Aperture Science Radio (Portal)

[Dash20]

Hello all,

Not sure if this is the right forum, so please, bare with me. After doing some looking around, I've noticed most (if not all) Portal-themed mods are of the companion cube; however, I've never seen a mod done for the radio that appears a few times in the game:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/PortalRadio.jpg

As such, I've decided to make this project my own. :)

I've had a real hard time deciding what to put in there. At first I was leaning towards mini-ITX, but for how often I use a PC anymore I didn't want to spend that much money on components. After considering an Xbox 360 mod and even an actual radio, I've settled on gutting a set of iPod speakers and putting them inside. It seemed the most appropriate.

I'm leaning toward the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere series; I haven't taken it apart yet, but they look fairly simple to modify based on the case design. And, they sound pretty decent. Alas, this is not the issue.

I'm still stumped as to HOW I'm going to shape the case. It's round on all three axes and I can't think of any "found" object that would work best (yet). The best I can think of doing is to sculpt it, which I'd like to do as little of as possible (it's too symmetrical to leave to my hands/eyes alone). Does anyone have any suggestions? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

[rendermandan]

Cool idea. Not sure if I can help with the shape, but you could build the cake to go with it and put the computer in there.

[XcOM]

used some U shaped pipe and cut it in half, then use styrne to make front and back, use that as a starting point, and BONDO!

[SKDgarbage]

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/52-299-faucet-covers.aspx

one of those maybe? I've seen some at either walmart or lowes. Seems like the ones I've seen are more rounded than those too.

[rendermandan]

you could always build a reverse form out of wood, clay, foam and bondo ets. Then fiberglass it.

[Mach]

Fiberglass?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Soul_Cycle_Mothership_a_molded_fiberglass_speaker/

Wood?

http://www.slipperyskip.com/page20.html

[Drum Thumper]

It seems to be a simple parabolic shape. Perhaps a wireframe, followed by paper mache, followed by fiberglass?

[Dash20]

rendermandan: Considering Bondo's likeness to cake frosting... that probably wouldn't be too hard to do, haha.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. On some level or another I've considered all of them, or some variation. The wireframe method has been sticking the most right now, but I've been reconsidering wood. I want the final shell to be fiberglass, so ultimately I think I'll be making a negative mold of the master. Bottom line, the inside doesn't have to look pretty.

I'm thinking of having a central hempisphere piece that runs the length of the radio, and from there, adding arched "ribs" for the depth axis. From there I'm thinking of adding styrene panels (or some other material that's thin, pliable and holds some weight) and Bondo'ing that boy. Here's hoping. :)

[rendermandan]

Good luck! Be sure to post some pics.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

And don't forget to put that cute version of "Still Alive" that the radio plays on your iPod when you're done!

mD3v1B_aXw0

[Karbon Killa]

This whole idea is making me want to play portal again, haha. Looks like a great idea. But that music playing would annoy the hell outta me. lol

[Dash20]

Hey, it has to be Christened with that music! :D

Thanks again, everyone. I'm sure I will have more questions to come. I've already bought the speakers and gutted them, so the project is officially underway. That having been said, I will start a work log shortly and update this page with the link when I do. It has begun. :)

[Dash20]

Hey guys,

I've run into a bit of a snag. I was hoping to do as little "complicated" soldering as possible, so before I proceed I'd like some opinions. The components for the speakers will more/less remain in the same location; unfortunately, the power jack and auxiliary audio in are soldered to the same board as the iPod dock and the final product will be much deeper than the original. So, I'd like to either:

A) Add something of an extension to each cable or
B) Desolder the jacks, relocate them further back and extend them with wire.
Here's some reference (the focus sucks, sorry):

Audio jack on the left, AC power on the right:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/DSC01966.jpg

Front view of components:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/DSC01967.jpg

Terminals of both components (three each):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/DSC01970.jpg

I have a few questions here:

1. See the other holes around the terminals? Are they just registration pins (to hold them in place), or is it something else I can't desolder and shouldn't be messing with?
2. I'm not so concerned about the audio jack, but messing with the AC power plug... is this a good idea? Or should I be fine if I solder/resolder properly?
3. Does anyone recommend any alternatives?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[XcOM]

it shouldn't be a problem desoldering and resoldering them, just rem what pins go where, and remember to shield them to prevent a short, hot glue or heat shrink will do the job

[Dash20]

Awesome. That's great news, thank you. Knowing that hot glue is a good insulator helps too; heat shrink can be troublesome sometimes. Here goes! :)