Kaytrim's Kustoms Back in Action

[Timoe]

Does Homey D's also sell the polishing compound?

[Kaytrim]

I got my polishing compound in the auto dept at the local stuffmart.

TTFN

[NiteWalker]

I still need to get the proper sized bits for the 30mm and 24mm buttons.  Looks like I need a 1 3/16" and 15/16" respectively if I can't find the metric bits.  There is a specialty woodworker's shop in town I have been purposefully avoiding so I don't go spend a ton of cash (credit).

TTFN
Kaytrim

The Lee Valley HSS (high speed steel) forstners and saw tooth bits are excellent, probably some of the best out there. Here's the link. The 15/16" is under the forstner section. They don't have a 24mm bit but they do have a 25mm. The 15/16" is probably closer though, so I'd stick with that. As for the 30mm, it's in the saw tooth section at the bottom. Definitely excellent bits and will stand up to a lot of abuse.

[javeryh]

Does Homey D's also sell the polishing compound?

I got mine at an auto parts store (NAPA).  Home Depot didn't carry it.  You need rubbing/cutting compound AND a finishing polish to make it really shine.  I went nuts with the finish on my last cab so if you want you can read up on what I did.

[Kaytrim]

Latest WIP...  Still rough around the edges but you get the idea.   I call this one White Gold.

[Donkey_Kong]

Looking good man. White Gold, awesome name. 


Can't wait to see these done. I like the slimmer profile of your new sticks vs the first one. Do you have artwork planned for white gold?

[patrickl]

If you plan on selling these, maybe the finish needs to be a bit more professional?

[Kaytrim]

If you plan on selling these, maybe the finish needs to be a bit more professional?

As mentioned Pat this one is a work in progress.  I had some major mistakes on this paint job that are not shown here.  I intend to redo the paint before I list White Gold for sale.

Looking good man. White Gold, awesome name. 


Can't wait to see these done. I like the slimmer profile of your new sticks vs the first one. Do you have artwork planned for white gold?

These newer sticks are using the Japanese Sanwa and Seimitsu parts which are about half the size of the Happ parts yet they are more than twice the price, go figure.    A set of controls for these sticks will run $60-70 including shipping.  A set of Happs parts will run $25-$35 with shipping.

As far as artwork for White Gold I have nothing in the plans as of yet for artwork.  I think that something simple is called for here.  Parts for this box are on order.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

I should have final pics of these two WIP soon.  Both boxes had to go back for painting several times.  I am calling Blanka done with paint, I am just waiting on the artwork.  'White Gold' is giving me more problems with paint then I bargained for.  I am not going to give up though and hope to have it done and ready for pics early next week.


TTFN
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

Ok folks I am still waiting on the artwork for the Blanka stick.  Instead I started my first real hardwood box.

Here it is after glue up.  I plan on rounding the edges because the corners are quite sharp.




I originally thought that this was Pakauk but after a little research I discovered that what I have here is called Lacewood.  Here is a closeup to see the grain and texture.



TTFN
Kaytrim

[Dmod]

Sharp looking box.  Would look really solid with some dovetail joints on the corners.

What are those small pieces in inside corners?

[theCoder]

Ok folks I am still waiting on the artwork for the Blanka stick.  Instead I started my first real hardwood box.

I'd go with crisp, clean art on this one.  No cartoon images.  Perhaps some geometric shapes, sweeping lines of gentle color transitions.  Anything but Spiderman.

How are you planning to treat the wood?  This has lots of potential.

[Kaytrim]

Sharp looking box.  Would look really solid with some dovetail joints on the corners.

What are those small pieces in inside corners?

Dovetails are hard to do on an angle like these are.  The corner brackets are to give the corner a little more strength and give the top and bottom a place for screws.

Ok folks I am still waiting on the artwork for the Blanka stick.  Instead I started my first real hardwood box.

I'd go with crisp, clean art on this one.  No cartoon images.  Perhaps some geometric shapes, sweeping lines of gentle color transitions.  Anything but Spiderman.

How are you planning to treat the wood?  This has lots of potential.

