The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Fusion Disaster on May 25, 2004, 06:28:43 pm
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I'm suck a geek. I love flashy home built inventions that made visitors to your home stop in amazement of you crafty abilities. I've built the Arcade Machine (thanks to you all on here), now I'm looking for more projects to start on.
I saw a site the other day that detailed the construction of a guys home built monorail. Was large enough to carry two adults in it on a 4" wide rail suspended 12 feet above the ground, and wrapped all the way around the guys house. (I'll try to find the link and post it here).
Another idea for homemade projects was liquer dispensing machine some college kids put together. Check it out: http://www.barmonkey.net/ This is way sweet and I'm totally going to build one of these for myself to integrate into my bar.
Do you know of any other projects?
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oN the Bob & Tom radio show they described a butt kicking machine with a boot attached to a board attached to a waterwheel with a water pump to make the thing go. If you have money to burn you could always put up massive solar panels and sell power back to the grid... that would be impressive.
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Here is the link to the homemade mono rail. That's some dedication: http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/Niles.html
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You could always build a go-kart.
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Yeah that's on my list to build. In 2 years when my son will be 5, I'll build him one to cruise the block with.
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The monorail is crazy. Sure seems like an expensive venture for something so, well, small scale. You should at least be able to take a "big" person in the monorail and two people would be better.
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How about building a playground for your little one? or a fort? or clubhouse of somesort? You could make a mound of dirt with cement and wood tunnels in it like at many bigger playgrounds.
Or you could make a robot (if you have the cash).
Or you could make a home gym or a saunna <sp>.
What would be cool to do is to make a mini, non-powered version of "The Revolution". THis is a ride at some theme parks where there is a big boat that swings back and forth; of course, you might not want yours to swing too far.
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Or how about a bike-car... or a bike-car that uses mechanical giant crab legs instead of wheels. That would be totally sweet. Then all you would need to do is make it look like a giant crab and you're famous!
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Thanks for the suggestions. However I'm not necessarily looking for a new project. I've already going to be making the automatic drink mixing machine, and I need to make a home kegorator. On top of that I'm contemplating the idea of making a home made pinball machine.
For now I'm looking for examples of cool geeky projects people have devoted their time to.
Here's another example.
This guy devoted his time to building a home made segway, and if that wasn't enough he decided the segway was to redundant (with it's second wheel), so he made a self balancing unicycle. Here's the link to his site: http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html
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http://www.byopvr.com/ (http://www.byopvr.com/) - Build your own PVR.
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Build a panic room.
Build one of those smoothie margarita machines <--- Perfect addition to a kegarator.
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put a pc in your car for mp3/video/gps/whatever...
http://www.mp3car.com (http://www.mp3car.com)
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Thanks for the suggestions. However I'm not necessarily looking for a new project. I've already going to be making the automatic drink mixing machine, and I need to make a home kegorator. On top of that I'm contemplating the idea of making a home made pinball machine.
For now I'm looking for examples of cool geeky projects people have devoted their time to.
Here's another example.
This guy devoted his time to building a home made segway, and if that wasn't enough he decided the segway was to redundant (with it's second wheel), so he made a self balancing unicycle. Here's the link to his site: http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html
I actually have a home-built Keg-o-rator. It is a minifridge and it holds a five gallon keg. Once you find the home brew shop in your town or online and get all the needed parts, this is a quick and very easy project. Here are a few tips to remember once you get into this project:
-Buy extra hosing. Hoses rot, get nasty, and generally go bad in about a year or so. Hose is cheap, so don't wash it, just replace it. Buy extra when you make your initial purcahse, it will save you the hassle of trying to match it and buy more later.
-Insulate your dispenser tower. You know, the chrome thing that sticks up and has the tap attached to it. I used some flexible plasticy foam stuff and it works great. Remember, there is a hole on the top of your frige leading into the tower. Insulating the tower will do two things. 1. Save energy/cash and 2. keep the beer in the hose that is inside the tower cool (other wise that first sip could be nasty).
