total newbie here needs help making a joystick from scratch.

[sush1a]

Hi, I am totally new to this arcade controls scene. I have an xarcade solo stick, and am not liking it, it does ghosting(?) effect with the keyboard. To make myself one, as far as I know, what I need is to draw my own diagrams for the control panel (the wooden box?) I have a playstation shadowblade joystick that I can get the guts from, will this work? If I do decide to get the p360 stick, will the psx pcb be able to supply enough power to it? Am totally new to this and would be greatful if anyone could supply me links to instructions and directions. Thanks in advance.

oh yeah, what kind of wood would I need? will those be available at home depot, etc?

[CthulhuLuke]

Yah the shadowblade joystick pcb should work fine, as long as you can find the contact points your good.  The best way to start is to just go through eithe rthe Step by Step guide up on the top left, or come over to the MIRC chat, there's a few people that are hella cool there that will help *Dont ask howie, he loves new comers*  There's a lot of places to get your buttons and joysticks from, ebay, happcontrols.com, therealbobroberts.com, and if you want good reviews on the joysticks visit www.oscarcontrols.com and look at his joystick review *I actually prefer the super joysticks fine, although if you can afford the p360 go for it*   And yes as long as you know where the input pins are on the pcb board, you can get the +5v for the 360 off of the psx board, and it will work with psx to usb too.   Mostly I'd just say do a search for like "Best joystick" and "best button" and see what you get, and go through the step by step guide.  Also I'll do a quick summary of the buttons cause I messed that one up the first time:
  Vertical pushbuttons  -  too much resistance, too much distance to push, good for OLD school
  Horizontal pushbuttons - the majority of buttons you play on fighting games in the arcade, they have a short throw and are very soft to the touch making them perfect for fighting games and games where you have to press the buttons extremely fast.
   Competition pushbuttons - convex pushbuttons that are rounded so they feel a lot like the japanese pushbuttons.  They have an extremely short throw and are very light to the touch.  It's kind of a toss up between the horizontals and competitions, just whichever you prefer I suppose.
        -Chu

[sush1a]

thanks chu, another question that just came in my head is... if i did get the p360, will i be able to use it?  since psx's control are only 4 ways? up down left right?
I am planning to use the competition buttons, just like them in the arcades more than the regular caved in ones.   Also, how bout the wood that i'm suppose to use?  the xarcade uses pressed wood?  can i get those at home depot.  Also, if somebody would give me a list of the stuff I need that would be great.  Thanks.

[Tiger-Heli]

thanks chu, another question that just came in my head is... if i did get the p360, will i be able to use it?  since psx's control are only 4 ways? up down left right?

Ok, PSX pad hacks are not my area of expertise, but ALL joysticks only read the four directions.  U D L and R.  Diagonals are just both switches activated at the same time.  For the P360's you would need a common ground for the inputs that you hooked the joysticks to, but Chu should know, and if he says it can be done, it can be done.

I am planning to use the competition buttons, just like them in the arcades more than the regular caved in ones.   Also, how bout the wood that i'm suppose to use?  the xarcade uses pressed wood?  can i get those at home depot.

Most people go with 3/4-inch MDF (medium density fiberboard).  Home Depot will have it (although maybe only in 4'x8' sheets).  But you could use something else too.

 Also, if somebody would give me a list of the stuff I need that would be great.  Thanks.

Well, I'll probably leave some things out, and some of it is personal preference, but here's some of the more often forgotten things:

Carriage Bolts and nuts for the joysticks - Generally 3/8-inch by 1-1/4 or 1-1/2, but if you want them in black you need to order them from www.therealbobroberts.com or www.happcontrols.com
<EDIT>  Should be 3/16-inch, 1-1/4 is fine.  Bob Roberts has them.  Happ has 10-24 which are fine also, but 100-piece minimum, so not the way to go.</edit>
Wire - Recommend 22-gauge stranded.
QuickDisconnects - At least 2 for each button/microswitch, 8 for standard joysticks.
Wood
Possibly laminate or lexan for the top cover
Possibly T-molding for the edges
Screws for holding the assembly together
Tools - but that's a whole subject by itself.

[Apollo]

Have you actually found and read the examples pages? C'mon dude all you need is there just read ALL the examples.

[CthulhuLuke]

Yah, another good place to see sorta step by step is over at CD_Vision's site:
http://www.darkravenwind.com/cdvision/panel.html
  He says most of the stuff you should get and how to do it.  You dont have to build the box like that at all, its all up to you, but boxes are pretty easy to make.  Just remember MDF is HEAVY so if your gonna have a HUGE control panel made of it, prepare to be luggin that thing around with two people.  Graphics even though everyone says print them at Kinkos, you can order them online, ask Snaaake where he gets his.
         -Chu

[sush1a]

Have you actually found and read the examples pages? C'mon dude all you need is there just read ALL the examples.

I looked through the step by step guide, but it doesn't exactly say what parts you need.  The example pages is just a mess, I don't even know where to start

Thanks again Chu and Tiger, provided me a lot of useful information.  CD_Vision's site is really helpful too.  I would have to stop by irc when I need more help

[armad1ll0]

you can build a joystick in just about anything. i would suggest that you not get too much past what skill set you have.

MDF is common. I like to build originals out of Black Melamine even though cutting it can crack the melamine. I like T-molding all around too.

My site has information on what I use.