Multi-Willams Joysticks... where can I find them?

[ntjedi]

I have been looking around but cannot seem to come up with the answer... what controllers are you guys using for your Multi-Williams cabinets and where might I acquire a couple?  

[Karman]

Genuine Wico or Wico-style leaf sticks are the only way to go with a Multi Williams.  The new Wico-style sticks are easy to find (Centsible Amusements, Mike's Arcade, Quarter Arcade, etc.) but genuine Wicos are tough.  The problem with used Wicos is that the rubber centering grommet is usually worn out.

[spidermonkey]

These are the next best thing if you can't find the original Wico leafswitch joys. These are the same sticks converted to use microswitches. Same shaft,same base,same rubber centering grommet. The differences are the actuator (square style for microswitches), the plate that the switches are attatched to. This has been changed slightly to incorporate microswitches instead of leafswitches. And lastly the use of microswitches rather then leafswitches (obviously). Unfortunatly the guy only has them with black balltops but if you have or can get some redball top shafts from the original leaf switch Wicos they are compatable with these. I just got 4 of these and I love them. They are made by Wico and are also not made anymore. Even if you just need parts for your old leafswitch Wicos you could use the grommets from these to restore them because these sticks are brand new. I'm converting 2 of the 4 I bought to leafswitch sticks because the leafswitch sticks I own have worn out grommets and rusty shafts so I'm going to take the actuator and the bottom plate with the leafswitches off my old sticks and put them on the new bases and walla, I have 2 Wico leafswitch joysticks with brand new shafts and brand new tight centering grommets. If you ask me this guys prices are pretty fair too.
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3257862614&category=13718

[ntjedi]

Thanks for the info.  I will let you all know what I come up with and when I post the project.

[Karman]

Hey Spidermonkey,

I emailed that guy about a week ago to ask him if they were what you just described (I have a few used ones and I agree - they're awesome).  I asked him if they had rubber centering grommets like Wico leafs and he said they didn't.  

Have you bought from him and received them already?

[slycrel]

  I bought 4 of those, I can check when I get home.  I don't remember any rubber on them though.

[slycrel]

  OK, it looks like there is rubber in them.  It looks like a rubber washer, along with a metal washer in the center of the joystick.  I'll see if I can get a decent pic of it and post it here.

[spidermonkey]

Karman, Maybe he misunderstood what you were asking but yes I have had them for a while and yes they do have the rubber centering grommet and NOT a spring like most other microswitch joysticks. Paige Oliver calls these sticks "Wico Microleaf Sticks"  I think its the perfect name because they have a VERY similar feel to the Wico leafswitch joysticks but they are infact microswitch joysticks. I think I said it before but the centering grommets in these sticks are the same EXACT ones found in the Wico leafswitch sticks. Wico has discontinued both of these sticks and replaced it with the Suzo 500 which in my opinion is just like any other run of the mill microswitch joystick. Since Wico has discontinued these they probably unloaded the remaining stock of these hybrid sticks for cheap and this guy took advantage of it and is reselling them to make a few bucks. I don't care how much he paid for them and I also don't care how much he's making on them because the price he's asking for these is very reasonable. I would be willing to bet that the price on these will eventually rise as they get more scarce like their leafswitch predicessors. I grabbed 4 of them while they're still cheap. The grommets alone will go up in price just because people are always looking for these to restore their loose leafswitch Wicos and new ones will become harder and harder to find.

[ntjedi]

I believe that spidermonkey makes a good point.  I myself am picking up a couple to store for the future.  I figure if I dont use them or the grommets (which is quite possible since I need two for the control panel im making and I would like the extra parts) I could just offload them later.  In my opinion it never hurts to have a spare around.