Main > Main Forum
Slik Stik Stainless Steel Handles for T-Stick Plus
MnMCaputo:
This is my first post, but i have been watching this topic for a bit, because I wanted to buy a set of these stainless pear tops back when I bought my slikstik controller back in feb 04, at which time, they were $29.50. But i put it off, because I had much more stuff to buy for the cabinet, but now, i get ready to buy them, and BING BANG BOOM, a 70% mark up!!!!! in 3 months. So needless to say, i'm not getting them :'(
andrewonawall:
--- Quote from: GGKoul on May 17, 2004, 02:06:31 am ---
--- Quote from: andrewonawall on May 12, 2004, 12:33:30 pm ---
--- Quote from: GGKoul on May 12, 2004, 10:04:32 am ---I say NO too. Given that Slik-Stik has over priced the SS handles.
--- End quote ---
This was beyond Slik Stik's control. They hardly buy enough steel to control the steel prices. I don't think that they caused the steel shortage either.
--- End quote ---
Sorry, but I dont by the price increase wasn't beyond Slik Stik's control.. Given that the price of the Spinners Nobs and other SS stuff they sell hasnt gone up in price.
-GGKoul
--- End quote ---
Do you mean the increase in steel prices had not risen in the last year? Or did you mean that the product price increase wasn't beyond their control. I think that it is fair to say that the global increase in steel costs was not in any way related to Slik Stik being a key player in the market. http://www.capitalmarket.com/cmedit/story2-0.asp?sno=79322 http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ximpim.nr0.htm http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=30636&d=21&m=8&y=2003
If you still think that the maintained spinner knob price is a sign that the handle price has been over inflated, then you smoke crack. The cost of machined aluminum spinners has nothing to do with increases in both foreign and domestic steel prices. Yes, yes, the elements are the same regardless of what borders you are contained in, everywhere, throughout the whole universe. Remember that ALUMINUM = AU, whereas IRON = FE. The steel prices are not so high that we need to search the alchemic archives for a mishap of turning aluminum to steel. Gargamel had more success at turning Smurfs into GOLD!!! ;D
andrewonawall:
--- Quote from: microwrx on May 16, 2004, 11:21:22 pm ---
--- Quote from: andrewonawall on May 14, 2004, 06:11:24 pm ---Anodized aluminum would be cool because I would like to have that red top. I just don't want it to be plastic.
--- End quote ---
In that case just find a machinist who can cut you some balls in aluminum and tap them to the same thread as Andy's shafts. Then find an anodizer who can color them for you. Would be cheaper than getting a machinist to cut entire single piece shaft and balls/bats, then anodize and have to re-machine the shaft section.
--- End quote ---
This is true, but your point may be moot. What would make me hesitate was stated in the same post
--- Quote from: andrewonawall on May 14, 2004, 06:11:24 pm ---Wouldn't the aluminum be lighter and give it a different feel in game play? I have heard that many people like the heavy feel of the stainless sticks.
--- End quote ---
Don't want to go to the expense if it doesn't feel right. Now, I do know that in the Happ joysticks, the springs are changed to heavier ones to compensate for the heavier steel sticks. So, I would think that you could play with the spring/aluminum stick combo to find the right one. Unless, the T-Stick+ makes it difficult to access the springs and swap them out. I don't see the purpose of doing this, but I have never owned or even seen one to even know. This may also not even be required of changing the ball top to aluminum because it may not be a significant weight change. Until I find out such things, then aluminum is no option. Your top for the T-Stick+ is a good one though, got one for making aluminum pear tops for Happ P360? If I am going to have one colored top, then I am going to make them all that way.
g-rock26:
I had some stainless steel and aluminum handles made. The Stainless steel handles are 3 times the weight of a normal Competition joystick. The aluminum was the same exact weight.
I paid the same price for the anodized gold aluminum as I did for the polished stainless steel.
SlikStik is probably doubling their money which is a good business model. That is why they are still in business despite most of your efforts!
andrewonawall:
--- Quote from: g-rock26 on May 17, 2004, 02:45:09 pm ---The aluminum was the same exact weight.
I paid the same price for the anodized gold aluminum as I did for the polished stainless steel.
--- End quote ---
;D Then forget Slik Stik!!!
If the cost is the same, I could have something that is even more personalized, and doesn't adversely affect preformance, then it's a go.
That is, if the price isn't outragous.
You say that you paid the same price for the handles to be made in both materials, but what kind of price are we talking for a custom, one-off job?
Was it with a local machinist, friend, small business, or a major machining company?
Did you just hand over the original stick and they did the rest, or did you have to give them the specs and they just fed them into a computer?