The tech and entertainment YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips recently pulled off an incredible feat, creating a "golden Xbox controller" with a hefty price tag. Thanks to a sponsor, the team poured an estimated $87,500 (roughly NT$2.4 million) into the project. The journey wasn't smooth sailing, as they faced significant hurdles connecting plastic components with the luxurious gold material, but their eventual success has certainly turned heads.
The team opted for laser welding to fuse the metal, a technique they noted isn't typically used for this material in professional casting. The pressure was immense, as any grinding or polishing could easily wear away the precious gold. To avoid unnecessary waste, they meticulously planned every step with a detailed blueprint to keep the overall costs in check.
They employed a specialized piece of equipment, the ROFIN STARWELD DX, which can unleash pulses of up to 8000 watts to melt metal. Using a precision aiming scope, they meticulously welded the pieces together, much like traditional electric welding.
Two major challenges emerged during the process. First, they wanted to preserve the original textured grip of the controller, but gold plating risked filling in those intricate details. Their solution? They used advanced polishing techniques and even invented their own tools to restore the engraved textures.
The original controller shell was made of non-conductive plastic, but gold, of course, is highly conductive. This meant they had to meticulously address circuit safety and potential short-circuiting issues, ultimately using a special coating for insulation and protection.
In the end, they successfully completed the pure gold controller, describing it as "extremely heavy." They also extended their gratitude to the sponsor for funding such a wild and ambitious project.
