Joystick holes.

[CHRIS-F]

Hi Guys, I really want to get my machine up and running, its been gathering dust for a while now. I'm going to overhaul it, mine has always had big ugly holes around the joystick's, because they are mounted on ¾ thick chipboard, the wiring is a little faulty so I might just use  new jamma harness and joysticks, but what is the best type and method of fixing them so there's no big ugly holes like they are now?

Regards,
Chris.

[Titchgamer]

You should have a dust washer on top of the CP around the stick

[yotsuya]

Personally, I always top mount/carriage bolt my joysticks. Lots of games did it that way BITD. I just throw that out there in case you think it's a flaw, when it's really not.

[behrmr]

Top mount the joystick to wood, recessing it so the mounting plate is flush. Cover with plexiglas and drill just the joystick and button holes.  Place a dust washer below the plexiglas.

[BadMouth]

Looks like you have Suzo 500's.  Dust washers don't work with them.

Not cheap, but you could convert them with Versa-Ball shafts and then a dustwasher would work with them.
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=381

If you decide to go that route, I'd email Randy to see if he carries dustwashers to fit them.

It's either that, change joysticks, or mount it from the top.

EDIT: there were also some Korean knock-offs that look like Suzo 500's.  I'd verify what they are before ordering other shafts.
...and for the price of the shafts, I'd consider just getting different joysticks that were made for 3/4" panels.

[kataleen]

Here's what I would do:
- Find some insert nuts that are equal or larger in diameter than your existing holes (Home depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-1-4-in-x-30-mm-Insert-Nut-Screw-in-Type-D-Zinc-50018/203088616)
- Bottom mount the joysticks
- Put in longer shafts (Paradise Arcade shop)
- Cover the holes from the top with either art/plexi/putty + paint

This all depends on how much effort you're willing to put in and if you find compatible longer shafts for the joysticks.
I have a similar cabinet and chose this approach. Looks wonderful.

[BadMouth]

- Put in longer shafts (Paradise Arcade shop)

Got a link to which shaft they sell that fits that joystick?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Cheapest/Quickest option in my opinion is to just buy new joysticks and mount them in the existing holes.  Happ or IL will work.  Don't be fooled by buying Japanese ball top joysticks.  They won't fit without modification.  (Seimitsu or Sanwa for example will not fit the mounting pattern).

Personally, I'd go with the modded "Competition" or "Super" joysticks that Tornado Terry has here:
http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm





Just make sure they are 8-way to match.  He makes quality products. (And they all come with dust washers).

Good Luck!

DeL