The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: ThomiG on September 30, 2014, 03:04:49 pm
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The idea:
I wanted to announce my new project. This time, I won't use medium density fiberboard, sprayed over with black paint. Instead I want it to look like a piece of furniture. I'll use 19mm thick solid ash wood. Every system relevant button and the joystick bat top handle will be made of brushed aluminum (except for the coin insert buttons, which will be golden). The engraved symbols of the buttons will be backlit by amber LEDs. The game buttons are black/clear.
Status report:
So... I've done a lot of work for the last four days. It's great how easy ash wood is to work with. It's as easy as MDF. I decided to not even paint it with a clear coat. I will just apply some appropriate oil. I want to keep not only the look but also the feel of the wood. The design is very similar to my last bartop. I just modified it slightly. This one is 40mm wider. With that change the bezel is as wide on top and bottom of the screen as it is on the left and right side. Also it's more comfortable to play side by side. I also moved the bezel 50mm into the bartop, away from the user. So the buttons on the control panel can also be further away from the player. Now there is enough space to rest the palm on the control panel. To increase the comfort I've rounded the edge of this panel.
The bartop will be held together by lamella cookies, so there won't be any screws visible.
Here are some pics of the actual status. I'm quite happy how it turned out so far. Phuh... I'm always tense when using the router. A little mistake and I can throw the piece away, since I can't cover it with any filler or paint in this project. And the wood is not so cheap. Now I reached a stop for the moment. Since I have to order more wood. I did not see at the time of ordering, that the direction of the wood fiber is essential and will decrease the amount of wood I can really use. Now I have to wait... While waiting: I'm totally lost related to the marquee design. Any suggestions?
Thank you very much for your feedback!
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Wow! :applaud: :notworthy:
This i like! Great job so far! :applaud:
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Are you planning any CP art at all?
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Update! I glued the bartop together using lamella cookies. To protect the wood I applied some oil. Then I installed the buttons, connected the LEDs...
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Looks beautiful ThomiG. Lovely woodworking, understated and classy. I really like it
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Thanks! That was what I was going for. It shall look like a piece of furniture. No fancy ornaments.
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This is looking fantastic. I really like the natural wood with the silver button accents!
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Almost finished. Just need to add the aluminum grill to the backpanel and of course the side artwork is still missing. But everything else is done. Here some impressions: