How long does it take to build a CP?

[The cranky hermit]

Once you have all the parts and tools you need, how long does it take to put it all together? It's 3/4" MDF with no T-molding or plexi.

Also, what size and shape holes do you need for the following objects?

Happ Super Joystick
Happ classic pushbutton
Happ Ms Pacman/Galaga 4-way with OSCAR mounting plate

[Valence]

4 months      oh wait    your using MDF.  1 day. dilligent work.

Circlular holes   1 1/8"
Joystick - same

[TalkingOctopus]

Yeah you should be able to do it in a weekend no problem.  I would recommend making a full scale template that shows the layout of your cp.  Use that as a drill guide.  

It took me quite a while to make my cp.  It took me about a day to make the box that housed the wires and it actually took me 2 tries to get the cp right.  The first time I cracked my lucite.  But my cp was 4 player w/ artwork, lucite and t-molding...you dont have to worry about any of that.

[SirPoonga]

probably a night to make a cp.

[OSCAR]

That is a hard question for somebody else to answer for you, I would think.  Most of your time will be spent with tools, so the tools you have available and your knowledge & proficiency with them will be the major factor.

I have seen people struggle for half a day just wiring a control panel, where others can have a full 2 player setup wired in just over a half hour.  The same goes for making all the panel cuts, too.  Someone who knows their way around a router & has all the proper bits, jigs, and fixtures will work circles around someone using a jigsaw and still end up with better results.  My point is, don't try to gauge the time you will spend doing something (correctly) based on what other people of various experience levels will tell you.  For a first time project, allow yourself a full weekend and see where you end up.

As for the hole sizes you need for the controls, Valence is correct that the buttons and joysticks use a 1 1/8" hole.  The joystick mounting plate is 4" x 6" x 1/16" thick, if you are going to recess it.  The hole required for the joystick attached to the mounting plate will need to be approximately 3.5" x 4".  I usually trace the joystick base onto the panel, then cut it out leaving myself about an 1/8" clearance all around it.

[The cranky hermit]

I'm most likely only going to be using a drill and jigsaw. I know for certain that I won't have access to a router.

[The cranky hermit]

The hole required for the joystick attached to the mounting plate will need to be approximately 3.5" x 4".

What do you use to make a rectangular hole? Can a jigsaw do that? I really know very little about woodworking.

[Shieldwolf]

ok for someone who has never touched a power tool or is able to draw in the lines. It has taken me

1 week to draw.
1 week to saw
half an hour of screaming every profanity when I realized I cut an inch off the wrong side.
1 day to redraw and saw
and now I need to put in the encoder and buttons

[SirPoonga]

I'm most likely only going to be using a drill and jigsaw. I know for certain that I won't have access to a router.

That should work.  And a straight edge.  Get a 1 1/8" hole saw for your drill.
I was joking before, a night to build the CP, as in cut and screw it:)  painting, wiring, finishing touches all take as long as you want for the detail you want.

[night]

i got a couple CP tops i have drilled and drawn already if you want one .
i made it a couple years ago, then meant to make a few more for friends, but i never cut it out. its 3/4 MDF.
ive been building full cabs now, so i dont care about the little laptop/table top boxes.

i could even cut the slot for you, but i only have 5/8's molding

[SNAAAKE]

dunno about you but takes me like 3 hours for a single and like 5 for a dual !
yeah but thats just me though

[F|end]

That depends! If you're a newbie like me, that should take the time deppending in this skills bellow refered:

- Woodcrafting

- Wiring skills

- Tools that you use

- Materials that you're gonna use

- Your mother ))))

- Have you gotta girlfriend!? How did she reacted!?

- Space (like a garage or a working room)

...

Well, it's not that easy! I think the right thread to post here is:

Poll: How long do you take building a CP?!

- 1 hour

- 1 day

- 1 week

- 1 month

- 1 year

- more, cm'on

No offense with this thread sorry!  

[king88mob]

I'm just wrapping up building my first CP (a two player unit with PS2 controllers as encoders) and i've kept a decent record of how long and how much this little project has cost me.

Honestly, the longest and most frustrating parts of the project were having to go back and forth when i realized i didn't have the right tool, or didn't have all the parts i need

Here's a little tip. Buy EVERYTHING you think you'll need in one day, including sprray paint, clearcoat, connectors, wire, solder, all the materials etc.

Also, if you are going to use MDF, a hole saw is going to take for ever to get through thick MDF. I broke down and bought a spade bit for the wood, and used the hole saw for the lucite (e.g. lexan)

Finally, the design aspect was helped enormously by drafting out the design on Visio using the stencils found on this site. WARNING: The Happ Controls Competition Joystick doesn't quite line up right, so don't use it as a template for drilling (like i did.. grr.) Took me about an evening to get the basics right, and then refining it.

Printing out sections life size on 8.5x11 paper so you can glue them to the wood really helps.


So how long did everything take me (excluding getting tools and supplies)

Cutting: 4-5 hours (first time with a circular saw)
Assembling the bottom box, slanted: 2 hours
Swearing cuz i didn't draw the sides right: 1 hour
preping box for paint (using plastic wood to fill in the mistakes) 2 hours
painting (3 coats gloss, don't like gloss, 2 coats mat): 4 hours
Haven't clearcoated it yet, count an hour for 2 coats
Drilling CP top: 1 hour (with beer and chatting with friend)

Wiring: hacking the 2 PS2 controllers: 2 hours a piece, total 4 hours
Wiring Harnesses: common grounds, daisychained: 2 hours (while watching army of darkness)
Wiring Leads from switches to barrier boxes: 1 hour

What's left to do? Paint CP, wire everything together, test, cut and drill lexan, print out and trim artwork.

I figure my second CP will probably be done in two weekends. This one has been a little longer project.

Oh, and a jigsaw's precision would have been nice compared to the circular saw i was using.

If you want more anecdotes and newbie advice, msg me

[TheTick]

Actually a circular saw is more accurate for straight cuts than a jigsaw. Its just more difficult to use (could it be the fact that it tends to go wherever it wants?).  

I've heard circular saws recommended for pocket cuts... that's insane. I've yet to line the blade up correctly for a pocket cut.

The Jigsaw is more versatile and easier to handle. Its great for freehand cuts. With circular saws you need to vice a straight edge down for the boot to rest against.... or you're cuts will not be accurate (read as "foobar")

[RedSquirrel]

I have a T-Stick. I was going to mount it from the underside but how? The stick will not fit through the hole ( 1 1/8) as the "end" is too think (plus you have that plastic circle thing).

[TheTick]

I have a T-Stick. I was going to mount it from the underside but how? The stick will not fit through the hole ( 1 1/8) as the "end" is too think (plus you have that plastic circle thing).

You need to disassemble it first.... then resassemble it into the control panel.