Poker Mod - Screwless Mount

[braaaiiins]

After a lot of procrastinating, I decided to get started on my wooden mount. This is just a prototype.

I hate screws, they're easily lost and they can permanently screw up your project if you happen to strip them while they're still fastened. I decided a nice way to mount without screws is to use neodymium magnets. My magnets don't come in until later this week, so those won't get installed just yet. For now, its just a simple inclined board with neoprene rubber attached to the surface so the PCB doesn't slip and so that the terminals for the switches have something to sink into. The rubber has holes all over the place for screws because I used that particular piece inside the factory poker case before. I also had to dremel some pockets in the wood so that things like the dip switch could fit in.

Even without the magnets to "attach" the PCB to the base, the PCB remains fixed due to the rubber. I'm pretty satisfied with this early prototype - its nice having instant access to the PCB! I just unplug and pick it up.

The saw I was using was limited in its ability to cut thick pieces at an angle so instead of a solid base I  have it split up into 3 legs. Ideally it would be one solid piece. Hopefully I can find a way to cut the wood the way I want to for the next mount.

Hope you guys like the idea. Shoot me some ideas if you have any =)

[The_Beast]

Looks good man


What kind of wood are you using?

[braaaiiins]

Looks good man


What kind of wood are you using?

Thanks! I have no idea what kind of wood it is.. just some scrap lumber. Eventually I'd like to work with a darker wood. I would love some african blackwood, but its almost impossible to find solid pieces large enough to do a 1 piece base.

[The_Beast]

Looks good man


What kind of wood are you using?

Thanks! I have no idea what kind of wood it is.. just some scrap lumber. Eventually I'd like to work with a darker wood. I would love some african blackwood, but its almost impossible to find solid pieces large enough to do a 1 piece base.

I have some Wenge and am pretty handy with wood (Check the link in my sig for wrist rest)

[mkawa]

magnets can also induce current to flow where it shouldn't, so you might want to be careful with that.

[braaaiiins]

magnets can also induce current to flow where it shouldn't, so you might want to be careful with that.

Thanks for the tip.  I've thought of that, but I'm not too worried about it. Worst that would happen is maybe a key will get actuated, but I doubt that would happen at all. I'll mess with it a bit once the magnets are installed and post if there are any problems.

[braaaiiins]

I have some Wenge and am pretty handy with wood (Check the link in my sig for wrist rest)

Just checked it out. Your work is pretty amazing. That purple heart wood is gorgeous, especially with the lace wood. Do you have any product recommendations for bonding wood together? For my prototype I used gorilla super glue.

[The_Beast]

I have some Wenge and am pretty handy with wood (Check the link in my sig for wrist rest)

Just checked it out. Your work is pretty amazing. That purple heart wood is gorgeous, especially with the lace wood. Do you have any product recommendations for bonding wood together? For my prototype I used gorilla super glue.

I use Titebond 2 on pretty much everything since it's water resistant, food safe...(whole bunch of other stuff I can't remember). However, you have to be careful about gluing end grain to long grain since it just won't last very long. The end grains are like straws and suck in the glue, thus starving the joint of glue which makes a weak joint. You also have to consider expansion an contraction of the wood (not a huge deal with such a small piece) The long grain expands at a much faster rate than end grain so, it will rip/tear that end grain piece right off if it expands to much. And over time, that glue joint will keep weakening due to expansion and contraction cycles.

I've heard expoies are good for gluing end grain, but I just try to avoid that kind of joint altogether. I due use super glue sometimes to "tac weld" the wood together while a normal yellow glue dries but it is no replacement for yellow glue because it's so brittle and stiff.

[braaaiiins]

I wish I could borrow your brain while I do my woodwork. I certainly wouldn't have paid attention to the grain while gluing. Thanks for your insight. =)

[The_Beast]

I wish I could borrow your brain while I do my woodwork. I certainly wouldn't have paid attention to the grain while gluing. Thanks for your insight. =)

I uses a friends shop, I know nothing compare to him. So I know how you feel .

My offer still stands, if I have some extra wenge, or whatever wood you want, I can try to build this thing for you (when I get time )

[braaaiiins]

I uses a friends shop, I know nothing compare to him. So I know how you feel .

My offer still stands, if I have some extra wenge, or whatever wood you want, I can try to build this thing for you (when I get time )

Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on it or maybe even a wrist rest. But for now, I'm having a lot of fun doing things DIY-style.

[The_Beast]

I uses a friends shop, I know nothing compare to him. So I know how you feel .

My offer still stands, if I have some extra wenge, or whatever wood you want, I can try to build this thing for you (when I get time )

Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on it or maybe even a wrist rest. But for now, I'm having a lot of fun doing things DIY-style.

Keep at it and never stop. It only gets funner (it's a word now) as you learn more and hone your skills

[bpiphany]

magnets can also induce current to flow where it shouldn't, so you might want to be careful with that.

Permanent magnets shouldn't pose any problem. It's only alternating magnetic fields that will induce currents. Permanent magnets can give rise to eddy currents but for that to cause any trouble in this case you would need to be extremely unlucky =)

Edit: I was actually thinking of the Hall effect, it can induce voltages in conductors subjected to a magnetic field, and still should pose no problem for you. Eddy currents are something else.