New to board. Working on 2nd MAME cab, need joystick actuator assistance

[scoodidabop]

Hello BYOAC!

I built my first cab last year.  2 player. Good fun.

A good friend wants one now so I've started a 4 player cab for him.  The cabinet was Blitz (or so the seller says) at one point.  The seller painted it black and intended to run a TMNT board in it. I figured $100 was a fair deal since all the coin mechs were in great shape and it came with buttons, joysticks and micro-switches... and there's where things get fun.

I need all the joysticks to be 8-way but they're currently operating in a 4-way capacity. 
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7165971370_3b7eb34884_b.jpg  (stick in full diagonal position, just barely making contact with the micro-switch)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7165970742_6b636cef26_b.jpg   (mounting plate... do I need a new one?)

I assumed they were HAPP but the guy I buy buttons and sticks from (tornadoterry, ebay) says they're not HAPP and there's no way to change the actuator to get the desired results. So do I bite the bullet and grab 4 brand new ultimate HAPP sticks from him or can I get an actuator that works with these things? If I can save a buck that would be fantastic... then again the sticks in this machine might be absolute garbage anyway. 

Thanks for your help fellas!

[kahlid74]

If you look at the bottom of the Happ sticks, they piece of plastic size is what dictates the connection of two switches at the same time.  So you can easily remedy that with the sticks you have but you'll have to either build something using metal or plastic.  The other option is to hit up eBay and see what they have there.

So long answer is you can do it, if you feel like engineering a rig that allows both switches to be pressed at the same time.  Odds of something just "fitting" on the sticks is probably not too high, so you'll be left to building something to do what you want.

[GregD]

I would just grab some new sticks.  But don't get Happ Ultimates.

[PL1]

Given the tight tolerances, materials and time required to fabricate a properly working actuator, there's a 99.9% chance you will come out WAY ahead by just buying new sticks.

Based on what I've read, Happ Ultimate sticks are not a very good option.
http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/reviews/joysticks/happultimate.html

Here's a comparison chart that might help in your decision:
http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/reviews/joysticks/Joystick%20Roundup.pdf

The "industry standard" for 8-way sticks would be Happ Competition sticks.

If you want to be able to pull the clip and flip the actuator to switch from 8-way to 4-way, the Happ Supers might be the way to go.

If you are willing to spend a little bit more this might be a good option.
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=332


Scott

[scoodidabop]

Thanks for the help fellas.  I guess I can throw these 4-ways on ebay to help offset the cost of the new sticks.  My mistake on the Ultimates.  Tornadoterry ONLY sells competition sticks, which is what I bought from him on my last build.

Where do you guys buy sticks/buttons?  Tornadoterry is based in TX (I'm in Houston) so shipping is really fast but I don't know how fair his prices are.  He's quoted me about $70 shipped for 4 8-way sticks and 12 buttons w/ switches.

[elkameleon]

Sounds like a good deal to me!

[PL1]

Thanks for the help fellas.  I guess I can throw these 4-ways on ebay to help offset the cost of the new sticks.  My mistake on the Ultimates.  Tornadoterry ONLY sells competition sticks, which is what I bought from him on my last build.

Where do you guys buy sticks/buttons?  Tornadoterry is based in TX (I'm in Houston) so shipping is really fast but I don't know how fair his prices are.  He's quoted me about $70 shipped for 4 8-way sticks and 12 buttons w/ switches.

GGG is a great source. Links are for black, but various colors are available.

Happ Competition Stick - $8.49 each x 4
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=287

Arcade Prime Pushbuttons w. Standard Soft Touch - $1.20 each x 12
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=350

$48.36 + shipping


Scott

[elkameleon]

Ahh, I ordered my stuff from Andy at Ultimarc, seemed to make sense since I was already ordering a mini-pac as well. This is a cheaper router though, obviously.