Author Topic: The Begining (Updated-5/19/04 New Pics) (Read 17897 times)

Valence · « **on:** March 30, 2003, 07:51:32 pm »

Thought I would include some pics of my machine in a very infant stage. My control panel is only 75% complete. It's going to be made out of fiberglass.

Valence · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2003, 08:01:48 pm »

Here it is.

Valence · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2003, 08:03:19 pm »

Heres the top

SirPoonga · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2003, 01:02:14 am »

what's going in the center?

Brax · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2003, 10:38:47 am »

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

Fibreglas! Can't wait to see!!!!

mkdevo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2003, 11:46:15 am »

...and now for something COMPLETELY different!!!

i can't WAIT to see how this thing takes shape.. looks great so far!

TapeWurm · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2003, 12:42:09 pm »

Boy I can't wait to see this one come about! Now what the heck is the middle for??? Hmmmm....

Valence · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2003, 12:43:14 pm »

To answer SirPoonga's question:

The half circle in the middle of my control panel serves a few purposes.

I wanted to be able to have multiple types of controls. Normally people have multiple control panels or try to fit whatever they want onto 1 panel.

Since my panel is made out of fiberglass, it would be a lot of work to make multiple panels. ( would have to almost make complete panels) Also I didn't want my CP to be cluttered.

So I made CP inserts. This way, I wouldn't waste money on identical parts (1,2 player start; 3rd and 4th player buttons and controls) but leave me the options of having any kind of control configuration.
Also with the half circle configuration, they can move to any side and still fit with the proper angles. I prefer to have the joystick on the left of the buttons but I have a few friends that like to have them on the right. I can build one insert this way and then they could use it on either player 1 or 2. Also when there are 4 players, the inserts will be closer together but when there is only two (which will be most of the time) they can slide further apart to allow more elbow room.

Below is a pic of how the CP inserts look. I have them made but do not actually have pics of them yet.

Chad · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2003, 01:27:08 pm »

Man I bet it will look great.

SNAAAKE · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2003, 01:36:32 pm »

one word...Woohhhh.. >>

<<

So this whole thing isnt wood?

Any more pics lately?

Looks great so far..

SirPoonga · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2003, 02:52:23 pm »

Quote from: SNAAAKE on March 31, 2003, 01:36:32 pm

So this whole thing isnt wood?

Nope, read the first post.

Valence: How do you plan on securing the center sections? Many people have done modular designs but not quite like this.

Valence · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2003, 07:43:22 pm »

Snaaake: were you referring to the picture of it being made out of wood? No. It is made of alumunium, fiberglass, bondo and wood.

Those pics are the latest and greatest. That was the point I was at last night. Its been a slow going process.

SirPoonga

You can't really get a good look of the CP from the top picture but you can make it out on the bottom picture. There is a ledge that is 1/4" thick that the CP inserts are going to slip around.
Like a square C. They will also have dowel pins that fit into holes in the ledge oriented vertically. (in the front). For the back, I'm going to use pins or dowels that are oriented horizontally that poke into the inserts when in use. When you want to change the CP inserts. You push a button that makes it extend out. or I thought of putting in Helix coils into the CP inserts and having a screw that screws into it. This way I can control when they get changed ( I have a bunch of neices and nephews that I don't want changing them out.) I'm not sure which one I will use. I'll wait untill I can go no further till I figure it out, Thats when I'll decide.

Heres a pic of the aluminium when It wasn't completely covered with bondo yet.

BTW how do you post multiple pics?

Silverwind · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2003, 08:03:26 pm »

Quote from: Valence on March 30, 2003, 07:51:32 pm

Thought I would include some pics of my machine in a very infant stage. My control panel is only 75% complete. It's going to be made out of fiberglass.

Good idea... I almost thought about doing one using some fiberglass.. (It is also used for a lot of speaker boxes for high-end car audio) but i didn't think of it until after I started.. and since I was on my first control panel didn't want to make it any more difficult than needed

Are you going to use what you have so far as a mold for the fiberglass.. or will it remain part wood? Good thing about fiberglass is you can mold it to what you want

Course easier said than done.. but it is possible..

(PS, to get more than one picture to show up.. you need to use HTML and host the picture on your own webspace)

Frostillicus · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2003, 08:14:57 pm »

Valence - looks good so far - can't wait to see the final result. What color will it be? what kind of finishing? Any cool overlays?

Heh on a side note it kind of looks like a Jetsons-style piano if you were to sit in the inner part

Pretty cool stuff.

