X360 Shotgun Shell D-Pad TUT
by jrfhoutx JR (https://www.acidmods.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=51)
Introduction
I did not create this mod, I do not know who did. I came up with this method of performing the mod and that is all...
This tutorial will show you how to make a 12GA shotgun shell into an Xbox360 controller D-Pad. This method allows the original method of attachment to be used, meaning that this is removeable. So, if you want to swap out d-pads you can.
Parts Needed
12 guage shotgun shell (1 per d-pad)
1 D-Pad
Tools Needed
X-acto knife or razor blade
pencil
dremel
1/8" drill bit
1/8" spherical engraving bit
wire cutters
cutting wheels for dremel
needle nose pliers
hot glue gun
hot glue
Difficulty rating: 2-3/5
Average Time to Complete: 30 minutes to 1 hour or more
Notes:
DISCLAIMER:
USE CAUTION WHILE HANDLING LIVE AMMUNITION! NEITHER I NOR ACIDMODS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR INJURY THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM THIS MOD!
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN WORKING WITH A DREMEL ROTARY TOOL.
Step By Step Tutorial
Shotgun shell disassembly...
First, Use 12 guage rounds for this mod, they are the right size for this. if you are using spent shot rounds then you can skip this part of the process, If you're using live rounds, then read on...
Start by using an ex-acto or a razor blade to cut the sealed end off...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_1.jpg)
Remove whatever type of shot is in your shell...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_2.jpg)
Remove the shot carrier...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_3.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_4.jpg)
Safely and properly dispose of the gunpowder charge that is stored in the shell. I do not personally know what the proper method of disposal is, so I am not the person to ask on that, but you should dispose of it properly...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_5.jpg)
After cleaning out the last bit of powder (I used an air gun at the shop), or if the shells you used were spent then take your shells and trim them down an inch or so for now...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_6.jpg)
The Winchester branded end caps are nearly the exact same circumference as the D-Pad... (All 12 Guage shells will have the same size end caps, so you don't have to use the same brand as you see here)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_7.jpg)
Time to remove the primer charge and anvil while leaving the nice brass primer cap on the back... so first, soak the shell in water (I left mine in overnight to make sure the charge was fully saturated).
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_8.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_9.jpg)
remove the contents of the primer charge (except the anvil) and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to open up the primer charge casing...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_10.jpg)
Once opened remove the anvil and clean out ALL of the remaining primer charge (I used q-tips, just keep swabbing the inside with wet and dry q-tips until they no longer come out stained)...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_11.jpg)
Now, disassemble your controller and remove the D-Pad (you can find that tut >HERE< (https://www.acidmods.com/forum/index.php/topic,32201.0.html) ).
The part of the D-Pad that we need is the connector on the back of the D-Pad's face.
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_12.jpg)
Now, Dremel time!
You want to remove the white plastic (and eventually the red) from around the primer housing while keeping the metal sheath on the outside... I drilled holes in the plastic (careful you don't go through the metal) and then using an engraving bit that fit inside of the holes I drilled, ground out all the white plastic... all the way down to the red, making sure to cut all the way through the red in one spot. then I used a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the red plastic out of the casing. I also used a pair of wire cutters to cut back some of the primer housing.
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_13.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_14.jpg)
Now lay your shell next to your dpad (like this \/ ) and mark the height of the d-pad on the shell. then run that mark all the way around the shell...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_15.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_16.jpg)
Next up: More dremeling!
Now, cut that section off of the shell...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_17.jpg)
Don't forget to grind down the primer charge's casing... get it nice and flat and smooth...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_18.jpg)
Now, take the top portion of the D-Pad and dremel that down. I used a cutting wheel and the same spherical engraving bit that I used for the plastic in the shell...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_19.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_20.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_21.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_22.jpg)
Now that you have both pieces finished break out the glue gun... just make sure that you have the shell oriented properly so that it's centered and not crooked when you turn it back over and clip it into your controller...
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_23.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_24.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_25.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_26.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_27.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_28.jpg)
(https://www.acidmods.com/RAND/upload/files/upload/bullet_d-pad_tut_29.jpg)
After all that, you should have a nice looking new D-Pad! Now, go kick some ass!
Credits and Thanks to:
digitizd @ X-S for his write up on how to make a shotgun shell d-pad, his was the first one I saw and where I got the inspiration for this version...
laxboy for sending me some spare d-pad assemblies so I could write this up and show my version...
spurgurgle for watermarking all 29 of my images...