Midway Pac-Man joystick - 4-way allows 8-way? Experts needed.

[benarcade]

I bought this Pac-Man joystick that I thought would be strictly 4-way, but the first thing I checked was whether or not it could key two leafs at the same time. Sure nuff:



It has the diamond shape at both the top plate and bottom plate.





and here's from the side:



I haven't tested it yet, still new to me. But I don't understand how a classic 4-way game with a 4-way original leaf joystick would allow up/left, up/right, down/left, down/right.

Doesn't seem right. Is this the way they are supposed to be? If so, how can you possibly get solid 4-way response from it when you're still dealing with diagonal "stalls"?

[Paul Olson]

You should not be able to hit diagonals with that stick. I would guess that the stick is well worn where it contacts the metal diamond at the top.

[Xiaou2]

Many parts can wear on these.  Most notably the plastic parts... which were designed to be replaceable.  Id found a set at a show once.  Might be some still floating around on ebay or elsewhere.  Try the 'Real Bob Roberts'.

 The metal top section shouldnt wear much, because the shaft surround is plastic.  But the shaft thickness itself may have worn.   Also, Im not saying its impossible to wear the metal diamond.  Its possible.   It was far more possible on the wicos ,because the wicos used a much thinner metal restriction plate.

[benarcade]

the stick is well worn where it contacts the metal diamond at the top.

Yes - the black plastic sleeve is quite worn - is it supposed to be perfectly cylindrical? I imagine so - I installed it upside down, and it helps.

Im not saying its impossible to wear the metal diamond.  Its possible.

Possible, but I don't think so - the metal is solid steel plate - and what's hitting it is plastic.

It would help if I knew what it was supposed to look like.

Besides the worn cylinder/sleeve, it's in remarkably good shape. I'm especially impressed with the plastic parts that seem to have weathered the ages well.

[RandyT]

Maybe it's just me, but the back leaf on a couple of those switches look like they're bent inward more than they should be.  Have you tried adjusting them outward just enough so that you can't hit two at a time?

[benarcade]

Have you tried adjusting them outward just enough so that you can't hit two at a time?

I think it will take both adjusting the physical movement of the stick via the sleeve AND adjusting the leaf switches. I'm just surprised that they are so far off from where they should be. I can see that it would be easy enough to make an 8-way from a 4-way.

[RandyT]

I'm just surprised that they are so far off from where they should be. I can see that it would be easy enough to make an 8-way from a 4-way.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what the previous owner tried to do.  Bend them back to where they should be and make a determination at that point.  The plastic part doesn't really look too bad, at least from what I can tell from small photos.  The wear would need to be pretty severe to close two properly adjusted switches.