I'm thinkin about making my own Atari 2600 portable, but I don't like the cases that ben put together (mainly because of the lack of headphone/av out jacks) I thought making it out of wood would be pretty cheap and easy, but I have no general case making skills. Any tips.
I have access to a router with router table, a table saw, probably a drill press, and a small arsenal of other assorted power tools.
yes, I did read the tips and techniques sections.
Also, does anyone know what laser engraving costs these days. (for control labels) Is there an alternative?
Wooden case
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Rekarp
- Portablizer Extraordinaire
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Even tho i don't have instructions on how my I put my cases together you can take a look at there project logs and kinda get a feel for it
http://www.longhornengineer.com/Projects/Projects
I mainly use a table saw to do the bulk work.
1. I take the stock wood and cut it square (make sure all corners are 90*)
2. Since the stock comes in 7/8" thickness this has to be "butterflyed" into 1/4" pieces.
3. All the corners are 45* angles so I use a miter saw for those.
4. the front and back are cut the same way as the sides except in 1/8" thick slices.
5. Drill press is used for all holes.
6. Openings in the case like cart slots, LCD screens, and the like are cut using a scroll saw.
Some tips
1. I know the saying is measure twice cut once but really never measure. I make a print out of the parts on my computer and print them out and match the pieces to it. This way it is much easier to get exact corners and dimensions.
2. Use solid wood. If you use a plywood or something else it will have a lower durability and won't last as long. Also solid wood is much stronger and will resist cracking/spliting.
3. Use a polyurethane to coat the case. This will prevent the wood from absorbing/loosing moister into the air which will cause failures at joints and spreading.
Good luck
http://www.longhornengineer.com/Projects/Projects
I mainly use a table saw to do the bulk work.
1. I take the stock wood and cut it square (make sure all corners are 90*)
2. Since the stock comes in 7/8" thickness this has to be "butterflyed" into 1/4" pieces.
3. All the corners are 45* angles so I use a miter saw for those.
4. the front and back are cut the same way as the sides except in 1/8" thick slices.
5. Drill press is used for all holes.
6. Openings in the case like cart slots, LCD screens, and the like are cut using a scroll saw.
Some tips
1. I know the saying is measure twice cut once but really never measure. I make a print out of the parts on my computer and print them out and match the pieces to it. This way it is much easier to get exact corners and dimensions.
2. Use solid wood. If you use a plywood or something else it will have a lower durability and won't last as long. Also solid wood is much stronger and will resist cracking/spliting.
3. Use a polyurethane to coat the case. This will prevent the wood from absorbing/loosing moister into the air which will cause failures at joints and spreading.
Good luck
The wood master
"I was under the impression Mac owners don't actually USE their machines, they just parade them around trying to evangelize the masses."
"I was under the impression Mac owners don't actually USE their machines, they just parade them around trying to evangelize the masses."
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Life of Brian
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It sounds like you already have most everything you'd need, potator (awesome screen name, by the way). My advice is to plan out something you like and just build it. If you don't like it when it's done, take note of what needs to change and do that. It's really the best way to improve your skills quickly. Look at examples (like rekarp and c_mon) for excellent wooden cases and copy what you like.
dragonhead wrote:sweet. ive spent a third of my life on benheck!
