My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

[outbakjak]

I have a question: Do the lexan replacement panels sold on cobaltflux.com work for homepad projects? as far as I know, that's the cheapest way to get what lexan you would need, pre-cut and all, but is it too thin or is it about the same thickness of two .22 inch panels? hmmmm....
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-AAAAHHH!!!!!

[ChilliumBromide]

The CF panels won't work for my pads, 'cause I'm going to be using 12" panels due to my big feet. Otherwise, they should work fine, but don't take my word for it.
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I used to be active here lol

[EnigmaFX]

I have an idea for my buttons but I dont know if it would work......


Lexan or acrylic

Arrow Design

Thin Plastic

Metal

Metal


Would it work?

[ChilliumBromide]

[geckoinc99]

EnigmaFX,
That design scheme will work just fine. Although you can have the graphics printed directly onto the plastic, sandwiching a piece of paper with the printing on it works great too. There are a few of advantages to this:
1. Price. I can go to Staples and get arrows printed on 11x14 inch paper (which will get the 11x11 size) for about $2.00 a print. This gets sandwiched between two pieces of plexiglass (lexan, it's all the same polycarbonate with different degrees of hardness). This makes it very easy to replace either because a panel broke or you decide you want a different graphic.
2. Noise cancellation. If you have two pieces of plastic rubbing against each other, they get very noisy. The paper will act as a barrier and stop this noise. O don't know what a vinyl decal would do since it's similar to plastic.
3. Light. If you print on standard paper, it will allow light through if your goal is to light the arrows.

When designing your arrow, there are two ways to build them (following your form).
1. For lighted designs: Going from top to bottom you will have a thin sheet of plexi (I think they're about 0.093" thick), then graphic, then thick plexi (about 0.22" thick), then upper metal contact, then lower metal contact.
2. For non lighted designs: Going from top to bottom you will have a thin sheet of plexi, then graphic, then a base (you can use plexi, but really wood could work here or some other form of rigid and sturdy material will do as well), then upper metal contact, then bottom metal contact.

There are plenty examples to follow in this forum. Take what info you want from them and go with it. If you don't feel like experimenting, then follow a design exactly, otherwise have fun being creative. Hope that helps.

By the way, a great way to attach the metal to the base (whether plexiglass or other) contact cement works wonderfully. Just brush the stuff on both surfaces, allow to dry, then stick together. Good luck with the build.

David
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Life is very different 3000 feet above the earth with only a wing to hold you up....
Can't wait to be there again. Wanna join me? Visit http://www.hanglide.com

[geckoinc99]

DancingTofu,
I don't see much of a reason to extend the size to 12" I have large feet as well and have never felt hampered by it. At least this holds true for a four arrow design. If you're persuing one of the six or eight arrow designs, then I can totally understand. Otherwise, it's a waste and will make it harder for you to translate to the arcade if you ever decide to play there. I'm not trying to be critical, just don't want you to have to build more than is neccessary. It's your call though.
_________________

Life is very different 3000 feet above the earth with only a wing to hold you up....
Can't wait to be there again. Wanna join me? Visit http://www.hanglide.com

[ChilliumBromide]

[geckoinc99]

Hey, that sounds great. I just wanted to make sure no one was doing more work than needed or felt like large feet would not work with standard sizes. Good luck with the builds.

David
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Life is very different 3000 feet above the earth with only a wing to hold you up....
Can't wait to be there again. Wanna join me? Visit http://www.hanglide.com

[Gibbo]

About how much should Lexan cost?


I went to a local Paint and Plastics supplier today, and asked for a price on 10 square feet...

And the guy spits me back a price of "around 120 bucks."


Now, did he a) mishear me, because I fumbled over what I was trying to say (Perhaps he got me 10 sheets at 10 x 10 and 7'8", or at 2.2 thickness, instead of .22 thickness.) b) look at the wrong thing or c) try to rip me off?

For convenience sake, 120 CAD is about 105USD..
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[ChilliumBromide]

Nah, that's actually about right.

I found an eBay seller who sells lexan for pretty much the cheapest you'll see, at around $6 for sq ft for 1/8" lexan, if you buy large amounts. (such as 10 sq ft)

I can get you a link, if you like.
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I used to be active here lol

[Gibbo]

I had no idea it was that expensive..

Yeah, that link would be much appreciated, thanks.
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[Travelsonic]

Does anybody have specs and measurements for the arcade pads? I AM making my own metal pads as close to the acrade design as huamnly possible, but I feel in order to do this I'd need true specs. I am also too lazy to search through 270+ pages of tips, tricks, and information on making metal pads.
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I'll believe that when me **** turns purple, and smells like rainbow sherbet.

[ChilliumBromide]

[EnigmaFX]

[ChilliumBromide]

Not unless you use 8.5" x 11" arrows.
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I used to be active here lol

[EnigmaFX]

so i need go to staples and make them print it on big paper?

[traydemark03]

Ey...what size/kind of screws should I use with the 2" brackets. The 1 1/4" drywall screws from riptide's design don't look like they'll work. They're raised about a 1/16 above the bracket...and that kind of defeats the whole purpose of using the bracket.

[Weston]

traydemark03:
The types of screws you should use are specific to the pad design. For mine, I drilled the holes in the brackets larger to fit my flathead screws. Other people seem to use self-drilling rounded top lath screws. It's really up to you. Figure out exactly how you want the brackets to feel with the screws in them, then search for a screw that fits that need.

Enigma:
Yeah, you can do that, which is what I did, or you can print out two pieces of paper and put them together. I also recommend laminating them. The plastic panels create friction when they slide around, which can rub off the ink and tear up the paper.

[traydemark03]

Ey Weston. I was referring to the size of the screws needed to screw down just the 2" brackets for the contacts (riptide design). That is a good idea, though it'll be a lot of work to widen each hole for each bracket. I guess I better get started ha!

Thanks

[firezion]

Helllo!

Im currently starting to build a set of 2 dance pads.. There are a lot of small questions I still have in mind, and allthough I´ve read a lot, wich I haven´t got a clear answer. First..

1) How thin amount of Lexan, (Using a system like Riptides for example) will endure weight around 250 pounds? Can you glue lexan pieces together to make it "one", and more durable?

I´ll be back later, with more questions. It´s too late for me this side of the globe. ;/