Interchangable buttons/sleves (housing)??

[willyum]

Wasn't sure how to 'search' this....

I'll be ordering my controller/buttons soon. I'm trying to pick colors that complement and contrast each other well because I will want to switch the outer rings against the actual button colors.
Two things.....This is possible right? I've only seen it done with the player 1- 2 buttons. I want to mix all my colors (I think black buttons with any color outer ring would be sweet! (concidering the pannel is black also))  

second, I can't find any pics on anyone who has done this, anyone got a link. I already saw the link with the 'player 1-2' LED mod where they put it in a different housing......are there any other pics???

Also will altering the buttons in this way weaken the integrity of the button? I wouldn't want the top flying off in game play. I know I need to get one of thoes button wrenches...any other speciality tools I will need?

[pointdablame]

Assuming they are the same type of button, there is no problem doing what you want to do.

When I was cleaning the buttons from one of my machines, I switched some to see how they looked... I can see it looking really good in the right setting.

The buttons are exactly the same, so it won't affect the structure or strength of the button, you're just swapping in an identical piece that happens to be a different color.

[paigeoliver]

Buy them all from the same vendor at the same time and it will be no problem.

Otherwise it could be a problem, as the exact molds used for the common plastic buttons seem to be changed every few years. All the new iL buttons I have bought for the last few years are the same, but they are different than the iL buttons I have been pulling out of 90s games, which are different than the ones in 80s games, which are different from the odd microswitch buttons you'll find on some classics.

[blueoakleyz]

"Two things.....This is possible right? I've only seen it done with the player 1- 2 buttons. I want to mix all my colors (I think black buttons with any color outer ring would be sweet! (concidering the pannel is black also))  "

Yeah that's definately a good idea, I like it. I've tried it before with my current joystick but it looks so fruity cuz of 6 colors that I switch back. If it was uniform like all black with blue that'd be tight.

"second, I can't find any pics on anyone who has done this, anyone got a link. I already saw the link with the 'player 1-2' LED mod where they put it in a different housing......are there any other pics???"

It's extremely easy. The plunger has two plastic prongs that squeeze together and come out of holes at the bottom (where the microswitch connects) and then snap back out. So to redo it, just press the two prong ends together so they fit back through the holes and then take the plunger/spring out (the spring is sort of inside the plunger, between the prongs).

"Also will altering the buttons in this way weaken the integrity of the button? I wouldn't want the top flying off in game play."

No not at all, you're just switching colors and that's it.

" I know I need to get one of thoes button wrenches...any other speciality tools I will need? "

No you really don't unless it's dirt cheap. You can hand twist these on and they'll stay very sturdy.... cuz if you're ever planning on doing rearranging (well nvm since you'd have the wrench) you might want them to be a TAD bit loose.

and dont worry about not finding it in a search, there's a LOT of things on these forums already but are too hard to search for.

[danny_galaga]

don't worry about it. as soon as you have the buttons, it will be obvious how easy it is to do. much easier than trying to describe it  

[willyum]

Thanx a lot guys.......I just now ordered all my stuff a few minutes ago so I guess I'll do some different pic layouts and post for anyone else.

[Witchboard]

Yeah, it will work fine.  I have the same plan.  Here's what they look like on my test CP.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Make sure you get microswitch buttons.
Alot of the leafswitch ones that are left on the market do NOT have removable buttons.