Build your own DDR Dance Pad!

[klaptulp]

How can you build a DDR Dance Pad? Which is more stable then the plastic version?!

Check it out and start building haha:
www.harmlesslion.com/stuff/text/ddr/

[Pyrochaos]

here is a different mod for your pad
ucsub.colorado.edu/~geddes/chubbypad/

[rapmasterdragon]

i would use pyrochaos's

[signalerror]

If you have the techincal skill, $ and the time then go for it!

I helped a friend make a pad and it has lasted almost 1 1/2 years. we made it with mesh screen contacts and gave it foam between, above, and under the contacts. Used hardwood floor covering for the first cover. Then placed Lucite tiles over all the steps and placed step decals under the lucite ;D

The hardest part was soldering the wires to the contacts, but so far only 1 contact has fallen off but we fixed it within a hours work.


If you dont have the soldering skills needed, then make a pad slipcover.

First, get these items :

1.a sheet of plywood or hardboard large enough for the pad.
2. Spiky office matting. The clear stuff with the spikes works AWSOME in keeping the pad still while on carpet. Use 2 sided tape if you want to play on hardwood.
3. Plastic sheeting - Make shure its at LEAST 1/16 inc thick. Get enough to cover the pad and have about 4-5 inches of slack on the sides and bottom.
4. Thin foam squares. less then 1/4 a inch thick is best. Try to get them about the size of 1 step square.
5. Lucite tiles or self adhesive floor tiles. you will need 4 of these that are the exact size of 1 step square.

First glue the spiked floor mat to the hardboard. Then take your softpad and place it on top of the hardboard. Place the square foam slices over the steps to add extra life to the pad. Place the plastic sheeting over the soft pad but dont cover the control box at the top. once it is centered, work your way around and use a staple gun to shoot staples into the SIDES (not the top or bottom!) of the hardwood threw the plastic. Now glue the lucite panels over then stop arrows and let dry. Go ahead and places Duct tape over the edges of the lucite and around the corners of the hardwood. And place some tape over the top of the dance pad so it doesnt slide out the top opening of the plastic.

TADA! your slip cover is now finished. If your pad ever breaks just remove the top strips of duct tape, slide in another pad and then replace the broken down foam and the tape on the top

here is the site where I got my idea from, has pics and everything!
www.harmlesslion.com/stuff/text/ddr/sleeve.htm

good luck too ya!

[klaptulp]

familiar site ;D

[windspoon]

I have found a site where you can make your own metal DDR pad! it costs about 135 dollars though... Check it out www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad/

[rachynymph]

[glow=red,1,300]Very cool... I am planning on going to The Home Depot this weekend so I can get started on fixing up my new pads! Thanks for the info guys!

Rachel[/glow]