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My first build: "Mimic"
Laythe:
Mimic:
A slim, dual LCD, dynamic bezel, dynamic marquee, fully illuminated control panel chameleon, with custom frontend software.
Original build thread follows.
I've spent quite a while lurking here, reading about other projects, gathering the details that I liked - and noting the things I wanted to avoid. Decided to give my own project a shot.
Note that this is a retrospective, past tense build thread - I didn't want to post anything until I was at least 95% finished, because that was the only way I could be absolutely certain I wasn't going to peter out and leave you hanging halfway through. (I know, some folks here prefer the chance to chime in before it's too late to fix something they see - sorry about that.) You can of course still speak your mind - I just can't retroactively take your advice.
I figure, I learned a lot from seeing what you all had built, so, I'll post pictures of what I did, in case that is of similar use to anyone else. I documented my progress as I went, so this will be a bit more than a drive-by photo of a finished project.
This'll also serve as an introduction, of sorts, since I've kept quiet till now. Hi. :)
Laythe:
So, here goes.
I made my own plans from scratch, and I spent about a month tinkering obsessively with my design - taking measurements of the components I planned to use, building computer models of them, messing with different ways of fitting them together. Finally decided that I was as ready to start cutting as I was ever going to get, and I'd better just go make some sawdust or I'd never stop fussing with it in digital form.
I went with 3/4" birch plywood for strength, reduced weight, and for the sake of having a friendlier sort of sawdust loosed upon my shop. All the parts fit into a sheet and a half, since this is a semi-slim design that will be bolted to a wall for stability, in the end.
Transferred my plans onto the plywood, which required a whole heap of measuring in from various edges and doing a bunch of cartesian plotting...
Then, sliced all that out with a saber saw. It's slow, but, I find that I make far smaller mistakes than the big exciting mistakes that I can make with a faster saw. Went slow and careful, so I didn't lean the blade over and cut badly out of square anywhere.
Cleaned up the edges using an orbital sander, again with a bit of care to keep things square-ish. Much sawing and sanding later, I had made something resembling a kit. It's a good feeling, the first time you see the parts laid out.
Laythe:
I had an old set of Altec desktop computer speakers laying around that sound pretty good. Seemed perfect for the project.
The ampifier and volume knob were located inside the right side satellite speaker, which would not do. The cases were glued shut, but, whatever. I have tools. They can't keep me out.
That bit of butchery liberated the amplifier board.
I wanted the volume knob to be located in an admin panel on the center console, so I built a carrier for the whole board, to mount up behind the front plywood.
The amplifier board slides into it from the front, like so. Pardon the zip ties, they'll become strain reliefs once all the cables are in place and routed.
The volume knob would need to protrude through the 3/4" plywood, so I fabricated an aluminum extension for it.
The extension is a tight press fit onto the original knob, which carries the spline interface for the potentiometer - which saves me some work, not having to duplicate it. When mocked up through a hole in scrap plywood, it looks like this:
Next up, I knew I'd want USB jacks on this admin panel, for plugging in gamepads, or a thumb drive for file administration. I've had
iffy luck with USB hubs in the past, though - some are good, but some are twitchy and unreliable, and I didn't have a spare one I trusted.
However, the PC for this build had 8 freaking USB ports.
So, I fabricated an aluminum housing for 3 USB extension cables that clamps them into place, which rides on top of the holder for the amplifier board.
Should look OK, when inletted and recessed into the cabinet. (Also, those cables aren't going anywhere.)
My intention is to flank all this with two admin buttons, for Exit and Pause, and then mount the whole thing out of the way on the center column - something like so:
Looks a little like an old car radio. I'm okay with that.
Vidiot:
Looks like you are off to a great start! From what I can tell I like the shape of the cab. I love how you are fabricating many of the parts you need. Looks like you are very skilled and I am looking forward to watching this one! :cheers:
Token:
Thanks for documenting your build. I'm looking forward to watching your progress. You clearly have the knowledge and tools necessary to make this a successful project. :cheers:
And I know its too late to offer advice, but I'm hoping you changed your mind about the Esc button on the center column. I would be on level 99 of Bubble Bobble and then hit that with my knee. :(
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