Pics of one of the prototype ddr pads I built.

KillerJello

http://community.webshots.com/album/122569324tnVXlV?707

Not sure if it should go in the metal pad thread or not, since it is obviously not metal.

Like I said though, it is my first prototype I built a few months ago, so its not as catchy to the eye. The pad definitely does its job though. It is extremely sensitive, and wont spaz out on you with light presses like most sensitive pads will (register multiple presses when very lightly touched). the pad is also extremely comfortable.

Ive been revising it even more lately, and I built another one a while back, and now I am on a final design for it that is much more appealing to the eyes.

Just thought I would share pictures... Let me know what you think.

Bioclown · Trick Member Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Location: So Deep

Awesome pad, man. I built one as well, but mine is an exact replica of the arcade pad for use on PC and PS2.

A word of warning about the sensitivity of your pad, though:
If it is registering multiple hits on one step, then that is a serious problem. It means that a contact is shorting on something, or the wiring is florked. This can ultimately lead to the destruction of your pad, and must be fixed immediately. You need to figure out which arrows are doing the multiple hits, and then open up your pad. Use a continuity tester to see if the contact is flowing through anything (i.e. screws, brackets, anything metallic), and modify the arrow so that it does not do that.

Do this now!
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Bioclown · Trick Member Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Location: So Deep

Awesome pad, man. I built one as well, but mine is an exact replica of the arcade pad for use on PC and PS2.

A word of warning about the sensitivity of your pad, though:
If it is registering multiple hits on one step, then that is a serious problem. It means that a contact is shorting on something, or the wiring is florked. This can ultimately lead to the destruction of your pad, and must be fixed immediately. You need to figure out which arrows are doing the multiple hits, and then open up your pad. Use a continuity tester to see if the contact is flowing through anything (i.e. screws, brackets, anything metallic), and modify the arrow so that it does not do that.

Do this now!
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KillerJello · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Cool, but...

endless · Trick Member Joined: 28 Sep 2003 Location: highland, CA

Do you think you could make me one and I'll buy it off you?
If so then how much do you want for it.

KillerJello · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 11:43 am Post subject:

I dont know if im gonna make more. let me finish up my final version of it, and ill get back with you. I may be able to work something out, but I dont really want to get into making a bunch, since they take about a week each to build. I was planning on posting plans with pictures on how to build it once I have the final done though.

Like I said, ill get back with you on it. I plan on having it done by the end of the week.

Sato-chan · Trick Member Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Location: Fitchburg, MA

-blinks-

I want one! I want one! I want one!

They look pretty sweet. Could you please PM me when you have the final done?

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"They dissapear into the thick clouds of smog and congratulate themselves on being masters of the universe!"

endless · Trick Member Joined: 28 Sep 2003 Location: highland, CA

Ok, but u should try to show red octane or some company and see if they'll use your idea and u get lots of $$$.

scandalous bob · Trick Member Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Location: Naperville

This is pretty cool. How does it work (in terms of how you got/molded the plastic and what kind of contact system it uses)? I just finished building a metal pad of my own and I think I'll have some time this spring break/summer to build more pads and experiment with some different designs. I am mostly going for arcade replica feel, and the one I built this winter was kind of dissapointing. A tutorial on how to make one of these would be awesome, or just a list of materials and a breif blurb on how you did it. Thanks for postinf here, this definately looks cool.

Plautus · Trick Member Joined: 17 Oct 2002

Yes, if you do put together a solid-state pad with optical switches, it will be more than just me who will want to see how you did it. The pads I've made (my own design) require way too much maintenance. It would be *sweet* to have switches that don't have to be physically reconditioned on a regular basis.

For right now, I have two questions: what kind of switches are you using (or is that part of the current experimentation), and what do you estimate would be the final cost of such a project?