Project: Dodgeball

[BobbyG66]

My first project here is a two player standup cab with the theme" Dodgeball" from the movie.

It will be black with red t-moulding. I am also using a red translucent trackball.

The base of the cab is actually a kiosk that I got for free! I originally had plans to make it into a jukebox. It had a 13" touchscreen, after testing it out it turns out the screen was broken. Probably why the price was right.

I have been lurking around this site for two years and finally now starting to build something. I also have an aggressive schedule, I would lke to have this done by Christmas. Not for a present, but because we will have people over for the holidays.

Here are some pics for ya!

[robbins]

You probably need a trackball for that.  You can't grab life by the ball if there isn't a ball.  You probably need the biggest trackball you can find.  And, should it be red?  I can't remember what color the ball was in the movie.  Anyway, Happs makes a 4.5" trackball that should do the trick. 

[BobbyG66]

It's definately going to have a trackball.
My plans were for a 3" red translucent.
I didn't know about the 4.5", that is huge.

It would be a little too big and crowded for my CP, but thanks for the idea.

[ChadTower]

Whoa dude.  You're going to have to put a 45lb plate in the bottom of that or it's going to topple over the first hard yank you give a joystick.

[BobbyG66]

Dude, don't worry about how hard I yank my joystick

You do have me worried a little bit now. I would hate for this to fall over on someone, that would suck.

It is something I thought about with the base I am using.
You may not have noticed but there is a metal plate on the bottom of the base. It is about 3/8" thick steel. Probably weights about 15 lbs. You can see it in some of the pics above.

Originally I had the upper half aligned to the back. I later moved it back three inches.

Attached is a pic showing the side view.
I put in a "Center of Gravity" line through the center of the base.
I know this is not the exact C of G, as that will be determined by the weight and height of everything in the cab. The monitor will be centered and will be most of the weight...

Here are some dimentions.
The metal base plate is 24" wide (the base of the cab tapers to 18").
The upper part of the cabinet is 31"
The CP is 10" wide and stick out 5", making the widest part 35".
This 35" dimention is "centered" over the base with 15" off the back and 20" off the front.

Does anyone else have concerns with this design?
Should I move the upper half back more?

Thanks for the input
BobbyG66

[ChadTower]

Yeah, I don't see anything in there about the weight of the monitor and how it will be above the center of gravity.

[BobbyG66]

My current monitor is a 17" PC monitor.
It looks really small in there, I should probably go up to a 21" or something.

The monitor shelf is in the last pic and the centerline goes right through the middle of the monitor.

Now that I think about it, the center of gravity is a point. Not a line.
If you were to stick an axle throught the C of G, you could spin the whole abject around the axle and it would be balanced.

[BobbyG66]

Chad,

I think you just saved my cab!
I tried more tipping tests and found the bottom plate loose.
I opened up the base of the kiosk and found out how the metal plate was attached.

There are L brackets welded to each side of the plate.
The L brackets have three screws that attach the base to the sides.
The sides are made from particle board and the screws are working there way loose.

So I am know working on a fix and redesign of the base.
I cannot rely on that metal plate for any strength or durability.

My options I have are:
A)  Add a "box" inside the base to extend under the CP
B)  Scrap the kiosk and build and new base.

If I can make plan A work without looking like crap I will do it. I will have to buy some more MDF anyways, so plan B may win.

I have some time to think about it since it won't be ready for xmas anyways...

BobbyG66

[BobbyG66]

Well, it's been a while updating this...

I have made some progress.
I am currently working on wiring the speakers and trackball lighting.
I just got the GGG trackball mod kit (still need to buy a trackball first ).

I have just finished making a circuit board and connecting a rotry switch to change the colors of the trackball. I really just wamted RED, but it can change colors, so why not. --- No pics of that yet. 

I still need to install the keyboard drawer and front door.
I am also ordering all of the controls for the CP.
I just have a temporary CP at the moment.
The real one will be slightly larger.

BobbyG66