Modding vci-100: the cheap way

[Glen]

Alright so, i plan on doing my arcade mod on my vci-100, and i am such a cheap person, ( i bought my vci and audio 4 used) I am also going to buy the same arcade buttons ofr $1.50 each instead of off this site, -sorry djtt. Alright, so now i have a question. Clearly im not going to a machine shop so; what size holes do i need to cut into my vci-100, and what tool would i use? I own many off them, (like a soldering iron.)
Thanks, Glen

[Glen]

well figures out the mounting hole is 24mm.... im an idiot.
But what would be the best way for me to cut this?

[djpbe]

Drill press with a metal bit.

[photojojo]

A small drill bit with lots of drilling along the inside edge of the circles you've traced out on the faceplate. Then you cut between each drilled hole. Then you file it smooth. Then you put your buttons in.

If your not using a drill press your drill bit will walk and scratch the hell out of your face plate. You can get bits that help with preventing that or you can set the hole with a small punch or nail if you don't have any punches. A Dremel would be useful and c-camps to hold it down. Be careful, you can always take more off, but it's hard to add metal after you've taken to much off.

[lol4k]

I have made my vestax SE with :
- a drill 5 mm with a dremel
- a metal file

Pic your faceplate, make some holes with your little drill, and finish properly with a metal file.

It's quite enough long, but it works

[Glen]

how did you know where to put the holes?

[photojojo]

how did you know where to put the holes?

I don't think placement is critical to the millimeter. Just center the holes over the existing holes. If you have Adobe Illustrator you can create a PDF file of the CAD file and use it as a template. You might be able to use Google Sketch Up to create the PDF, but I haven't tried it.

[lol4k]

how did you know where to put the holes?

Hm? Do you get an overlay with holes or not ?

[Glen]

No, im not buying an overlay....