I gots a funky idea!

ceraf · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

for a moment, i thought you were referring to ddr =)

anyway, back on topic...you should be able to find stuff at circuit city/radio shack/the source, but it's usually expensive there. for me, since i'm in Ontario, i go to Sayal Electronics.

you should be able to find stuff at your local electronics store.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

Ack, i did see the prices! Not fun! LOL!

I think I may redo the metal passive steps later on, or even sell it to one of my friends, who can do heavy... on a controller. THey dotn have a dance mat. Ill be selling it for prolly 40 dollars, and then ill start a newer, better one! On my next version, ill make it much better. I think id best call my current one my "prototype".

Anyways, for now, im gonna see if i can develop some switches wil random springs and stuff. Most likely not. I saw the radio shack prices for microswitchs, and its 2.50 a piece. Ill need 4 per arrow, making 16, and 16 times 2.5 is 40!

This part with the sensors is really killing me!

ceraf · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:56 pm Post subject:

you should really make your own...use some aluminum from flat cans or metal cookie containers. you probably have to sand it down to remove the non-conductive surface.

also, old computer case metal will do the job too, but it's kinda heavy.

and of course, don't cut yourself in the process. you don't want your pad to smell like blood. =)

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:43 pm Post subject:

No Problem, i found a pack of 30 working ones on ebay, 4.50 bidding, 9 dollars BUY IT NOW! Im planning on that one. However, the trigger needs only like .25 of an ounce to trigger, so i think i may buy a pack of more appropiate ones, 20 for 10 dollars. These ones have a better shape too (both are in new condition, by shape i meant the literal shape, one is a flat rectangle, another is a strange shape that may not work)

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:42 pm Post subject:

WOW SHZZY!
http://cgi.ebay.com/100-MICRO-SWITCHES-250VAC-V370123D8-WHOLESALE-LOT_W0QQitemZ190046394951QQihZ009QQcategoryZ58169QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ceraf · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:36 pm Post subject:

wow, that's a lot of spare switches for replacement.

are they the clicky ones?

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:49 pm Post subject:

Yep, it sure is!

They arew snap action, meaning they click.

Im looking at more auctions.

BTW, I found a way last weekend to keep the "flaps" ont he flashing to stop intefferring with the sensors. I folded it to make a complete, that way it stays flat, and wont cut my feet.

I also redid the spacing of the pad, so there are no gaps or weird angly ones and crap, and so its nice, neat, and square. A whole different version is in the works right now, ill be selling the pad when i feel like making a doubles pad, and a much more proffesional one.

One very odd part about my pad...

2 buttons are 11'' by 11''. However, 2 are 10 3/4'' by 10 3/4''. And all the passive buttons are 10 3/4'' by 10 3/4''. However, it still makes a 32 1/2 by 32 1/2 square, not a 32 3/4 square. Food for thought.

I think ill need to replace my flashjing, i was playing "battlebots" with a drill and random objects, and some ricochet off of the pad, making scratchs and dents. Oh well.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject:

I was playign with some paper clips, and ive been getting ideas

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject:

aww crap, lost the auction. Sniped in last two seconds.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject:

Ok!

My technology teacher had this weird stuff, its like a copper material. One side is plastic, no conduction, and the other is durable copper. He has several rolls of this stuff, over 1000 or more feet of it. I asked him where I could buy it at, and he told me he had a whole ton of it and I could have some. I decided perhaps 4 feet of it (its 1 yard wide) for use on my ddr pad. It doesnt wear or tear out like aluminum foil, and it is about the thickness or cardstock. As durable as tarp. Its hard to describe, but its also used for practicing for soldering! im gonna try it on my DDR pad, as i think tactile switches are WAY too small and fragile, and I cant get any good deals on microswitches.
I also got some cool looking black ducttape.

Cant wait to try it out. It will be a sinch to solder as, well, its used for soldering practice. No more aluminum foil and tape.

PS: I think aluminum tape could possibly work. Any ideas?

ceraf · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:06 pm Post subject:

aluminum tape = aluminum foil + adhesive on the back

so, no.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject:

Im getting it for free, he got several rolls of it for free, and normally it would cost some 20 dollars per square feet.

ceraf · Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

if you're willing to replace it everytime they wear out, then sure. mind you, foil tape doesn't come off easily in one piece.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:02 pm Post subject:

Still no big progress. Switching to tact switches

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 3:09 pm Post subject:

Ok!

ive been working on it1

w00t!

it works-ish

I went backt o my old design, but this time, im reinforcing it with tape ont he back-side of the conducting parts, and covering the parts that wont be contacted with tape ont he front side!

and its easy to replace!

still fine-tuning it, ive been using a water noodle, but i slicd it poorly, so ill buy another water-noodle, and slice it much better

Big improvement, none of the buttons to the mysterious "always pressed" problem, however, it only still senses 95 percent of the hits, but its been improving, 30 mins ago it only sensed 80

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:48 am Post subject:

minuscule update:

I bought on ebay for only 6 dollars (5 shipping and handling) from hong kong some 50 sub-micro switches. they are smaller than ever.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject:

They arrived!