Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: WOPR Control Panel  (Read 2140 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

two40

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 39
  • Last login:December 28, 2020, 01:33:38 am
  • What does this button do?
WOPR Control Panel
« on: July 06, 2015, 08:39:03 pm »

I wanted a quick project so that I can comfortably play games whenever I wanted to take a quick break from the important tasks of browsing Reddit and Facebook. I have one of those desks with a table top that slides out to reveal the keyboard and mouse so it made sense to add a control panel directly below it.

Originally I was going to just leave the top surface flat with a small recessed section for the joystick plate but in the end I decided to plate most of the top and add some artwork. I'm glad I went with the artwork despite the extra time and cost involved.


Underside


Underside detail. Hand routed so a bit rough.


Underside detail. Hand routed so a bit rough.


Time for a break while we wait for the artowork to be printed and the paint to dry.


After changing the location of the drawer slides I'm really pleased with the function and comfort of both table tops.


Keyboard table top.


Control panel. Note I did reduce the depth a bit as the original size was a tad uncomfortable.


A nostalgic nod to one of my favourite films from yesteryear. I messed up the application of the artwork which was disappointing but all was forgotten after the first game if Galaga... ;)

sealcouch

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 156
  • Last login:March 26, 2023, 09:28:56 pm
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2015, 08:46:52 pm »
Sexy. Wouldn't change a thing about it. It's beautifully convenient.


wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2015, 08:53:04 pm »
That's pretty cool. War Games is what got me into programming.

two40

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 39
  • Last login:December 28, 2020, 01:33:38 am
  • What does this button do?
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2015, 08:51:39 pm »
Thanks gents. For a quick project to keep me playing regularly and comfortably I'm really pleased.

In fact, I'm a bit concerned this will keep me from building my bartop I've been planning recently.  :-\  I'll just ponder that over a quick game of Metal Slug...  :D

SpaceHedgehog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 937
  • Last login:October 29, 2024, 02:02:07 pm
  • Almost done ...
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2015, 03:52:36 am »
Looks great. Nice to see something a little different and inventive  :cheers:
Click a pic for a video tour 

pbj

  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 11054
  • Last login:Today at 08:20:57 am
  • Obey.
    • The Chris Burke Band
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2015, 10:10:57 am »
Thanks, bro, you made me go watch War Games for the 10,000th time last night.


vwalbridge

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2082
  • Last login:July 31, 2021, 12:21:09 pm
  • Don't half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing.
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2015, 11:37:49 am »
Clever idea for an arcade control panel.  ;)

Can we see pictures of the bottom wiring? I'm curious why you routed recessed areas for everything? Did the button threads not reach?
If you can read this, it means Photobucket's money grab ruined my signature photos.

two40

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 39
  • Last login:December 28, 2020, 01:33:38 am
  • What does this button do?
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2015, 09:27:14 pm »
Thanks, bro, you made me go watch War Games for the 10,000th time last night.

 ;D  :applaud:

Can we see pictures of the bottom wiring? I'm curious why you routed recessed areas for everything? Did the button threads not reach?

Yes, the threads did not reach so I routed the underside.

Sorry but I don't have a picture of the underside after I finished it. I was going to build a box for it out of scrap mdf but found an old metal cookie (yum yum) tin so I cut a hole for the usb port and screwed it in. A bit lazy but it'll serve well to keep dust out.

mgb

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3500
  • Last login:January 06, 2025, 09:39:00 pm
  • North East, US
Re: WOPR Control Panel
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2015, 01:10:14 am »
I saw the title of WOPR and I was like "I gotta see this, I love War Games"
Its my favorite non-Molly Ringwald movie of the 80s

Very nice job, Love it