02:28:34 pm »

Quote from: Barcrest on October 12, 2006, 05:24:47 am

Would be cool to have the screen pop up when you opened the lid... Have you seen the foldable binoculars? Use that principle, i think it could work really well.

Foldable binocs? I was thinking just a nice housing, and two gas hatchback struts...I do like the ide of it being visible when the top is open, but I wonder if there would be a heat issue, where if it was mounted into the cabinet, it could vent out the back...

I should be picking up the cabient today or tomorrow, so I'll see what I have to work with.

spacies · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:04:20 pm »

Fair enuf if you are going to gut it. They are pretty ugly inside.

The link provided to the other build was good. I don't think I would have used car speakers and amp though.
You can buy some good 2nd HiFi gear cheap enough and they would thrash the pants of car gear in that situation.
You must be able to find some good USA made loudspeakers and amps?
Polk Audio is a brand that comes to mind. Although you dont want to blow the budget and have nothing left for yourself!

I have some very nice loudspeakers so when I build my jukebox from an old cab I will have cables running to them instead of inbuilt ones.

Zakk · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2006, 11:31:00 pm »

Well I picked up the unit tonight, it's in bloody awesome shape... -almost- a shame to gut it....ALMOST

I'll have a build page up shortly on my projects page. I think this thing will really be a work of art. I was at the guy's house today, and it's a million dollar historic mansion in one of our old neighbourhoods. I had no idea it was going to be "that" house. I think my quote should go up

As for amp, I'm certain I'm going to use a Kenwood receiver/amp. I have a really good one that was supposed to be for the pool house, but it never got installed, so it's brand new. That makes it easy to hook up to the cable for radio starions.

He wanted a few extras added on after we chatted. We'll see how it turns out!

spacies · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2006, 12:26:43 am »

Sounds like he's got a couple of extra dollars?

Good choice with the Amp. You can never have too much grunt in the Amp dept.
One thing I have been reading about these sort of conversions is the need to have some sort of vibration damper for the HDD.

Look forward to your project page.

unclet · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2006, 09:19:52 am »

I would definitely make the screen pop up when the lid is opened so people can select their songs. Possibly have it pop up at a 90 degree angle in case the screen will dual for video watching as well .... if you are going to invest thie time and effort, I would not just consider this thing a MP3 player only .... videos might come later.

Zakk · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2006, 10:38:56 am »

Hmm. Maybe I'll have it so that it is flush in the cabinet, but can come up 'forward' on a couple of bracker arms. The only concern then is someone slamming the lid down on it.

Yeah, this guy has a few extra bucks kicking around, he's been a top lawyer for years, and has some income property. I do doubt he'd ever play videos, considering he was still using this as his primary stereo "radio stations only". In fact the whole thing is to help him convice his kids (and grandkids?) that's he's not a boring old man.

Once I get my new compy up and running the way I want, I'll bite into this project. (oh and when I get the energy to get the console out of the back of my suv!)

Zakk · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2006, 12:38:08 am »

http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Consolejuke/classyjuke.htm

Not much there yet, but it IS technically started

Barry Barcrest · « **Reply #15 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:55:39 am »

This is how i was thinking of making it pop up.... I am not sure this diagram makes much sense, basically as you bring the lid up the screen comes forward.

You should add a graphics card that does TV out as well, that would give you the option of having dual screen for vidoes at a later date with no real hasstle

Zakk · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:59:03 am »

That's not bad, it could run along a rail and pegs on the bottom edge. The vid card is an nVidia PCI-E 5500 card, with 3 outputs, including s-video and dvi, (I assume that round plug is s-video!). That was the cheapest pci-e card they had.

Barry Barcrest · « **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2006, 05:38:18 am »

Yes it would run on rails along the bottom. It is hard to describe really but i think you get it. You have to make sure the screen goes past being 90degrees so it tilts back slightly as this acts as a locking system to prevent it all acidentally closing on you when you touch the screen.

fredster · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:37:11 am »

Zakk,

Great idea. Saves all that setup.

You might put the monitor on the top door. Mount it up straight too it.
And then there is that cool knob for controlling the software in the "metal station".

Don't forget lighting. Use some rope lights or some audio organs. You can put them in the inside and cut some new holes on the front and cover with thin cloth.

Get some ideas from "pimp my ride" for lighting.

Make it so that it looks plain until you open it up, then it lights up and comes to life when the top is opened. The monitor could have visualizations and a really simple control.

The inside where the turntable could be replaced with a radio and a CD player for those guests who have to hear the latest tune they have. It would also be hot to have a USB up there for those tunes people carry on USB MP3 players and Flash cards.

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2006, 08:23:46 pm »

Here's some more inspiration for ya:

http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/11/homemade_touchs.html

Zakk · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2006, 08:33:24 pm »

That one is pretty neat, do you think that is an overlay of some kind for the touch screen? That's pretty slick if it works that way. Thanks!

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #21 on:** November 02, 2006, 08:16:17 am »

I'm guessing that's some kind of all-in-one PC that he's using. It uses a dynapro touchscreen which I've seen in a lot of industrial applications before.

Zakk · « **Reply #22 on:** November 06, 2006, 11:50:56 pm »

Quote from: Barcrest on October 17, 2006, 09:55:39 am

This is how i was thinking of making it pop up.... I am not sure this diagram makes much sense, basically as you bring the lid up the screen comes forward.

You should add a graphics card that does TV out as well, that would give you the option of having dual screen for vidoes at a later date with no real hasstle

I'm thinking of making it pop straight out instead of ride along the rails. I haven't the slightest idea on how to make that work however.

