10/21 - 10/25

This week I commenced work once more on my ambitious arcade machine project. First, I decided on what type of wood I would be using. Initially, I was flirting with the idea of using 1/4 inch wood, because I would then be able to just lasercut it from the lasercutter. After careful consideration, and after several minutes consulting with my teachers, I eventually decided against this proposition. One reason for this is that 1/4 inch wood would be too bendy, and more likely to lose its shape. 1/2 inch wood, on the other hand, while still being an incredibly tiny thickness, is far more able to maintain its shape. After this revelation, I then had to decide on what species of wood I'd be using. After careful consideration, and after several minutes consulting with my teachers, I settled on birch wood, since it is good quality, and is what we usually use for the machine. I found a product on home depot's website that fits the dimensions I am looking for, and then I ordered 2 of these, since I need 2 in order to get all the things I need for the arcade machine. I had to "break the bank" a little bit, as the total came to just around $60, which is a lot of money for a person in my field of employment (a factory worker). Through some slightly less than legal means, I was able to use my boss' business card to buy them, so this will count as a tax write off for him. Then, I started soldering and crimping the buttons I am going to be using, with the help of Alex Hickey, a classmate of mine. I need 11 buttons in total, and I only have 6, so I soldered and crimped all of them to see if they work first, and then I will order the remainder amount of buttons I need off of some sketchy website I found. Overall, I have done so much work this week, that I don't really have any more work to do until the wood comes in on November 4th, so I'm probably just going to be hanging around until then. The last thing I am going to talk about is the Walk to End Alzheimer's which I will be participating in this Sunday, which I am still looking for donations and volunteers for.