Soul needs help yet again = Second Babycade

[Soulcon]

Ok! I have decided to step away from refurbrishing because I can't even begin to fathom all the inner workings of pre-built arcades. I guess if I didn't build it from scratch I can't understand it. Go figure!

Welp I have and idea for a fabricated cab again for my kids. And I need help in one aspect. I need to know the workings of fiberglass and what would be the best way to apply said Fiberglass to something the size of a beachball. Not to mention as round as a beachball .

Any ideas or maybe some shortcuts so I do not have to use the fraying fiber crap. Thanks as always!

-Soul

[paigeoliver]

Oh no way, you are going to build the Mamesphere aren't you?

[Soulcon]

Nah! I saw that mini sphere made with one of those Mini-itx boards and decided against that. I am actually going to make a Sit down MickeyCade-puter. I just need to make a casing for the monitor in the shape of his round head. I am using the monitors stand to make his neck so his whole head will rotate. His arms and legs will be made from PVC pipe. His feet will actually be cusioned chairs. and he will be holding a present. On top of that present will be a keyboard a mouse and ofcourse a joystiock and a multitude of buttons. Mickey will be sitting ofcourse. And I haven't decided if his buttons on his pants or his ears will be speakers yet. The buttons might be easier since I would make the ears out of foam. Then just harden them up with some resin. Altough I could do both and put a 4 speaker system in him and make him a slash jukebox as well. But this has been my idea, I had in my brain, for just to long and now I want to complete it by Christmas. So wish me luck but I really need help with Fiber I have never used it before.

I was thinking of making a giant joystick out of a Chicken egg machine. But I figured this would be more plausible

-Soul

[paigeoliver]

Hmm, if I were you I would start with a giant plush Mickey and go from there.

[Soulcon]

I have the general gist of what I want even to the extent of plans. All I need is something for a head and it has to be somewhat big. Since it will be a sit down cab. My oidea is to get a big bouncy ball from like Walmart from one of those huge ball bins. Covering it in Fiberglass and sanding it down.  Then I would cut  it in half and make a hole for the monito face and figure out a way to support the monitor inside. Basically the face of micky would be the monitor. And that would be all you would see.

Now it had to be strong so my first idea of using a globe went towards the wayside so I think I am definatly sticking with the Fiberglass. Altough I just am wondering do I need to use that stringy fiber glass or can I just use fabric and resin?

-Soul

[mpm32]

You can use fabric and resin.  I've seen on those custom car shows they make speaker panels and center consoles by building a frame, stretching some regular fabric over it, and spreading resin on it.  I've used this place to buy stuff for making carbon fiber things.  Fiberglass is the same thing.  They have fiberglass cloth (if you want to use that) and resin systems.

http://www.fiberglasswarehouse.com/fiberglass_cloth.asp

[Matt, GoC]

Soul, how does that personal video player link you have work?  Is this one of those "Conga Line" thingies?

[Soulcon]

Yeah its like the conga lines its safe and confirmed it does work. Eagle got me started in it you can see his thread in the Conga line forum if your enterested . I do not want to take away from his possibilties.

Welp I bought the ball I had some ideas while I was walking to the train from work. I am going to do the whole of the ball in Resin but ofcourse covering the ball in fabric first. Then I am going to cut the ball in half and cut a Square hole large enough for the front of the monitor case. I am then going to fiber the front monitor case into the top part of the ball. I will then sand everything down and get it all primmed and pretty and paint it. I might do the ears before I paint thought so the whoel top part is one whole piece. But I have not decided on a way to do the ears yet. I might use some dense foam or I might dismantle a pair of old plastic mickey mouse ears . But once i get the head done I will have a start to atleast work with . And to judge the body size.

-Soul

[neuromancer]

It seems like you would be better off doing the sphere in two stages. Make a mold of the ball, and then cast the fiberglass inside the mold.

For the ears you might be able to find some plastic bowls you could cut the bottoms from and paint.

Bob