Wico leaf joystick + Ultrastik 360 mod

[Nocturnaloner]

Contrary to rumor, I was not smitten with lightning as I committed this blasphemy

I wondered if this would work, and it did:

The parts-


Drill 4 holes, right in the mold marks of the leaf switch plate as it turns out.  Drill them slightly smaller than the screws so they can cut threads into the plastic.  This also allows a degree of adjustability to tweak the angle of the sensor over the magnet.


4 x 1 1/2" 6-32 machine screws and nuts-


A blob of superglue gel on the magnet.  Get it centered on the shaft end before it dries.  Mess up?  Pop it off, scuff, repeat.  The magnet to sensor clearance is very similar to the original U360-


I've tested a few games so far, and it works great, and let's face it, feels much better than the stock U360.  My grommet is brand new, so it's a little stiff, but damn, I like it a lot.  Original arcade feel with Ultrastik programmability, and no microswitch clicking.  Plus, if I get leaf switch urges again, it's a cinch to reverse.

[wp34]

That's an clever mod.  The best part about a Wico is the grommet anyway.   

[Nocturnaloner]

That's an clever mod.  The best part about a Wico is the grommet anyway.   

Thanks!  I realize that the people who are into Wico leafs are probably opposed to the U360 on principles, but I'm experimenting, and I think I'll run with it for a while.

[haynor666]

Looks great and probably plays much better than stock U360. I also have wico leaf and U360 but I never think about such conversion.
Indeed U360 base from JLW is really bad. Mine has modified spring for light operation but came with a price of poor centering :/

[Nocturnaloner]

Looks great and probably plays much better than stock U360. I also have wico leaf and U360 but I never think about such conversion.
Indeed U360 base from JLW is really bad. Mine has modified spring for light operation but came with a price of poor centering :/

Let me know if you try it.  If they have the joysticks, most people here could pull this off in an hour or less.  I was surprised that the Wico 8-way seems to have every bit as much range in the corners as the U360.