The Cover Project
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: thesubcon3 on January 16, 2010, 08:28:39 AM
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So you have a ton of cartridge based video games and don't have the boxes to display them mint. That sucks doesn't it? Well have no fear my retroites, Hagen is here with the next best thing...custom cases!
Your answer is just a click away!
http://www.vgmastersclub.com/version2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=538:nes-custom-case-creation-and-modding&catid=92:retro-collecting-101&Itemid=93 (http://www.vgmastersclub.com/version2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=538:nes-custom-case-creation-and-modding&catid=92:retro-collecting-101&Itemid=93)
(http://www.mediashelving.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/50_755.jpg)
(Sorry the pictures don't work from my site on here so I just had to put a link to my column on vgmastersclub.com)
-Hagen Dragmire-
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Welcome Hagen, way to introduce yourself to the project :) A lot of people have been asking for a guide on how to mod a UGC to house a NES game. Your guide has the potential to be THE guide with a little modding.
Here's what I suggest (if you're open to it) :)
The next time you mod another batch of your cases, could you take some more pictures? For example one showing the case as is, without modding, and then the modded case where you highlight the pieces of plastic that you removed. Maybe one or two pictures of the work in progress for a better understanding of what exactly to cut and how. The pictures could be zoomed out a bit, for a better view. Then just copy/paste the documentation you wrote, add the new pictures, edit this post or make a new one altogether, and change the thread title to something more fitting like "how to fit NES games in a UGC".
I think that would be most helpful to a lot of people here and to everyone who might join the project in the future, as the "how to..." is a question that has been asked quite a few times already. We would then put your post in the guide section, our official "how to mod UGCs for NES games"-guide :)
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I actually took those pictures in the evening yesterday with minimal thought of creating a tutorial until I was posting my column. It kind of evolved as I wrote it all down. I can easily take some more pics when I mod a few more cases today and add them to the column (hopefully I'll have a little more sunlight left today).
As I am the owner/webmaster over at vgmastersclub.com I only get to make columns and content when I have time, as I am also doing other projects (Such as making a portable Atari 2600). But I'll try to make it a little more guide friendly (step by step) and post up a new one sooner than later.
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This is exactly what I was looking for! Outstanding!
Can you tell me where I can get that tool you are using and aprx how much one would cost?
THANKS!
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There are a few ways to get rid of those pesky pieces of plastic that are preventing your NES game from fitting into your custom case. First is using a razor blade/exacto knife, which may give you the desired results, but most people won't be able to do more than a few cases at a time before their hands start hurting. Another option is using a dremmel tool and shaving down the plastic. While this may sound easy, it's really easy to mess up, it makes a huge mess and you have to be way too precise for my tastes. The third option, and the one that I recommend, is using a soldering iron/gun with a blade bit to melt the plastic. This gives the best results, doesn't leave a huge mess and is the easiest on your hands when dealing with modding multiple cases at once.
All can be bought from hardware strores.
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I never knew how time-consuming this would be! I figured I'd share what I've done (am doing).
I personally have been using a big pair of cutting pliers (hopefully those are the best words to describe it). Just something to break out the plastic notches. I've done about 15 cases thus far, and I've already got a nice blister on one of my fingers to show for it (from the handles of the pliers).
After that, to get rid of the jagged edges left behind from the pliers, I then use a dremel tool to shave it down, so it's more flush for the game to sit in the case properly. This can also get a bit messy/sloppy, with bits of semi-melted plastic shavings flying around - both onto the surround floors, and even all over myself, my hair, face (wear safety googles!) and clothes. To be honest, after I'm done with the dremel, I usually spray myself (along with the cases) with an air compressor that's in my workshop. Seems to be the best method of getting rid of all the random plastic shavings that fly off each UGC case when you're modifying them.
Anyways, just wanted to share my experiences. I've got about 50,60 NES games to do, so it's going to take a while to get them all done and properly in cases! Time consuming, but after seeing them on the shelf, it really looks sharp, and that the hard work is indeed worthwhile.
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I personally have been using a big pair of cutting pliers (hopefully those are the best words to describe it)
Easier to say with pictures ;)
Do you mean side cutters:
(http://www.wanderingfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Side-Cutters.jpg)
Or Endcutters:
(http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/e/n/end%20cutters/end-cutter-001.jpg)
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I bought the 2nd one, the endcutters. That way I can make it even more flush with less effort. Im sure the 1st would work book in some cases, however a box cutter wyields the same result as the 1st pair. Again, I bought the 2nd clippers
If you look in the "guides" section, you will find my Games In UGC + Covers (http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=3294.0). Hope this helps.
Great, now you are making me want to look for my Silent Hill newspaper again.
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I personally have been using a big pair of cutting pliers (hopefully those are the best words to describe it)
Easier to say with pictures ;)
True, it would have been easier with pictures. Yes, I'd say "endcutters" were more the style I had used/am using. Then 'cleaning up the cuts' with a dremel tool.
Those are the things (end cutters) that gave me my giant blister! ;)
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I have used the end cutters but even on the NDS cases my hand starts hurting after about 5 or so.