-Buy and check a thermometer for your fridge. Cold beer is great. I keep mine at about 35 degrees, but 32 degrees or lower could cause some major problems.
-The CO2 unit on your keg-o-rator can "force carbonate" your beer. You will need to learn to do this AND you will need to learn how to set your CO2 level properly. You can ask me about this, the pro at your homebrew shop, or read about it. But you want to avoid 2 things 1) Overcarbonating your beer (Most people are not fond of 4-5 inches of head on their beer) and 2) blowing gaskets. You only want to use the minimum amount of CO2 pressure on your keg. ANd if the keg is already carbonated when you get it (and generally they are to some extent), you will not want to turn on the CO2 at all until the pressure in the keg reduces. You can just open the tap and beer will come out on it's own.
-keep a good beer in your keg-o-rator. I realize Natural Ice is only $20 a 5 gallon keg, but no one really wants to drink that swill. Especially over a long period of time. Spend the extra dough and get your favorite.
-keeping a coin bank atop the keg-o-rator to collect a beer fund is the best possible thing you could do, especially if a lot of people (non-family) are drinking from it.
If you need anymore pointers on keg-o-rators, let me know. They are fun, but must be respected.
NoBonus
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-keeping a coin bank atop the keg-o-rator to collect a beer fund is the best possible thing you could do, especially if a lot of people (non-family) are drinking from it.
They are fun, but must be respected.
NoBonus
There are a couple of guys that I know that went halfs (they are neighbors) on a kegorator. It was good for awhile, but they ended up getting tired of paying for the keg all the time. They did have a jar on top, but the *regulars* didn't pitch in. cheap ---daisies--- anyhow.
I don't think they get a new keg all that often anymore.
Still a cool idea - just gotta be careful on the people you associate with or you will be taken advantage of.
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I built a 10" newtonian telescope on a dobsonian mount based on directions found on the internet--works well and was fun to build.
http://members.cox.net/mrspickett/index1.html
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I don't think it matters who you associate with, people see a free ice cold glass of beer and lose all ethics and sense of responsibility. Only those who are guests or generous will contribute. Those who drink the most beer generally will never contribute a dime.
NoBonus
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Build a panic room.
Great idea!
a panic room/fortress of solitude, that's what every home needs. A perfect place to hide your cabinet from your nieces and nephews.
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C'mon people, no one mentions the best Home project - a Home Theater -
www.hometheaterforum.com
www.avsforum.com
Examples to drool at
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=7784&password=&sort=1&cat=501&page=1
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I built a kegerator during college, and after the first keg, I don't think me and my roommates had to buy another keg. Every thursday night was "deep fry night." Where we pulled out the fry-daddy and fried chicken nuggets, french fries, pizza rolls, etc. and of course drank lots of beer and we always managed to get enough money to buy the next keg.
We found that just putting a bucket on top of the fridge with a big sign that said "DONATIONS" we tended to get a lot more money. Everytime they fill up their glass they see the sign and feel bad.
Now that I'm out of college, I still always keep the kegerator full of beer. I have to agree with NoBonus, don't go super cheap. I wouldn't go any less than a bud/miller lite. I don't go thru kegs in two weeks like we did in school, but every 4-6 weeks I need a new one. There's nothing like always having cold beer on tap and never having to worry about running out of cans or bottles.
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Yeah I've got a full bar in my basement, "Pirate Themed" >:) So the kegorator is a perfect fit, I'm not quite sure why I haven't built this yet, especially considering we drink LOTS of beer. I'll definately get this hooked up this summer.
Thanks for the advice
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I did the math a few years ago and determined the keg-o-rator would pay for itself (keg beer is cheaper than individual serving beers in bottles and cans) in about 20 refills. Oh, and if you are doing Guiness, you will need the special Guiness tap to get that good foamy head.
NoBonus
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I'm am building a custom skee-ball machine. I bought an old broken down skee ball machine (with no electronic components) and I'm going to put a PC inside of it with the monitor in the score area. I'll use an I-Pac to register the point values of 10 through 100. I'm going to write a custom program that includes the "normal" skee ball scoring system but I'll also create new games with different scoring systems. It will have plenty of cool sound effects and graphics as well.
