FYI: I haven't died - I'm just preoccupied!

Questions & Suggestions
1

Some people may be wondering why I haven't been very active on this forum recently. I promise I'm not abandoning you guys!

I'm working on something else right now, and it's becoming all-consuming (and yes, I realize this post is totally off-topic, but I've been feeling guilty for not helping out around here recently, and I'm hoping this post will assuage my guilt, since you will know where I am):

  1. I started work on a RetroPie system for doing retro gaming, using a Raspberry Pi 3.
  2. This lead to starting to build my own arcade controller.
  3. This lead to learning to use SketchUp.
  4. This lead to wanting to improve my woodworking skills to make the controller look nicer.
  5. This lead to me starting to build all sorts of woodworking jigs, a router table, etc., etc., etc.
  6. This lead to my usual frustration at not being able to do what I think I should be able to do, without having to suffer through a learning curve.

You get the idea.

Here's some pics. These are not the current design, but they're close. For one thing, I have shorter cables now.

SketchUp design (v3 - I'm up to v11 now):

Control Panel v3 view 2.jpg1164×339 74.6 KB

Control Panel (currently being rebuilt):

IMG_4170.jpg1184×568 132 KB

IMG_4171.jpg1280×841 275 KB

Part of my garage workshop (go ahead and laugh):

IMG_4175.jpg858×643 190 KB

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Looks great Dan. Sketchup is a great tool. I use it just frequently enough to have to relearn most of it every time :slight_smile:

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OK, not guilty.

But, where will this lead you to? :wink:

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4

Never had any doubts about you. :wink:

That's what I figured. But "RetroPie"!?!?! What the heIl is that? (OK, I read your link, but still . . .).

But if it floats your boat, gives you joy, then go for it.

I am going to send you a bill for the extra time I've had to spend in the Forum due to your absence! :wink:
(just kidding of course).

Good luck with your project.

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5

Looks like great fun. Enjoy yourself!

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@DanThomas
Can you share more on your progress on this project?
Does KM has any role on this?

I have been wondering if KM can be used for similar physical (home) automation.

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OMG, I had completely forgotten I took those pictures. Here’s what that has transformed into: The Newbie Woodworker. And no, I haven’t done any more on that specific project. But I use KM for help with Final Cut during the editing process.

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For those of you who are curious, RetroPie is a Raspberry Pi project that allows you to play pretty much every classic video game under the sun.

More importantly, it’s one of the things that, if you can build it, automatically makes you the coolest Dad on the planet. Right up there with trebuchets and improvised explosives.

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9

Thank you Dan. I am very excited to watch your videos. I myself is starting up with woodwork.

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Funny I just went searching for your post @DanThomas order:latest because I haven’t seen you around. I am not super active but missed seeing your comments and hoped you were still around. I found this forum post. I hope you were able to get what you wanted with your game built.

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Thanks. I’ve been busy with my YouTube chanel, The Newbie Woodworker.

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12

Looks like fun, it’s fun to see your excitement, I love that you have a such a great teacher spirit.


What, why not.

I hope your hand is okay.

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Yep, hand is good. Relatively. Thanks!