Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Forum/Website Discussion => Topic started by: DrewKaree on July 13, 2006, 06:54:32 pm

Title: Forum Idea
Post by: DrewKaree on July 13, 2006, 06:54:32 pm
In conversations with another member, an idea came up about creating a distinct forum dedicated to JUST construction/wood working/tips/tricks/tools/jigs yadda, yadda, yadda due to the numerous construction threads being kind of spread all over and mixed in with other stuff, and not the easiest to find even with a search.

Figured I'd see what thoughts were on this.

Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Boz on July 13, 2006, 09:15:25 pm
I second this notion. I'm cutting my first sheet of plywood for the cabinet tomorrow, a feat that has taken me a long year to finally reach, and I've asked more questions about how to stain, bend, cut, rip, join, assemble, router wood than I have asked about the technical stuff.

In addition, sometimes I like to simply browse through any information I can find on wood-working. There are a number of EXTREMELY helpful threads here that have to do with a new and improved way to do this or that with construction. The real problem is that they are all over the place. If I had one forum to go to for this, I could probably sit and read for hours. Then, if a situation came up in the future I'd have at least some clue as to where I saw a thread on "XYZ".

Just my $0.02
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: saint on July 13, 2006, 09:29:44 pm
/me monitors the responses to this thread . . .
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: tommy on July 14, 2006, 02:47:40 am
It's a pretty good idea but if you dedicate a spot for wood wouldn't you have to make a special board for every part of making a cab?

When guys start a project in the project section guys who have made a cab can share their expeirences in that thread at that time and help and talk to the guy working on his project.

I don't think we need anymore generic faqs here that no one will read anyway, instead, help a guy in his thread and share advise and enjoy projects others are doing. I thought the point here was to interact with others, otherwise i can just buy a book.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Boz on July 14, 2006, 05:00:12 am
It's a pretty good idea but if you dedicate a spot for wood wouldn't you have to make a special board for every part of making a cab?

Personally, I don't think you'd have to. After all, what is the largest part of a custom project? You could argue that wiring the control panel is a big job, but there aren't that many variables. "Wire A goes to part B"... very little variance. You could say that getting a front end up and running or building an adequate PC for emulation could deserve it's own forum. But, again, I think front end sites have their own forums on other sites and the community would be better equipped to handle specific problems.

I haven't completed my cabinet yet, but from what wood-working I *have* done (in preparation), I would think that the wood-working aspect is easily 75% of the process. It takes the longest and has, arguably, the hardest concepts to learn for people who already know something about computers and electronics (otherwise they would never have found Mame in the first place).

Quote
I don't think we need anymore generic faqs here that no one will read anyway, instead, help a guy in his thread and share advise and enjoy projects others are doing. I thought the point here was to interact with others, otherwise i can just buy a book.

I've read most of the FAQ's. I can't speak for others. The problem with the FAQs is that they usually address a very specific issue that not that many will not run in to. Also, I think there's more than enough places to interact here. Besides, aren't you arguing that no one will "interact" in a forum dedicated to the wood-worker in all of us? I think Drew is recommending a new forum, not another FAQ.

Hey, if it doesn't work, get rid of it. I'm fairly certain that it'll have more posts than "Uncle T's Jukebox" or "Hardware Reviews".

Not being "pissy". I just don't agree.

My $0.02 (guess I've contributed a total of 4 cents now to this thread.)

 :)
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: CheffoJeffo on July 14, 2006, 03:14:16 pm
I agree with Drew on this, for all the reasons he mentioned.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 14, 2006, 06:52:04 pm
Gotta agree with drew.  The main forum is a good catch all, but there are so many replies a day with such a wide variety of topics that finding data by looking in the main forum is next to impossible. 

Wood working is very technical, enough so to merit it's own forum.  Imho the main forum should be limited to quick questions that can recieve quick answers, simply because anything that lingers around a while and isn't constantly replied to quickly gets lost in the shuffle. 
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: pointdablame on July 17, 2006, 10:15:11 am
I agree with Drew as well.

I think that woodworking is a broad enough (and complex enough) part of this hobby to warrant its own sub-forum.  And remember, while this is a site dedicated to arcade controls, we've seen quite a few jukeboxes, bartops, "furniture-style" machines, and other non-standard machines... all of which present various degrees of woodworking.  It'd be nice to have an area to go to for that large an amount of data.  One person may want to know what to use to cut some plywood, while someone else may be interested in a very complex jig for their router.

my .02
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: DrewKaree on July 17, 2006, 08:39:28 pm
I just got my latest issue of Wood Magazine (*heh heh hee hee heh you said "wood" Butthead!  heh heh*) and there's an article in there that's a perfect example of something that should (and would) go into such a forum.  It's a "Tips to help achieve a perfect poly finish" article.  Obviously not everyone is gonna be using poly on their cabs, but there's quite a number of "how should I do this and does anyone have any tips for putting poly on" including how or whether to apply it over paint, artwork, etc.

