Successful arcade mod - budget styles: metal file

[Nannou]

Just completed my arcade mod. While it may not be as precise as a machine job, it does perfectly well for me.

Just thought i'd give some notes for those attempting the same thing. Obvious stuff, but useful none-the-less.

1. Don't be scared, as long as you aren't a maniac with the file you run no risk of making a bad fit. Take it slow, and remember that because you're filing it down manually, its not going to be a perfect circle. This means that even if you over-file one part, you can probably still survive by twisting the button around a bit.

2. The arcade overlay works perfectly well a a template to file from. Use a slim marker, the pointier the better, and trace the button holes as close to the edges as possible. The more even the line, the easier it will be to make a smooth hole.

3. Two of the four steel 'poles' that hold the left and right of each of the old button PCBs are best hack-sawed off with a small saw before you start. Even when cut, this area seems to be tougher to file through than the rest of the frame.

4. The curved side of my file just happened to have the same radius as the button holes. If you have a selection of files, try find one which is closest, or smaller. I know, sounds obvious but still....

5. After putting the overlay on and inserting the buttons, you may find that the buttons sit just a TINY bit out of alignment. Only a couple of mine fit this description, and they are only out by 1mm or so. I fixed this by throwing down a little black marker onto my silver frame, this just helps to disguise and match the black overlay.

Other than that, I had no problems. I'm super happy with the results, and the arcade buttons look and feel so much better than my old buttons.

[Fatlimey]

Thank you for this writeup. You give hope to the rest of us who are on a budget. Good to hear that it can be done by mortals as well as those with access to CNC machines.

[fro1156]

Yeah man, thanks for the tips!! It encourages me to maybe dig into my vci for a bit!

[sm00sh]

It would be fantastic if someone attempting this mod would take pictures or video and provide a guide. Im confused as to where i would begin filing.


Great tips none the less!

[Bodega Brad]

Great tips...thanks! After waiting a month for my friend to cut them at his busy machine shop, I got fed up and took back the plate and filed it myself. Although I would have preferred the preciseness of the CNC machine, it proved faster and cheaper to file it myself...plus, it's nice to say "i did this". I traced the holes from the overlay and began filing with two different files(pictured). I used a hammer to gently tap off the two posts underneath.(be careful, this may "tear" the metal). Total time for filing: 1 hour. I forgot to take more pics during the cut...sorry, the DJTT video shows the rest.

[CuttaBoi]

It would be fantastic if someone attempting this mod would take pictures or video and provide a guide. Im confused as to where i would begin filing.


Great tips none the less!

I've written a tutorial here

http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8244