[PEDESTAL] Draco's Pedestal Project (It's dead, Jim!)

[tthurman]

To me the one in this thread has so much more character, but you'd have to build it, and modifiy it slightly for the shelving. Guy did a super job, and his Tank Stick looks like it belongs there, fits like a glove.

I can tell from your comments that you have the same idea as I do for the one I am currently designing. I finally got enough built on my yoke control panel to figure the height of the overall pedestal, now if I can just find time to build it.

Edited August 17, 2014 by tthurman

[Draco1962]

Thanks for sharing that cab! From his pics I have a few ideas already on how to integrate the shelves in his plan that would provide extra stability to the construction overall in addition to allowing for the PC and consoles storage (and a place to put a bin for the controllers - could even mount some holders for my Guitar Hero controllers). I also like the idea of wall mounting the monitor (provided one does not intend to make it mobile) so there isn't any shaking of the display while pounding on the CP.

EDIT: I found these on the Office Depot Site:

Pole Mount Display Kit

Separate Pole Mount

This would allow for mobility in addition to displaying the main display with a smaller display below to allow for use of Gameextender to show the controls for each game and other information as needed. The mount is rotatable if I absolutely had to rotate the monitor for vertical games. Max monitor size I would use would be 24" anyways and max weight supported is 26 lbs. so I am sure I could find a smaller VESA mountable monitor that would fit the bill and keep the weight down. Of course, it may allow for some vibration of the display.

[tthurman]

I'm to frugal to let go that sort of cash on a mount, to me, those are kinda pricey.

Check this one

Imagine running an horizontal support beam, in this case across the area the speakers are mounted in that cab I linked, or a few inches below it to ensure it remains pretty much out of sight. Use the clamp to get it nice and firmly clamped where you want it, then take 4 number 10 screws with washers and also screw the mount to your support beam. The picture shows the holes I'm referring to, and by doing this you're pretty much guaranteeing it isn't going anywhere, and saving some cash too. If you're looking at using a PC monitor, rather than a TV, I would really lean toward some of the 27". For the small premium, it's a lot of extra real-estate, plus if you got one that swiveled, all the better. Swing it around have have a small pinball playing field, not to mention the bonus for just regular games In MAME.

This is the downfall of my planned use of my Samsung 40".

Anyway, some unsolicited thoughts.

[Draco1962]

Decent price but would not allow for dual mounting two monitors on a single mount in the vertical layout. That being said, if using the plans for the pedestal cab you linked, you could actually have the smaller monitor mounted on the same mount staged in front of the larger & higher monitor's mount. I do like that it allows for a larger monitor so, again, scalability is retained and I could go larger as funds permit.

Edit: I found this one on Amazon. Supports up to 2 27" monitors in the vertical!

[tthurman]

Again, assuming a similar designed pedestal, another option I was considering was mounting a smaller display in the area the speakers are on this one, then out-rigging some desktop speakers. This kinda takes away from the clean lines though. You could always incorporate one mounting beam into the cab, and another exterior to it to allow for use of two of those mounts.

[Draco1962]

If I were to use that plan as a base it would be a bit modified. Remove the speakers (I am planning on using a currently unused set of logitec speakers with subwoofer mounted on the inside with "air hole" cutouts for the speakers). You could then create a cutout for a small LCD monitor where the speakers are at present so there would be a need only for one LCD mount pole.

[tthurman]

Wow, that mount fits the bill for sure, and at a great price!

[Draco1962]

Rather than MDF I am thinking of going with birch as my wood of choice. Likely I am going to translate and modify the build from the link you provided. Since it will be in my office, I will need to decide if I want to stain to match the furniture in it - Sauder Classic Cherry.

I will likely go with 1/2" plywood panels. If I choose to stain it, I will likely round the edges. If I decide to paint it with the goal of eventually decaling the sides, then I will leave the edges flat for T-molding.

The base will be on casters with the base of the CP at about 36" high. That will be a reasonable height for standing or sitting on a stool for play.

[tthurman]

Weird, I've already got the 3/4" birch plywood in the garage for building mine. I've built about everything in my office out of birch or red oak plywood, and use band-it edging to finish it off. For the pedestal stand, I'm thinking black T-mold though, the band-it edge looks good, but it's time consuming. I use low gloss tongue oil (really wiping varnish) or semi gloss polyurethane for my finishes. I've nearly moved completely away from poly, it's just such a bitch with to deal with, all the way down to the clean up, where as tongue oil is wipe on, wipe off.

After tons of measurements and considerations, I'm aiming for a control panel height at the top front base, of 38". This drops my star wars yoke 1 1/2 inches below the arcade height, but I think that will still be fine. I'm just over 5' 10", and have tested this on cardboard boxes to no end to see if it feels right. I finally came to the your conclusion, feels good standing up, and should be okay on a stool too.

