From: Netsurge <netsurge@scinet-ftn.org>

I'm not sure how many Hacker/Retro gaming fans we have here but I
recently added to my retro gaming collection by building a new portable RetroPie based console.

I own a few 3D printers and various CNC machines (router, PCB etcher,
laser and lathe). I am a licensed machinist by trade.

I have built a variety of PiGRRL units which were designed by AdaFruit
over the past few years and recently I stumbled across a modified
version of the unit called the PiGRLL Zero Advance (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3082579).

The designed took the original PiGRRL design to the next level by using
a bigger screen, Pi Zero W and a custom PCB to house everything.

I machined the PCB on my Cyclone PCB milling machine (which I also
made) and printed the needed case components.

All the remains is to put it all together which I will document and
post here. I'm on vacation for the next two weeks so I will have some
free time to put it all together.
--
frank // netsurge
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Please do, I wish I had the equipment to put something like this together myself.

I do have a RetroPie attached to our family room screen and it gets heavy
use. It has KODI installed and serves up movies/tv from another pi with
mass storage along with lots of old school games.

a hand held would be sweet.

---
|10R|03a|07t|15z

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Freeside BBS - freeside.bbs.io (77:1/121)

Please do, I wish I had the equipment to put something like this
together myself.

There are plently of online services that can print or create a PCB for you, pretty cheap as well. I have used a few for PCBs, but it's been years since
I have done so, ever since I got my PCB milling machine up and running.

I know that Apam recently ordered some custom PCBs, he might want to jump in with his thoughts.

There are also services that can 3D print the needed parts. Hell, I can even print them for you and send them to you.

I do have a RetroPie attached to our family room screen and it gets
heavy use. It has KODI installed and serves up movies/tv from another pi with mass storage along with lots of old school games.

I've built smaller handhelds that are retropie based but they have small screens (2.8"). This new one uses a 5" screen which is a huge jump. I have
the parts printed and about have the components soldered on.

I usually document my projects on https://diyhacker.com. You will find some
of my Amiga rebuilds and other projects like recapping of older gaming
systems.

[%] frank!netsurge // hysteriabbs.com // zeus 1.7 // amiga 4ooo [%]
. SciNet! . the ftn of the bbs scene . https://diskshop.ca/scinet .

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Re: Re: RetroPie
By: Netsurge to Ratz on Fri Aug 16 2019 20:27:43

There are plently of online services that can print or create a PCB for you,
pretty cheap as well. I have used a few for PCBs, but it's been years since
I have done so, ever since I got my PCB milling machine up and running.

I know that Apam recently ordered some custom PCBs, he might want to jump in
with his thoughts.

I usually use JLCPCB, but also just heard about this comparison shopping site:

https://pcbshopper.com/

I was thinking about getting / making a PCB mill for myself. Not sure how much hassle it would be, or how noisy the thing is. Would be curious to hear more about your Cyclone (I think you said that).

There are also services that can 3D print the needed parts. Hell, I can even
print them for you and send them to you.

Gets expensive after a while, to the point where, if you have room and patience, it's worth just getting a printer of your own.

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
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From: Netsurge <netsurge@scinet-ftn.org>

On 2019-08-17 01:07:34 +0000, echicken said:

I was thinking about getting / making a PCB mill for myself. Not sure
how much hassle it
would be, or how noisy the thing is. Would be curious to hear more
about your Cyclone (I
think you said that).

The unit I made is based off of this unit: https://reprap.org/wiki/Cyclone_PCB_Factory

It originally was built with a Dremel which is way too loud and lacks
the ability to control the spindle speed easily.

I modified the design and created a new x-carriage in order to use an engraving spindle like this one: https://tinyurl.com/yx8soktc

I also added a PWM controller so that I could control the spindle speed
via the G-Code.

I will take pictures of my unit and email them to you this weekend. I
have all the needed STL files and some notes on how I put it together
if you are interested.

I also have a small 80w laser that I have used to etch pcb's. You
really can't laser away any of the copper (copper is generally used to
defuse lasers). I use the laser for small quick PCBs by removing mask
from the board and then etching it using acid. It ends up being less
work than converting gerber files to G-Code, but you can do complex
PCBs with the milling machine, so there is the trade off.

Gets expensive after a while, to the point where, if you have room and patience, it's
worth just getting a printer of your own.

I agree. I own 3 of them.

--
frank // netsurge
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Re: Re: RetroPie
By: Netsurge to All on Sat Aug 17 2019 01:22:19

I will take pictures of my unit and email them to you this weekend. I have all the needed STL files and some notes on how I put it together
if you are interested.

Would be interested to have a look at it for sure. I was looking at cheap CNC machines online a while back for this purpose, but didn't pull the trigger. Wasn't sure how much frustration and noise I was about to set myself up for.

Getting PCBs shipped from China is "cheap" but ends up being $20 - $50 a pop or more after shipping and duty, so I'm still interested in making them at home.

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
* Origin: electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com (77:1/120)

I was thinking about getting / making a PCB mill for myself. Not sure
how much hassle it would be, or how noisy the thing is. Would be
curious to hear more ab out your Cyclone (I think you said that).

I had to mill a PCB today and remembered that you asked for more info on my
DIY mill, the Cyclone. Here are some pictures. Let me know if you want some more details on it.

https://imgur.com/a/q09dT7O

|15frank |08// |15netsurge
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* Origin: % disksh0p!bbs % bbs.diskshop.ca % SciNet ftn hq % (77:1/100)

Re: Re: RetroPie
By: Netsurge to echicken on Sat Aug 31 2019 20:37:40

I had to mill a PCB today and remembered that you asked for more info on my
DIY mill, the Cyclone. Here are some pictures. Let me know if you want some

Thanks for sharing. I am curious about a few things:

How large of a board can it accommodate?

Is it fiddly / does it need much (re)calibration?

What's the noise level like?

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
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From: Netsurge <netsurge@scinet-ftn.org>

On 2019-09-01 02:32:32 +0000, echicken said:

Re: Re: RetroPie
By: Netsurge to echicken on Sat Aug 31 2019 20:37:40

I had to mill a PCB today and remembered that you asked for more

info on my

DIY mill, the Cyclone. Here are some pictures. Let me know if you

want some

Thanks for sharing. I am curious about a few things:

How large of a board can it accommodate?

6 x 9

Is it fiddly / does it need much (re)calibration?

Nope. On the back are two banana plugs that two wires with alligator
clips hook up to. One clip gets clipped to the board and the other gets clipped to the engraver. The Cyclone goes through a levelling phase
first to account for unevenness by probing multiple points on the
board. Once that is done, the clips get removed and the milling starts.
Self calibration each time.

What's the noise level like?

Like a jet engine. Really fucking loud. Saying that, it generally only
takes a few minutes to etch a board.
--
frank // netsurge
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