Mounting T-Stick Plus joysticks...

[SideShow Rob]

Hi Guys,

I am about to build my own cabinet and control panel, and was wondering if anyone could give me a little info.

I want an uncluttered control panel, so seeing the 4/8 way changing mechanism of the T-Stick Plus joysticks, as reviews on RetroBlast, I thought I would have a couple of them - and cut out the need for a dedicated 4 way joystick.

I plan to mount the sticks in 3/4" MDF, from underneath - but do I need to route out an area for them to be at a playable height? Or can I just screw them in with no routing...?

Thanks for taking the time...

Rob.

[Apollo]

They have pretty long shafts so probably no need to route. However it doesn't take much extra room to fit in a dedicated 4 way in the middle. How much room have you got?

[SideShow Rob]

Thanks for the reply...

As to the space on the control panel...not sure as yet - but I am basing it on the SlikStik Classic dimensions...maybe a touch smaller, but nothing significant.

I am planning on the following:

MiniPac interface
2 T-Stick Plus Joysticks (in blue)
2 sets of 7 ultimarc pushbuttons (mixed blue and white, in neogeo config.)
1 and 2 player start
1 and 2 player coin-ins (in white)
Ultimarc 2 1/4" trackball (white) with left & right mouse buttons (blue)
Oscar Vortex spinner with 2 buttons (blue)

That takes up the 28 inputs on the MiniPac...and the trackball and spinner will hook up to it as well.

The trackball will be located lower centre; the spinner upper centre. Both sets of buttons will be located on the right of each controller. (My brother is left handed, I am right handed...when he comes round, I will be at an advantage )

Each players coin and start buttons will be located above each players joystick and 7 pushbutton cluster.

So space wise...there would be room for a separate 4 way stick...but I don't want the panel to be too cluttered.

I plan on giving the MDF a couple of coats of primer, 3 coats of black gloss paint (extra tough) and then 3 or 4 coats of a clear (non-yellowing) polyurethane gloss varnish...the whole cabinet will get that treatment...hopefully will get a nice piano gloss finish all over.

If it turns out alright, I think a less cluttered control panel will not detract from the overall finish...conversely, if the paint and gloss job looks pants...i'll stick loads of buttons and sticks to detract from it  

[slicer_d]

I routed for my t-stiks.  They have probably a little less than 1/2" and I think they are at a good height.  I guess you could mount them on 3/4 but they might be a little low you could try drilling holes and trying it on a scrap piece then and see if you like it first.

[Paul Olson]

I routed out 3/8", it seems to be a good height.

Paul

[RecycledPast]

I suggest testing on a scrap piece of wood.  

Last night I tried a t-stick plus (long shaft w/ball top) mounted from bottom of 3/4 MDF and the height was a little lower then I'm used to.  When I mount mine I think I'll route out the wood a little.

I currently use a happs ULTIMATE which has a bat top so that might be skewing my opinion.

[SideShow Rob]

Thanks for the input guys...

I will test it out on a bit of scrap 18mm MDF first before I decide.

My favourite joystick from my C64/Amiga days was the Cheetah Bug joystick...which had a very short throw action, and was only about an inch long...so I am guessing/hoping that the height of the T-Stick Plus stick will be fine without resorting to routing...

Should fine out later next week..

[NoOne=NBA=]

The long balltops end up a little higher than Crazy Climber height with no routing on 3/4" stock.

I happen to like them that way, so I left them.

I still remember rubbing my knuckles raw playing Crazy Climber in the arcades, so I didn't want them quite that low.