Can someone with an Oscar 4-way restrictor make a scan for me?

[AlanS17]

I don't mean to sound like a cheap skate, but I really can't afford an Oscar 4-way restrictor plate. Moreso, they don't look too authentic. I was planning on designing my own hidden restrictor, but I'm interested in getting the shape and dimensions of the inner hole on the Oscar 4-way restictor as a starter. I could make a diamond, but the curve on the Oscar seems better to me.

Could someone please scan an image and post it? Thanks in advance...

[TheTick]

I can scan mine in for you, but is it really gonna come out 1:1 for your measurements?

[AlanS17]

Nooo... I like him. I'd never do such a thing. I'm gonna probably cut that diamond directly into my lexan. If that stuff can survive a hammer blow it can survive a joystick throw.

P.S. Thanks for the scans.

[OSCAR]

Hey Alan...

If you have trouble coming up with the scratch for a set of 4-way restrictors, please feel free to email me for help.  I'm always more than happy to help people with their projects.  Keep in mind that the design of my restrictors is specific for a particular distance between the joystick base and the restrictors themselves.  If you vary the distance from my criteria, the shape/size of the restrictor will certainly need to be changed.

[AlanS17]

*slaps himself on the wrist*

Sorry...   If I knew you minded I never would have asked... Feel free to remove them, Tick.

I had taken into account the fact that the size would probably have to be varied from original specs to account for distance, but I hadn't accounted for change in shape. I don't have dimensions for the original, anyways. I'm not trying to copy you verbatim. I'm mostly just looking for ideas. "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery."

Even if I did have some sort of restrictor I would embed it into my CP.

[TheTick]

My apologies.

If it makes you feel better, I've got to place an order for another mounting plate. I was thinking of getting the diaganol restrictor too... but frankly Q-Bert annoys the hell out of me (maybe cause I'm not using the restrictor?)

[OSCAR]

*slaps himself on the wrist*

Sorry...   If I knew you minded I never would have asked... Feel free to remove them, Tick.

I had taken into account the fact that the size would probably have to be varied from original specs to account for distance, but I hadn't accounted for change in shape. I don't have dimensions for the original, anyways. I'm not trying to copy you verbatim. I'm mostly just looking for ideas. "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery."

Even if I did have some sort of restrictor I would embed it into my CP.

Don't sweat it...   Although, I don't doubt you will need to make some modifications to make it work for your application.  I spent quite a bit of time coming up with a design that was universal enough to work on various joysticks, but before you are done I'll bet you spend more than $10 before you have a workable solution.  That's like only one piece of lexan.  


Tick - Yeah, Q*Bert isn't the easiest game to master, that's for sure!  I swear more playing that game than Q*Bert does...  

[Lilwolf]

If you really don't have the money...

Look around for the old nickel solution...

you basically nail 4 nickles to the bottom of the joystick mount... It works I hear... but they wont be as sturdy, and getting the spacing just right will probably be hard.

Have you looked at getting one of those T-sticks instead?  (are the T ones the ones with the actuator??  I don't have one)...

It might be a better solution for you.

[AlanS17]

*slaps himself on the wrist*

Sorry...   If I knew you minded I never would have asked... Feel free to remove them, Tick.

I had taken into account the fact that the size would probably have to be varied from original specs to account for distance, but I hadn't accounted for change in shape. I don't have dimensions for the original, anyways. I'm not trying to copy you verbatim. I'm mostly just looking for ideas. "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery."

Even if I did have some sort of restrictor I would embed it into my CP.

Don't sweat it...   Although, I don't doubt you will need to make some modifications to make it work for your application.  I spent quite a bit of time coming up with a design that was universal enough to work on various joysticks, but before you are done I'll bet you spend more than $10 before you have a workable solution.  That's like only one piece of lexan.  


Tick - Yeah, Q*Bert isn't the easiest game to master, that's for sure!  I swear more playing that game than Q*Bert does...  

Oh the lexan was plenty more than that! But I've got a backup plan... if the cutting-lexan approach doesn't work I'm probably gonna say "screw it", cut the full 1 1/8" hole, and buy a ms pacman/galaga 4-way for Bob Roberts. Those things are fool-proof (hopefully).

[Captain Rotundo]

Fool-proof? the original premise was that you couldn't aford a restrictor.... I think the stick will be more, no ?

[Lilwolf]

btw, I just tried the mspacman 4ways from bobroberts last weekend and I have to say.  they play GREAT!  

MUCH better then wico's 4way leaf switch imho.

But I already have 2 and the difference wasn't worth buying new ones.  So I'm still sticking with mine.  I might see if anyone wants to buy 2 wicos so I can get 1 of the mspacman ones though.  I don't play qbert all that much.

[Lilwolf]

Oh... and one more thing.

Some times you just have to wait on an item.  If you aren't building a 4way only cab (so you wouldn't have any joysticks) I would put off getting a 4way for now..  leave room on your cab for it and wait until you can afford either the mspacman ones (about $18 bucks... plus you need a mounting kit for it... don't know that price)... Or the Oscar plates (never tried them myself... but the get great reviews).

Everything else will probably feel like a real shotty solution.

[AlanS17]

Fool-proof? the original premise was that you couldn't aford a restrictor.... I think the stick will be more, no ?

Well a mounting plate with the 4-way restrictor would be like $5 more than the Happ Ms Pacman replacements. They're more versatile, but I don't need versatility.

As for the mounting kit for the Ms Pacman joystick, I plan on enlaying it into the top of my control panel so I wouldn't need one. It's what I've done for my other joys and it works well. The base seems to be a standard Happs base (aside from being 4-way but that doesn't seem to affect the shape.) It should drop in the same way. If you wanna see what I'm talking about chek the cuts I've been making on my CP in the projects section.