Want to build (or buy) a Tron stick...

[Sasquatch!]

Or at least the best for the job of "played 24 hours a day in an unsupervized laundromat" controls.  The materials and design on a lot of arcade controls were overkill.  They were built not only to withstand a spirited game session, but to weather the attacks of the few a$$holes that would actually slam the controls with all their strength when they lost.  Most people don't need that kind of robustness in their home arcade.  Someone could probably come up with a slightly simplified, more compact base for a Tron stick that would do the job well enough to satisfy our expectations of authenticity, and for us to trust our rowdiest friends to play with, but maybe not the gangbanger with an attitude downtown.

This is exactly what I was getting at, oddly enough.  Again, it's not "arcade quality", and it's evident.

Unlike Xiaou2, who's primary focus seems to be accuracy, mine is more of concern of durability.  I dunno...maybe I'm just being overly-protective, but I wouldn't leave the cabinet unattended for fear of the Raider stick breaking because some knucklehead leaned on it with all of his body weight.  I have no qualms about people jamming on the Wicos that I have, because they are built to be abused, but I can't say that same for the Raider.

If you (or someone else) offered a complete DURABLE handle/shaft assembly that would drop into a Competition stick base, I'd be all over it.  

[1UP]

If you (or someone else) offered a complete DURABLE handle/shaft assembly that would drop into a Competition stick base, I'd be all over it.  

We'll see how it goes.  Once I have a set ready, I'll buy a case of beer and turn the boys at work loose on CP#2, and see what happens.   However, at what point would you consider them strong enough?  Even the original Tron stick's metal frame probably wouldn't stand up to, say, someone grabbing on to the handle with both hands, putting both feet on the CP, and yanking hard enough to turn the cabinet over...

But, I would expect to make something that you don't have to treat like a dainty flower.  If you're talking about something strong enough that you don't have to worry about accidentally playing too hard with it, then I think I can deliver.  If you're talking about someone intentionally abusing or vandalizing it, then you need to get new friends.  

Actually, maybe a metal base built similarly to a Competition base is the answer. Then Competition parts could be mounted on it.  Maybe the mounting plate could even be the same as a Tron base!  I'm not sure how much it would cost to make, but I might as well find out while I'm pricing shafts...

[froggerman]

Where on the Happ's site are these handles located? I couldn't seem to find them.

[1UP]

Where on the Happ's site are these handles located? I couldn't seem to find them.

Go to the Joysticks section.  Go to the tron joystick.  Click on "mounting/exploded views".  In the diagram that follows, note the part numbers for the handle halves.  Click on "my cart".  Type the numbers into the text box and submit.  You will get a price and can add the item (in the quantity you want) to your cart.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  

This will work with almost any part of any control on the Happ site, including the microswitches, switch brackets, screws and springs you will probably need to make the handles useful.  Watch out for the thumb buttons--they're kinda pricey (about $10 each, while the handle costs about $12 for both halves together IIRC)

Good luck.

[Tiger-Heli]

That's fine.  I'll sell to the other 90% who just want something that works without breaking the bank.

Not taking sides here, but I wanted to say that I'm in the 90% of the people 1Up is talking about.

I DO have two cheap $4 PC trackballs on my cab.  They won't work very well for golden-T Golf, and they're not even great for Centipede, but they're not too bad for C.A.B.A.L., and they sure beat playing with one mouse and the cursor keys.

Will I eventually add at least one arcade-quality trackball? - Probably, but it's more likely to be a Wico than a Happs, and it's not a high priority for me.

[Sasquatch!]

However, at what point would you consider them strong enough?  Even the original Tron stick's metal frame probably wouldn't stand up to, say, someone grabbing on to the handle with both hands, putting both feet on the CP, and yanking hard enough to turn the cabinet over...

I would say that if it was on par for durability with a Happ or a Wico stick, then that would be the point that I would consider them "strong enough".  I obviously not on the lookout for something that you described (putting enough weight on it to flip the cabinet over), just something that can stand up to vigorous gameplay without having to think about or worry about it.

If you're talking about something strong enough that you don't have to worry about accidentally playing too hard with it, then I think I can deliver.  If you're talking about someone intentionally abusing or vandalizing it, then you need to get new friends.  

"I need for my friends to get new kids" and/or "I need to get new nephews" would be more along the lines of what I'm thinking of.  But yeah, I know what you mean.

Actually, maybe a metal base built similarly to a Competition base is the answer. Then Competition parts could be mounted on it.  Maybe the mounting plate could even be the same as a Tron base!  I'm not sure how much it would cost to make, but I might as well find out while I'm pricing shafts...

The big reason that I'm thinking of a "drop-in" type solution is because I already have holes drilled out for the Competition on my CP, and I'd hate to have to redo the whole damn CP to swap out to a different stick.  I'm very curious to see what you find out.  

[19rjs99]

I used 3/8" stainless steel brake line from the atuo parts store. I think it was about $5. Used the I-stick and 1-up nail stabilizer. I removed the buttons and the hat on top and will be adding a tron like logo. Works very well. Also added blue neon el wire to light it up. Now building new CP to add to. I would love to get authentic TRON styled handles.

[MinerAl]

I used 3/8" stainless steel brake line from the atuo parts store. I think it was about $5. Used the I-stick and 1-up nail stabilizer. I removed the buttons and the hat on top and will be adding a tron like logo. Works very well. Also added blue neon el wire to light it up. Now building new CP to add to. I would love to get authentic TRON styled handles.

