Are these joysticks too short?

[zanna5910]

I undermounted my JLW's without any additional routing.  While I like them, they sometimes feel too short, especially with fighting games.  I realize its all subjective, the lower stick has an old school feel to me.  I've tried the longer shafts, dont want to increase the throw. 

Should I route some out?  Material out of the bottom?  I already installed those GGG undermount kit female thread bolts in the wood.  Any thoughts?

Does anyone play on sticks like this on a restoration or full built cab?

[Louis Tully]

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[equlizer]

can you get longer shafts or extensions?  I extended mine using 1/2" long nuts (and looks cool to boot)

[dgame]

For Japanese arcade sticks they are mounted too low. From what I have read it should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the bottom of the ball top to the top of the control panel. So you should have 1 inch of shaft showing.

[PL1]

If you route out underneath the CP, consider turning the joystick base 90 degrees so you don't end up with the undermount inserts in the same holes.

The MDF will be badly chewed to fibers by the inserts being backed out and later screwed back in to the same hole.

--Assuming that you are using 3/4" MDF:
1. The screws that come with the GGG inserts are .6" long, so if you want to route out more than .15", you will need to get different screws.
2. The most you can route out is .35" since the inserts are .4" deep.


Scott

[DeLuSioNal29]

Perhaps you can swap the shafts out for longer ones?

These are 10mm. Not sure what size yours are.  I know they make ones for JLF joys that are 2mm longer but I'm not sure if they do the same for JLWs. It's worth asking though.

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/paradise-arcade-custom-parts/728-jlw-10mm-stainless-steel-hollow-joystick-shaft.html

[zanna5910]

To all mentioning the longer shafts.  I have them, I tried them and I wasn't a fan.  Made the throw too long.  The joystick height does but doesn't bother me, go figure.  Sometimes I like it the way it is, sometimes I think it should be longer.  I'm a tinkerer so I'm always messing with something, I'm repainting the cab now...

If you route out underneath the CP, consider turning the joystick base 90 degrees so you don't end up with the undermount inserts in the same holes.

The MDF will be badly chewed to fibers by the inserts being backed out and later screwed back in to the same hole.

--Assuming that you are using 3/4" MDF:
1. The screws that come with the GGG inserts are .6" long, so if you want to route out more than .15", you will need to get different screws.
2. The most you can route out is .35" since the inserts are .4" deep.


Scott

Thanks.  I think it's 3/4, I'll have to check.  I remember dropping the screws in when I built the box originally, and it seemed like there wasn't much room to route.  90* turn is smart, I never even thought of that.   Unfortunately everything is pretty tight in there and I don't think I can turn 90*.   Will have to check though 

Could I leave the screws where they are and route out of the top and top mount the joysticks maybe using the same inserts?  Maybe bold from the bottom?  I have artwork and plexi to go over the top....

For Japanese arcade sticks they are mounted too low. From what I have read it should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the bottom of the ball top to the top of the control panel. So you should have 1 inch of shaft showing.

Thank you for your quantifier.  Really helps understand the standard height.  How tall is are the original nintendo DK/MarioBros/DKJr sticks?

[BadMouth]

According to slagcoin, it's 23-24mm for the Japanese sticks.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=129964.0
Lot of different mounting solutions on that site as well.

I experimented with different mounting depths and ended up close to an inch of joystick shaft showing.
The test CP that's currently in my cab has it at 1.3" on P1 side and it feels too tall.

[PL1]

Could I leave the screws where they are and route out of the top and top mount the joysticks maybe using the same inserts?  Maybe bold from the bottom?  I have artwork and plexi to go over the top....

Here's a method that you might like.

Attached pictures are the base of Paradise's Import Flight Stick.  The same method should work well for the JLW.

1. Start by chain drilling (small holes close together in a line) the center square hole that goes all the way through.

Use router to smooth the edges of the hole

Make sure it is a snug fit for the joystick base to provide support and minimize shifting.

2. Insert the joystick base into the hole and trace the mounting plate and holes onto the top of the panel.

3. Drill the mounting holes.

4. Set your router depth equal to the combined thicknesses of the cover piece (1/8" wall panel used here) and the joystick top plate.

Carefully route out the outlined area.

5. Cut the cover piece to fit inside the routed area.  Small gaps can be covered later.

Drill the center hole for the joystick shaft.

CRITICAL SPACING: Drill and countersink the two mounting holes in the cover plate.  If they are off, the scews will tilt and the surface will not be smooth/level.

Attach nuts to hold it together.

6. Use bondo or spackle to fill the screw heads and gaps around the cover plate.

Tape over the center hole before sanding to keep dust out of the joystick pivot socket.
------
If you decide to keep the inserts instead of using nuts, perform the procedure in this modified order:
* Step 3 - Use a small bit to drill through the center to the top then use that as a pilot hole for a bit one size larger than the screw, drilling from the top back toward the insert.
* Turn the JLW upside down to trace the mounting plate per step 2 using the screw holes to mount it.  Also use a ruler along the side of the base to mark the extended line of all 4 base sides with 2 marks each.
* Connect those pairs of marks to draw the the outline of the base then drill/route it per step 1.
* Step 4 - Route out the space for the JLW top plate.
* Step 5 - Make the cover.
* Step 6 - Bondo/spackle as needed.


Scott

[slappyhooper]

2" might be a little short, but run it by your girlfriend/wife. If she doesn't have a problem with it, then I wouldn't worry about it.