Rom · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2003, 01:59:40 am »

How easy is it to work with Fibreglass? I'm building a control panel at the moment mainly out of wood, but the base has a lot of curves and you solution seems like a step in the right direction for me. Do you have to use a mold? or can it be drapped like stiff cloth over two beams without sagging?

Valence · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2003, 09:46:35 am »

Fiberglass is a pain in the ass to work with. If you do decide to use it ( Its a wonderful substance when you work it right). Do some reading on the internet on how to use it. But to answer your other questions. Fiberglass is a very soft fabric. So yes you do need a mold. Otherwise it will sag. Unless you can make it really tight, but It will still sag a little. Once you make a mold. Use some spray adhesive to stick the fabric to your mold. The biggest
pain when working with fiberglass is sanding it. Stuff gets in your skin and makes you itch. So when you use it. Make it so that you don't have to sand it very much.

Brax · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2003, 10:36:31 am »

Quote from: Valence on April 01, 2003, 09:46:35 am

Fiberglass is a pain in the ass to work with. If you do decide to use it ( Its a wonderful substance when you work it right). Do some reading on the internet on how to use it. But to answer your other questions. Fiberglass is a very soft fabric. So yes you do need a mold. Otherwise it will sag. Unless you can make it really tight, but It will still sag a little. Once you make a mold. Use some spray adhesive to stick the fabric to your mold. The biggest
pain when working with fiberglass is sanding it. Stuff gets in your skin and makes you itch. So when you use it. Make it so that you don't have to sand it very much.

And wear a respirator when you sand it!!!!

.or your kids can inherit your cabinet because you'll be DEAD soon.

X-0 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2003, 12:57:20 pm »

heh...I once asked a fiberglass guy at the boat shop the best way to get the fiberglass off your skin when you get it on you.

His answer? "Don't get it on you"

painfully obvious advice, and something I've followed ever since.

anyway, i don't think I was paying attention in class. Is the wood just a mold that will be removed later, or does the fiberglass cover the whole thing?

Valence · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2003, 01:25:50 pm »

I've been thinking about this alot. The only pro for using what I have now as just a mold would be that I could create more in the future. and it would be lighter. But thats not really a concern. (I figured without a tv. The thing is only going to way 100lbs or so)
I'm actually expecting to have to counter weight it to keep it stable. The cons for it would be that after I have the mold of it I am going to have to reinforce it and build all the cross bars out of either wood or more fiberglass. It would cost a bunch of money to have to reinforce it. Cloth and resin aren't cheap. Plus all the added work of the cross bars.

So I am leaning on using everything as structural support for the CP. I'll probably try to use it just as a mold first to see how it comes out.

BTW fiberglass comes off real easy from the skin. Well at least the 2nd and 3rd layers of skin.

Zinfari · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2003, 10:19:51 pm »

It's been a while since I saw something truely original in a cab (not saying that to be mean... it's just there are a lot of talented, creative people out there building cabs and it's hard to think of something that this group collectively hasn't.)

I think the overall shape of this CP is what stands out to me and the way it looks like Valence is planning on using inserts is different than I've seen before. I'm with the rest of the folks here.... can't wait to see more.

-Zinfari

SirPoonga · « **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2003, 03:30:35 pm »

Quote from: Zinfari on April 02, 2003, 10:19:51 pm

It's been a while since I saw something truely original in a cab (not saying that to be mean... it's just there are a lot of talented, creative people out there building cabs and it's hard to think of something that this group collectively hasn't.)

Yeah, I know people have thrown around using fiberglass, but most of us are poor

Quote

I think the overall shape of this CP is what stands out to me and the way it looks like Valence is planning on using inserts is different than I've seen before. I'm with the rest of the folks here.... can't wait to see more.

Hey, then you have to check out one of the original modular CP designs.
http://www.jelloslug.mamehost.com/

Zinfari · « **Reply #21 on:** April 03, 2003, 05:33:01 pm »

Nice link SirPoonga. Would be great just in case you have a single player game that needs 2 joysticks and 12 buttons!

What would that game be like? A spider tank fighting game with fatality moves all in 3D!

I can see it now... Leg 1, Leg 2, Arm 4, Arm 3, QCR-left joy, QCL-right joy, Jump, Duck, Leg 4, Turbo-Arm1 .... Ultra COMBO!!!! Hopefully the joystick are rotary as well! Then think of the combos!

Sorry I couldn't resist!