The lacewood has definite potential for treatment due to the unique grain texture.  I have a scrap piece left over from this box that I will play around with.  I was thinking about a plain varnish but I would like to bring out the grain somehow.  To do that I will try a whitewash and other stains to see how the wood absorbs the colors.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[javeryh]

David Marks would use tung oil to bring out the grain and the natural beauty of the wood... or something like that.  I hate that guy even though he has some serious skills... well, I hate his projects, not him (not my style).

[Timoe]

Lacewood is awesome.  Kaytrim, this will be one hot stick.


Here are my two cents:
Polyurethane (varnish) will bring out the grain just fine.
Do not stain unless you can get an oil based stain.
Before you do anything to seal the wood make sure that all traces of glue are gone from the outside of the box.  You can wet the wood with mineral spirits to see if any glue is still on the edges.  Mineral spirits will not raise the grain on the wood.
Have fun with your router.   

[Kaytrim]

Lacewood is awesome.  Kaytrim, this will be one hot stick.


Here are my two cents:
Polyurethane (varnish) will bring out the grain just fine.
Do not stain unless you can get an oil based stain.
Before you do anything to seal the wood make sure that all traces of glue are gone from the outside of the box.  You can wet the wood with mineral spirits to see if any glue is still on the edges.  Mineral spirits will not raise the grain on the wood.
Have fun with your router.   

Thanks for the tips Timoe.  I belong to a wood workers forum where I am getting similar tips on how to finish this piece.  The box sits only 2" high and I have another board ready for cutting that will only be 1 7/8" high.  These will not be for Happ parts they are way too big.  These boxes will be setup for Sanwa JLF joysticks.  And routers can be real fun or a pain, see next paragraph.

I took my test piece, cut and assembled it just like one of the corners on the real box.  I then ran it through the router table.  It tried to take the piece out of my hands.  My router is a variable speed and I had it set at a medium low speed.  I don't know if I should use a higher speed or not.  I am afraid that if I do it will throw it across the room.  After taking my time and making sure I had a good grip on the little bit of wood I got the routing done last night. 

Then I took my orbital sander clamped into my bench vice with 220 grit paper and sanded it smooth.  My sander is also variable speed and I had it set on the slowest speed it could produce.  This allowed me to have a good measure of control.  After sanding I washed off the dust and any glue on the face of the wood.  I looked it over and by a stoke of luck I had glued the two pieces with the grain in matching directions.  After the router did it's work the corner has grain sweeping up from both faces.  I'll have to get a pic posted so you can see how cool it looks.  I just hope that I was as lucky with the box.  It should still have that detail but the two pieces joining at the corner may sweep in opposet directions or both may sweep down.  I'll find out when I take it to the router table tonight.

After discovering that little detail I really want to bring out the detail of the grain now.  One thing that I will have to keep in mind, this is a very porous wood.  You can even see the pores in places they are so big.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

Took the box to the router table and sander tonight.  Look at the interesting detail in the grain that I found in the corners.  All four look like this one.



I am still testing different finishes but here is the box ready for what ever finish I finally decide on.



TTFN
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

Ok time for a few test finishes.  The first one on the right is Tung Oil, followed by a pickling white stain , then natural stain.



Here is a closeup of the Tung Oil.  Look at the grain in the corner and the up sweep that was discovered.  I got lucky and it is in each corner of the full box.



Here is a closeup of the three trials.  At this point I am liking the Tung Oil.  IMO It enhances the grain patterns the best.



Next I am going to get a polyurethane finish and try it on top of the Tung Oil and on the raw wood to see which looks better.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[javeryh]

WOW that tung oil finish really pops.  The grain on that wood is awesome.  I can't wait to see this thing finished.   

[Kaytrim]

Well your wait is almost over javeryh.




Here are two closeups.  The difference you see is from the wood and the way the light hits it.




And a closeup of the interesting corner.


According to the can I need to let this sit for a few days before I can put a clear polyurethane finish to seal it.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[theCoder]

I used tung oil on the dash on the Xcelerator project.  I just rubbed it down three times and did not seal it.  Not sure if a sealant is needed?

This one is going to look nice.

[Timoe]

If you want a sheen you could just wax it.

This is going to be a cool looking stick. 

[Kaytrim]

Thanks guys.  I want to protect the wood from the sweaty hands that will be using it.  That is why I was thinking of using a poly.  The wood is also a little rough still.  The grain raised slightly.  Would you recommend that I use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth it out before I put a final coat of tung oil?

