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

[tthurman]

I did another exhaustive "pedestal" search yesterday, and I'm convinced that I've hit the point of diminishing returns. One that I originally found on ebay by Phoenix Arcades is what I plan to loosely use as the basic design for mine, but I'd hoped to post a pic of it anyway.

One thing that rekindled more searching for me was that in all the searching I've done, I never ran across this one you found. I also checked out the thread, and see one person requested that he share the plans, but it seems the thread stopped rather abruptly for some reason. That looks to be an ideal fit, and I like your TARDIS idea.

Each idea I've had, came with some roadblock, but the more thought I put into it, the ideas just kept coming until a solution was found. I'm pretty sure I finalized my "drawings" on a post it note yesterday. The struggle for me has always been hoping for that balance of form and function without looking to plain, but at the same time not going overboard. With so many fantastic cabs out there, it's hard not to let your imagination run a bit wild.

[Draco1962]

I was lucky in chancing upon that one. Sometimes I will intentionally misspell my keyword(s) to see what I might come up with or add another keyword here and there. The offerings seem to be sparce. If i were to choose an upright or cocktail design I would have an over-abundance of a lot of the same thing. I have found that sometimes switching up search engines will garner different results I got a hit on the last pedestal through Bing.

EDIT: What do you think of this one?

Interesting but not my style.

[tthurman]

I've ran across that one several times, as well as others with a similar slim-line design. I think it looks really good, but my concerns are with how steady it would be in a real world gaming environment. There would have to be a VESA mount of some type incorporated into it, otherwise I can easily picture the monitor face down on the control panel during tee off on the first hole of Golden Tee. Also, the overall design isn't one that lends itself to remaining upright with any amount of forward force on the control panel. The kickstand design would seemingly need to be on both sides, which of course defeats the slimming effect. I suppose it would be fine if it where close up to a wall, aside from perhaps some minor sheet-rock damage. Just seems to lack the proper girth to stand reliably to me. Who knows, perhaps a weighted bottom would serve to alleviate some of my perceived stability concerns.

[Draco1962]

I actually giggled when I saw it and had a similar observation to yours. Not the most stable for certain. I came across these plans again from one of the BYO TARDIS sites:

If I should go with a modified version of the second pedestal example and using a scaled down version of this plan, it would be sans the top with the peaked roof and "jelly jar" lamp on the top since that would be the deck for the Tankstick, etc. I might get fancy and marquee the Police Call Box sign under the Tankstick deck,

[tthurman]

I think I'm following you, but do you mean doing it with side art, or well in this case front art, or actually building out everything 3D style with mdf?

Honestly, your thread has me going back to the idea of incorporating a 17, perhaps 19" monitor in the speaker panel to display the control panels, or just as a oddly placed marquee, considering I'll be using my 40" LCD for the primary display.

<edit> This though could defeat my keep it simple plan, I've never used MAME Hooker or the like.

Edited August 24, 2014 by tthurman

[Draco1962]

If I elect to go the pseudo -TARDIS route, I will frame it out in wood, including the door and windows details. Since it will be a scaled-down version, the door decals and the Police Call Box marquee will need to be likewise scaled and custom printed.

[rockyrocket]

Ha ha, my idea for a pedestal build has always been more dalek style than TARDIS although that could also be cool.

One day I plan to turn one of the doors in my house into a TARDIS door .

Good luck with the builds guys.

[Draco1962]

A Dalek base (sans the torso and head) would look sexy, too! I am sure my wife would be OK with either. I created a desktop theme for her Win 7 desktop complete with various sounds and even created a screensaver froma converted animated GIF of the Doctor's computer display. She is a die-hard Whovian, although I thought I might loose her when Matt Smith took over for Tenant (her "first" Doctor was Eccleston).

[rockyrocket]

Yeah it has always just looked the right shape to me for a ped build (like you said minus the head) and should be easy enough to build too - really you just need some angled panels and some semi spheres.

You thought about sourcing a rotating vesa mount?.

I have heard stories of a guy near me who has a life sized dalek in his garage powered by his daughter inside (child labour anyone) - must try to get some photo`s.

Edit - so I went googling about and found a very cool dalek build vid that I find a bit too inspiring, and another fun old TARDIS related one.

Right will stop derailing you thread now .

[rockyrocket]

Ok one last derail .

What is going on with the atora entry in the project dalek forum?.

[Draco1962]

No clue about the Atora. Now if it were fish fingers and custard, it would make more sense.

I don't mind the derails as I am sometimes drawn to consider something that I may have overlooked in my earlier brainstorming sessions. Maybe a result of ADHD, IDK.

[Draco1962]

Anyone for a TARDIS PC?

[rockyrocket]

Anyone for a TARDIS PC?

If they make a K9 one then I am in.

Who can resist mans best friend.

[tthurman]

Well, I finally found a pic of that pedestal I was talking about. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I plan to take some design elements from this one, and incorporate them into mine. This is pretty other side of the spectrum from what you're currently considering, but it may inspire some ideas that you otherwise may not have considered. The design element that sold much on this concept to me is the back panels flared out on both sides in the rear, as it should have a stabilizing effect on any right/left movement, while allowing the sleek look of the slimmer center section. I've never planed to have the front covered, it will be open shelving, so I really needed something to give it that rigid feel right to left.

without further ado

Edited August 26, 2014 by tthurman

[Draco1962]

Can you edit your most recent post, delete and reupload the image and also select "add to post" from the link?