Pictures please!  From lots of angles, even if it isn't finished yet.  Please.

Thank you.

[1UP]

Some good news:  I've found a place that can extrude custom metal tubing to almost any size or shape. I'll have to see what they charge, but it would be nice to get the perfect size.

[jcoleman]

1up -

Will you be selling custom parts - like the Tron sticks - separately from/in addition to your full kits?  I still want to build my own cab, but it'd be great to have the Tron sticks that are significantly less expensive than originals.

Thanks

Coleman

[Khenemet Heru]

Hi, i was just wondering where things stood on this, as I haven't heard anything from 1up since we talked about him receiving the Tron stick I sent him. Any further leads or progress?

we're all anxiously awaiting the fruits of this experiment to be sure!  

[1UP]

Hi, i was just wondering where things stood on this, as I haven't heard anything from 1up since we talked about him receiving the Tron stick I sent him. Any further leads or progress?

we're all anxiously awaiting the fruits of this experiment to be sure!  

I'm ordering a few different joysticks from Happ and Ultimarc as possible candidates.  However, this currently has to take a back seat to getting the kits into production.  I've been in heavy post-production crunch time for the past few weeks finishing my work on Sky Captain, and haven't had a spare moment to do the work needed to get things rolling.  Once I have a finished cab I'll look more at getting the controls right for the full cabinets.  I promise I'll post as soon as things have progressed!

[Stormy151]

Doh!  Didn't ever see this topic.  

I've been thinking about offering repro Tron grips, in fact-  I have a Xenophobe grip on the way from Happ to use to make a mold.

I don't want to step on any toes, 1UP clearly had this going first- though I was just mainly going to offer shells, I was thinking about maybe getting machined parts made that would basically adapt the tube in the Tron stick down to fit a Happ stick, like a Super or Competition.  

Basicially my idea was you'd take your Happ shaft out, drop in the adapter, install the E clips, and your Tron grip would attach to the new shaft.  Not arcade accurate, but it would probably be "good enough".   Sure, you couldn't do chin-ups with it- but you couldn't with a real Tron stick either.  My feeling is if you want to re-create the Tron experience, just drop the 134 bucks on a stick from Happ, and get NOS or repro grips.

1-UP, let me know me doing this is going to be a problem.  I can just make grips for myself, trading and for Ebay or whatever.  Like I said, I don't want to step on any toes- but I'm probably a month or so away from being able to offer handles.  

[1UP]

Doh!  Didn't ever see this topic.  

I've been thinking about offering repro Tron grips, in fact-  I have a Xenophobe grip on the way from Happ to use to make a mold.

I don't want to step on any toes, 1UP clearly had this going first- though I was just mainly going to offer shells, I was thinking about maybe getting machined parts made that would basically adapt the tube in the Tron stick down to fit a Happ stick, like a Super or Competition.  

Basicially my idea was you'd take your Happ shaft out, drop in the adapter, install the E clips, and your Tron grip would attach to the new shaft.  Not arcade accurate, but it would probably be "good enough".   Sure, you couldn't do chin-ups with it- but you couldn't with a real Tron stick either.  My feeling is if you want to re-create the Tron experience, just drop the 134 bucks on a stick from Happ, and get NOS or repro grips.

1-UP, let me know me doing this is going to be a problem.  I can just make grips for myself, trading and for Ebay or whatever.  Like I said, I don't want to step on any toes- but I'm probably a month or so away from being able to offer handles.  

Hey, no problem.  I'm nowhere near doing my sticks yet, so knock yourself out.  I can't expect to corner the market on Tron sticks.  I've got to get my handles from someone else anyway.  If someone manages to make a Tron-compatible shaft that meets my expectations, I'd have no problem buying from them myself just to save me from the extra work.

I would recommend that you make the shafts bent like the Happ ones though, and you need to figure out a way to keep them from rotating on the base.  It's not enough to just make a shaft that "adapts" to a Happ base, there are other problems to consider too.

Good luck.

[Stormy151]

Hey, no problem.  I'm nowhere near doing my sticks yet, so knock yourself out.  I can't expect to corner the market on Tron sticks.  I've got to get my handles from someone else anyway.  If someone manages to make a Tron-compatible shaft that meets my expectations, I'd have no problem buying from them myself just to save me from the extra work.

I would recommend that you make the shafts bent like the Happ ones though, and you need to figure out a way to keep them from rotating on the base.  It's not enough to just make a shaft that "adapts" to a Happ base, there are other problems to consider too.

Good luck.

Cool, hopefully I won't disappoint.

I kind of misstated, actually what I mean as the "adapter" would be the replacement shaft.  This would have the bend in it, then it would fit inside a shorter version of the regular bent Tron shaft, which the grips attach to.  Don't know if it would work, but that's part of the fun is trying.

Though I see what you're saying.  There's a lot more to it.  It'll definitely take some research.

[Xphile]

I've been in heavy post-production crunch time for the past few weeks finishing my work on Sky Captain, and haven't had a spare moment to do the work needed to get things rolling.  

You are a god!  That film looks *SO* sweet I just can't wait till it comes out..It's simply unbelieveable the quality of the CG work in that puppy...Ever since hearing about it on aintitcoolnews and seeing some of the pics I've been drooling waiting for it..

- other than the humans, nothings real - right?

wow...