This is why I just use my soldering gun with a blade bit in it for UGC cases, just have to be outside to do it.
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Your hands hurt after cutting a piece of plastic?? I honestly and seriously don't think I have any comment to add to that... Life is not easy... so if you are complaining about cutting plastic... wow. I'm sorry, I am just a little put off guard that people would be complaining about that! I would work 13 hours a day at an Amusement Park at 18 (4 years ago) picking up garbage, cutting grass, greasing the train tracks, operating and maintaining rides, run errands, etc. For 13 hours a day, 6 days a week (closed on Mondays). My back hurt, but yet I still got the job done. And from this site, I have cut **hundreds** of cases and never had a blistering problem.
To do only five cases and complain, (just getting you aware of real life) you are REALLY not going to get anywhere. Man up. It's just a pair of freaking cutters.
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Your hands hurt after cutting a piece of plastic?? I honestly and seriously don't think I have any comment to add to that... Life is not easy... so if you are complaining about cutting plastic... wow. I'm sorry, I am just a little put off guard that people would be complaining about that! I would work 13 hours a day at an Amusement Park at 18 (4 years ago) picking up garbage, cutting grass, greasing the train tracks, operating and maintaining rides, run errands, etc. For 13 hours a day, 6 days a week (closed on Mondays). My back hurt, but yet I still got the job done. And from this site, I have cut **hundreds** of cases and never had a blistering problem.
To do only five cases and complain, (just getting you aware of real life) you are REALLY not going to get anywhere. Man up. It's just a pair of freaking cutters.
I never said life was easy. Hey, if we're going to get into it, I work 65 hour weeks, and I have back problems... Regardless of how hard any of us work, that has nothing to do with cutting plastic or this forum.
The purpose of this thread is to share how you've modified UGC cases, and what's worked (and hasn't worked).
I shared that I successfully modified my cases with end-cutters, and I suffered a nasty blister in the process. End of story. The job got done, and I shared my experiece.
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[Thru heavy cry]
I have never even had chance to modify UGCs, I have had to settle for double wide DVD cases.
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[Thru heavy cry]
I have never even had chance to modify UGCs, I have had to settle for double wide DVD cases.
There, there.
[Awkward pat on shouder]
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[Thru heavy cry]
I have never even had chance to modify UGCs, I have had to settle for double wide DVD cases.
There, there.
[Awkward pat on shouder]
Thank you.
[Feels bit dehydrated after crying for over three days]
[Drinks Coke]
[Feels much better]
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I don't care how manly you are those cases do a number on your hand if you don't hold those cutters right. I only cared enough to case all of my MegaMan nes games. The rest can sit in a drawer lol.
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Tell me about it :-X I had a couple of near misses with a Stanley razorblade box cutter knife. You have to push so damn hard on that blade to cut the plastic that it can get away from you in a hurry.
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Tell me about it :-X I had a couple of near misses with a Stanley razorblade box cutter knife. You have to push so damn hard on that blade to cut the plastic that it can get away from you in a hurry.
Knives are dangerous mm'kei
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Your hands hurt after cutting a piece of plastic?? I honestly and seriously don't think I have any comment to add to that... Life is not easy... so if you are complaining about cutting plastic... wow. I'm sorry, I am just a little put off guard that people would be complaining about that! I would work 13 hours a day at an Amusement Park at 18 (4 years ago) picking up garbage, cutting grass, greasing the train tracks, operating and maintaining rides, run errands, etc. For 13 hours a day, 6 days a week (closed on Mondays). My back hurt, but yet I still got the job done. And from this site, I have cut **hundreds** of cases and never had a blistering problem.
To do only five cases and complain, (just getting you aware of real life) you are REALLY not going to get anywhere. Man up. It's just a pair of freaking cutters.
You know I never responded to this, might as well now... ::)
Work smarter not harder. And I never said my hands blistered, that was the poster above me.
There is no way I would use a Stanley razorblade! I have burned myself multiple times using my soldering iron, I can only imagine after doing multiple cases what could go wrong with a cutter knife.
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banana
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Looks like I struck a nerve...LMAO
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Well this thread certainly took a turn for the worse...
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and so completely unnecessarily, too. what a shame.
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Last thing I will say as I am completely apathetic of everything right now dealing with this website.
Youtube - How to make Custom NES Cases (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTRJZmyros8)
1 Minute 54 Seconds. Most of the time was trying to find an angle to cut the plastic. Again, I don't see what is so damn hard a task that takes less than 1 and a half minutes to complete. Could be just me. I even waited the 170 minutes to upload the 332MB video so that people can watch this in 720p; if it's worth doing, it is worth overdoing.
Time to pack everything up and shove it back in my closets. Two totes left to fill back up with games. Finally, a clean room! Goodnight and goodbye
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Well your cases are much different then mine as the plastic seems a bit thinner. Besides for that, your clippers are gigantic which is why it's easy as hell! Do you have a link to buy those online? Where I'm at in Miami all they carry is the micro ones that I own.