Is this really the end (Oscar's Restrictors)

[2600]

Not really new, but haven't seen it mentioned here.
I remember a month or so ago there was a discussion about the two way restrictors, but now it seems the mounting plates and all the restrictors may be gone.  Anyone heard any updates about this?  

Thought I'd try to start some discussion on this to see I can stir up enough people to see if we can get enough people to have another run of these made.

[Zakk]

Hate to say it, but I think these have gone the way of the dodo.  I know that they were really time consuming to make, and that may have been a big contributing factor.  

[Stormy151]

NOOOOOO!!!!

Oscar- say it ain't so!

[Captain Rotundo]

Thats what I get for constantly putting off everything.... I guess I will have to come up with a way to do it myself..

[cdbrown]

If you take a look at Oscar's site - he put a note up saying they were currently out of stock and waiting for interest before getting a new batch.  You'd better send him an email or PM to let him know you are in the market for some restrictors.

[crashwg]

Oscar, if you read this put me down for one of each in stainless and a mounting plate.

Damn you federal government for taking so damn long with my taxes... damn you!!!

[AlexC]

How much were they?
I also been putting it off and didn't  look into it sooner  

[2600]

If I remember correctly they were around $10, but don't quote me.  The mounting plate was around the same price as well.   I know a few people are talking about the newer joysticks with the switch from 4 to 8 way, but I still am surprised not more people are chiming in on this.  I'm still hopeful there will be another run, otherwise I may have waited a month too long to order mine.

[Stormy151]

I dropped him an email.  Guess I waited to long to order.

[Nuttman]

I just sent Oscar a message with my vote as well.  I had been looking at them for some time.  I just hope I didn't miss out on a great thing.

 

[Mugzilla]

Ummm, sorry to noob this up, but where would these be advantagous? (spelled wrong, I am certian...)

What games?

[Nuttman]

My thought was to get the diagonal restrictor for games like Qbert and the two way restrictor for games like Defender.

[2600]

Besides the two way, there was  a diagnol restrictor for qbert etc, and a 4 way restrictor.

Some use the restrictors for the dedicated feel of the restrictor (I don't believe the joysticks that switch from 4 to 8 way have this).  Some use it so that they don't need an extra joystick.  Some use the Mounting plate for modular controls.  And some use the mounting plate for metal control panels I believe.

Any other uses or things I missed?

[bigmoe]

Besides the two way, there was  a diagnol restrictor for qbert etc, and a 4 way restrictor.

Some use the restrictors for the dedicated feel of the restrictor (I don't believe the joysticks that switch from 4 to 8 way have this).  Some use it so that they don't need an extra joystick.  Some use the Mounting plate for modular controls.  And some use the mounting plate for metal control panels I believe.

Any other uses or things I missed?

The mounting plate all by itself is also quite handy for sloppy woodworkers like me!  (As well as making for an acceptable-looking CP if you're not using an overlay.)

[OSCAR]

Thanks for all the emails!  Based on the number of emails I have received over the past several days, it appears that there is enough interest to justify another run of the restrictors and mounting plates.

As Zakk mentioned earlier in this thread, the current fabrication method of the plates takes too much of my time.  I plan to have the new run of plates fabricated by alternate methods to save me time, but they will still be compatible with all the restrictor plates.  I am not planning to change the plates physically, just how they are made.

At this time I do not have a date on when the restrictors and plates will be available again.  I will be investigating different fabricators to ensure they are as affordable as possible.

I appreciate the emails and support.  Thank you!


Kelsey

[2600]

This is great.  Thanks for keeping us up to date on the situation.

[Edgedamage]

Thanks for all the emails!  Based on the number of emails I have received over the past several days, it appears that there is enough interest to justify another run of the restrictors and mounting plates.

As Zakk mentioned earlier in this thread, the current fabrication method of the plates takes too much of my time.  I plan to have the new run of plates fabricated by alternate methods to save me time, but they will still be compatible with all the restrictor plates.  I am not planning to change the plates physically, just how they are made.

At this time I do not have a date on when the restrictors and plates will be available again.  I will be investigating different fabricators to ensure they are as affordable as possible.

I appreciate the emails and support.  Thank you!


Kelsey

Sounds like you are in need of your own milling machine.

[OSCAR]

Sounds like you are in need of your own milling machine.

Or rather a 30 hr/day clock...    

[Edgedamage]

Yeesh being a parent / having a fulltime job / wife. And next baby on the way my mame time is slipping away fast.

[Stormy151]

Sounds like you are in need of your own milling machine.

Actually Oscar, you may want to look into water-jet cutting, a guy I know needed some flat pieces cut (in aluminum), and his per piece price was fairly low.  I don't know how large of a run you are looking at, but I'm sure you could find some pretty competitive pricing and places willing to do smaller runs around Motown.

But however you've been making them up to now has obviously been working out.

[OSCAR]

The plates themselves are all laser cut, that's not the issue.  I've been pressing in the the studs and welding the nuts on the backs of the plates myself.  That may not sound like a lot of work in itself, but when you have to do it every single night to fill orders, it becomes very tiresome.

I'm getting outside prices for the welding and finishing now.  I'm having the mounting plates priced with a black wrinkle powder coat finish like the Happ t'ball plates.  I got one price back today, but it was way too high.  The guy is trying to rip me on the powder coat, I know I can get it done a lot cheaper than what he quoted.  I'm still looking, I know there are a lot of hungry fab shops around here that wouldn't mind a little work.  

[GGKoul]

I just sent Oscar an email as well for 2 mounts, 2 - 4 ways.