Keezer pedestal

[ChanceKJ]

..."You didn't say it would be that big"....

Boom, Phrasing.

[horizon]

First time I've EVER heard that.   

Ha!

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Update:

Apologies for it bein. Upside down. Not worth editing on my phone. Sorry!

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Quick update:

I've been sick the past two days, so today I decided to know out the last of my base.  All that is left is the CP and assembly.

Edit:  Back piece is the front panel, with the other three making up the back panels.  I have the two sides done from before.  I am going to buy some wood for the bracing.  Do you guys typically use 1x1"'s for that?

[horizon]

Another update and questions!

Purchased items:

• rablack Trackball
• fortsner and flush trim bits
• countersink bit
• golfleafs from Ultimarc
• ipac4 from delusional
• misc wiring

Still needed

• joysticks
• QDs
• wood and stain
• paint
• slot cutter and tmolding
• feet and wheels, latches and hinges

Square CP - Doing some slight rounding up, the distance from the joystick to the first column of buttons is 2.5", and the space from column 1 to column 2 is 1.25".
Do you keep your button spacing about that far apart?  What do you do for distance from last/widest button to next joystick?  So from P3 button 4 to P1 joystick, what distance do you keep?

Since my CP is going to be taller than average (to keep with the actual keezer design), I am going to put the PC inside of here, and the below latching concept will keep it modular, thus portable. The original plan was to put the PC at the bottom of the base, for weight balance more than anything, so that idea is out.

I was thinking of using 1x1"s for braces for under the CP, which would fit within the base, and use latches to secure tightly.  I will attempt to sketchup this later, but most likely being done in paint
Does anyone have any recommendation for latches that will work with this idea?

Overall size of the CP is going to be 20x48", and square as mentioned above.  The base measures 16Dx25.5W", this was a big concession with my wife.  I plan on putting feet up front and wheels in the back.
Do you think this will look or feel top heavy?

[horizon]

Had the day off and started assembling the base. Wood filler or bondo is probably my BFF when it's a tad cooler.

[horizon]

Today was not a good day. Got some hinges to make the cp accessible, and that's all that was accomplished.

I don't know if I just can't math, or see, but not a single cut came out straight or square. Waste of a couple hours measuring, configuring, and cutting.

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Have the remaining wood pieces for the final product, and purchased 4 joysticks for the CP.

And now we wait.

Probably getting a table saw shortly.  Found a decent deal in Chandler for a used setup.  Fingers crossed.

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Cut the top of the CP and aligned all the buttons.

[horizon]

Control panel top is done. Paint, admin buttons, assembly of the CP, and final construction remains!

[horizon]

Gotten a lot of things hammered out since my last update.  Im using a simple version of mamep - very WMC feel to it.  I also finished the cuts to the back panel, completed final assembly of the base, and filled all the countersunk screws. 

I couldn't find a locking mechanism that worked with my design, so I decided to try a cleat system.  I have 3/4x3/4"boards glued and screwed to the bottom of base to the CP.  I fit the first two, squared it all up, then marked the next two.  I then added another 1/16" to the measurements to make sure it was all snug.  I then added some finishing wax to the cleats to reduce unnecessary friction.  It actually holds it in place well.

I painted the base a gloss black, and for the most part, its turned out well.  The black hides some of the imperfections of my woodworking craftsmanship.  There was one major setback, which was today.  I thought I cleaned the MDF top of the CP really well, but I discovered as I applied paint that there were a ton of small fibers in the paint.  I am assuming that I can do a light sanding of maybe 120 grit to remove those imperfections and add another coat or two to the CP.

Last thing I need to figure out is how Im mounting the trackball.  I'd like to do an under-mount, but need to look up the best way to make it happen.

I have made several purchases from ArcadeEmulator.net and can say I've been satisfied with everything but one communication.  Dude notice I selected the wrong number of buttons and reached out to me prior to shipping it out.  Got that resolved and everything showed up in relatively timely fashion.  If any of you guys are on instagram, I'm pretty sure I've used the #bringyourquarters for most every relevant pic.  I will post some pics up shortly.

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Pics pics pics...

[severdhed]

looking good.  i havent been on the forums much lately, sorry i didn't see your question about the dimensions.  Mine is super stable at 24" square, i would think that reducing it a little would be ok...depending on how wide the top is.  if you are going with a full 48" top, and someone pushes down hard on one of the ends, i'm not sure what would happen.

[horizon]

Thanks for popping in man.  I haven't update in a while.  Once I get it out of the garage and into the room, I will get a better idea of how stable it is. I only have a little ways to go.

I am going to stain the CP, add the A/V connections to the rear of CP, secure the PC components to the bottom of the CP, wire the ipac, and finish trim work on the base.

I will post up some pics when I get some free time today.

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Progress pictures:

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The joysticks I bought from ArcadeEmulator.net seem fine, but they are noise as hell.  I know its the cheaper-ish microswitches they ship with.  The only alternative I've found to replacing those is the http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=346. 

Anyone have any experience with these?  Are they considerably quieter?  Worth it at $.89/each if it sounds less like a cheap knock off IMO.

[severdhed]

looks great.  judging by the pictures, i can't imagine any stability issues with that.  wood is heavy.

[horizon]

looks great.  judging by the pictures, i can't imagine any stability issues with that.  wood is heavy.

Thanks man.  The base is actually pretty light.  Its 3/4" birch plywood.  The MDF sheet used for the top and bottom of the CP is heavier than the rest of the construction.

[horizon]

Basic layout


Temporary work space

[severdhed]

looking good

[horizon]

Thanks, man!  I swear when I upload the pictures they are correct in alignment, then when I hit post, they go all wonky.  Sorry about that, posting from the phone is a pita.

[Locke141]

The joysticks I bought from ArcadeEmulator.net seem fine, but they are noise as hell.  I know its the cheaper-ish microswitches they ship with.  The only alternative I've found to replacing those is the http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=346. 

Anyone have any experience with these?  Are they considerably quieter?  Worth it at $.89/each if it sounds less like a cheap knock off IMO.

Randy from GGG know's his stuff. I have gotten all my buttons from him and amy happy with the standard soft touch switches that come as the default when you order from him.

Welcome to team pedestal.