It's always fun and helpful to make a POV model before beginning construction...

https://youtu.be/T_OfudwawnU

I'm currently working on programming a remake of the game Centipede so if I can
find a local cabinet shop who's willing to do the woodwork for me I'll make a
control box to go with it.

Have an awesome day everyone!

Kind regards,
Dave Blandston

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"Dave Blandston" <nomail@nomail> wrote:

Hi Dave,

> I'm currently working on programming a remake of the game Centipede

You're programming the whole game yourself?  :O
I remember trying to make my own version of Space Invaders on my Atari 800 XL.
I _may_ have programmed a toy version on an Arduino.

> so if I can
> find a local cabinet shop who's willing to do the woodwork for me I'll make a
> control box to go with it.

Could be pricey.
I'd be sorely tempted to make the prototype myself, since there's usually tweaks
and revisions that ought to be done before a professional charges you for
something you may need to modify anyway.

Also, since it's just a cabinet, you would likely be able to save a ton of money
and just build it yourself.  Paint and a fancy printed vinyl sticker can cover a
multitude of sins.

I don't know what it's like in your area, but people around here throw out
EVERYTHING.  You could probably find a curved-edge table top and a
particle-board table top or kitchen cabinet with that plastic edge spline that
fits in the wood (if you wanted that effect).  Free.
Then if it all works, and the test cabinet is to your satisfaction, you can hand
over the cabinet as a reference model along with your drawings so that they know
_exactly_ what you want.

Brandon Sander of YT channel Inheritence Machining seems to like:
https://sendcutsend.com/services/laser-cutting/

- BW

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"Bald Eagle" <cre### [at] netscapenet> wrote:
> Also, since it's just a cabinet, you would likely be able to save a ton of money
> and just build it yourself.  Paint and a fancy printed vinyl sticker can cover a
> multitude of sins.

That's what I would really like to do. But when we moved to our current home I
sold most of my woodworking tools. At the moment I don't have room for even a
small workbench. I was hoping that the local community college would have a
workshop that I could use if I signed up for a class but it doesn't. Modeling
the box with POV was extremely helpful to determine the measurements though and
it's a really simple woodworking project. The online laser cutter looks awesome
and I'm glad you pointed it out but their limit for wood thickness disqualifies
them for this project unfortunately. The POV model (without the artwork and
controls attached) shows all the cuts and holes that are necessary so that may
help me convince someone to take on the job. I'll post that picture in the
images section too.

The software part of the project is coming along nicely. I'm using QB64PE and
it's fantastic for this sort of thing. I did a false start on this project a few
years ago with C and never finished it so I'm astounded that you were able to
program a game with an Arduino! That sounds like quite an accomplishment! My
first experience with an Arduino was just a few days ago - I plan to use one to
control the LEDs on the arcade control box. Very simple, especially compared to
writing an entire game! How did you manage to display the graphics?

Kind regards,
Dave Blandston

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"Dave Blandston" <nomail@nomail> wrote:

> That's what I would really like to do. But when we moved to our current home I
> sold most of my woodworking tools. At the moment I don't have room for even a
> small workbench.

You should see my 2nd floor apartment.  :D

> The online laser cutter looks awesome
> and I'm glad you pointed it out but their limit for wood thickness disqualifies
> them for this project unfortunately.

Does it though?  Just stack multiple identical sheets.

(what about foam-core board? With a cardboard shipping tube for the rounded
edge.)

 The POV model (without the artwork and
> controls attached) shows all the cuts and holes that are necessary so that may
> help me convince someone to take on the job.

I might know a guy. ;)
We've cut fairly thick pieces of wood, but I'd say best would be 1/4" max.
Also cut plastic, and engrave glass, and granite tile.
Dunno what the shipping from NH would be.

But to go off on a - tangent - you may have noticed some of Mikhail's influence
on some of my modeling projects . . .  maybe 80% ;)

> ... I'm astounded that you were able to
> program a game with an Arduino! That sounds like quite an accomplishment!

Well, I didn't write the whole thing myself, it was part of a kit kinda thing.


 My
> first experience with an Arduino was just a few days ago - I plan to use one to
> control the LEDs on the arcade control box. Very simple, especially compared to
> writing an entire game! How did you manage to display the graphics?

Like I said, it was a toy game, on an, IIRC, 8x8 pixel display.

I've programmed a lot more complicated stuff on Arduinos, and likely have the
"sketches" saved somewhere.  Bluetooth-enabled interface with menu, PID process
control, bunch of other stuff.  Read/write EEPROM, controlling laser displays,
etc.

But there are crazy people in the world:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/12/arduino-and-an-oled-make-this-space-invaders-cabinet-tiny/

- BW

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"Bald Eagle" <cre### [at] netscapenet> wrote:
> (what about foam-core board? With a cardboard shipping tube for the rounded
> edge.)

Ah-ha, foam-core board will be perfect for a prototype. The only thing I'm not
100% certain of and won't be until I get the trackball is how tall the sides
need to be in order to accommodate the trackball housing. I was planning to use
cardboard but foam-core board will be way easier to work with. The final product
will be made from 3/4" hardwood so it will be sturdy and heavy.

Post a reply to this message

"Dave Blandston" <nomail@nomail> wrote:
> "Bald Eagle" <cre### [at] netscapenet> wrote:
> > (what about foam-core board? With a cardboard shipping tube for the rounded
> > edge.)
>
> Ah-ha, foam-core board will be perfect for a prototype.

Excellent.   I was afraid I was being silly by suggesting it.

> The only thing I'm not
> 100% certain of and won't be until I get the trackball is how tall the sides
> need to be in order to accommodate the trackball housing. I was planning to use
> cardboard but foam-core board will be way easier to work with. The final product
> will be made from 3/4" hardwood so it will be sturdy and heavy.

Foam-core is apparently available in fairly thick forms.
For your bend, you could score at either end of the arc, and peel away the
card-stock, and then "corrugate" or soften the internal foam with heat or a
solvent so that you get a nice, smooth bend without having to fight the
compression on the convex side.
Just make the console overly tall to accommodate the trackball, and then trim it
to height after installation.

You could likely do all of your cutting with a router or even with a Dremel.
Small rotary tool that doesn't require much storage space, and you can do all of
the work outside this Spring. A cheap handsaw could be used for the straight
cuts, but you could even score those with the router bit prior to sawing.

Perhaps there's a maker-space somewhere near you?

- BE


https://corporate.mattel.com/brand-portfolio/power-shop
I rescued and restored an original 1964 model - after it had been submerged in a
flooded basement for ... who knows how many years.  I was absolutely astonished
that it still worked!  And now that I bring it up, I can look into 3D printing
some new parts for it!
:D

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Fortunately the prototype won't need the curved front - just flat will do in
order to make sure everything fits OK.

I was excited to see that there's a maker's place in my area but when I looked
at their website it turns out they're just getting started and don't have tools
yet. It would be great if that organization gets going. If I can find a cabinet
guy to build the box though it should only take a couple hours and I can do the
finishing.

Kind regards,
Dave Blandston

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