custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

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mpoilu
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custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by mpoilu »

(Edit: posted on J+ too).

Years ago I made a custom joystick for my SFC which is still going strong - was very basic in terms of construction and components but did the job.

These days of course many people are elevating this to a really high level in terms of finish and artwork. I know some people may dislike these but some examples I think are beautiful below, especially datterboy's super slim sticks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBovhdxqzUw"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DlBqkWw0Sc"

And Jutman22:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... &start=150"

I'm 'OK' in terms of wood working skills but not sure I have the time or patience to build a case to this standard at present - the installation and wiring is the simple bit - anyone know of any 'off the shelf' similar bare cases available in the UK or anyone making them to order for a reasonable price? I would add my own Seimitsu and Sanwas.
Max. Looking for Neo Geo MVS: ****Pulstar****, Money Puzzle Exchanger, Twinkle Star Sprites
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crunchywasp
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by crunchywasp »

I built one from MDF (2x25mm) ages ago for my PS3 but as I never use my PS3 I never used the stick :palm:

I've harvested all the buttons etc since but still have the case, cut 3mm plexi top and 6mm polycarbonate bottom, stick spacer and fasteners.

I drilled holes to suit a JLF with a mounting plate and added a spacer in order that it sits at the correct height. there's also 4 holes to mount a cthulhu. There are 6no 30mm dia. holes in the top and and 5no. 24mm dia. holes in the rear of the case. All fastener holes in the steel plate and bottom poly are countersunk.

It weighs a fair bit and is built like a tank :awe:

It's had a bunch of undercoat, basecoats and sanding, then a few layers of colour and a couple of clear. There's a bit of paint come off on the underside which the USB lead had adhered to it and came away but other than that it's clean. It could probably do with another couple of clear coats just to make it less prone to damage.

It's gathering dust and has been for ages. I keep meaning to build a supergun stick with it but haven't found the time.

These pics are from when I was building it...

Image
Image
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It might not be what you're after but let me know if you're interested and I can take more pics.

Cheers :D
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FrancoB
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by FrancoB »

Nice work CW :awe: :thumbupright:
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crunchywasp
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by crunchywasp »

Thanks Mr B :whoopsie:
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mpoilu
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by mpoilu »

Great job, really neat work, thanks very much for sharing. I've been looking into this a lot since posting as not too much luck with response here or on J+... :lol: but found loads of info on http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?fo ... ch-talk.6/" so pretty confident I can make a decent maple or ash box. Especially as I've seen prices around £250 just for a bare box from one London maker....

I really like the idea of a metal plate too for the top, seems much more preferable than the more common use of routed out MDF etc. I also wanted to go the countersunk mounting screw route - can I ask what thickness steel you used and how you managed to countersink enough for the head to be level but still have enough 'hold' on the steel. I have some 4mm aluminium plate I think somewhere so may go that route as lot easier to mill and finish than steel and will give a bit more thickness.

I plan to go with the good old Seimitsu LS-32. Am I right in thinking that these (with the standard flat plate, not S plate) will just mount to the underside of the top plate and therfore be at the correct height? Is this the way it works in a typical Candy (NAC etc)? Having gotten used to the original Neo Geo stick I like a short height - the bottom of the Neo Geo ball top is only around 25mm above the top plate - not sure what a LS 32 would be? Overall a real important part is to get the whole stick as shallow as possible like the ones linked above - going back to the Ls 32 does anyone know the minimum depth I can get away with below the top plate?
Max. Looking for Neo Geo MVS: ****Pulstar****, Money Puzzle Exchanger, Twinkle Star Sprites
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by crunchywasp »

Thanks and no probs :)

£250 for the case alone?!? :wtf: I'm pretty sure I know who you're referring to.

I just used 3mm mild steel and M4 countersunk socket screws into threaded inserts which I glued into the case. 4mm alu would be grand too I imagine.

With a flat plate fixed directly to the underside I think you'll find it'll sit too high and you may well have to add a spacer plate or similar (washers / nuts maybe?) - depends what height you like the stick to sit at. I have a panel with a pair of LS-32's with flat plates fixed directy to the underside and think they protrude just a little too much.

For the stick above I just used a piece of 3mm mild steel as a spacer. Combined with the 3mm plexi a JLF with a flat plate sits at pretty much the right height for me.

As far as cab panels are concerned it'll depend largely on the type of panel but all the Sega panels I have have dropped mounting brackets spot welded to the underside so that a JLF with no mounting plate fits right on. I have a couple of Capcom panels which have inverted S plates bolted to the underside on to which JLF's with no plates are a direct fit and sit at just the right height.

I'm not sure how far you should drop an LS-32 below the panel but I reckon mine could do with being 5-6mm lower. Personal preference I guess!

Hope that's useful :) Have fun :awe:
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by crunchywasp »

Some useful info here btw...

http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick.html"
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mpoilu
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by mpoilu »

Thanks v. much, Slagcoin is a superb site and one I have studied much in the past, that guy put a huge amount of effort into every aspect of it. I found the SL 32 dimensions on Gremlin's site below:

Image

Seems the shaft length to bottom ball is 27.5mm so allowing 3 or 4mm for thickness of the top plate it should bring it to around 24mm so close to the NG stick. Seems also from the depth of the stick (around 40mm) allowing 10mm or so for top/bottom thickness a complete unit around 50mm deep should be possible.

[edit] forgot the plexi - that would add 3mm + I guess.
Max. Looking for Neo Geo MVS: ****Pulstar****, Money Puzzle Exchanger, Twinkle Star Sprites
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by Jubei »

Nice thread!
I'm also a very enthusiatic stick builder. I builded about 10+ sticks since today for several consoles.
Buying more and more stuff like Drilling and Routing machines, always aiming for the "perfect" result.
My first Sticks we're always PS1/2 only, since there always we're adaptors to make it work on other consoles.
Since I finally was confident enough to build a all in one solution.
Long Story short, my Custom Stick:

Image
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/63710024/Sticks/DSC02821.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/63710024/Sticks/DSC02823.jpg
Some pictures of the Raw Materials
https://plus.google.com/photos/11377728 ... lfD9jujXUg
http://forum.hardedge.org/organisation- ... ekt-tengu/



Playable on every Console which has common ground controllers.
So Far I can play with this on:

Super Nintendo
Sega Saturn
Playstation 1+2+3
Xbox360
Dreamcast
PC

Next up is a Controller Box for Mega Drive and my MAK/Supergun
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Re: custom joysticks (general MVS/console use)

Post by Mayhem »

I always thought these cases were very neat and a cost-effective way to build a somewhat customized stick:

http://www.tek-innovations.com/arthobbi ... =&item=120"
http://www.tek-innovations.com/arthobbi ... ub=tekcase"
Once I start I cannot stop myself
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