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TimeSink - Dedicated Vertical Cab
theCoder:
CP Box
Today I built the extension to hold the control panel. Nothing exciting here. The bottom comes off with 3 screws to provide access to the CP. I used the biggest round-over bit I have to get nice rounded edges. I wanted to keep it inside the cab profile and as shallow as I could get away with. It is 20.5” wide by 5.5” deep. I’m thinking about putting the power switch, volume pot, and credit button on the angled surface below the CP (at arrow on 2nd picture). This will keep things in reach but slightly out of sight. I could put them on the vertical surface as well. Recommendations?
I also routed a long slit in the front for one of my lighting effects. I doubt I will be able to figure out how to light an entire strip, so I’ll probably put in 3 to 5 pieces with little gaps between. This step will have to wait for my 2 bags of LEDs to come in (Ebay, shipped from Hong Kong.) Then I can experiment a little more.
Any recommendations on how to get a router to keep from grabbing & kicking? I’m having a terrible time with it as you can see in the 4th picture.
Bender:
I Love the lighting idea
Would frosted or semi opaque plexi diffuse the the light a bit more? (get rid of the hot spots)
would painting the back side of the plexi black keep all the light coming out the front, or dose it need those sides to reflect off of?
theCoder:
--- Quote from: Bender on August 12, 2007, 07:08:52 pm ---I Love the lighting idea
Would frosted or semi opaque plexi diffuse the the light a bit more? (get rid of the hot spots)
would painting the back side of the plexi black keep all the light coming out the front, or dose it need those sides to reflect off of?
--- End quote ---
Thanks. According to my internet searching, a frosted surface will diffuse the light, both when it enters and exists the Plexiglas. I'm not sure about painting it black. I think the best way to keep the light inside is to polish the edge, the opposite of a frosted edge. I've got a lot of long strips to put in, and really need to get in some quality experimentation time. I have a few ideas, but am waiting for the bulk shipment of LEDs to show up.
theCoder:
Monitor Bezel and Mounting
I wanted to include a fancy bezel with the LCD monitor, but was stumped at how to mount it. The design I came up with involves two pieces of plywood, one with an opening ¼” wider than the monitor surface, and another with an opening 1” bigger than that. With a fancy profile bit on my router, I routed both pieces. When placed together, they form a cool window frame effect.
I’m using ¾” plywood left over from the Xcelerator project. Plywood is probably not the best choice for something like this, but it is already paid for. To address the small tares and voids, I mixed a bunch of Elmer’s wood putty with a bit of water to make a paste, the consistency of drywall mud. I then smeared it all over the routed surfaces. Once dried, I sanded it all down. All of the divots are gone and the surfaces are pretty smooth.
To mount the LCD, I first held the monitor in place, and positioned it while my son marked the back with a marker. I then put the assembly face down, and screwed in small blocks. This will hold it in place on the plane of the wood. I needed to come up with a way to hold the LCD against the wood, without crushing the plastic. To deal with that, I decided to use a strip of plumbers tape (metal strapping) and a 2” thick piece of foam rubber. It just needs to put enough pressure to keep it firm against the wood. When it is ready to be installed for good, I’ll probably lay down a small bead of silicon between the LCD plastic and wood. This should keep it from vibrating.
I’m planning on putting one or more vertical Plexiglas light effects along the sides of the bezel. Then the whole thing will be covered with a sheet of smoked tempered glass.
Comments? Questions?
Kaytrim:
This cab is going to be bling city with all the lighting effects you are planning. On the router chatter I have the same problem. I read someplace that you want to do these types of cuts in multiple passes with each pass digging deeper into the wood. Also use a higher speed on your router if you have that ability. Mine is a variable speed and it had more chatter when the speed setting was low.
TTFN and keep up the good ideas. :cheers:
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