Anyone else reading this, don't go there!

I purchased a sheet of mdf for the bottom plate, but man, just look at that stuff wrong and it chips. I've always hated mdf, and that was the last straw for me.

[tthurman]

Just in case you're interested:

Band-IT

[Draco1962]

The 36" will actually be the bottom of the base where the Tankstick will rest, so the top of the deck will be higher.

I may go with T-molding as a friend has most of the tools needed to route the channel for it. The only pain will be notching the back of the molding to handle the curved surfaces.

[tthurman]

Thanks for the clarification on the height! I feel much better now, as I was already about to break out the boxes and give 36" a try

[tthurman]

Your post has me digging in more on this. I'm really leaning toward black T-mold now, black T-molding should look slick up against natural finished birch, and give a good overall connection to the black control panel. The router is probably my least favorite tool to run, just so much potential for it getting away from you, but so be it. I'm curious if there is a standard slot size for T-molding, or if it varies somewhat depending on the manufacturer?

[Draco1962]

I think there may be one or more standards. t-molding.com sells it pretty cheap as well as the router bits I believe. Not going to spend $100+ for a notcher I will probably only use for one project, however.

[tthurman]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

I've bought from twistedquarter's ebay store in the past, and found them to be an excellent source. They currently have T-molding on sale, which looks to be the same as t-molding.com, very likely that's their source as the diagrams look identical to t-molding.com, which detailed the router bit needed also. I don't have one of those bits, but hopefully my buddy does, as it's not exactly cheap, and again, it's a how often are you going to use it, type thing. I'm with you 100% on laying down that kinda cash for the notcher.

If you were closer you could cut these with my angle cutters, I'm betting they would make quick work of that style "V" notching!

I use them to flush cut ties in the cable trays, saves a lot of bloody knuckles.

blantant speeling errors

Edited August 19, 2014 by tthurman

[Draco1962]

I will have to keep a look out for a pair of those as I am sure they will be useful. And less expensive to boot.

[Draco1962]

This page is reserved for plans, materials and costs lists. Will update it as needed. Subsequent posts will be for general griping, conversations, and progress notes.

Yeah, I am going to finally do it. Now to clean the garage out, find what tools I have, note what I don't, and call in a favor or two to get this damned thing started!

[Draco1962]

As part of my project, I am likely to modify my X-Arcade Tankstick with a similar mod to this post to add two USB spinners in master-slave configuration. Additionally, I will probably create an overlay for the Tankstick but that will be towards the end of the project and theme-dependent.

[Draco1962]

I am still looking for pedestal ideas. I came across this one that is also a close contender.

I like the clean lines. Can be theme neutral or theme modded. the front could also be opened up to allow for a keyboard/mouse tray under the Tankstick with shelves and PC cubby underneath for easy access. The area behind the Tankstick would probably fit my Xbox and 360.

[tthurman]

I've been searching these things for seemingly ever. The thing that seems to make things somewhat irrelevant is the fact that you, and myself for that matter, have pre-built panels as opposed to it all being integrated. The other thing is do you want storage space in the coin door area, and its safe to say this is an area we both answer yes to as well.

I will end up with two control panels, and so what I've decided to do is use panel latches.

This thread is of a guys TMNT pedestal build, and could be modified to incorporate shelves fairly easily.

Another that falls into the realm of possibilities with some slight mods.

There is a lot of them out there with this overall design, it really depends on how much work your willing to do to make ornate cuts to make it stand out.

The one you link has good simple lines, it gets the job done, and without becoming overly involved. That's what I'm looking for too. I'll for sure post anything I run across, but it seems the slender center, with the wide bottom and control panel style are more the norm for this style in general. Well, with the rare exception here and there as you're no doubt experiencing in your quest for ideas too.

[stigzler]

Looks like this bug is infectious. The one thing I always loved about pedestal designs is the ability to use any size monitor you want.

So... light-guns, anyone?

[Draco1962]

The bug actually bit about 5 years ago. I just keep scratching the itchy spot and won't let it heal. I have decided it is about time to lance the boil and do something about it. OK, I think I just made myself throwup in my mouth.

[Adultery]

Ohh man I would really dig some light guns.... I would love to get a few rounds of Operation Wolf/Lethal Enforcers in... Ohhh or T2....

[stigzler]

God's speed and Bon Chance, Draco. Make sure you keep up posted with some pics! Oh, how I love a build...

[Draco1962]

Maybe a variation of the second pedestal in TARDIS blue?

I have seen plans for a TARDIS entertainment center and the like and have toyed for a long time doing a theme based upon Doctor Who for a very long time. Not sure I want to take on a a full blown TARDIS project however.

If I were to eliminate the angle right below the Tankstick and come straight down with the lines, I could have a double door open that could be styled like the doors on the front of the TARDIS...

...or could do it with doors in the same style as this...

so many ideas...