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CP Layout, help & comments please?
TroyO:
Egads I keep tweaking it! LOL.
The black buttons at center top are admin buttons, as are 2 other inputs not shown (Which may be tiny non-arcade buttons) for maybe more advanced admin stuff.... or maybe drop the 2 arcade buttons and just hide away 4 small admin buttons. Actually, exit and Launch CPViewer might be good uses for those two.
The Black/White pair are P1 Start/Coin in1 and P2Start/Coin in2
I will definitly be mocking it up before cutting anything. Actually with 1/8 Hardboard if possible.
As to the contours, yep I have that figured out. :-) It shouldn't actually be that hard.... built up a layer at a time and trimmed with a flush cut bit from a template. Time consuming, perhaps. I actually want it smoother than the drawing.
Dmod:
--- Quote from: TroyO on March 14, 2007, 06:03:27 pm ---As to the contours, yep I have that figured out. :-) It shouldn't actually be that hard.... built up a layer at a time and trimmed with a flush cut bit from a template. Time consuming, perhaps. I actually want it smoother than the drawing.
--- End quote ---
The concern isn't how to cut the curves on the control panel top. That's easy. What shape box is the top going to sit on? There's no way to draw a rectangular box for your panel that all the controls can fit into. This means you're going to have to construct a very odd shaped box. Getting all those angles right could take a bit of effort.
I think you should try redrawing your picture with dashed lines to indicate the box shape that goes UNDER your panel.
TroyO:
Yep, I got that he was talking about the box that goes under. I have a router table, so it may be easier using that, but it could be done with a regular router too. The plan is to make a master template.. probably 1/8 Hardboard because it's cheap, although I have a pile of 1/4 MDF that I'll probably use.
Cut the top of the CP from 1/2" MDF, finish by following around the pattern with a flush trim bit. (BTW... double sided carpet tape kicks ass for holding the template to the workpiece.)
Use the master template and a rabbeting bit to make a duplicate template about 3/4" (Maybe 1" if there's room) smaller than the top, and big enough inside to clear all the controls. Use that to make a layer from 3/4 MDF, and then the flush trim bit to add layers until you have enough height. I'll use pocket holes to hold it in place.
Use the rabbeting bit again to trim for the bottom insert and voila! (Wow, that was long winded for what's actually pretty quick and easy, LOL!)
Anyway... the advantage to that is you get a nice curvy botton to go with the nice curvy top.
Alternatively, if I feel lazy or decide to go that route I coud use the KISS principle and do something like this for the bottom.
The back is double thick because I'm using the cabinet hanging trick with angle cut boards to "hang" the controller.
Dmod:
I get it now. :P
Sounds like a cool idea. I'm looking forward to see how it turns out.
Would you cut the whole outer box template as a solid piece? Seems like you'd end up with a lot of scrap MDF that way. Also curious as to how you hid the seams between layers. Laminate?
I like this layout for your CP. The only thing you might want to consider relocating are the two black buttons in front of the trackball. If one of them is an 'Exit' button, you don't want that getting accidentally hit. Given that your trackball is closer to the lower edge than mine, this might be less of an issue.
I chose to hide a single black admin button to the CP box below the panel, and use this like a 'shift' key to modify the behavior of the P1 and P2 start buttons. By doing that I eliminated all the admin buttons from the top of the panel.
TroyO:
I really like the idea of a button on the side to "unlock" admin functions... I could even recess it so it's unlikely to be bumped. (Actually, I could do the same with the ones above the trackball too.) I think I'll wait on the mockup to decide if it's an issue or not.
Using a flush trim bit doesn't leave a whole lot of seam.. after a shot or two of primer I doubt it would be an issue. I use the method a lot for making vacuum forming molds and other stuff for making replica movie props and costume stuff. In any case, it will probably be laminated or veneered anyway.
There won't actually be huge waste doing it that way... you make a basic square from the MDF before trimming so your not wasting big solid chunks... 2 inch-ish strips that cover the perimiter. You end up with more seams but less waste. Plus, I have a few full sheets on hand anyway.
Thanks everyone for the help! Wow, look how much different/better than the first one this is, LOL! I think I'm finally ready for a mock up. :-)
The big showpiece I think will be the 270/360 steering wheel. I don't think anyone has pulled one off yet. I had to halt progress on it as my drill press busted last week. :badmood:
The good news is I now have a much nicer one and may actually make some progress this weekend. ;D (New toys... errr... tools! yay!)
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