-Zinfari

SirPoonga · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2003, 08:45:28 pm »

ha ha ha

He has a cool system. I'm tempted to do it on my cocktail cabinet.

My second CP just might be like it. I want alot of controls for it. Just need ot make some filler modules to take up any slack in certain situations.
And only the joysticks need to be secured like he said. You are always pushing down on trackballs and buttons. A spinner probably wouldn't hurt by securing.

I'm not going to do it to my main cp because I want custom graphics for that.

Valence · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2003, 06:03:17 pm »

Here is an updated pic. Finished fiberglassing it. Starting on the wiring harness now.

Valence · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2003, 06:05:38 pm »

The middle piece of wood is going to have a trackball on it. But when not in windows, it will be turned upside down. You can't tell real well in the pics but the mounting bolts for the joysticks have been countersunk and bondo was used to level it before the fiberglass went on.

CustomArcade · « **Reply #25 on:** April 06, 2003, 10:33:09 am »

Looks good...I am excited to see the whole package.

Brax · « **Reply #26 on:** April 06, 2003, 12:54:51 pm »

Gel Coat? Glossy paint?

Are we going to get to see a high gloss fibreglass Japanese looking control panel or are you going to hide the material under the finish? Just curious.

Valence · « **Reply #27 on:** April 22, 2003, 12:28:09 am »

Here's an update pic. It had to pass the 200 lbs test. I sat on the edge to make sure that it wasn't going to break. ( The front of the CP)

Brax · « **Reply #28 on:** April 22, 2003, 07:40:53 pm »

Whats the black? Front of a computer case? Coin door?

Valence · « **Reply #29 on:** April 23, 2003, 07:39:14 pm »

I just noticed that I never answered your first question Brax.

sorry

I am going to gelcoat the whole thing. possible colors right now is silver with a little pearl mixed in with possible blue or purple strips of some sort. For the CP. I'm thinking about using a cut out brushed aluminum overlay with the graphics printed directly on it.

The black thing is the front of a computer (my first one, pentium 200) It had interesting curves that I thought would fit the pedestal and it was the right width. I also thought that the front opening would be perfect for a makeshift bastardized coin door.

Valence

SirPeale · « **Reply #30 on:** May 08, 2003, 12:09:35 pm »

Just looking for updates on this monster.

shmokes · « **Reply #31 on:** May 08, 2003, 11:36:38 pm »

That's an HP case if I'm not mistaken.

BTW I like where you've chosen to work on this thing. I can just picture little Billy going home after swimming in the pool..., "Mommy, my face itches and by eyes are blurry..."

SirPeale · « **Reply #32 on:** May 16, 2003, 10:08:15 pm »

Quote from: Valence on March 30, 2003, 07:51:32 pm

Thought I would include some pics of my machine in a very infant stage. My control panel is only 75% complete. It's going to be made out of fiberglass.

Are you going to update with new stuff? I'm dying to see how this turns out.

Valence · « **Reply #33 on:** May 17, 2003, 12:13:07 am »

I'm right in the middle of fiber glassing the pedestal portion of it right now. When I fiberglass, I do it in fairly small portions so that I can prevent bubbles easier. So it basically looks like crap right now. Hopefully I will have it done by this weekend. If I do I will throw up a picture of it. Slow going, but its really coming along good.

By the way., The computer was an acer.

Valence

Valence · « **Reply #34 on:** May 21, 2003, 03:47:31 pm »

Updated Pics/

Fiberglassed the pedestal currently in the process of smoothing out the surface.

Valence · « **Reply #35 on:** May 21, 2003, 03:49:48 pm »

with PIC

Brax · « **Reply #36 on:** May 22, 2003, 07:33:43 am »

It looks like something out of a cheezy 70's sci-fi!

The Dr Who controller!

Valence · « **Reply #37 on:** May 22, 2003, 01:13:55 pm »

That's funny that you mentioned that.

Its semi-based off of "Computer Space"
I wanted something different and a little more futuristic looking and I ended up going back to the original

Valence

Molloy · « **Reply #38 on:** May 22, 2003, 07:56:42 pm »

I kept thinking of Computer Space when I saw this as well. I hope your machine isn't a disaster.

Valence · « **Reply #39 on:** May 28, 2003, 09:22:34 pm »

I wouldn't consider anything that fails when it is first and then leads to something big, a disaster. It didn't do very well
( not at all )
but then it lead to places like this.

The first car didn't do very well either. Kept scaring all the horses.

Valence


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