My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

ch · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:25 am Post subject:

i could take a trip oot there from lansing, but id have to steal a car.
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

thepadmaker · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 12:19 pm Post subject:

Aint worth doin time for...

Chris

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If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

mtwieg · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 3:15 pm Post subject:

all right chris, I've started work on the pad, and things are going pretty smooth so far. My only concern is about the sheet metal. I used a standard roll of aluminum flashing, and scored and broke it fine. However, it didn't look like the edges were bent at all, and they're kinda sharp. I'm not sure if they're done right. Could you take a close up shot of the edges of one of the metal panels for me?
If I don't like how the edges are on what I just made, I'll probably just tap it with a hammer to dull the corners.
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thepadmaker · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject:

I will snap some pictures of mine, but the bottom line is, if you think they are too sharp, just go along the edge with a file. Only work the file in a downward direction. Work the file at a 45 degree angle to the metal. That will not only get rid of the sharpness, but it will actually roll the steel down.

You don't have to work real hard at it either. Just go real lightly over the edge.

Anyway, shoot me an e-mail, and I send you some pics...

Chris

http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
_________________

http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

frikk · Basic Member Joined: 31 Dec 2004

Hey, Great Design chris!

One question, how did you get to do without the stanley brackets? Surely you have prevented the panels from popping straight off or to the sides right? If you turn it upside down or on its side, does it stay in one peice? Thats all I need to know, please share your wisdom! :-)

PS: Disregard my comment on your site, ill use this forum instead. Thanks!

Blaine
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ddr.

thepadmaker · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 6:24 am Post subject:

The arrows are held in place just like the steel panels. There is a screw in each of the four corners. Just the holes are drilled a little bigger in the arrow panels to allow for the up and down movent.

So no if you turn the pad over, nothing will will fall off....except me.

Thanks for the comments.

Chris

http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
_________________

http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

frikk · Basic Member Joined: 31 Dec 2004

I had a feeling you did something like that, but you dont mention it on your page. Did you use washers or anything like that?

Sounds great. All I could find are brass brackets which are ugly as hell, so this is a perfect solution.
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ddr.

thepadmaker · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:18 pm Post subject:

Nope no washers just the #10 x 1 1/2" screws...

Chris

http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad
_________________

http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

mtwieg · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject:

im almost done...
however, as I feared, the arrow panels are a tiny bit higher than the metal panel. What I'm going to do is put washers between the metal panels and the base (I'll add a fifth screw to the center of each panel so it doesn't crack in the middle). That should raise them to where they should be.

I might be done by tonight if I can find something to improvise for the bare copper wire. btw, I'm using the contact method of your second pad (no wire attached to the screen). If I can't find any bare wire, I'll just use lots of pieces of normal wires...pain in the ass.
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thepadmaker · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject:

I don't remember why your arrow panels were higher, but I wouldn't put another screw in the middle. You will hate stepping on it all the time (I know it's on the metal pad, but trust me, you will hate it). Instead, just glue a washer using wood glue or super glue. It will accomplish the same thing with now screw in the center...

Chris
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http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

Ulala321 · Trick Member Joined: 28 Sep 2004

ch · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 6:41 pm Post subject:

those arent the arcade style, but theyll work. hook em up like any other button. you might try these:
http://www.happcontrols.com/images/50/54v00045x.gif
http://www.happcontrols.com/images/70/710004tx.gif
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

Ulala321 · Trick Member Joined: 28 Sep 2004

Thanks much, I'll post pics in a couple days!

5thDementian · Trick Member Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Location: Kalamazoo, MI

thepadmaker · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:42 am Post subject:

I have already said the same thing. The arcade buttons that they make, the small ones are 1 1/2" tall. Some are as big as 2". That was why I had to switch to the momentary switches from radio shack.

Good luck with it, and if you find a way to make it work, please let me know. I definately think that the arcade buttons look cool, but they are a bear to work with.

Chris
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http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

ch · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:58 am Post subject:

you could get a project enclosure from radio shack and put all your buttons in there. those things come in all sizes. you just have to have your controller board outside of the pad. _ter made one called the terterbox, but you dont have to use the nine pin connector, unless youre good at that type of thing.

and you can put stickers on it so it looks like a mini arcade machine
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

thepadmaker · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:37 am Post subject:

Mine actually uses an external box also, but I hook mine up with a network cable. There are great pictures of it on my site.

I think at the end of the day it will make storage and portability better.

Chris
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http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

mtwieg · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:

I'm gonna hold up on drilling the arrows for now... I would rather use a cobalt flux type bracket (flat piece of metal screwed to the metal panels) to hold the arrows down. That and a border should work fine. If not, I'tt only screw in the corners away from the center. I should be done tonight.
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thepadmaker · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 4:38 pm Post subject:

My newest pad is DONE!!!. It took me about 3 hours to build this time. I think I am getting it down. Anyway, as promised it only has 4 screws on the pad surface. It looks awesome, and will keep up with any of them.

There are pics of it at my site. I still have to get the arrows printed. I will do that tomorrow. Then I will take more pictures.

Chris
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http://www.2legacy.com/ddrpad/
If it needs to be screwed, I'm licensed to do it!

OttoDestruct · Basic Member Joined: 04 Nov 2004

Could you clarify a bit more how you do your borders?