Trying to find old Atari style 1/2-player buttons

[Radical]

Hi, I'm new to the board and I'm looking to build my first cabinet.  You guys have built some great stuff.  Thanks for providing all sorts of helpful information!

Does anyone know a source for buttons like what were used on the old Atari systems for the 1-player & 2-player selection?

Like this:


Used on Centipede, Xevious, and others.  I believe they were small, lit dark red, micro-switched and "clicky" feeling, but who knows as my memory has faded.

I checked out Happ, Ultimarc, and Wico but didn't see anything that seemed to match but I'm not sure.

Thanks for any help...

[SirPoonga]

ebay.  expect to pay about $15-$25 each.

[Carsten Carlos]

ebay.  expect to pay about $15-$25 each.

Whee! They got more and more expensive, huh? Last year I got them for $10 each.

Anyway, they are worth it!

[SirPoonga]

They've always gone for aorund there.  There is an online store that sells just the button, no cone, for $15.

[tmasman]

1UP is also looking to see if he could repro them...

I'm also looking into an interesting alternative...
but I won't officially announce that one until I find out if it'll work or not...
(I'm probably about a week away from getting it all figured out.)

[JustMichael]

Radical, the buttons are often referred to as "volcano buttons".  This may make your search easier.

[Radical]

Thanks for the info!  I'm continuing my search.

I'm looking for a consistant source so buying used is not a consideration for me at this point.  If possible I want to be able to get more any time I want.  I might decide to build another cabinet or something (yeah right ).

We'll see.   I haven't had much luck so far.  It's a shame they can't be found; they are cool buttons.

Someone at a machine shop should be able to create the volcano bezel (dimensions in the Missile Command thread).  There are plently of buttons that then could be used... Hmmm.  Or one of those small model lathes would work to shape some black Polycarbonate rod.

[Tailgunner]

I've talked to one of the other companies that made illuminated volcano buttons for Atari, they don't manufacture that preticular switch anymore but the rep suggested a different part number as a replacement. I've talked to one of their distributors about this other switch, though I haven't heard back about them yet.

This company does have a dead ringer for the black fire buttons, though their not showing any in inventory so getting some would require having them made. No clue on pricing yet, though I'll post as soon as I know something.

[Radical]

This company does have a dead ringer for the black fire buttons, though their not showing any in inventory so getting some would require having them made. No clue on pricing yet, though I'll post as soon as I know something.

I know sometimes putting together a large order can help speed up this kind of stuff.  If they have to make more they may not want to do a small run.   If we did a group purchase then we might be able to order enough to make it worth their time.  I would be willing to get in on a group purchase and order a bunch of them (depending on pricing).

[SirPoonga]

To show my point these things are worth money.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242297546&category=13718
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242297537&category=13718
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242150250&category=13718
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242416536&category=13718  (LOOK HERE!)

[1UP]

The main problem is reproducing the bezel.  Machining them is too expensive for a small run.  The trouble is the threads inside the bezels.  A redesign of the thing could make it a one-piece affair much like a Happ pushbutton, with threads only on the outside shaft, which makes molding them way easier.  Also, I want to make them so they use standard cheaper cherry switches that you can get anywhere.  I have a design all drawn up, and a few original black switches on hand for measuring and making molds from.  Just need to get some molding supplies for my first run, and build a master.  I also need just one of the lit buttons to match the red color.

[paigeoliver]

Ah, kind of wish I would have noticed that link for the NOS ones before 5 minutes ago. I just bought a whole control panel just to get one of the buttons.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242422928&category=13718&rd=1

Although, as a total bonus, I only needed one button, and I also get that Wico long handled 8-way, those 2 leaf buttons, and a nice extra Kangaroo metal panel with good overlay (in case anything ever happens to mine, since I already own a nice Kangaroo machine).

[Carsten Carlos]

Funy, I got the two with a Xevious-Panel!
Plus four wonderfull white leafbuttons & a really dead Wicostick.

[RandyT]

To show my point these things are worth money.

.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242416536&category=13718  (LOOK HERE!)

To anyone who was looking at these.....they are the buttons only, no cone shaped bezels.

Not immediately apparent from the description..

RandyT

[CitznFish]

 

[paigeoliver]

To show my point these things are worth money.

.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3242416536&category=13718  (LOOK HERE!)

To anyone who was looking at these.....they are the buttons only, no cone shaped bezels.

Not immediately apparent from the description..

RandyT

Oh good. Then I am glad I just went ahead and bought that whole panel then. What good are the buttons without the cones (and where have all the cones gone off too anyway).

[CitznFish]

Hi, I'm new to the board and I'm looking to build my first cabinet.  You guys have built some great stuff.  Thanks for providing all sorts of helpful information!

Does anyone know a source for buttons like what were used on the old Atari systems for the 1-player & 2-player selection?

Like this:


Used on Centipede, Xevious, and others.  I believe they were small, lit dark red, micro-switched and "clicky" feeling, but who knows as my memory has faded.

I checked out Happ, Ultimarc, and Wico but didn't see anything that seemed to match but I'm not sure.

Thanks for any help...

there is a guy on rgvam that sells repo cones for $6.oo  unfortunately I do not have his contact info. I may have posted it on BYOAC at some point in the past... Search might bring it up..