Where can I get 4/8 way joysticks for 1" thick CP

[dashingw]

I need long shafted joysticks that go from 4way to 8way for my 1" thick wood control panel. I'm not good at woodworking so don't want to do a new panel and don't want to route the one I have. Right now I have Estik's in it and they work fine except I have to unscrew the panel and go underneath to change 4/8way.

[mgb]

Truthfully, just simply routing out material for your stick is the best way.
But may a Versa Ball from Groovy Game Gear will help.
They're compatable with many different joysticks so maybe you can add one to a Servo stick from Ultimarc and have auto 4way, 8 way switching

[dashingw]

Actually, problem solved, Im having my local machine shop add 1-1\4" of steel shaft to the middle of the shaft of my Mag Stik Plus's. Should be perfect...

[BorgDog]

1-1/4"  wow, that's going to have some seriously long throw

[dashingw]

Maybe I don't understand the Throw properly, because I fail to see how the length of shaft is going to change that. This Mag Stik Plus is suppose to have an extremely shorter Throw than other joysticks yet I fail to notice any difference between the E Stik I was using yesterday and the Mag I'm using today other than it seems smoother and of course I can now switch from 8way to 4way by just pulling up on the Stik and twisting. :-)

[RandyT]

Maybe I don't understand the Throw properly, because I fail to see how the length of shaft is going to change that.

Think about how you can achieve leverage on a rusted bolt, using an extension on a wrench.  The bolt is the center of a circle, and the extension is the radius.  The further out you hold the extension, the larger the circumference of that circle becomes, and the larger the circumference, the further you must move to achieve the same turn distance at the bolt.  When you are dealing with sub-millimeter distances for switch actuation points, long shafts can lead to a sloppy, or unresponsive feel to the stick.

Just like the bolt analogy, longer shafts are also capable of putting more force on the joystick body and/or centering mechanism.  This can make a strong return feel very light, or a light return feel like nearly nothing.  Desirable to some in some instances, but not so good in others.  No particular aspect of a joystick design exists in a vacuum.  Durability, feel and responsiveness all rely on those design aspects working together, so always be careful when making changes.  In the end, however, if you like it and it doesn't damage the unit, it's all good.

[thomas_surles]

Just route out the underside. It's the best way. It doesn't even have to look pretty.

[jeremymtc]

Maybe I don't understand the Throw properly, because I fail to see how the length of shaft is going to change that. This Mag Stik Plus is suppose to have an extremely shorter Throw than other joysticks yet I fail to notice any difference between the E Stik I was using yesterday and the Mag I'm using today other than it seems smoother and of course I can now switch from 8way to 4way by just pulling up on the Stik and twisting. :-)

The throw will increase when lengthening the shaft because the pivot point is stationary, and the top of the longer handle now has a longer distance to travel stop-to-stop. Think of it like a teeter-totter: what happens when you extend the length of the plank on one end? A: Longer travel, and less force required to actuate.

You might actually find the extra throw and reduction of "spring" force beneficial for your Mag-Stiks. I have the older T-Stik Plus's on my panel (they're basically the same as Mag Stiks but sprung instead of magnetically centered). I installed longer levers and lighter switches specifically to help lighten the action as I found them to be really pretty stiff. The levers I put in were maybe half an inch longer than stock (routed 3/4" panel, so maybe 5/8" through the mounting surface) and I still think they could be a little lighter and wouldn't mind a little more throw. I'd guesstimate that you'll see a total throw of maybe about 8-10mm with a 1 1/4" longer lever. 

[dashingw]

Just got it back from the machine shop today, really couldn't tell he done anything to it other than it was a hell of a lot longer. Gotta remember I'm dealing with a small ball on top not the regular black long grip that's about an inch long on its own not including the actual shaft.

Pretty good though he actually put a 1-1/4 stainless steel threaded extension between the top of the shaft and the ball so if I wanted to I can take the extension out and back to normal it goes. But I installed the full length. From the base of the panel to the top of the ball its probably 1-3/4" to 2" but feels and plays great.... :0)

[thomas_surles]

Pics?

[dashingw]

Pics?

Obviously Blue is with the extension and red is without. You can see in the closeup where the shaft extension starts about 1/4" of the way up and is just ever so slightly wider like a sleeve

[Slippyblade]

That looks surprisingly clean.  Way to long for my taste, but it looks good.

[dashingw]

That looks surprisingly clean.  Way to long for my taste, but it looks good.

Thanks :-)

My Galaga play bumped up after only one use. Back in the 80's I was pretty good. I haven't played it a lot over the years but when I do its usually only as far as level 10 or 11.  I lost my first ship tonight at level 12 and didn't end the game until level 23. I remember the sticks being this long in the early 80's. Maybe they shortened them because the kids reefed on them to much a d damaged them a lot. I'll have to see how a couple other games go, but it feels pretty damn good a d yes it is a very clean job, the only thing visible on it is the very edge of the extension where it joins and you have to get right down there to even see that...

[mgb]

I would need a magical joystick to get to level 12