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Seems like there must be a better way to redo a skee ball machine... a PC and I-Pac seem like overkill.
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Seems like there must be a better way to redo a skee ball machine... a PC and I-Pac seem like overkill.
It's a 90 mhz pentium with a 15 inch monitor that would be useless otherwise. The I-Pac will be used for registering scores as the ball goes through the hole, and for a small control panel that will allow you to choose the game and enter your initials for high scores, etc.
I'm open to other suggestions if you know of an easier way.
-J
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That's what, 4-8 inputs? Why not a cheap gamepad hack?
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I think it is a clever way to redo skeeball. What language are you going to write it in?
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That's what, 4-8 inputs? Why not a cheap gamepad hack?
That's what I was thinking. A gamepad hack is easy (not as easy as an encoder, but not that hard) and dirt cheap. However, are you going to write a program to keep score and stuff? If so, I would like to try it out when you are finished. I could then make a skee-ball machine from scratch... or a ton of other games....
NoBOnus
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It will have 6 inputs for scores - 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and two 100 point holes, and maybe 4 buttons for interacting with the GUI, and one for the insert coin slot. So yeah, I guess a gamepad hack would have made sense. Although I haven't used a soldering iron since 7th grade shop class...
I'm also going to try and install an anti-cheating device. If I can find a switch that is activated by an electric eye, I'm going to install it so the beam goes across the path of the ball on the ramp. It should be hidden from view because it'll be under the rubber bumber rails that run along the sides of the ramp. Anyway, if the eye beam switch doesn't trip but a score registers then you know somebody just dropped the ball into the hole. This will result in a loud blaring siren and "CHEATER!!!!" across the screen. I'm planning ahead for when my son tries to cheat. Hey Dad! I got 1000 on skee ball!!! :) Since high scores will be kept, this is important.
Does anyone know you can get a switch like this? I haven't taken the time to google for one yet...
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I think it is a clever way to redo skeeball. What language are you going to write it in?
I haven't decided on a language yet. I'm most proficient in TCL/TK, but I also know Java. I have performance concerns with both of those, however, since the PC is so old. I want to have sounds and graphics that are instantly responsive. If somebody rolls a 10 they shouldn't have to wait 3 seconds to hear "DOH!" Would writing it in Visual Basic be better? I've never used VB before, but I'd be a good learning experience.
As for the scoring system - I've been trying to come up with different games. I'll have the normal skee ball scoring, of course, but I want to add others. For example, if you're familiar with darts, I want to make a two player cricket type game where the first person to get 3 of each point value wins. Another easy dart scoring game would be a countdown game like 301 or 501. I'm open to suggestions here too. Maybe a target practice type game where you try to hit the hole that is suggested?
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How about your own cruise missile?
http://www.interestingprojects.com
At one time it looked promising but, surprise surprise, it looks like he was shut down.
Go Cart? Why not build his JET POWERED version! hehe
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How about Build Your Own Time Machine (http://www.grandpapencil.com/activity/timemach.htm). It will only go forward. If you want to go forward 3 minutes, you go in and set the egg timer for three minutes. When the timer rings, you've just moved forward three minutes. ;D
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Do you know of any other projects?
Yea there was one in here BYOH "Build your Own Hole" funny stuff read about it. Now where is the link ? Ahh! here it is
http://www.cp-tel.net/pasqualy/hole/page1.html
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Do you know of any other projects?
Yea there was one in here BYOH "Build your Own Hole" funny stuff read about it. Now where is the link ? Ahh! here it is
http://www.cp-tel.net/pasqualy/hole/page1.html
What the...? That guy is a total retard! How on Earth does a total social gimp like this guy must be, not to mention ugly, wind up married? How would he convince anyone to have sex with him? Jesus! :o
(the really annoying part is that his property, abutting pine forest like that, would cost more than half a million dollars where I live)
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Cant believe this hasn't been posted yet but this guy built his own rollercoaster - complete with loop:
http://home.comcast.net/~chrisgeiger/tribute.html
and the official site:
http://www.geocities.com/midwestamusementparks/blueflash.htm
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Do you know of any other projects?
