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How much did the metal pad cost?
It cost me about $135 to build. You can build a
cheaper version if you don't use the brackets and
sheet metal. But then you won't get that feel of an
arcade style pad because the sheet metal lets you do
slides and the lucite arrows fit underneath the brackets,
so your feet can feel exactly where all arrows are.
How do you cut the sheet metal and lucite?
A good pair of tin snips to cut the sheet metal and a
jigsaw with a blade that cuts metal for the lucite. You
could also cut the lucite with a Dremel Rotary tool or
use a sharp tool to score the lucite many times on both
sides and then snap it off over the side of a table.
Where do you get the brackets?
The brackets are from Home Depot and they are 2 inch
Stanley corner braces (2 per package) I found mine in the
section with door parts. If you can't find them, I'm pretty
sure these are the right ones - Stanley brackets. You will
need 16 of them or 8 packs at $2.46 per pack.
What is foam core and where do I buy it?
Foam core is just styrofoam sandwiched by two pieces
of glossy paper. It is 3/16 of an inch thick. I bought it
from Walmart in the art and school supply section. It
with the poster boards. You can probably find it at
any arts and crafts store. I've seen it at Michaels too.
How do I build a stronger pad to accomodate more weight?
Just add more rails underneath all 9 panels and you can
use 1/2 inch plywood instead peg board for the very
bottom of the pad. But then the pad will be very heavy.
Can I use aluminum foil for the contacts?
Aluminum foil will work, but because of all the abuse
the pad gets from jumping, the foil eventually rips and
sags causing double and triple hits per step. I used foil
in the beginning, but it became a hassle replacing the
foil when it ripped. So using sheet metal as a contact is
the best solution because it never needs to be replaced.
Why didn't you use microswitches for the arrows?
A DDR pad takes alot of abuse and microwswitches can
break. Plus microswitches make a clicking sound that
can be annoying. By using sheet metal contacts that are
9-1/2 inches square, the whole arrow practically becomes
one big switch. This design lets you step anywhere on
the arrows and it will register a step.
What do you use for the X, O, Triangle and Square buttons?
The pad is wired into the controller, so the controller
is completely functional. I use the controller for the
menu and for selecting songs. I also use the controller
for the X, O, Triangle and Square buttons.
How good does the pad work?
The pad works perfectly, when you step on an arrow it
registers perfectly. You can do slides and you can feel
where the arrows are with your feet. So far I can pass
twelve catastrophics (9 feet) on my pad - Electro Tuned
(the SubS mix), Matsuri JAPAN, Romansu no Kami-sama,
PARANOiA ETERNAL, NO LIMIT (RM Remix), CAN'T STOP
FALLIN' IN LOVE (SPEED MIX), BROKEN MY HEART,
DYNAMITE RAVE, AFRONOVA PRIMEVAL, B4U glorious
style, INSERTiON, and Healing Vision (Angelic mix).
Will the pad break?
The pad is very durable and the pad won't physically break.
But because of all the abuse a pad will take from stepping and
jumping, you might have small problems that are easy to fix like
a wire coming loose. The best thing about a home-built metal
pad is that because you built it, you will know how to fix it.
Will you build and sell me a metal pad?
This project is for someone who has alot of time and
enjoys building things. Because a DDR pad takes alot
of abuse, small problems will occur like a wire coming
loose. The problems are easy to fix, but if I sold a pad
there is no way that I can guarantee that it will always
work 100% for you all the time.
I have more questions, will you help me?
Post the question at DDR Freak. I or someone else
who has built a metal pad will answer your questions.