I can also foresee someone writing up an article with pics about how to use a pattern bit in their router to speed up construction (another question that comes up in the "how's it work?" fashion") or simply a bearing bit, perhaps a T-molding groove cutting how-to....Nos' bondo writeup could DEFINITELY go in there....and so on.   :)
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Boz on July 18, 2006, 02:55:47 am
I'd be willing to bet that a "Wood-Working" forum will have 2 to 3 times as many "pinned" posts as ANY of the other groups, for stuff that you should know for wood / tools / bits / jiggy things.

Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: missioncontrol on July 18, 2006, 05:56:52 am
Drew quit stating stuff I have to agree with you about.... it's making me feel unclean........

I agree with pointdablame, Howard_Casto, CheffoJeffo & In2ishun
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Boz on July 18, 2006, 02:03:57 pm
Drew quit stating stuff I have to agree with you about.... it's making me feel unclean........

Unfortunately a standard shower will not help you. You must bathe in Oxe blood, sacrifice 100 live ants, face east, and repeat the boy scout moto 13 and a half times.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Kremmit on July 19, 2006, 03:54:27 am
Woodworking is a specific facet of the hobby that requires specialized knowlege, generates lots of threads, is not directly related to actual arcade controls, but is required for cab-building.  We have a small base of gurus on the subject here, and a lot of people who need a lot of help.

Software is a specific facet of the hobby that requires specialized knowlege, generates lots of threads, is not directly related to actual arcade controls, but is required for cab-building.  We have a small base of gurus on the subject here, and a lot of people who need a lot of help.

Monitor/Video is a specific facet of the hobby that requires specialized knowlege, generates lots of threads, is not directly related to actual arcade controls, but is required for cab-building.  We have a small base of gurus on the subject here, and a lot of people who need a lot of help.

Artwork is a specific facet of the hobby that requires specialized knowlege, generates lots of threads, is not directly related to actual arcade controls, but is required for cab-building.  We have a small base of gurus on the subject here, and a lot of people who need a lot of help.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: saint on July 19, 2006, 08:34:06 am
I'm going out for a few days - when I get back we'll make a final call. Looks likely that we'll set up a wood-working forum.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: ChadTower on July 19, 2006, 02:41:08 pm

I can see a woodworking section being useful.  It is obvious from the Project threads I read that the most limiting factor in new cabinet design is often the woodworking abilities of the creator.  If we can get some good discussions going specifically on the woodworking aspects of a cabinet, that is probably where the next round of BYOAC innovation is going to come from.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: SirPeale on July 19, 2006, 07:53:07 pm
I'll also put in my vote for a woodworking forum.  Make it a child board of Main.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Effayy on July 20, 2006, 12:33:16 am
This gets my vote as well.  i think I;ve had more questions dealing with woodowking than anything else in here.  Having one area to search would be a godsend.

- FA
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Boz on July 27, 2006, 12:33:33 pm
Thanks for the new board, Saint. I've been saving up a couple of questions to post in it.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: JeepMonkey on July 31, 2006, 01:36:39 pm
A little off topic, but has there been any talk about a forum about tools?
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: CheffoJeffo on July 31, 2006, 09:11:28 pm
A little off topic, but has there been any talk about a forum about tools?

PnR is full of tools ...  ;D

Cheers.
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Stingray on August 01, 2006, 02:04:59 pm
I disagree with Drew for two reasons:

1) It's too late to vote.

2) I just enjoy disagreeing with Drew.

-S
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: DrewKaree on August 01, 2006, 05:07:30 pm
I disagree with Drew for two reasons:

1) It's too late to vote.

2) I just enjoy disagreeing with Drew.

-S

/me rummages around in a mound of stuff

Now where'd I put me that wood chipper? ;D
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: Bones on August 01, 2006, 10:35:10 pm
Quote
News:  Woodworking forum!
Questions, answers, and blank stares about working with wood and woodworking tools and model rocketry.
Cool.....  8)
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: saint on August 01, 2006, 11:02:55 pm
Hey Bones - how come there's no rocket in your signature image?
Title: Re: Forum Idea
Post by: nostrebor on August 08, 2006, 11:05:32 am
The rocket is the thing with the hat, sunglasses, and ciggy... Luckily it's just the "tip" of the rocket though.  ;D