Yea there was one in here BYOH "Build your Own Hole" funny stuff read about it. Now where is the link ? Ahh! here it is
http://www.cp-tel.net/pasqualy/hole/page1.html
I can't believe I just read all 8 pages of that.
You could also just buy his hole instead of building your own.
http://www.collinsandstamey.com/requestinfo.asp?id=446
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Build one of those smoothie margarita machines <--- Perfect addition to a kegarator.
Is it possible to build one of those? That would be a dream come true(any time I go anywhere that has an icee machine I get one, whether it be speedway or walmart, etc.) If anybody has any links on how to do this or to somebody's page that has done it, that would be sweet. Thank you.
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Build your own jet engine from a old tubrocharger.
http://www.gasturbine.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/page1.htm
Or go to the extreme.
http://www.jetped-boarders.co.uk/
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Build one of those smoothie margarita machines <--- Perfect addition to a kegarator.
Is it possible to build one of those? That would be a dream come true(any time I go anywhere that has an icee machine I get one, whether it be speedway or walmart, etc.) If anybody has any links on how to do this or to somebody's page that has done it, that would be sweet. Thank you.
I think it *could* be done. The other option, would be repurposeing the innards into the freezer section. I don't see why it couldn't be done, but I don't know for *sure* that it could be done. Just a dream really.
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I built my own kegerator a few years ago and it's probably one of the best things I've ever done in my life. It was super easy to build, and the ~$350 I put into it I easily made back do to the fact that buying kegs from my favorite, local brewer costs almost half what bottles cost.
Hmmm... other fun projects... build a Trebuchet. :)
http://www.trebuchet.com/
Nothing scares the neighbors more than seeing giant siege weapons getting constructed from a backyard... :)
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Did someone mention the potato gun?
I don't remember where I saw it. But someone sent a link for a bowling ball cannon.
Crazy stuff. The site showed pictures of bowling balls lodged into trees.
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Hmmm... other fun projects... build a Trebuchet. :)
http://www.trebuchet.com/
Nothing scares the neighbors more than seeing giant siege weapons getting constructed from a backyard... :)
I saw one of these in action about 4 years ago. Event was around Halloween, contest called "Punkin Chunkin". Human powered (or cocked) machines, longest shot wins.....the trebuchet was a little off, as it almost hit my car as we pulled up, and later, it threw a pumpkin almost straight up....I say almost, because it had a slight backward angle.....straight down onto the windshield of the brand new truck that was towing it! Best shot was by a bicycle-powered hydraulic pressure surplus auction Navy CANNON! that tossed a 10 lb pumpkin over 400 feet away. They had to duct tape the pumpkin just to get it to stay relatively in one piece for that long of a throw!
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Here's a site about building your own Flight Cockpit.
MY OWN HOME-BUILT COCKPIT - http://www.ctv.es/USERS/matradi/cockpit.htm
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Did someone mention the potato gun?
Here's one:
http://www.sentex.net/%7Emwandel/cannon/cannon.html
Also on his site, build your own Marble Machine:
http://www.sentex.net/%7Emwandel/marbles/index.html
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How about your own rocket engines from pvc plumbing fittings?
http://www.nakka-rocketry.net/pvcmot4.html
I may have (hypothetically) built some of these and found that dextrose was easier to melt than normal sugar. So last year (hypothetically) my third hypothetical rocket might have gone up to 1000ft. The other two having blown up. Which was pretty cool. This year I can build on my knowledge and at least (hypothetically) double that height (",) Of course this is not something you want to do in built up areas or anywhere near any flightpaths
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edgedamage ... that picture is too funny. It made me think of a single thing....
(done in MS Paint. Baaaad taco bell. BAD!)
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I know, I know, I have way too much free time on my hands(hey, it's summer, I just got out of school)