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Franco's Custom Sticks (Update: Carbon Fibre Fun!)
thatitalian:
--- Quote from: Franco B on January 17, 2009, 09:52:03 am ---Robo-Dong :D
--- End quote ---
:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
What is even funnier is that I am watching Transformers!
I love those dustwashers and shafts!........ are those mine by any chance? ;D
Kaytrim:
Subscribing to this thread. Franco I anxiously await your progress and updates.
Michael
Franco B:
Well still no woodwork as ever as I'm relocating next weekend and everything is packed up. I have been busy working on some tooling etc to make the CPs accurate and easier to produce.
I have made the brass template to template route the acrylic button bezels. I've been waiting ages to get this on the machine but I have finally got it done. Ignore the smaller holes for now:
The hole positions are an exact replica of the 'standard' Jap layout. (8th one down on the slagcoin layouts page IIRC). The diameter of the circles that make up the outer profile is 43mm which will leave a 5mm band between the buttons actual bezel and the acrylic button bezel.
I can use the template to template route the bezels before putting a slight bevel on the outer edge before polishing with novus.
The template will also act as a drilling jig to accurately drill the hole positions. This is important as the holes in the MDF etc need to line up perfectly with the holes in the button bezel so that the buttons go through.
I made the holes 30.1mm so that they will guide a 30mm forstner bit (for jap buttons). I may need to make some panels with Happ etc buttons that require a 1 1/4" (28mm) hole so I made some sleeves that reduce the diameter down to 28.1mm. I also made some sleeves with a 2mm hole for finding the exact center of the holes for other processes.
Pic of the template with 28mm forstner bit in 28.1mm sleeve, 30mm forstner bit in template and 2mm drill in 2mm sleeve:
The two smaller holes are for clamping the template to the MDF. When using the Jap snap in buttons there will be nothing to clamp the 3mm acrylic to the CP so I'm going to bond some flat M5 machine screws (see further down) to the back of the button bezels which will then hold the acrylic to the CP.
I'm also going to use the flat machine screws to bolt the JLF sticks to the CP. The JLF will be top mounted and the mounting plate needs to be as close to the top of the CP to maintain the joystick shaft length. I couldn't find and flat head screws with a thin enough head so I bought some M5x16 hexed dome head machine screws and faced them to leave a 1mm thick head. Here is a pic of the faced screws next to a stock one:
You can also see the M5 dome headed nut I'm using to bolt the JLFs to the CPs. They are about 5 times more expensive than standard M5 nuts but they will look pretty :)
This is a pic of the faced M5 screws in position:
One problem I have found is that mounting the joys like this will mean that the JST connector will foul on the nuts as can be seen below:
To resolve this I'm sourcing some vertical JST pins which I'm going to solder in the place of the stock ones.
Ive also made some 11mm stainless 'candy cane' sleeves for the JLFs and matching washers. The washers have a bore of 11.5mm which allows the shaft to move freely but so that there isn't a huge gap between the two:
You can see that the scroll is offest from the middle of the stick. This is because the sleeve fits right down to the nylon elbow of the joystick:
If the scroll was central the lower part would be hidden by the 3mm acrylic CP top so I offset it so that when the acrylic is applied the scroll will be central which should look something like this:
Ive also received my buttons from arcadeshop.de. I bought six red PS-14-GN-CP's, six white PS-14-GN-CP's and twelve translucent snap in PS-14-K's as I haven't decided which colour combo's to use yet. I also picked up some PCB feet whilst I was at it. It turned out to be pretty damn expensive (~£80) for the whole lot due to the crap £>Euro rate but I didn't want to risk import taxes by going though lizard lick.
They also included a nice suprise in the package, a DK lighter which I think is the coolest thing ever ;D (yes I'm easily pleased!):
I'm still going with the red and white gundam stick but I have changed my mind for the 2nd stick. I'm going to make a CP covered and edged with real carbon fibre. I can get some 3M self adhesive 0.012" (0.3mm) thick CF which should look pretty slick:
I'm going to use 5/8" chrome pin stripe t-moulding and stainless bits and bobs here and there. I'm also going to use the translucent PS-14-K's and cut out carbon fibre discs to fit in them. A little blue LED under CP lighting should finish it off nicely.
I've also been investing in some new tooling for my soon to be workshop! I picked up a scroll saw this morning to rough out the button bezels amongst other things:
Its only £39 at the moment from screwfix if anyone is after one.
I also picked up a pair of 1800w routers yesterday. I'm going to make a new router table to permanently mount the routers in as I'm always swapping between two or three bits and its a PITA swapping all of the time. I'm also going to add a micro adjustable fence to it and a hinged table top for ease of tool changes when required. I just need to get a table saw and then I'm good to go! :)
thatitalian:
--- Quote from: Franco B on February 18, 2009, 11:42:43 am ---To resolve this I'm sourcing some vertical JST pins which I'm going to solder in the place of the stock ones.
Ive also made some 11mm stainless 'candy cane' sleeves for the JLFs and matching washers. The washers have a bore of 11.5mm which allows the shaft to move freely but so that there isn't a huge gap between the two:
You can see that the scroll is offest from the middle of the stick. This is because the sleeve fits right down to the nylon elbow of the joystick:
--- End quote ---
That is exactly what I am after! :applaud:
I will anxiously await delivery >:D
Franco B:
Hey buddy. I found your bits yesterday when looking through my boxes. Thats the problem I have at the moment I have about a million boxes and its so hard to find anything. I just need to get your buttons drilled this week and Ill get it all sent out to you :cheers:
How many buttons did you send me? I seem to have about a brazillion translucents at home.
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