My hack pick this week is a wooden Nintendo portable built by Parker Dillmann:
Goes great with any decor!
It uses one of those Yobo NES’s you can find at game stores and an AEI electronics screen. You can read his “Making Of” story by clicking here.
Remember, if you or a friend has done a cool project you’d like featured on my site, send it in using the link over on the right. If possible, have a website documenting your construction.
At long, long last I have set up a Cafepress store in which curious visitors and fans can order some benheck.com branded stuff. Click here to have a gander.
For those of you tossing and turning at night, worrying that you would never be able to buy a “Get in there!” t-shirt, you’ll be glad to know that the nightmares are over.
We’ll update every so often with new designs as time permits. In other news, should have some cool new projects and stories coming up this week, stay tuned!
Note: The white-colored prototype referred to in this post is a one-of-a-kind built for a customer that requested it. A custom configurably production model, shown directly below, called the Access Controller and described in this post, is forthcoming and will available for mass market purchase from eDimensional. Stay tuned to Benheck.com for further information…
The prototype of the forthcoming production model Access Controller..
Now, back to today’s custom controller…
Recently I was asked to build another one of the right-handed controllers, and I thought I’d talk about it on the site a bit.
A single-handed controller with a swell bank of LED’s. Large version.
This isn’t the production model that I’ve been working on with eDimensional, you can read more about that here. But this is a refinement of a right-hand only design, similar to one I did last year.
Main trigger area. It swivels a bit to accomodate the fingers. Large version.
As before the right analog stick is actuated by setting this controller against a leg or table. An elastic strap/Velco attaches everything to your hand. For more photos, check the rest of the story.
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Last month we did a shoot here in Verona for a segment on G4’s X-Play. You can take a look at it using the link below. Enjoy!
http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/20666/Will_Work_For_Games_Custom_Console_Creator.html
Today’s Hack Pick of the Week is a really well-done Super Nintendo portable by Brian Henderson.
Using a stock case from Polycase.com and a lot of good old fashioned elbow grease he created the slick SNES portable you see above. I think it’s quite well done. For more photos and information you can check out his “Making Of”, contained in our very own forums.
Been going through my email today and noticed I tend to get the same few questions every time. Considering the new traffic from the X-Play appearence on G4, I figured this would be a great time for another “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions” post!
Q: I want to buy an Xbox 360 laptop! -or- Please send me detailed instructions via email!
A: I only build about 1 of these a year, and they’re expensive due to the large amount of labor – think decent used-car expensive. You can find How-To instructions on Engadget, or lots more information in general on our forums.
Q:Â Can you make me a single-handed game controller?
A: Again, there is too much labor involved to build one for every request. However the official production model – which we talked about last fall – is forthcoming. PS2/PS3 versions first, Xbox 360 to follow. Click here to read our last update.
Q: Build me a PS360 controller!
A: Again there are instructions online. I charge far too much for this procedure, again because of time constraints. But if you’re willing to drop the cost of a PS3 to get a custom controller, by all means email me.
Q: You should make / are you working on a PS3 portable?
A: Yes. My upcoming projects are always at least hinted at, if you look closely at my stories and photos.
Q: Create an Xbox 360/PS3/Wii combo unit!
A: No.
In other news, I plan to attend the 2008 Midwest Gaming Classic. As far as I know I won’t be speaking there, but if you’d like anything signed or want to talk shop dig me up. Podcast co-host Jason Jones will probably be there as well, along with many of our forum members.
While going through and doing some maintenance on my site I had an idea – what if people submitted their own cool hacks to Benheck.com as a way of showing them to the world? This could allow modders and builders of cool things an entry point and exposure they might otherwise not get. Also – since I do not often get around to showing my projects as often as I like – this would help keep the site’s content fresh – perhaps one “featured” project per week.
So let’s give it a try. If you or a friend has a cool project you’d like me to show on this site, email me using this link. I’ll pick my favorite each week and post a short review of it, along with links back to your home page. (Having your own site detailing the project is plus)
Main criteria: Must be something you’ve built or modded, but it won’t be limited to gaming or computers. If you’ve got a hybrid static-electricity-powered car or automatic can crusher/french fry maker it’s all fair game.
Note: Do not use comments to submit ideas – please email them to me using the link above.