Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"

[bacteria]

Well, the black rectangle for over the keypad works fine, using paper, I can get an overlay over the keypad easily.

There were a few minor pits in the keypad area, so decided to give the controller a sand and reapply spray paint to make it "perfect". Getting some "crackle" effect on the case at the moment, interestingly enough not on the sides where I didn't sand, so might mean having to apply a layer of varnish first, after the next sanding, then when dried, spray paint final layer and varnish again.

This has introduced a few days where I can't progress the project much, unfortunately. I can print some designs for the cartridge backs, and also make some more cartridge cases, but can't do what I really want to do and fill the insides of the master controller with the wiring and parts needed and make the controller sections. It has to be on hold until the master controller's paint job is complete and fully dry: several days...

[thelolotov]

Well, the black rectangle for over the keypad works fine, using paper, I can get an overlay over the keypad easily.

There were a few minor pits in the keypad area, so decided to give the controller a sand and reapply spray paint to make it "perfect". Getting some "crackle" effect on the case at the moment, interestingly enough not on the sides where I didn't sand, so might mean having to apply a layer of varnish first, after the next sanding, then when dried, spray paint final layer and varnish again.

This has introduced a few days where I can't progress the project much, unfortunately. I can print some designs for the cartridge backs, and also make some more cartridge cases, but can't do what I really want to do and fill the insides of the master controller with the wiring and parts needed and make the controller sections. It has to be on hold until the master controller's paint job is complete and fully dry: several days...

I can't wait to see the finished product man, I've dreamt of something like this myself.

[bacteria]

Thanks! At the stage now that after sanding, painting, sanding, painting, etc i'm now at the varnishing stage. Normally I use Clear Krystal Plasti-Kote spray paint as the varnish, although it gives a strong hardwaring surface, the surface always looks a little matt and speckled by the varnish, so this time, using Plasti-Kote clear varnish spray paint; it is totally clear and fairly glossy. Given the master controller front and back a fairly thick layer, once dried, will do one more; so will be dry tomorrow; not sure if will be dry enough to handle the casings for another couple of days further though, will probably be the end of the week - I don't want to be handling the case and get a fingerprint on it! Used around a can of spray paint in total on the controller after all so far, probably 1mm thick.

I will be able to upload pics of the paint job tonight hopefully though.

[thelolotov]

Thanks! At the stage now that after sanding, painting, sanding, painting, etc i'm now at the varnishing stage. Normally I use Clear Krystal Plasti-Kote spray paint as the varnish, although it gives a strong hardwaring surface, the surface always looks a little matt and speckled by the varnish, so this time, using Plasti-Kote clear varnish spray paint; it is totally clear and fairly glossy. Given the master controller front and back a fairly thick layer, once dried, will do one more; so will be dry tomorrow; not sure if will be dry enough to handle the casings for another couple of days further though, will probably be the end of the week - I don't want to be handling the case and get a fingerprint on it! Used around a can of spray paint in total on the controller after all so far, probably 1mm thick.

I will be able to upload pics of the paint job tonight hopefully though.

Looking at all the wires in this thing, I'm scared to think of what would happen if one got loose.

You're soldering and hot-gluing, right?

[bacteria]

Yes, it is the only way to ensure contacts stay in place permanently.

[thelolotov]

Yes, it is the only way to ensure contacts stay in place permanently.

Thank God, XD

Before I learned to solder, I was a lazy little splicer, and I used just hot glue and electrical tape, and the cables I made that way are still working, while purely soldered ones are not, so glad to hear you've thought of that.

So how is that tray loading mechanism for the Gamecube working? I thought it was pretty clever, but I'm not sure how you're going to get the discs on the spindle (is that what it's called?)

[bacteria]

The sections with CD drives are designed to slide in and out of the base unit, like a drawer; to load and remove CD games.

Will upload my next video later today.

[bacteria]

So, here's the YouTube video for the Commodore Amiga CD32 console.

The video was RGB modded, the CD drive unit disassembled and housed into my project; the layer section for the Amiga CD32 and GameCube (with GBA) completed.

Took a while to make this video, especially as i've moved to Ubuntu and had to check out some good video programs. PiTiVi crashed a bit if there was an issue with any video clip, Kdenlive was unstable and kept crashing, OpenShot works fine so used that. You will notice the video style is different - improved - it's my new format for videos.

The next video, when it is made, will be for the master controller, the plan is to show it working with both the GameCube and Amiga CD32 via their separate controller carts, and also proving the two consoles working independently too. This video will cover the concepts of the master controller and how it was made, and what it is capable of.

YouTube video

[thelolotov]

The sections with CD drives are designed to slide in and out of the base unit, like a drawer; to load and remove CD games.

Will upload my next video later today.

Oh, I get it now, alright, very clever.

Watched the video, looks like it's coming alone quite nicely, keep us updated!

[bacteria]

Had to try to adjust the brightness level in the pic to make it look roughly right, colour wise; never easy to use artificial lighting against daylight.

Anyway, after lots of effort, got the case backing looking lovely. Using the airing cupboard (what do our USA friends call the cupboard near the hot water boiler in your house, we call it airing cupboard?) the paint dries quickly and also limited stippling effect, compared to leaving it to dry naturally.



Applied the first coat of clear Krystal spray paint varnish, second coat going on in a few minutes. Going to put on one more last coat onto the controller front too for good measure. The case halves should be ready tomorrow for me to start the fun stuff.

In the meanwhilst, going to print out the logo for the back of the console controller sections, adhere it, and varnish these sections too. Made two so far, one for Amiga one for GameCube; will need to make many more of these of course as each console system needs their own controller cases made. Will upload pics shortly...