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

I am almost done with my first commissioned stick.  This box was designed with a minimalist attitude.  All black box and red controls.  The Sega Saturn pad is hacked and working.  Just have to wire it up to the controls tonight and drop it off at the post office in the morning.

Here are some pics.








TTFN

[theCoder]

Very clean.  Looks nice.  I like your new avatar as well.

Good stuff.

[polaris]

dude thats awesome looking, really really professional finish to it.
lets hope its the first of many

[Kaytrim]

Thanks for the comments Coder and polaris. Will is anxiously waiting this stick.  He has a tournament on Thursday and would love to have this in his hands for that.  He has also shown these pics to a few friends and I may be getting a few new orders in the near future. 

TTFN

[leapinlew]

Looks good.... no Kaytrim Kustom tag?

[Kaytrim]

It'll be recessed into the bottom as per the customer's request.   The plaques are just a little big for this box.  It only sits 1 7/8" tall, the plaques are 2".

TTFN

[Jeff AMN]

That looks great! I made a post on my blog about Timoe's sticks and it's been one of the more popular pages on the blog since posting it (about 300-500 views per month). I don't know if anybody has contacted him solely because of my post, but I had a few people email me and double check his contact info.

If you want to get me a few photos to showcase your sticks, I can make a post for you too. I need to update the Timoe sticks post though, he's done some great work too since that point.

Here's the post I did on Timoe, by the way: http://stupidgamer.com/2007/06/29/tims-custom-console-arcade-sticks/

[Kaytrim]

I appreciate it Jeff.  However let me post a few more boxes first.  I have three currently in progress that will be real nice once finished.

TTFN

[arcadefever]

 

This one is really nice 

sexy 

[Kaytrim]

Thanks arcadefever. 

Wiring is complete.   It's a little messy but is works.

[arcadefever]

can you make me one 

[patrickl]

To get rid of the blur, try taking the pictures in a lot more light.

[Kaytrim]

To get rid of the blur, try taking the pictures in a lot more light.

I couldn't find my good camera.  That one has a macro mode for nice clear close up shots.  My wife usually has it in her purse.  This camera is a 2mp with no flash.  I had a bright light and the camera was on a tripod.

[Timoe]

I am looking forward to more. 

[patrickl]

To get rid of the blur, try taking the pictures in a lot more light.

I couldn't find my good camera.  That one has a macro mode for nice clear close up shots.  My wife usually has it in her purse.  This camera is a 2mp with no flash.  I had a bright light and the camera was on a tripod.

The pictures show they are taken at F3 and 1/13 or 1/15 of a second. That indicates very low light conditions and it results in a very shallow depth of field (thin area in-focus).  For an overview picture of the box that would probably not be a desired effect since most of the picture will be out of focus. If this is the effect your going for then you should take care to put the focus on something within the frame.

Add a lot of light and the camera will use a higher f-stop (probably something like F8 will work) and thus take a picture with more of the box in focus. For instance try taking a picture in sunlight with the same camera and it will be fine for posting on the web.

Anyway, just trying to help.

[Kaytrim]

The pictures show they are taken at F3 and 1/13 or 1/15 of a second. That indicates very low light conditions and it results in a very shallow depth of field (thin area in-focus).  For an overview picture of the box that would probably not be a desired effect since most of the picture will be out of focus. If this is the effect your going for then you should take care to put the focus on something within the frame.

Add a lot of light and the camera will use a higher f-stop (probably something like F8 will work) and thus take a picture with more of the box in focus. For instance try taking a picture in sunlight with the same camera and it will be fine for posting on the web.

Anyway, just trying to help.

Don't get me wrong Pat I do appreciate the help.  I don't have the ability to change the f-stop on that cheep thing.  I am going to have to do one of two things. Get a better camera for myself or get one for my wife.  I shipped the box out this morning so I don't can't take new pics.  But I will make sure that I have the better camera for future jobs.

Thanks,
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

I am looking forward to more. 

You'll get more pics when I am done with the next box not to worry.

Looks good.... no Kaytrim Kustom tag?

I decided not to put the tag on this box.  Not to knock Melissa's work but this box was just too fine and I had too little time to install it properly.