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #23 on:** November 07, 2006, 08:45:19 am »

Hydraulics. Similar to those in a hatchback. Pop the lever, up goes the door.

fredster · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2006, 02:28:42 pm »

The trick is to get it back down again

Zakk · « **Reply #25 on:** November 07, 2006, 02:35:10 pm »

Yeah, but if I build the frame out of steel, and use only one small gas lift, maybe that would work. (?)

fredster · « **Reply #26 on:** November 07, 2006, 05:33:12 pm »

Yeah, you can buy a small cheap shock at the autoparts store that will do that.

If you somehow use the lid of the player you have to push on the monitor when you close it, it will work.

Zakk · « **Reply #27 on:** November 07, 2006, 05:38:43 pm »

I think this could work! I need some kind of pushbutton, spring latch for the monitor so when it's down, it stays down, but other than that, it should be pretty easy. I'll set it up like a spring loaded shelf, but upwards.

Crafty · « **Reply #28 on:** November 07, 2006, 08:04:32 pm »

Awesome This is exactly what I plan to do, to one of those old radiophone cabinets, I picked up off ebay for $50 Aus..

Keep the details coming as I will be shamelessly pilfering any good ones..

Barry Barcrest · « **Reply #29 on:** November 08, 2006, 05:06:20 am »

We have desks here at the school that work like that. It's a complicated set up so i don't think me trying to describe it would be much help without photos. It works on 1 gas strut and pops up when you release the catch. The reason this set up is a little more complicated is because it also provides a desk space for keyboard and mouse when the screen has popped up...

If you want pictures of it let me know and i will snap em tomorrow while the class is empty and post em up for you.

Zakk · « **Reply #30 on:** November 08, 2006, 10:20:32 am »

Quote from: Barcrest on November 08, 2006, 05:06:20 am

We have desks here at the school that work like that. It's a complicated set up so i don't think me trying to describe it would be much help without photos. It works on 1 gas strut and pops up when you release the catch. The reason this set up is a little more complicated is because it also provides a desk space for keyboard and mouse when the screen has popped up...

If you want pictures of it let me know and i will snap em tomorrow while the class is empty and post em up for you.

Yeah, that would be great if it's not too much trouble! I think the design will be -fairly- easy, since I will weld mounting plates to the monitor frame I'm constructing, for the strut. I just need to find one that is long enough to life the entire monitor out, but easy enough to push down without having to really force it. Any insight onto a latching system is definitely welcome!!!

Zakk · « **Reply #31 on:** November 08, 2006, 07:14:51 pm »

Dang, messed around with a new hatchback strut today. Those things are DAMN strong. I think they are designed to hold up a couple hundred pounds of steel, not a couple of pounds of steel. I'm going to have to find something weaker.

Bumblebounces · « **Reply #32 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:15:11 am »

Quote from: Zakk on November 08, 2006, 07:14:51 pm

Dang, messed around with a new hatchback strut today. Those things are DAMN strong. I think they are designed to hold up a couple hundred pounds of steel, not a couple of pounds of steel. I'm going to have to find something weaker.

Tell me about it.... I had an 87 Honda CRX with failing shocks. The damned things would work just well enough to hold the hatch up and then >WHAM!<, drop the 400 pound hatch on your head when you least expected it.

Okay, seriously, it probably was more like 150 pounds but damned if it didn't work perfectly when I finally replaced the shocks.

(sure felt like 400 pounds when it hit my head, though)

Maybe some small pneumatic piston rams would work. Probably a little on the expensive side and you would have to come up with a source for compressed air to make it work. Yeah, nevermind... Not feasible at all...

Good luck

Bumble

Barry Barcrest · « **Reply #33 on:** November 09, 2006, 05:29:32 am »

I will bring my camera into work tomorrow and get you all the shots you will need. If you build it to this design you will need a fairly strong ram. It works really well i will post up tomorrow.

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #34 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:13:44 pm »

somebody mentioned using a self-raising car-antenna. That's not a bad idea, if you can figure out how to convert the Dc over to AC, or just wire it to a PC power supply.

Since you're only talking a few lbs, you could build the antenna so it sits dead center behind the top edge of the monitor and when a button is pressed, the monitor (on hinges of course) tilts up and forward.

Zakk · « **Reply #35 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:50:45 pm »

Quote from: NinjaEpisode on November 09, 2006, 02:13:44 pm

somebody mentioned using a self-raising car-antenna. That's not a bad idea, if you can figure out how to convert the Dc over to AC, or just wire it to a PC power supply.

Since you're only talking a few lbs, you could build the antenna so it sits dead center behind the top edge of the monitor and when a button is pressed, the monitor (on hinges of course) tilts up and forward.

Yeah, not a bad idea, but then I'm into the clearance problem, where the monitor might be too big for the space allowed (I got a 17"). We'll have to wait and see when it arrives. Plus, aren't antenna motors notorious for failing? I really thing I'd like a mechanical solution, just easier on my nerves

Stingray · « **Reply #36 on:** November 09, 2006, 04:35:57 pm »

A 17 inch monitor would very likely be too much weight for an antenna motor. Most of the ones I've seen have a plastic gear and tape inside. Too much weight and you'd surely strip something out.

-S

fredster · « **Reply #37 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:14:27 pm »

They make all kinds of shocks. I'm sure that if you looked around enough, you'd find one.

Zakk · « **Reply #38 on:** November 15, 2006, 09:38:52 pm »

I'm headed to an auto parts store tomorrow. I'll get some actual help instead of just perusing the parts myself.

The cool factor is eleventybrazillion when you add a touchscreen to a juke. Public thanks to Knievel for setting me up with a screen. Hats off to him for sure on this project. No wonder he won that Mamey!

Silver · « **Reply #39 on:** February 28, 2007, 05:41:48 pm »

Realise this is a bit old, but did you make progress getting the screen to fold out smoothly/latch?

What did you settle on in the end?


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