New Product: Versa-Ball Joystick Replacement Shafts

[RandyT]

Got an OMNI-Stick Basic joystick and want a Ball-top instead of the stock handle? 

Or maybe you want to ditch that bat on your Competition, Super or even X-Arcade joystick?

Or maybe you felt left out in the cold because you had a 3/4" or 1/2"  thick panel and because you mount your sticks below, the handles are either too stubby or too long?

.......We thought so.   


Introducing the Versa-Ball Multi-Compatible Ball-Top Joystick Shafts.

The Versa-Ball shafts are precision CNC machined from solid Stainless-Steel for years of great looking, trouble-free service.

A large variety of interchangable balls are available, including mirror finish Stainless Steel, Textured and Shiny Red/Black balls of various sizes, and "Super Grip" rubber coated balls.

The E-clip grooves have been specially engineered to allow the Versa-Ball shafts to work with the following arcade joystick bases:


Tested:

 - GGG OMNI-Stick Basic (spacers recommended to accomodate "domed" top or will sit taller than others)
 - Happ Super*
 - Happ Competition*
 - X-Arcade*

Recently confirmed:

- PacMan Reunion/Galaga Joystick*  (Thanks to spiffyshoes for the dimensions and special thanks to whammoed and JODY for testing them out with the actual units and reporting back with results and pictures (later in this thread).)


The Versa-ball shafts are designed for use with "under the panel" joystick installations on panels of 1/2" to 7/8" in thickness.  There are 2 height selections optimized for an approximate 2-inch height to the bottom of the ball.  One selection for panels less than 3/4" thick and one for 3/4" or thicker panels, all on one shaft!  1/2" panel users have the option of a longer stick by using the 3/4"  panel setting and likewise, 3/4" panel users may opt for a shorter stick by using the 1/2" panel setting.

This item will be available in the next day or so at the GGG web store.

$11.95 w/ Your Choice of available Ball-Tops. (except Stainless)

$19.95 w/  1 3/8" Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Ball-Top

Both include E-clips for installation.


Thanks for looking,

RandyT



* All trademarks are property of their respective owners.  GGG has no affiliation with these companies, nor is this product endorsed by them for use with their respective products. 

[paigeoliver]

If those work on super, then they SHOULD work on the Ms. Pac Reunion stick, do they?

[RandyT]

If those work on super, then they SHOULD work on the Ms. Pac Reunion stick, do they?

If the Super and the Reunion sticks are interchangable, they should.  I will certainly accept the return if someone wanted to try it and finds that it doesn't work.

I don't have one to test it with.  Sorry.

RandyT

[Gunstar Hero]

Hmmm... what about P360's on a wood panel?

[NoOne=NBA=]

RandyT,

Can you please look into making a shaft that will fit the Happ's 49-way?

That's the one stick I have that doesn't currently have a balltop on it, and I really, really want one for it.

[paigeoliver]

RandyT,

Can you please look into making a shaft that will fit the Happ's 49-way?

That's the one stick I have that doesn't currently have a balltop on it, and I really, really want one for it.

Dude, the WILLIAMS 49-way sticks are ALL balltops,

As for the Ms Pac stick. The reunion stick will take the super handle, but the super won't take the Ms. Pac handle

[Goz]

I am placing an order for a pair of these for some supers I can try them with one of the reuninions I have for validation. I'll reply back with my experience with the shafts.

-Goz

[Kremmit]

I'm a Wico nut, guess I'm outta luck.

Randy, could you post measurements for us?  Shaft diameter, length from base of ball to end, and the length from base of ball to each of the e-clip grooves should cover it.  That way, we should be able to figure out some of the other sticks it might fit.

[Knievel]

Another great product Randy, you've been busy lately  
Can't wait to grab some of these!

Any future plans for blue tops??

[paigeoliver]

I'm a Wico nut, guess I'm outta luck.

Randy, could you post measurements for us?  Shaft diameter, length from base of ball to end, and the length from base of ball to each of the e-clip grooves should cover it.  That way, we should be able to figure out some of the other sticks it might fit.

You need some Wico handles? I have them in red, red, or red.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Dude, the WILLIAMS 49-way sticks are ALL balltops

Two problems with this.

1) I don't have a Williams 49-way.
2) The ones I've seen on ebay in the last year-and-a-half have all either gone too high, or been pretty beat looking.

That, and the orange they used on most of them was ugly.

[paigeoliver]

I have an orange one, tested working, $30 shipped. Good shape. It is orange though.

This place has the replacement handles in non-orange for the williams one.

http://members.aol.com/specialtyplastic/Joysticks.htm

[DrewKaree]

I know you said day or so, but I prolly jumped the gun looking for 'em....not yet, unless it's that "hard to find on your site" thing ;-)

[Minwah]

Can you please look into making a shaft that will fit the Happ's 49-way?

I'd like this too...

How does the Super / Competition handle differ to the 49-way?  Is the e-clip groove in a different place?  The handle itself looks the same...

[Tiger-Heli]

Cool product, Thanks Randy!

Will these work with the Prodigy?  I would assume so since there's a Prodigy Retro, but wanted to ask anyway?

(Just out of curiosity . . . )

[Kremmit]

You need some Wico handles? I have them in red, red, or red.

No thank you, I already have red, red, & red (& red, & red, &....)
But those stainless ones look tempting!

[RayB]

RandyT:
If you're serious about selling *alot* of these, I'd suggest you buy as many varities of joysticks that you can and test them, so you have an official lengthy list of compatibilities. The longer your list,  the wider your market.

~Ray B.

