First furniture: computer game station

[EdZep]

I picked up this SlikStik arcade controller several years ago, on a whim. It works pretty well. But, it's too heavy to have on your lap, and, if you put it on a desk or table, the height, angles and sliding around make it uncomfortable to use. I've always wanted to make a custom setup around the controller, even though my interest in games has waned.

Here it is, my first shot at a piece of furniture. Not bad, I think. Also my first shot at finishing wood. The frame is 1 x 1 1/2 x 14ga. retangular tubing. 1-inch angle at front and back of the controller. The wood is from a 2 x 4 foot piece of 1 1/4 inch cheap pine scrounged at Lowes for half price due to a banged up corner. My spray painting skilz are coming along, with this looking quite deep and glossy.

MM180, and some O/A to remove some warpage. I'm still being haunted by warps where a cross-piece ties in to another that has a free end. That had caused the monitor shelf supports to droop at the 2-inch support, and had caused the front legs to be a half-inch closer at the bottom than at the top.



Here's a bigger image

[Heavy D]

Nice table looks really good keep on burning

[monte55]

Looks good........very neat

[MMW]

Nice job on the stand. For warpage issues don't be afraid to just bend it back to where you want it. You can put a jack in between & jack it open or clamp it to something & pull on it, etc. You don't always have to straighten it with heat.

[Dustyhaze75]

very cool ......................where did you get the big video game buttons?

[EdZep]

Thanks all, for the comments.

Nice job on the stand. For warpage issues don't be afraid to just bend it back to where you want it. You can put a jack in between & jack it open or clamp it to something & pull on it, etc. You don't always have to straighten it with heat.

MMW, well, I had first tried to spread the front legs with with a jack. It sprang back, and I was afraid if I went too far I might put a crease in it. I still used the jack when I used heat -- jacked it a bit past where I wanted it, heated it, and it stayed pretty well. But, I do have another item I'll try just the jack on, and see what happens.

Of course, I'd rather avoid the problem, if possible. I know I could weld in little bits. But, I wanted neat, continuous welds. I guess this is where TIG has an advantage over MIG.

very cool ......................where did you get the big video game buttons?

Dusty, I didn't make the controller, it's a unit from SlikStik. I just went looking for their website to link, and it's dead. Googled up a rumor of bankruptcy. A niche item with maybe too little demand. Yeah, those are heavy duty arcade machine joysticks and buttons.

[chadjcyr]

Awesome Ed!!!

Being a PC guy and bit of gamer, myself - That is a wicked slick arcade setup. Seeing this has me seriously thinking that I should build myself a new computer desk to my exact specs. Great work - looks great. I'd be proud!

Best Regards,
- Chad

[BamaBob]

Nice concept, even nicer implementation. Gave me the idea to do something similar for a custom recording desk for my home recording studio. Thanks for sharing!

[EdZep]

Thanks, and I'm glad I got you thinking. Yeah, there are a lot of possibilities for custom desks and work/play stations. I could really see racks full of gear for recording, or video editing, ham radio, etc.

[EdZep]

very cool ......................where did you get the big video game buttons?

Dug around a bit more. X-Arcade has the buttons for a buck each, in set of 20. X-Arcade sells controller consoles similar to mine, as well as other arcade pieces.

http://x-arcade.com/arcade_parts.shtml