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Cocktail Dream (First Build) [Done, basically]
saurian333:
Rethought my CP layout. I realized that if I'm going to utilize the extra power of the new MB that will go in the machine for games like MK, I'm going to need more than 4 buttons. Switched back to my original 6-button layout. It looks basically the same, except there is an extra pair of black buttons on the right end of the group. I might move the whole works over a bit so the control groupings are centered, as long as there is still enough space to the left of each joystick for a hand to rest comfortably.
I still haven't ordered controls and stuff. Buying any more parts or materials is on hold right now until I have more cash; too many other things I need to pay for right now. Meanwhile, I'm going to finish painting this weekend. I primed Tuesday and did the first coat of black Wednesday. It looks like crap, though; the black coat got a bunch of dust (probably sawdust) and other crud stuck in it. I'll have to sand it down and recoat. I'm fairly happy with the texture I'm getting from the rollers, so I think one more coat will do the trick if it stays clean. Main thing I can suggest to a fellow newbie is to make sure your work area is totally clean before you start painting. I've done a fair bit of painting before, but never had so much dust floating around that I had a problem like this. I think it has a lot to do with the MDF; cutting that stuff gets pretty nasty. It isn't as bad as a lot of people here have made it out to be, but it does kick up a lot of dust. Can't wait to see what a router does to it.
I've also got some carpeting (similar to automotive carpet) that I'm going to line the inside with. I got very cheap stuff as it was just kind of an afterthought, but I think it will add an interesting element to the cab. I did finally cut the bottom piece this week and screwed it to the supports inside the box, so I can do the carpet as soon as my paint is dry, hopefully Sunday night. I also rebuilt my CP box, and I'm much happier with it now. The side braces are on the outside, the long seam is on the bottom, and I added some curves to the sides. I was too hasty with the wood putty, so I have a little filling to do before I put the last coat of paint on that piece. Otherwise, it's looking much better.
Pics will be up sometime this weekend when I get back to working on it. If anyone's following along, let me know if there's anything in particular you want to see; nothing terribly special going on yet, though.
painterinfo:
Carpet sounds like an interesting idea is it for sound muffling, ie fan noise? Hopefully it won't attract static or dust or make the insides hotter.
Re designing the control panel around the computer, as it is a notebook think of it as a swappable component, couple of years from now you are bound to find a faster replacement computer.
I prefer paint MDF myself (nothing to do with my surname being "Painter") I apply 2 coats of white primer, three coats of colour and then a coat or two of clear. Trick is do thin coats, don't slap it on.
Raw MDF ends I paint first with a coat of 40% White PVC glue mixed with water. After several hours give it a light sanding and then repeat. You can make the surface glass smooth if you want so when you paint it, it is not only tougher you don't get a furry paint finish.
saurian333:
Hi painterinfo; thanks for your comments!
--- Quote from: painterinfo on January 02, 2010, 12:46:43 am ---Carpet sounds like an interesting idea is it for sound muffling, ie fan noise? Hopefully it won't attract static or dust or make the insides hotter.
--- End quote ---
Mostly just because I thought it would be interesting, but partly for sound dampening. Hadn't really thought about dust, but with proper ventilation, that shouldn't be a problem anyway.
--- Quote from: painterinfo on January 02, 2010, 12:46:43 am ---Re designing the control panel around the computer, as it is a notebook think of it as a swappable component, couple of years from now you are bound to find a faster replacement computer.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, as I said a couple of posts ago, I'm already looking at using something else. The 800MHz Pentium just isn't cutting the mustard. But as far as designing around it, that's not really what I'm doing at all. The cab is basically just a box with plenty of room for a different computer, sound system, etc.
--- Quote from: painterinfo on January 02, 2010, 12:46:43 am ---I prefer paint MDF myself (nothing to do with my surname being "Painter") I apply 2 coats of white primer, three coats of colour and then a coat or two of clear. Trick is do thin coats, don't slap it on.
Raw MDF ends I paint first with a coat of 40% White PVC glue mixed with water. After several hours give it a light sanding and then repeat. You can make the surface glass smooth if you want so when you paint it, it is not only tougher you don't get a furry paint finish.
--- End quote ---
I used a roll-on latex paint since I'm not equipped for spraying in the basement right now. I did two coats of grey primer and one black so far. Hard to do a particularly "thin" coat with this stuff, but I do try not to get sloppy with it. If I paint my next project, I will probably spray it and attempt to get a nice glossy finish to it. Interesting note about the glue solution on the raw ends; in this particular case, I don't have any raw edges that won't be covered with T-molding, but I will definitely keep that tip in mind!
Thanks again for the advice!
saurian333:
Went downstairs for a smoke and decided to test-fit my CP on top of the newly remodeled box...
I should have done that sooner. Design FAIL. The curves come down too far, and it leaves a gap. :banghead: I'll take pics later to illustrate (I work the night shift, so it's past my bedtime right now). Man, I'm an idiot sometimes. Oh well, live and learn, crash and burn, etc. Since the back piece comes off easily, I think I'll just trim that down an inch or so to reduce the angle (which was honestly a bit too much anyway) enough to at least close the gap.
In the immortal words of Homer Simpson: "D'OH!!!"
saurian333:
(Edit)
First off, please excuse the poor quality of some of the pics. My camera likes to decide at random what should be in focus. Also seems I had some dust on my lens...ack.
So, here you can see the cab with its first coat of black, with the bad spots sanded down (i.e. pretty much the whole thing) and ready for another coat (tomorrow):
Here's another inside shot, with the bottom in, and another cross-piece that I'll use for a HDD shelf or whatever. Basically I figured it wouldn't hurt to have in there.
Here's the new CP box, also ready for second coat of paint:
Note here the gap between the CP and the curved side. I still can't believe I didn't think of this and left 1/2 inch in both the front and back, the exact thickness of the CP.
I figure there are 3 options for dealing with that (other than leaving it alone, since I don't consider that an option).
1 -- Cut about an inch off of the back piece (and the braces you see in back) so that the bottom edge of the CP lines up with the top of the curve. This would require T-molding all the way around the CP, where I had really only planned to put it in front where it's visible. That doesn't bother me, though. I'll be ordering plenty of extra molding when I get that far. Would look roughly like so (ignore the fact that it sticks out farther in front for the moment):
2 -- Cut more off the back piece so the CP lies flat. I'm not sure I want it flat, though.
3 -- Cut some off of both the back and front, so that the top of the CP sits at or below the curved edge. That would probably look best, but I don't think I want the front of the side piece to come up above the CP surface.
I think I like option 2 best, but I'd like to know what others think of how it would look.
Tomorrow will be the day for the second (probably last) coat of paint. I plan to put it on with a sponge brush; that way it can go on a little thinner and hopefully still not streak, plus I won't get all the crap in it like I did with the roller. If that doesn't work out, I'll probably just sand again, then break down and spray it in the other part of the basement where I can open the window. Problem with opening windows right now is that it's about -8 f***ing degrees (Fahrenheit; that's -22C for those across the pond) and windy, and no sign of warming up much for at least a week. I'll do it if I have to, though; should be able to keep it warm enough in the basement for drying until it's aired out a bit.