Suzo Happ Ms Pac Man 4 Way Joystick

[An0thernumber]

Hi everyone! I bought a Suzo Happ Ms Pac Man 4 way joystick for my control panel. Some quick info on my control panel is it is 3/4 inch wood with a 1/8" plastic layer on top. I took the joystick apart to mount it and noticed that it seemed short. The red ball was right at the plastic making it unusable. When I took it apart I noticed there were 2 spacers and I didn't take not of how they were. I am wondering if anyone has used this joystick before and if so how thick is the wood? I did find a diagram of the orientation of the spacers but I am building it at a friend's house so I haven't gotten a chance to test that. I also did find an extension shaft but I don't think it will work on this joystick since the ball does not come off.

[MartyKong]

Yes, I have one so can answer your questions. These Pac reunion sticks are meant to replace the originals on metal control panels. So they are designed to be close to the surface, not mounted under 3/4" wood. This can be done however by installing a universal metal adapter plate and connecting your joystick to that but takes a bit of work. An easier wroute would be to buy a reunion Pac stick from Tornado Terry's which will work on 3/4" wood panels if still available.

[RandyT]

If you are mounting a 4-way onto 3/4" material, the #1 best option is to route a pocket in the bottom of the panel, or use a metal plate to top mount the stick.

Due to the geometry of a 4-way, the throw is already longer than an 8-way, due to one not wanting to be able to engage more than one switch at a time.  That long throw is greatly exacerbated by a long shaft, making an already non-ideal situation much worse.   The longer the shaft, the less responsive it will feel in play.  There's a reason why the original Pac sticks barely protruded above the panel and this is it.

[Mike A]

The longer the shaft, the less responsive it will feel in play

Said no woman ever.

[RandyT]

The longer the shaft, the less responsive it will feel in play

Said no woman ever.

Unless she understood basic geometry and was trying to explain to you why you put the wrong stick on her Ms Pac machine.....