|Build Log| - DIY midi gamepad controller

[VirtualLogic]

thats nice i am loving this controller. i want one !! lol i think im gonna build one of my own .

[etch]

nice logo!

[fbonito]

hello people,

i was away for a long time, but now i'm back in business...

iv'e made some progresses on my project, the top is done, let me tell you the story...


this are the tools of the trade


i've had the acrilic allready cut, and it will be covered with 3 vinil aplications


first i used a black opaque acrilic that will be used as a mask for the LEDs


this is the template that is going to be used to make the cuts


every cut carefully made


this was the most difficult part of the cutting


this is the finall product of the vinil that will be used as a mask


this is a translucent red vinil glued on top of the opaque black mask


and then the third and last vinil aplication, a translucent black vinil glued on top of the translucent red glued on top of the opaque black mask... confusing? you will see the result in a few seconds...


then i cut off the holes for the buttons


top completed


top temporarily on box with buttons


now the reason for all of this trouble...

i wanted the LEDs to stay completely hidden, when i'm not pressing the buttons i will get just a black surface like the picture above


when i press the buttons the LEDs, the light will come out from the black surface like the picture above


button off


button on


the final result is not perfect, it was made by someone who has no qualifications, me...

ideally this should have been made by a professional, but the price was just too expensive, i searched on a couple of stores and they were asking for about 100$... what i've made cost me 15$

but i like it not to be perfect, it has "soul" and it will age naturally

:-)

what do you think?

[MiL0]

brilliant! looking really good so far

where did u get the acrylic cut?

[fbonito]

i got the acrylic cut from a local store, here in portugal, it's very easy to get...

by my experience (i'm an architect and work with different materials in models) is that you can get lower prices from not specialised stores, iff you know what you want and have time to spend...

iff i got the acrylic cut from a advertisement store or something, laser cut, hi tech etc... i would have paid x5 times for the same piece cut from a local acrylic store that makes furniture, cd stands, etc.etc.

[DJ no name]

this is sickkkk

[ToOntown]

what thickness is the acrylic? did you intend to leave the buttons raised or will you be pushing them flush with the top?

just curious. excellent work!

[Patch]

Nice work - very clever!

[Travis Trax]

ya im definitely gonna watch the progress of this one! sweet lookin' controller bro can't wait to see the finished product!!

[fbonito]

what thickness is the acrylic? did you intend to leave the buttons raised or will you be pushing them flush with the top?

just curious. excellent work!

the acrylic is 3mm thick...

the rest of the question, i didn't quite understand what you're asking, the buttons will be as they are in the picture, the top has about 2cm space avaiable...