Author Topic: How to make a Classic Red Ball-top with Fire Button (Read 26896 times)

RayB · « **Reply #40 on:** July 22, 2004, 03:03:12 pm »

I looked at the diagrams on Happ's site and yes, it is in fact the Super sold by Happ. If you have one of those, then my ball-top can be made to work in it!

pointdablame · « **Reply #41 on:** July 22, 2004, 08:42:02 pm »

That is really cool... I'd imagine it'd be much easier to find a Super base than a Wico one, heh.

Will you still have some Wico bases available for those of us with no extra bases at all?

Kremmit · « **Reply #42 on:** July 22, 2004, 09:48:39 pm »

Quote from: RayB on July 22, 2004, 11:53:33 am

I have discovered that these shafts of mine can work in some "Industrias Lorenzo" joysticks that Happ sells! I have a pair of big, sturdy joysticks that I don't know what their brand name is, but they have the "IL" logo on the bottom. The ball-top shafts must be shaved down even further than to be fitted in a Wico base, but once shaved down to that length, they fit!

I hope you're not shaving 'em all down to Happ size.. I know I want to fit mine to a Wico base.

RayB · « **Reply #43 on:** July 23, 2004, 01:02:09 am »

Will I have Wico bases available? Highly doubtful. I own 4 right now. Two are for my MAME upright. The other two MIGHT be up for grabs. I bought what was supposed to a NOS microswitch base off Ebay but when I received it, it was a lousy *used* Happ ultimate. (Still waiting to hear from the guy, "WWVIDEOGAMES" before I leave a negative).

As for the shaving down, they are all machined for Wico and on order I will shave them down further for Supers. (Will cost a little bit more though

)

~Ray

Chris · « **Reply #44 on:** July 23, 2004, 02:10:57 am »

I still gotta figure out how to get this on a T-Stik Plus...

hunky_artist · « **Reply #45 on:** July 23, 2004, 07:17:32 am »

Quote from: Chris on July 23, 2004, 02:10:57 am

I still gotta figure out how to get this on a T-Stik Plus...

I'll be following you with interest on that one, as that's what I'm gonna be using on my first cab build later this summer

RayB · « **Reply #46 on:** August 05, 2004, 11:35:02 pm »

The sticks are ready!

Last week I Private Messaged all persons on my list who were interested in ordering this joystick part, and now I open up the order form to everyone else.

My page has alot of text on it, but I urge everyone interested to carefully read it all so that A. the order is placed correctly, and B. no assumptions are made about the sticks.

For example:

- The shafts are LONGER than normal Wico joystick shafts. They are more like what they call "Robotron" style.

- The shafts are not chrome/steel. They look like aluminum. The metal is lighter weight and also lighter in color (not as reflective as chrome or polished steel)

- I have no e-clips, actuators, springs, bases, or anything else. Just ball + shaft + button + wiring.

Currently have ~~32 left.~~

order here: http://www.retrofx.com/joysticks.html

~Ray B.

MiKman · « **Reply #47 on:** August 06, 2004, 01:18:18 am »

So are you using this in 8-way wico bases or a 4-way wico base, will it fit both? Just curious as to which games this would work well for 4-way games or 8-way games or both?

RayB · « **Reply #48 on:** August 06, 2004, 01:43:04 am »

I doubt 4 or 8 way makes a different regarding whether they fit. It has to be the older Wico bases that used 9mm diameter shafts. Happ Super uses 10mm shafts, but the difference is negligible.

~Ray B.

pointdablame · « **Reply #49 on:** August 06, 2004, 02:14:37 am »

Will the ball-top still work in a Wico base if it is shaved for a Super? I don't have any bases and was wondering if I got the Super addition, if I could use EITHER base, or if it would then be Super only.

RayB · « **Reply #50 on:** August 06, 2004, 12:04:39 pm »

Quote from: pointdablame on August 06, 2004, 02:14:37 am

Will the ball-top still work in a Wico base if it is shaved for a Super? I don't have any bases and was wondering if I got the Super addition, if I could use EITHER base, or if it would then be Super only.

It then becomes Super only, because the narrow part of the shaft would now be too long. Of course, you could notch out a second E-Clip groove for it to fit in a Wico again, OR use a spacer sleeve or something... But I can't do that for you.

~Ray B.

pointdablame · « **Reply #51 on:** August 06, 2004, 12:35:26 pm »

That's pretty much what I figured. Thanks for the info... now to find a joystick base.....

shmokes · « **Reply #52 on:** August 06, 2004, 01:36:42 pm »

I have regular Happ Top-fire sticks now. Do those use Super bases? Could I order your ball-top and just replace the stick and use the e-clip and stuff from my Happ top-fire?

And in case RayB has no experience with these sticks, can anybody else take a stab at this?

PixelCloud · « **Reply #53 on:** August 06, 2004, 03:14:10 pm »

hmm
just out of interest how much would you charge for those sticks without the buttony OR hole in the knob?

i really want ball tops for my supers but i dont know if someone makes them

RayB · « **Reply #54 on:** August 06, 2004, 04:27:01 pm »

I don't have any without holes. Wico manufactured these with the holes. Read this entire thread.....

