Q's about making a portable SNES

AfroLH · Post by **AfroLH** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:30 pm

Okay, I am currently taking a class, and our teacher came up with the Idea to let us do a project on whatever we want.
Almost instantly I said, "I'm gonna Build a Portable Super Nintendo!!!"
My Teacher approved it, so i started researching!

Long story short: I found this place and Thought It would be my main source of Info!

So I have a few Questions:

1. About how long did it take for most of you to make it? And how long a day did you work on it?

2. Where can I find a good case for it?

edit: Just to let y'all know, if I make it I dont want it to be amazingly Beautiful, just functional.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:40 pm

1) 1.5 years. 4-5 hours a day for about 3 months, the rest was waiting for parts to come in the mail.

2) Polycase.

I highly recommend against doing this for school. You won't finish in time.

AfroLH · Post by **AfroLH** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:46 pm

Hmm...

Well, I guess I wont be doing this for a project.

Would making a portable NES take about the same amount of time?

mmoshkowich · Post by **mmoshkowich** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:51 pm

I am currently building one too. It is very time consuming specially since soldering is new to me. Also it is a little expensive so be ready for that. I am find making it is fun. My wiring isn't beautiful but it works. I started this on Monday and I plan to finish all electronics by the beginning of February. and Finish the case in time for palmertech's portable contest (March 1st) <a href="http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... 0">Link</a>

I wish you much luck on your portabalizing journey and hope you document it for us.

P.S. Calculate the cost of the project first it is expensive!! (tools, parts, system , wires, case work)

Good Luck!

--edit didn't see post above -- well good luck on whatever you do

AfroLH · Post by **AfroLH** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:57 pm

Thanks, mmoshkowich

I have a little time to decide what I am gonna do for the project so I still might do it, depending on What others might say and Price.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:26 pm

Assuming you have the necessary tools (Soldering Iron, Flux, Solder, and a Case), you're still looking at $20-60 for a SNES, $30-$60 for a screen, batteries, assuming you're going AA, will be considered free, and an audio amp, but I'll assume that's integrated in the screen.

So that's your bare minimum cost, $120. If you don't live in a radio shack, expect to spend $15 for a soldering iron, $5ish on solder, $20-30 on a case, $20-40 for rechargable AAs and a charger, $5-15 for an audio amp, $5 for a spare controller, $10 for some blank circuit board, $10 for flux...

It all adds up. Don't forget shipping time, because you WON'T be able to find everything locally.

mmoshkowich · Post by **mmoshkowich** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:30 pm

That is so true!

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:43 pm

If, like you stated, you're going for functional and not necessarily beautiful, then I'd say you can do it in a couple of weeks working on it around three hours a day. Budget would probably be $150 - $250, depending on what materials and electronics you use, and if you have the time to hunt for deals.

AfroLH · Post by **AfroLH** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:01 pm

Thanks Guys.
$250? Looks like I'll be asking my rich grandma for money lol.

I have the whole rest of the school year to get the project done so that leaves me a lot of time.

And I will definitely document it and share it on here.

Metroid fan · Post by **Metroid fan** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:24 pm

With the whole rest of the school year you can do it for sure.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:44 pm

If you want to make something ugly and functional, you could make it quickly (a few hours), however making something to be proud of takes a long time, especially if you want to make a small system - you can be talking 100-150 hours potentially.

If you are spending what you will have to to make a portable, you need to make it as good as you can.

AfroLH · Post by **AfroLH** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:48 pm

I dont want it to be Ugly, I just dont want to take 3 months making it look good.
Its not gonna be a Ghetto SNESp, just a simplistic one.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:16 am

AfroLH wrote:I dont want it to be Ugly, I just dont want to take 3 months making it look good.
Its not gonna be a Ghetto SNESp, just a simplistic one.

Then I highly recommend using a technique like Ben covers in his book using plastic for the front and back and bent aluminum for the sides. I used it for my first SNESp and it only took me a couple of weeks to make it. Link. Worked pretty well.

gamerjr · Post by **gamerjr** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:44 pm

Yeah a lot of doing these projects is waiting for parts... i started this last March by buying my nessesary equipment (soldering iron, solder, SNES controller, never bought flux though my solder is rosin cored) and right now im actually making progress and my controller is %90 done but it will have to be dissmantled so i just said ill wait til i get my SNES and screen in. Also here is some WOA, BUY THE PSOne screen or atleast stay away from intec... i bought the gamecube screen... its so fat and power hungry i just said screw it and im waiting on the PSOne screen now.

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Q's about making a portable SNES

Q's about making a portable SNES

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