My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

slvrshdw · Trick Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005

well, i wouldnt even bother with an xbox controller...i tried and fried 2 controllers, but

i just spent the money for a xbox softpad and used the PCB (circuit board)
still working after about 3-5 months...(cant rmr

)

or u can get a ps2 pad/ps2 controller and get that converter ps2->xbox (i have 2

)

i bought my first one for 10 on clearance at walmart, and teh second on clearance for THREE dollars!!...at walmart about 3 months later

so if u want that get it for 3 bucks, they normally cost about $20
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Paramount X · Trick Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005

He,s right. I think its better to buy a dance pad(cheap) and then just coneect it to the HMDP. home made dance pad. Hey, does any one have an iron cad version. Cause I just made one.

Paramount X · Trick Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005

Ok I've made riptides version of HMDP on iron cad.
This was made with 2x3 instead of 2x4

800x600

1024x768

1280x1024

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

All these different pad designs are great...But....You dont even have to make your pad thick. You waste money, weight, and time by adding all these different wood structures to your pad. I do know what im talking about. I do build my pads and use the crap out of them. I also sell some on the side. My pad is made with 3/8" or 5/8" plywood for the bottom. Then the solid squares are the same. That is how thick my pads are. Im 250+lbs and I play hard!!!.
Try different things. I make my own corner brackets. They cost me about a 1.00 for some scrap metal I pick up at my local metal shop....Save time and money without the sacrifice of quality. I would deffinately put my pads up against anything from RO, or CF...and for that matter the arcade.

MyDancePad · Basic Member Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: bloomington, mn

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

Sure if I can get the link to work. This is my pad with an emergency control box..LOL...I have since built a nice metal box. The colors were added because I was too lazy to make my arrows...Anyways...this is mine. Works like a dream.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v470/mikieson/th_NewpadRedo42905.jpg

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

Well here is a better pic..I hope!.....LOL
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/mikieson/NewpadRedo42905.jpg

marcan · Trick Member Joined: 28 Jul 2005

nice pad! I'm getting nice ideas for my physical design from all of you

In the meantime, my PS2 controller "emulator" is working: the PS2 now responds to button presses issued through my microcontroller. The interface hardware is minimal: just the barebones to get the microcontroller to work, and one transistor (NPN small signal - pick whatever you like, it doesn't really matter, I use BC547) and a resistor. Optionally I might add more protection resistors to safeguard the PS2 controller port.

Now I'll tackle the analog inputs (should be easy, I've used them several times before), and add the nifty settings-modes etc. More to come

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

Well glad you like it. I may get a new pic of my newly made controll box. Its a lot better than the tupperware bowl..LOL.....Good luck with your pad and if you need any help...Dont be scared to ask!......

stupidbarber · Trick Member Joined: 28 Feb 2005

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

The arrow pannels are made out of 2x 1/4" plexiglass. The color I just added on them for the web with Photoshop CS. Sorry if you thought it was how they really look. I got some glue on my plexiglass by trial and error....LOL..So I can use any graphix. All you would see is a bunch of glue...Dang glue!..
And yes I do play most all the time with shoes. But I can also play in socks.It is quite slick though so I dont. This is my trial and error pad so it dont look quite as good as the ones I sell. I use a nicely made controll box and its a much nicer finished look.

Paramount X · Trick Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005

Hey I got a 4 ft by 3 ft sheet metal. By doing Riptides design will I have sheet metal left over for some borderrs

MyDancePad · Basic Member Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: bloomington, mn

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

Thanks. I used some 3/4x3/4" angle aluminum for the borders.The brackets were made with some scrap metal I had. So they were free. I just made out a drawing of a bracket. Cut them out. Clamped each one down. Then bent with a hammer. Lots cheaper than the stanley brackets I bought for the 2 first pads I built.

Paramount X · Trick Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005

When someone says a ground wire, what do they mean. they said the power but I do not understand. Can someoen draw a diagram or explan it.

mikieson · Trick Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003

marcan · Trick Member Joined: 28 Jul 2005

mgrosh · Basic Member Joined: 29 Jul 2005

edited i had a long post but marcan answered it better... do BELETED

Paramount X · Trick Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005

Um.......

slvrshdw · Trick Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005

to simplify those answers..
(im guessing your still confused..)

(im just gonna say it in a simple circuit for comparison...)

basically there is ONE spot that ALL the wiring/switches that acts as one "wire" (common/ground)

the other "wires" are for like, left arrow, right arrow, X, O...

so then the "left arrow" would make connection with the COMMON/GROUND, it completes the circuit and registers...

MY PICTURE THING DIDNT WORK

so when the common wire hits the ONE of the other wires, it completes the circuit...

hopefully thats simpler..
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