If you want a ball top for the super without holes, then just find yourself a Wico shaft off ebay (seen lots of em) and shave down the metal so it fits in the super.

Bgnome · « **Reply #55 on:** August 06, 2004, 06:54:24 pm »

i will be working on a ball-top solution once i get my sticks in from x-arcade. it definitely wont be authentic, but if it works the way i hope, it will look pretty sweet..

paigeoliver · « **Reply #56 on:** August 06, 2004, 08:42:35 pm »

Actually there is a way to keep a Wico joystick handle from spinning around in the base. Once installed in the panel, take out the switches, buttons etc and then keep the lower joystick assembly wet until it starts to rust. Once that starts that sucker is never gonna spin again, nor come off again either.

RayB · « **Reply #57 on:** August 06, 2004, 09:25:11 pm »

Quote from: paigeoliver on August 06, 2004, 08:42:35 pm

Actually there is a way to keep a Wico joystick handle from spinning around in the base. Once installed in the panel, take out the switches, buttons etc and then keep the lower joystick assembly wet until it starts to rust. Once that starts that sucker is never gonna spin again, nor come off again either.

HAhaha. That's a good idea... Well not rusting it, but Krazy Glueing the shaft to the grommet. Kinda makes the installation permanent though.

I know I can't remove the joystick from my CP without removing the shaft...

armax · « **Reply #58 on:** January 25, 2005, 08:45:54 pm »

I know it's an old thread but any hopes of coming up with another batch?

moonpatrol 4 lyfe · « **Reply #59 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:00:06 pm »

If you guys are getting rid of your C64 stuff, let me know. =)

Bill

RayB · « **Reply #60 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:24:49 pm »

Quote from: armax on January 25, 2005, 08:45:54 pm

I know it's an old thread but any hopes of coming up with another batch?

No, but I will have 2, maybe 3 complete units for sale soon.

~Ray

armax · « **Reply #61 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:58:04 pm »

If you could, reserve one for me. I'll buy one as soon as it's available.

brandon · « **Reply #62 on:** January 26, 2005, 01:56:52 am »

Hi Ray.. I have a couple of these C64 Wico ball top sticks that I'll probably mod.. I was wondering if you would mind telling me where you found the mini switches without the rim. Was it radio shack too?

RayB · « **Reply #63 on:** January 26, 2005, 09:05:01 am »

Quote from: brandon on January 26, 2005, 01:56:52 am

Hi Ray.. I have a couple of these C64 Wico ball top sticks that I'll probably mod.. I was wondering if you would mind telling me where you found the mini switches without the rim.

brandon · « **Reply #64 on:** January 26, 2005, 04:53:44 pm »

oh ok.. I was refering to this pic but after reading I realized it was just to demonstrate how it would look..

I'll probably just go with the rimmed type then but these were interesting and quite a bit cheaper plus they come in white! http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/49057700.htm
oh well.. thanks for the reply

RayB · « **Reply #65 on:** July 21, 2009, 02:24:02 pm »

Bumping this as I still get the occasional questions about em. All the info needed to make your own is in this thread.

brandon · « **Reply #66 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:00:05 pm »

Quote from: RayB on July 21, 2009, 02:24:02 pm

Bumping this as I still get the occasional questions about em. All the info needed to make your own is in this thread.

and you reminded me that I STILL have some Wico Command joysticks in storage someplace...

notice there was a switch to select whether to use the button at the base or the stick.. Why they weren't wired in parallel I'll never know..

crashwg · « **Reply #67 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:37:03 pm »

Quote from: brandon on July 21, 2009, 06:00:05 pm

notice there was a switch to select whether to use the button at the base or the stick.. Why they weren't wired in parallel I'll never know..

Maybe for those who like to fist their joysticks...

brandon · « **Reply #68 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:46:15 pm »

Quote from: crashwg on July 21, 2009, 06:37:03 pm

Quote from: brandon on July 21, 2009, 06:00:05 pm
notice there was a switch to select whether to use the button at the base or the stick.. Why they weren't wired in parallel I'll never know..

Maybe for those who like to fist their joysticks...

Wico caters to all walks of life then.. (I'm really trying to behave here)

RayB · « **Reply #69 on:** July 21, 2009, 07:33:44 pm »

Quote from: brandon on July 21, 2009, 06:00:05 pm

notice there was a switch to select whether to use the button at the base or the stick.. Why they weren't wired in parallel I'll never know..

Damn fine avatar...
The switch is because some people hold the stick in a way that would press the button when they didn't want to, and vice-versa.

brandon · « **Reply #70 on:** July 21, 2009, 08:44:39 pm »

Quote from: RayB on July 21, 2009, 07:33:44 pm

Quote from: brandon on July 21, 2009, 06:00:05 pm
notice there was a switch to select whether to use the button at the base or the stick.. Why they weren't wired in parallel I'll never know..
Damn fine avatar...
The switch is because some people hold the stick in a way that would press the button when they didn't want to, and vice-versa.

that makes sense.. oh.. and thanks


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news