Scratch Build – In Progress KOSMOS htpc/mame (Final pictures)

Hi guys

Im back on BT with a new project, titled KOSMOS. I will try to make it a quick one

KOSMOS is a smaller HTPC/MAME rig for the livingroom. This may be a sparse introduction, but I think I'll let the process speak for itself.

The main feature of the build is a lit up planetarium, much like the one in the picture below, made for my desktop project Tempel




INTEL is on board and has kindly provided me with an i5 NUC and a 240GB mSATA disk to play with. I always wanted to test the NUC, so here we go!


Here's a quick concept skecth. It's actually not as small as you might expect, NUC wise Case size measures 40x30x30cm, but I want the integrate a shelf system with two joystick controllers for the MAME setup



Began today with the boring part, veneering






Stay tuned!

 

Sweet, tuned in.

 

Aw, Yeah.

A quizz kid mod will still be awesome, but the title kinda made me hope for a KOS-MOS theme.

 

Woo! New Quizz mod.

 

Sub a dub dubbed. Looking forward to another superb build!

 

Thanks guys, appreciated!

So I glued all the sides together including two shelf platforms for the controllers.


Then I milled a pocket for the front panel to slide into from underneath


It's a tight fit, but it slides right in there


Another picture where it's standing upside down


I aslo started on the two wireless joystick controllers. The panels are made from black valchromat, a harder and more beautiful version of MDF. Looks almost like granite when oiled, awsome!




And below is the reason the lack of an update. It's my new machines!!

Had to build a steady table for my babies


Here's baby nr1 the mini mill


And here's baby nr2, the mini lathe. Made a ghetto read-out from a cheap caliper, some epoxy and a neo magnet. Works better than expected!

 

Nice workshop additions.

 

Like you needed better tools

I can't wait to see more of your patented perfect blend of carpentry and electronics!

 

Subbed and looking forward to another masterpiece!

 

quizz-kid mods again:

 

New toys=Faster, better, stronger.
I'm guessing custom joysticks will be coming.

 

Thanks guys!!

Sorry about the lack of updates, got in the middle of something and had to complete some other projects. But this week I finally got some time for Kosmos, and managed to finish it. Expect final pictures next week.

Progress of the week:

Started on the planetarium. Some cut mdf and walnut veneer. Then made a stencil for the circles.


Throw some gold spray in the mix, and let it dry. Then comes the best thing, the peeling =)


Done. The lines are very delicate and sharp, no bleeding this time. Good result!


Made some new parts in the mini lathe. This in particular is for start and reset button


And these are feet...


I found these two really nice telescopic antennas on Ebay. They are BNC, so I'm not sure if they'll work at all. But they'll look nice, never the less. Bought BNC to SMA adapters and 30cm long pigtail cables for the wifi card.


Here's the Intel Nuc i5 board "out of the box", and the 256GB mSata. Yummy!


Mounted between two bricks, 19V and 12V. 19V is for the NUC, and 12V for a LED strip. Couldn't get 12V from the board anywhere, so this was the only solution. Made a ghetto-link between the bricks.


Here's the planeratium in place, with planets glued and flex LED strip mounted.


Panels inserted as well... And my polished shiny brass bezel with the big convex glass is finally mounted.


As you see here, the feet completes the construction by keeping the panels locked in place.



Found these nice brass USB cables, and stripped them from their housing to make them fit.


I use a pot for the LED stripe ON/OFF, to have a dial switch


Here's a nice big power LED I made from some brass and a red vintage pilot indicator lens


Glued under "pressure" with some epoxy


A piece of walnut is finally final added to separate the two panels.


Antenna connectors inserted on top. If they don't work, they'll be just a dull decoration element I guess =)


And a back plate is mounted, 80mm fan for exhaust included



Stay tuned for finals!!!

 

Aren't lathes awesome? I ****ing love my lathe.

Great work, as usual.

 

A life without lathe is a life without purpose!

 

Such clean wood work. Loving it!

 

Love ur stuff Quizz

You know your work. Looking forward to the final pics.
Want to share some more pictures of your workspace? Things like that are always interesting.

Cheers from Norway.
-Anders

 

Stop that! I don't have room for one.

 

Thanks man

Thanks Anders. Below are some selfies from my small workshop. The wood working I do someplace else.

Well, thats no excuse... You MAKE room!!

 

I'm sure you could keep a small one under your bed, if you don't already have a mini-mill tucked under there!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Actually, I have a drafting light table under my bed.

-Pics: Not sure if piercing or booger....