Making a "gameboy" coffee table, help with controls?

jay_red · 2013-10-20T03:23:32.000Z

After seeing those sweet NES coffee tables, my wife came up with the idea of making a Game Boy Color coffee table (fully functional). I can handle all aspects of the project, just do not know what to do about making the D-pad. I have seen what a couple of the NES tables did, and were a bit too complicated.

As for the buttons, I was planning on just using the 100mm arcade buttons for A and B (unless you guys could suggest a different idea?) I have no problem with buttons sticking up on the table, I am fully aware that this is going to be super impractical.

Here is what I am working with , this print out is too large, as the table I found is a little smaller than what I had planned, so I will be scaling it down a little, but not much. You can see pretty well how large the d-pad will be, compared to my 3ds xl (makeshift paper weight FTW).

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/anti_flag_army/IMG_20131018_211132_zps46dbd79b.jpg

NENDO · 2013-10-20T05:07:18.000Z

JLF with a very short shaft with a custom made + top?

Darksakul · 2013-10-20T07:43:24.000Z

Cherry Microswitches (like whats used in American style push buttons) and a strong spring.
Make the Dpad out of wood.

NENDO · 2013-10-20T21:49:41.000Z

@DanAdamKOF - Do you have a better idea?

Darksakul · 2013-10-21T03:09:01.000Z

Instructables.com

How-To : Giant NES Controller

Here is my instructable on how I built a giant (working) NES controller/trunk.

jay_red · 2013-10-29T05:42:31.000Z

Huge progress on the D-pad today, I have been worrying about trying to cut out the “+” shape in the tabletop, as well as the lexan without messing up either, so I came up with the idea to make the d-pad more “sega” like (ie: a disc). This way, I just need to use the hole saw in all the surfaces, easier, faster, and much less room for error. With that in mind, I went to creating a beta version.

The white area will be black, and the MDF circle will be the same blue as the gameboy.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/anti_flag_army/IMG_20131028_182649_zps0b8558be.jpg

There is a 2 inch screw, with a washer, then a spring, then another washer, a bolt, washer, bolt. This allows it to stay in place, and rock back and forth. I have an idea as to keep the disc from spinning, which I will implement in the next stage.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/anti_flag_army/IMG_20131028_182633_zpsfbecf1df.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/anti_flag_army/IMG_20131028_182623_zps65c87c4f.jpg

nsc · 2013-10-30T10:28:29.000Z

Actually, this probably will be a practical table, the buttons hardly take up any room…

That d-pad looks to be coming along nicely!