[DazzleHP]

After reading through this thread and seeing all the ideas posted i think if the time came this is the route i'd choose. Some great ideas in here and i can't wait to see where you go with this Drac! Do you think you could practically include a decent sized desk into such a design?? My problem is space and i literally have only space for a (big-ish) PC desk. The width of a Tankstick would suffice, with maybe another extendable pull-out to house a graphics tab. tthurman, i may be picking your brains at some point

PS: i still find it pleasing that you guys are such Who fans

[Draco1962]

Well, I finally found a pic of that pedestal I was talking about. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I plan to take some design elements from this one, and incorporate them into mine. This is pretty other side of the spectrum from what you're currently considering, but it may inspire some ideas that you otherwise may not have considered. The design element that sold much on this concept to me is the back panels flared out on both sides in the rear, as it should have a stabilizing effect on any right/left movement, while allowing the sleek look of the slimmer center section. I've never planed to have the front covered, it will be open shelving, so I really needed something to give it that rigid feel right to left.

without further ado

slimline pedestal.jpg

Since you will have the pedestal base open for shelving, what if your were to incorporate the pedestal as part of the actual shelf unit extending on either side? That would alleviate the left-right motion potential.

[Draco1962]

After reading through this thread and seeing all the ideas posted i think if the time came this is the route i'd choose. Some great ideas in here and i can't wait to see where you go with this Drac! Do you think you could practically include a decent sized desk into such a design?? My problem is space and i literally have only space for a (big-ish) PC desk. The width of a Tankstick would suffice, with maybe another extendable pull-out to house a graphics tab. tthurman, i may be picking your brains at some point

PS: i still find it pleasing that you guys are such Who fans

I am still leaning heavily towards this design, although I am not sure about the TARDIS mods as an option.

The main reason is cost. Likely I will be in the $300-500 range by the time I am done with modding this design with shelving and an open front. I would be fine with that.

If the base under the Tankstick is open, you could easily install slide rails for a sliding shelf/desk., It would be roughly 30" (give or take) from the ground which might be a tad high for a computing desk surface.

[tthurman]

Since you will have the pedestal base open for shelving, what if your were to incorporate the pedestal as part of the actual shelf unit extending on either side? That would alleviate the left-right motion potential.

My response to this seemed to invasive to your thread, and I'm afraid it will only serve to be confusing if left here. Due to this, I've moved my design explaniation to the appropriate thread, but will link it here.

[Draco1962]

Cool deal. I will probably stick with my intent on the second design. I may go with a blue stain to keep that "Who" vibe and look at modding the deck of the Tankstick to better match the pedestal. So that leaves me with working out the initial measurements and probably building a cardboard mock-up before I start buying and committing to wood. Much cheaper to revise one's plans on cardboard.

[tthurman]

Here's another one I ran across some time ago, that I just now found again. The poster was nice enough to post his plans in the thread, should be easy enough to convert. Thought you might find some value from it since it removes that protrusion.

[Draco1962]

Yeah I saw that one and it looks pretty straight forward. Too bad daddy cleaned up the shop and his project got lost. I think I would have been a bit miffed. One thing I like about the protrusion of the other is that it is a good place for a sliding keyboard shelf. I have the sliders and mount from a previous project that I intend to use for that purpose. I am hopeful to begin actual build work sometime in October.

[Draco1962]

I have come up with a preliminary design that I think should be workable with my limited woodworking skills and a little help from a friend. Likely there will need to be some adjustments along the way and, it is entirely possible that I may change my mind altogether:

I think it is pretty straight-forward. Under the deck for the Tankstick will be a slider keyboard tray. The upper shelf immediately below will house my Xbox and Xbox 360 (green). Below that will be space for my PC, sound system subwoofer, and console/PC controller storage bins (orange).

Approximate height from floor to the bottom base of the Tankstick deck will be approximately 36". Width will be slightly larger than the base width of the the Tankstick which is 25 3/8" as the side panelling will also rise about 1/4" on either side of the Tankstick base to stablelize it horizontally, but without hampering access to the side buttons.

The topmost deck will also have the 1/4" lip from the side and back panels as well and will be flat. Of course, this may change if I should decide to somehow angle mount a smaller secondary monitor (to display in-game CP controls and other info) to make use of the space between the top deck and the frame for the console compartment.

[Draco1962]

Here is a mockup (told ya there would probably be some changes ) I have an old Philips 170B2 17" monitor that I am considering using as a secondary monitor to display controls, etc. I may cut the upper-deck from clear plexi and install the monitor at an angle below. Likely I will cut a bezel to sit atop of the monitor. The plexi panel will be the top deck surface and removable to access the monitor should the need arise to replace it.

[tthurman]

Are you still planning to use the LCD pole mount for your main display?

I'm wondering that if you follow the angle of your control panel all the way to the rear of the cab, and simply mount the secondary panel flush to the deck how that would work. Might cause the viewing angle to be off too much, but that's sort of where I was thinking of putting mine.