Joystick Restrictor Material

[D_Harris]

I'm looking ofr advice from those here who have had to replace a joystick restrictor.

What is your experience with the plastic vs. the metal ones as far as wear?

I assume the metal restrictors would last longer, but there would be more wear on the joystick itself where contact is made. (Though I assume that either restrictor can be thickened to improve overall durability).

I'm curious because I'm trying to settle on the most durable material option so I can reproduce some.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Mr. Peabody]

Stick makes and in some cases models have specific types. Except for the Kowal repro'd stuff, I have seen plastic. It seems to last many moons if one isn't destructive.

[D_Harris]

I plan to use my milling machine to make some. But I'm wondering if anyone has ever had to replace a joystick because of damage from use in a metal restrictor like that in a Nintendo joystick assembly.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[EwJ]

BLASPHEMY !

Nintendo joysticks are INDESTRUCTIBLE !

[killallhumans]

Installing a gate will prevent players from smashing stock restrictor.

[D_Harris]

?!? What is a "Gate"?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[killallhumans]

Used mainly for industrial control sticks or shifters, it is an impact resistant 1/4 inch thick sheet of urethane, cut to size,
drilled, and routed with holes or slots to guide control shaft. It is mounted over stick base, as seen in picture.
Whereas your restrictor is not meant to protect anything, but only to prevent wrong switch activations, and is probably
made of acrylic or ABS plastic. If you know the concept of levers and fulcrums, your restrictor is receiving more force, than
that which is applied to the top of joystick ball. The shaft is made of hardened (heat treated) steel. Guess who the winner
will be. Going industrial may seem a wee bit like overkill, but you won't be replacing joystick parts so often.
I hope this was a little more helpful than just posting a picture (I put a lot of thought and work into that picture).
Anyway, good luck with your arcade.
- David

ps
Don't use your top plexiglass for that. It will end up looking like a CD jewel case that was stepped on.

OR:
just add one of these to your cp from an old car alarm. runs off 5 volts. Connect trigger wire to computer power button.
Next time someone gets too rough with your arcade, this baby will shut everything off.      

[D_Harris]

So  basically, this "gate" is a bumper/cushion located above the joystick axis? And would that just be another part to wear out?

BTW. The restrictors I'm making will be 1/4" thick and flared to match the joystick angle upon contact.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[killallhumans]

No, because hard urethane is much more impact resistant, yet gives slightly.
Racing motor mounts are made of the same stuff.

Whatever you choose, don't do metal on metal with your actuator and restrictor.
Your stick won't last very long, and you'd never want metal dust or shavings floating
around in your cabinet.

[ark_ader]

No, because hard urethane is much more impact resistant, yet gives slightly.
Racing motor mounts are made of the same stuff.

Whatever you choose, don't do metal on metal with your actuator and restrictor.
Your stick won't last very long, and you'd never want metal dust or shavings floating
around in your cabinet.

I'm curious is PLA would be rigid enough for a restrictor, if we 3D print some, instead of buying it.  It would make for some interesting configurations.

[killallhumans]

Polylactic acid - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polylactic_acid

Poly(lactic acid) or polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch (in the United States and Canada), cassava roots, chips or starch (mostly in Asia), or sugarcane (in the rest of the world).

Biodegradable...
What do you think?
New shopping bags are made of it. They fall apart, (re)turning to flakes of starch, in only a few months.
It may keep worms and tree huggers happy. I however, wouldn't be singing and dancing.
Another fun fact, it attracts roaches. They can eat it. Mixed in a suspension medium, it's used in roach bait gels.

[D_Harris]

No, because hard urethane is much more impact resistant, yet gives slightly.
Racing motor mounts are made of the same stuff.

Whatever you choose, don't do metal on metal with your actuator and restrictor.
Your stick won't last very long, and you'd never want metal dust or shavings floating
around in your cabinet.

I'm assuming if placed right the "Gate" will not interfere with the restrictor doing it's job. But why not just make the restrictor out of hard urethane and forget the "Gate"?

As for mine, it's down between steel and Delrin.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York

[Mr. Peabody]

Polylactic acid - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polylactic_acid

Poly(lactic acid) or polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch (in the United States and Canada), cassava roots, chips or starch (mostly in Asia), or sugarcane (in the rest of the world).

Biodegradable...
What do you think?
New shopping bags are made of it. They fall apart, (re)turning to flakes of starch, in only a few months.
It may keep worms and tree huggers happy. I however, wouldn't be singing and dancing.
Another fun fact, it attracts roaches. They can eat it. Mixed in a suspension medium, it's used in roach bait gels.

Nearly anything food-sourced will be problematic - except hemp, and pepper/curry-related things.

Even in apartments, roaches exist mainly when tenants have un-rinsed dishes, dishes with food in other rooms......