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Want to build (or buy) a Tron stick...
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Sasquatch!:

--- Quote from: 1UP on March 21, 2004, 06:18:10 am ---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.
--- End quote ---
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:

--- Quote from: Sasquatch! on March 22, 2004, 02:36:42 am ---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.  :)


--- End quote ---

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:

--- Quote from: froggerman on March 22, 2004, 03:30:35 am ---Where on the Happ's site are these handles located? I couldn't seem to find them.

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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:

--- Quote from: 1UP on March 22, 2004, 01:36:25 am ---That's fine.  I'll sell to the other 90% who just want something that works without breaking the bank.

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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.
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