RevEng Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I recently bought a light sixer, and have some mods planned for it (the usual video+stereo stuff) and was also considering how I could go about adding heft. The added weight on a heavy makes it easier to swap carts, change selection, etc., using one hand. (At least from what I recall) Anybody have any thoughts? Some kind of casting resin poured in the bottom shell? Ideally the weight would be be bonded to the case. And does anybody with a heavy sixer and a scale want to let me know what I'm aiming for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HFK Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Quickset cement, or lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 18, 2009 Author Share Posted June 18, 2009 I thought about cement, but at a minimum you'd need some kind of anchors in it. Otherwise if it fell off a table you'd have a brick smashing around the insides of the case. I also think the edges might crumble when the case flexes. The lead is an idea, but same thing on the anchors. Maybe if I epoxied them down it would work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tremoloman2006 Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I thought about cement, but at a minimum you'd need some kind of anchors in it. Otherwise if it fell off a table you'd have a brick smashing around the insides of the case. I also think the edges might crumble when the case flexes. The lead is an idea, but same thing on the anchors. Maybe if I epoxied them down it would work. I'd get a nice piece of bar steel about ½"thick and size it appropriately. You could connect it using strong double sided tape. When I used to work in precision sheet metal we used doublsided tape to hold shims in place and I was amazed how much weight they held. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I'd buy a heavy sixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 BigO: Where's the sport in that? Buying a heavy-sixer is probably in my future, but at heart I'm a tinkerer and I'll enjoy the light->heavy project. tremoloman2006: A most excellent suggestion! I think I'll do just that. Now to find some bar steel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I've somewhere seen adhesive backed lead sheets. That might be a simple way to add weight. How much do you think you'll be adding? A piece of 1/8" plate steel might do the job. I suggested buying a heavy sixer 'cuz I thought maybe I could subliminally suggest you into buying the Sears Heavy Sixer that I'm planning on getting rid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 I'd be adding enough weight to make it the same as a heavy-six... I only recall mine from youth, so I'm not sure about the exact weight. If I buy a heavy-sixer, it will be an Atari one. I know the Sears is the *exact* same thing, but I want the console of my childhood, irrational though it may seem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bah Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I must be tired. You guys got me thinking and I weighed them up. My heavy (SEARS) weighs 4.6 lbs. and my light 6er is 3.5 lbs. You would need 1.1 lbs of weight. If you bought large washers in bulk at a hardware store they should be relatively cheap. It would be easy to epoxy the washers wherever convenient inside the console and the holes actually would let the epoxy ooze through for a good grip on the washers. bah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 Sweet! Thanks for the info! Amazing how much diffence that extra 1.1 pound makes! Washers is a good idea, and any break-free events are likely to be noticed before they become damaging... Time for a trip to the hardware store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I assume you realize the difference between the heavy and light sixers is more than just the weight. Just mentioning that 'cuz I didn't see anyone else mention it in this thread. I don't think the "heavy" is heavy enough to allow comfortable cartridge changes with one hand. With that goal in mind, I'd plan on adding as much extra weight as could practically be fit. Yeah, I'll be keeping my Atari heavy 6er. Already got rid of one Sears and have one more to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 I assume you realize the difference between the heavy and light sixers is more than just the weight. Just mentioning that 'cuz I didn't see anyone else mention it in this thread For sure! I realize the components in a heavy are better quality, and usually the video as a result. I'm hoping to snag a Longhorn AV mod to improve the video. (not a lot of luck getting a hold of him) Despite the title of this topic, I don't have illusions that whatever I do will *really* turn a heavy into a light. I'd just like to do what I can to make this light the best it can be. I do think you're right about going heavier. I recall switching carts one-handed was a bit of an art back in the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I assume you realize the difference between the heavy and light sixers is more than just the weight. Just mentioning that 'cuz I didn't see anyone else mention it in this thread For sure! I realize the components in a heavy are better quality, and usually the video as a result. I'm hoping to snag a Longhorn AV mod to improve the video. (not a lot of luck getting a hold of him) Despite the title of this topic, I don't have illusions that whatever I do will *really* turn a heavy into a light. I'd just like to do what I can to make this light the best it can be. I do think you're right about going heavier. I recall switching carts one-handed was a bit of an art back in the day. They also look different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Minorly, yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 (edited) Minorly, yeah. Enough that you won't fool anybody but maybe yourself. But, don't think I'm saying that there's anything wrong with your idea. I've thought about putting a 2600 in a metal chassis myself just to try to make a consistent form factor between several different console types...among other things. Edited June 30, 2009 by BigO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 For sure. I'm just looking to achieve the same functionality. I don't care if it looks different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 You could epoxy some washers or something into the case, it's mostly air so you could put them anywhere. I always thought about actually putting speakers in the thing, just to hear it as it was originally intended (many shells even still have the speaker grills in them ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polybius Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 With my Combat cart, I can almost do it single handed on my light Sixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Sounds like you need a copy of... Brick! That'll make any 2600 heavy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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