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

[Draco1962]

I understand what you are saying about the viewing angle and that may be modified a touch to allow for a better view angle on the 17" monitor. I will probably still go with the clear plexi cover and dark bezel over the monitor regardless. As for the pole mount for the main display, I may go with a wall mount instead as it is not likely I will be moving the pedestal out of the room at all once completed.

[stigzler]

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.

Cool - looks like the design is progressing nicely. I love the idea above - having an angled facia at the rear top for a second display - got my 7" for £40 from ebay. Picturing this in the middle with two kickass speakers either side, projecting the sound upwards towards players' ears.

Following this with interest..

[Draco1962]

Here is an update with the diagonal rise mirroring the incline of the Tankstick deck and raising the secondary monitor.

[tthurman]

That design would probably be near ideal for a viewing angle on a TN panel. I would love to have it mounted as if it were the surface, but I'm sure on anything less than an IPS monitor it would look horrible.

Depending on the material the top is made of, you may be better off with a piece of tempered glass, it sure wouldn't scratch as easy. Also, if you do go plexi, have it cut, we've attempted cutting/drilling this numerous times at our weekly shop night, it's maddening. Perhaps we are doing something wrong, but as that stuff heats, it just starts doing weird things, splitting being the most common.

I'm not a fan of mdf, but for something like this you could route an inlay with a rabbit bit for the clear piece to drop into to keep it level with the desktop surface.

[Draco1962]

Tempered glass may not be a bad idea. My only concern would be weight since it will cover the deck from the back shelf to the Tankstick back. I may need to put a little more thought into that part of the design. Your idea of using a rabbit bit to cut a channel on the inside of both sides of the cab for the glass to rest is spot-on with my intent.

[Draco1962]

Not sure how I will handle the finish on my pedestal but I have decided to go with Halo as my theme for GameEx on the PC. Below is a mock-up of the theme for the display based upon the graphics found in Halo Spartan Assault.

[tthurman]

I haven't played Halo much since the second one, but just some quick searching comes up with all kinds of possibilities, should be a really cool theme. I really like the honeycomb effect in this one!

[rockyrocket]

The design is coming along nicely - well done, soon be time for saw dust .

I know you are moving away from the tardis idea but this video/girl made me laugh so I think I will share it...

Maybe a fold up model?.

[Draco1962]

I have seen that one! She is hilarious! Gotta love any girl that is into Sci-Fi, especially Doctor Who! Fortunately my wife checks both boxes!

[stigzler]

She's bonkers. In a good way. If she were a brunette, I'd be proposing.

[Draco1962]

I've decided to kill this project. Part due to time, mostly because of cost. Rather than a dedicated cab, I am going more towards the HTPC route. I will still have the PC dedicated for MAME, etc. for use with the Tankstick and my faster gaming rig. Likely I will purchase the Samsung LED H5500 Series Smart TV - 32” which is presently at Walmart for $348.99. WIth that I can share the 3 HDMI ports between my two PCs and my Xbox 360 and use the component inputs for the original Xbox. Paired with my existing wide screen monitors I will have plenty of flexibility at one large desk area at about 1/2 the cost to build the pedestal.

[tthurman]

I was looking forward to seeing your build, but your points are valid ones for certain. Your planned setup sounds very nice, and should serve you amazingly well, plus think of the space you'll save! Mine continues slow progress, painting isn't very exciting, but a necessary step regardless.

[Draco1962]

Will save a bit of change as well. It will be the closest I will get to a "man cave," maybe more like a "man wall." I need to fix (if possible) my Logitech Z-640 5.1 speaker system so I can take advantage of the audio minijack on the LCD. It's only about 71 watts but has a decent sound for the PC and console games. It quit working about 9 months ago. Likely (hopefully) it is the fuse housed in the subwoofer. If so, I should be able to replace it and get it working again.

[MNMax21]

You guys don't need a pedestal stand to fit a 32" LCD TV, just a little ingenuity. I fit mine just fine. I also have arcade guns. If you looks very closely above the tv screen, you will see the section I cut out of the bezel to accommodate the light gun sensor. The control panel is removable too.

[tthurman]

I hear ya, but for what I'm doing, a pedestal is just more practical. I'm currently using a 40", and if anything, that will get larger over time.

[MNMax21]

Yeah, I like the nostalgia of the upright. However, if I would've done something different, it would've been something like a coffee table type thing

[MNMax21]

Not the crazy all in one type deal either. I like this type of table. Subtle.

http://craziestgadgets.com/2009/04/12/coffee-table-modded-into-a-joystick/

[Draco1962]

The pedestal was mainly to house the PC and consoles and support the CP (Tankstick) with the LCD wall mounted. I like the idea of a cab but in some ways it would be limiting in what I ultimately want to do and then there is the additional costs of a build, etc. I have all that I need (except for the LCD and wall mount) and just need to do a little housekeeping and rearranging to accomodate the vision. I may even bump the display up o 40". IDK for certain. Besides being for gaming, I will be using it as a monitor occaisonally, so trying to keep the distance from chair to monitor thing in mind.

[MNMax21]

Yeah, it's a little painful doing updates or programming type stuff on a cab. A pedestal and projector with about a huge screen would be interesting. HD projector, yes please. You'll have to post pics when done.

[MNMax21]

40" sounds sweet btw