arfink Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 I started a personal project yesterday. I'm going to re-do my joystick. See lots of pics of the "before" state here. I'm just getting rid of the ugly scrap-wood case, and I'm gonna make something nice. https://plus.google.com/105078442860410937744/posts/LAGojfbYZqj Ugly: And complete lack of strain relief. And this kinda shows how mine might go together later once I redesign: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Measured all the parts, and I'm making some 1:1 scale drawings on paper. I think I have an arrangement that might work out here. What you're seeing here is a cutaway view of the joystick mounting arrangement, and a side-button setup for the small white buttons. I didn't bother drawing in the big buttons because the depth on those will be 37mm with wires on, instead of 41mm used on the joystick (with a few mm extra to account for stick rotation,) so I don't really need to worry about those hitting the backside of the case. In case you're curious, the top side is perhaps the most difficult part to build, and will be done using the laser cutter. It consists of a 1/4" ply wood base layer, with an 1/8" top layer to allow clearance for the joystick mounting plate, which will be glued in place. The top 1/8" layer will be acrylic. The 30mm push buttons will be anchored through the top 1/4" of material, which will help reduce flexing and help to retain the center of the upper acrylic sheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 You should 3D printer that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 I wish I had a 3D printer, it would be super useful. As it is right now though, a laser cutter is just right for me, even if it has serious limitations compared to a 3D printer, because I don't need to learn complex 3DCAM software to operate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Yes oh yes. GRiZ is the thing for today. :) [media]http://youtu.be/sVAaBj1G8BI[/media] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Ready for cutting? Well no, not quite yet. But very close. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 Recovering from some rather serious crud. Needed some of this tonight. [media]http://youtu.be/weRiAwPR5xQ[/media] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 Today's bike ride I was playing courier. My package rack is super handy for this. Also note my bike's attractive McDonald's themed paint job. :P Thanks so much 80s. The view up my street. Apparently I'm not supposed to park here. :P Nyaaaa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploomf Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Apparently I'm not supposed to park here. :P Nyaaaa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 rotfl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 18, 2013 Author Share Posted May 18, 2013 http://weaselsgonarf.blogspot.com/2013/05/daily-draw-dec-vt78.html <-- See pic bigger So, this is a DEC VT78, made by Digital Equipment Corp. in 1977. It was designed as a word processor, but ultimately was unable to compete with the IBM PC and it's successors, despite its ability to run PDP-8 and CP/M software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 18, 2013 Author Share Posted May 18, 2013 Link in the previous post was wrong! Try this http://weaselsgonarf.blogspot.com/2013/05/daily-draw-dec-vt78.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 18, 2013 Author Share Posted May 18, 2013 I am very disappointed in the new supplier I decided to try for my craft wood that I use for engravings. (Inventables) I was tempted by their wider selection of species and attractive prices. It was not worth it though. The wood is out of spec. I purchased a 24 inch by 12 inch piece from them, and received a piece that was nearly an inch short in each dimension. The edges of the boards were a bit ragged, and some of them were flaking along the grain. It was also supposed to be 1/4" thick, and was not actually that thick. It was more like 3/8" thick. I was also disappointed in my selection of birch as a species, the color when engraved is not beautiful, it's dull and color ranges from gray to black. The wood I usually purchase from Midwest Products is always to spec, and has a much nicer color, in part because it is not covered over in a thin veneer, but is made from a 3-ply of thicker wood. I would probably order from Inventables again for other products, but not the 1/4" birch plywood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 Well, the local hardware store carries the wood in the correct brand, thickness, and species for my purposes, so I bought 3 sheets from them. Overpriced, but I've learned a valuable lesson. The price was worth it for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 20, 2013 Author Share Posted May 20, 2013 Starting work on a new engraving design today, in honor of the Holy Spirit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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