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Building my own star wars yoke
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ArcadeDunce:

--- Quote from: PL1 on April 30, 2012, 12:31:25 pm ---The easiest way is to find an original on e-bay, craigslist, or KLOV Forums.

To set up an account on KLOV you need either (1) a $2+ paypal donation to the International Arcade Museum Library, Inc. (tax deductible), or (2) simply the recommendation of an existing forum member.

KLOV access FAQ: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77

KLOV forum where a SW yoke would be listed: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11&order=desc

To land one from KLOV, keep your eyes open and check regularly.  They show up about once or twice a week and are usually bought in less than 36 hours.

A USB adapter is available at http://www.thisoldgame.com/products/usb-adaptor-for-atari-yoke-controller. (They also have replacement yoke overlays.)

Source for yoke parts: http://www.videogameparts.com/category.sc?categoryId=16

Mounting hardware for 5/8" board: http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/fasteners/bolts/connector/1-4-20-x-1-2-joint-connector-bolts-1-pcs/p-1445506-c-8733.htm

Let me know if you need a mounting template.


Scott

--- End quote ---

thanks for that.   will be getting the control handle, covers and steering shaft to start things off.  It looks like the controller might be tougher to build than a life sized R2D2 is starting out to be ;o)...and possibly just as expensive ;o)
PL1:

--- Quote from: ArcadeDunce on April 30, 2012, 01:43:09 pm ---thanks for that.   will be getting the control handle, covers and steering shaft to start things off.  It looks like the controller might be tougher to build than a life sized R2D2 is starting out to be ;o)...and possibly just as expensive ;o)

--- End quote ---

If expense is even remotely a concern, definitely buy the whole controller at once--they usually go for $150 - $250 depending on condition + seller.

Getting the parts individually will cost WAY more, if you can find all of them.  I've been looking for a trigger every day for several months.  I'll probably have to fabricate one myself, rather than dealing with :angry: RAM Controls.
AGarv:
Another custom-made star wars yoke was posted at BYOAC over a decade ago. "Joey's Arcade Project" is one of my favorite panels of all-time.  It's what might be called a "frankenpanel" by today's standards, but I believe it's the perfect balance of game support and convenience:

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_joey.htm

Le Chuck:

--- Quote from: AGarv on April 30, 2012, 07:53:20 pm ---Another custom-made star wars yoke was posted at BYOAC over a decade ago. "Joey's Arcade Project" is one of my favorite panels of all-time.  It's what might be called a "frankenpanel" by today's standards, but I believe it's the perfect balance of game support and convenience:

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_joey.htm



--- End quote ---

Sweet find man.  I hadn't seen that one before.  His yoke construction looks really well executed and I like the use of optical encoders rather than pots.  Not necessarily better, just different. 

As for building your own if you are going full size I whole heartidly recommend getting the gears and sticking as close to the original design as you can.  It's tried and true and the nice folks at atari already did a lot of the hard working figuring it all out. If you are trying for a smaller footprint then all bets are off, start ripping apart pots and have a great time because it is an adventure. 
Xiaou2:
Actually, the Optical version is not very good from what Ive heard.  It can get out of calibration too easily... and doesnt perform anywhere near as good as a pot based yoke.

 Also, note that the handles are not angled.  This may seem fine.. until you actually start rotating them.  The wrists get very uncomfortable without the angled handles, depending on how far you bend them.  The angle relieves the stress.

 Atari's sw.yoke design is nearly flawless.
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