Converting this cheap 8-way stick to 4-way?

[JoyMonkey]

I bought a couple of these dirt-cheap 8-way joysticks on eBay some time ago, thinking that there would be an easy way to change them to 4-way. Their construction is not like any I've seen before. Does anyone have any experience with these?

[crashwg]

This is what I'd do if I were you.

Take a piece of metal and my dremel and try to construct something like...


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       V V V V     This     V V V V

[SirPoonga]

Don't you just looses those 4 screws and rotate the plastic thing and you will get something like that one pic.

[JoyMonkey]

Don't you just looses those 4 screws and rotate the plastic thing and you will get something like that one pic.

The plastic thing seems to serve no purpose at all; it's exatcly the same no matter which way it's rotated.

[JoyMonkey]

This is what I'd do if I were you.

Take a piece of metal and my dremel and try to construct something like...


       |  |  |  |                 | |  |  |
       V V V V     This     V V V V

This would work, only the stick's throw is so short, it hits the diagonals as easily as it does up/down/left/right. I think maybe I need to find something to act as an actuator thats diameter isn't as large as the one that comes with the stick; thus making the throw longer and making the diagonals harder to hit.
Then maybe I can make a restrictor like you're saying...

[Tiger-Heli]

I bought a couple of these dirt-cheap 8-way joysticks on eBay some time ago, thinking that there would be an easy way to change them to 4-way. Their construction is not like any I've seen before. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Hmmmn, I'll throw a couple of things into the mix - those look similar to the www.ultimarc.com J-Stick, which is based on a Sanwa.

I don't know if the J-Stick parts would work on that stick, or if Andy would sell them separately, or if the indivdual price would be more than just buying a J-Stick.  Wouldn't hurt to ask though.

If you don't want them switchable (you want a permanent 4-way joystick), you might look on E-bay for Seimitsu's which are good and cheap (although usually not advertised as that.)

[Ed ONeill]

This would work, only the stick's throw is so short, it hits the diagonals as easily as it does up/down/left/right. I think maybe I need to find something to act as an actuator thats diameter isn't as large as the one that comes with the stick; thus making the throw longer and making the diagonals harder to hit.
Then maybe I can make a restrictor like you're saying...

Hey I have a few 4/8 way switchable joysticks , you change then by using a smaller diamater plastic piece (actuator?) So I think you are on the right path.

Just my 2 cents
Ed