Money, money, money... oh well Today, I decided to take a break and do some more cosmetic work. Look what I found lying around in my workshop: So I marked out a 26mm circle and cut it out: In order to mount it in my dremel, I had to drill a 2.5mm hole halfway into the disc and tap a peice of 3mm wire. The new 'bolt' then screwed into the disc and could be held by the dremel: After some filing, sanding and polishing: I think it looks pretty good. I could've gone for a shinier finish, but I like the 'brushed' look. Now, these look a bit similar, don't they? Original disc removed and recess sanded with 1000 grit to prevent reflection: And the new disc mounted: I'm very pleased with the result. I'll be re-using this technique for the jewel on the front panel and the jewel on an original pad. This is the best use for a dremel I've found yet. Like a mini lathe. I'm currently planning the specific measurements of the front panel, which may take some time. I'm considering ordering it to be cut because of the level of accuracy needed to get it looking really good. Anyways, progress may slow over the next few days, so bear with me.
Looks pretty cool. The graphic design looks awesome and definately has drawn my interest. Cant wait to see what it becomes
Wow, sounds pretty sweet. I may try this... (though I still haven't figured out how to rip cartrridge based games to ROM's yet)
Nice work with the dremel there! We've got Evox installed on the X-Box in the flat here, is awesome. XBMP is also very good, works brilliantly playing stuff over the network. xSnes9x works superbly as well. Didn't use a mod-chip though, just the font-hack with a usb pen-drive. Means all warranties are still intact, and HDD space isn't an issue seeing as it's all networked anyway.
Looking really good so far dude, if the case turns out anywhere near as good as your rendering it will be a killer Good luck
Thanks for the replies, as always! I decided to continue with the cosmetics while I await the motherboard spacers. Taking a look at my mouse, I made a decision. The mouse itself will eventually be dyed black, but that nasty grey wheel button will remain grey and nasty. So, time to make it fit with the colour scheme. First, I cut out two thick discs of aluminium and a disc of plastic. The plastic was actually from a clear CD you get in those spindle packs of CD-R's. My first attempt involved glueing the discs together and then lathing them. A few minutes in, I realised this wasn't going to work because the plastic was simply melting. My second approach was to lathe the alu. discs and then the plastic and then finish them together. This time it worked! I finished the plastic by holding 1000 grit sandpaper dipped in water very gently against the edge at a low speed for a very long time! In order to get the 'brushed' look on the alu. discs, I dipped some coarse wire wool in water and gently touched them for a short amount of time. You can see the idea behind the plastic below: To mount the wheel I butchered the original spindle and glued the new wheel on to it. Here it is nearly finished: Here it is installed: I had to cut away some of the mouse casing, as the wheel proved to be a tiny bit too big (even after lots of testing and measuring). This needs to be tidied up and then the mouse will be dyed black, a new black cable fitted and a red LED installed just under the wheel. I'm sure you get the idea
I'm using 3D Studio Max. Irritating as hell but I already know it and don't have time to learn Maya right now.
Excellent work with the dremel! I love the metal disk and mouse wheel. Looking forward to updates ~David P.S. Don't let 3dsmax push you around. It just needs a little coaxing and it works well. stay away from maya....
This is looking like its going to be one nice project. I love what you did with the aluminum discs with the controlers and the mouse.