[shmokes]

Does anyone know if these should work with a Happ Mechanical Rotary stick?  And if so....sorry, this is a tiny bit of a highjack:

RayB, weren't you selling ball-top top-fire sticks?  I HATE the look of the Happ top-fires, but when you were selling those I didn't get any because there weren't any ball-top replacements for the Happ rotary sticks on my panel.

But, if Randy's would work for my rotary stick that changes EVERYTHING and I'd be placing an order with both of you (especially if it were possible to get black ball-top top-fires).

[Grasshopper]

They look great. I've been waiting for someone to produce something like this for a long time.

Randy, I've often been irritated by your abrasive comments on this board, and you also have a tendency to take criticism of your products the wrong way.

But on this occasion you have listened to what your customers want and you've delivered the goods. Well done.

I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Will the ball tops be available in dark blue?

Will the shafts fit the T-Stiks and the other IL joysticks?

What is the diameter of the ball tops?

Will dust washers be available?

Thanks in advance.

[DrewKaree]

Randy, I've often been irritated by your abrasive comments on this board, and you also have a tendency to take criticism of your products the wrong way.

At least it's explained in a constructive fashion that's conducive to furthering his replies in a non-abrasive fashion

[NoOne=NBA=]

How does the Super / Competition handle differ to the 49-way?

[RayB]

RayB, weren't you selling ball-top top-fire sticks?

[SirPoonga]

Out of curiosity, do you, or does anyone know, if I can get white and black balltops?  I might be restoring my double dragon Ii in the future.  Going to keep the leaf base.

[NoOne=NBA=]

The link Paige put up above shows white & black.

[Kremmit]

 Posted by: SirPoonga      Posted on: November 22, 2004 at 10:20:38 PM

Out of curiosity, do you, or does anyone know, if I can get white and black balltops?  I might be restoring my double dragon Ii in the future.  Going to keep the leaf base.

They show on ebay too, once in a while.  I usually see 'em in large joystick lots for some reason, never by themselves. 

re: keeping the leaf base-
If you're interested, ebay seller iman-tis has been selling p360 conversion kits for the Wico bases.  I picked up some, and I saw another BYOACer grab one, too.  Haven't received mine, so I can't tell you how well it works yet. 

[Minwah]

The shaft is alot longer on the bottom, so that he longer actuator can be used.

Not as simple as just turning another groove then

[RandyT]

For those who have been waiting, the Versa-Ball shafts are now available at the GGG Store under the "Modifications" and "Joysticks" categories.

A direct link is here.


Also, the shafts are the standard 10mm diameter used on a number of sticks.  If your stick requires a 10mm shaft, and you can supply me with the distance between the top shoulder and the bottom e-ring, I will give you an indicator as to whether these have a chance of working with your base.  Because of the way the T-Stick is attached to the base, I do not believe these shafts will work with them.

The "Retro" has it's own special shaft as it is a top mounted stick.  These shafts are designed for below panel installations.

We will continually explore new ball types and colors, but these are the options for now.  Current diameters range from 1.25" to 1.5" and are listed as options at the store.

Unless I can find a source for bulk dust washers, I'll be forced to make my own.  This is not an issue for anyone other than OMNI-Stick owners as you can use the one from your current base.  More as this develops.



As for my "abrasive" nature.....probably has something to do with those pills they told me to take, back when I joined the military...(they never did tell me what they were  for )

RandyT

[Tiger-Heli]

For those who have been waiting, the Versa-Ball shafts are now available at the GGG Store under the "Modifications" category.

A direct link is here.

Thanks Randy!  I recommend also listing them under Joysticks or Cross-linking them under Joysticks, as that is where I think most people would look for them.  You probably want to update the main page about them.

[RandyT]

Thanks Randy!  I recommend also listing them under Joysticks or Cross-linking them under Joysticks, as that is where I think most people would look for them.

Done.  Thanks for the feedback.  The main page is going to take a little longer.  To make the store easier for people to find, I am going to make a "Y" in the road as the first page of the GGG site.  Should make it easier for folks to get  to where they want to be.  I'll also be trying to add more of the inventory of parts I've been sitting on to the store.

Thanks,
RandyT

[SaiNRuB]

Looks really good Randy, nice job.


Say I was wondering is there any joystick shaft i can use to replace on my OMNI Prodigy non retro joystick. I was wanting a black balltop to go with my nintendo cab. I really like the black shiny 1 3/8"

Good luck on your new products!

[Minwah]

I have a dumb question:

If the shafts are all one diameter, what stops the shaft slipping down (for say the competition)?  Isn't this step in diameter what holds the shaft in?  And how does it fit through the actuator (I mean without the step-down in diameter)?

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/competition_joy_e.htm

[RandyT]

Looks really good Randy, nice job.


Say I was wondering is there any joystick shaft i can use to replace on my OMNI Prodigy non retro joystick. I was wanting a black balltop to go with my nintendo cab. I really like the black shiny 1 3/8"

Ok, new option.  Anyone looking to go "Retro" with their Prodigy can select the the "Base Type" option of OMNI-Stick Prodigy on the order page.  Same pricing applies.

Others can ignore this option, as it defaults to the style intended for the bases listed in the description.

RandyT

[SaiNRuB]

Ok, new option.

[RandyT]

I have a dumb question:

If the shafts are all one diameter, what stops the shaft slipping down (for say the competition)?  Isn't this step in diameter what holds the shaft in?  And how does it fit through the actuator (I mean without the step-down in diameter)?

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/competition_joy_e.htm

I noticed this discussion starting in the thread from the competition.  So I'll play nice and address it here.

The design uses 2 industrial quality E-clips on a deep seat into the shaft.  These are made out of actual heavy steel, not the junk stamped parts that usually come with some of the sticks.  This is also what allows these sticks to have the  versatility that others lack.

As for "all the weight" on the e-clip, trust me.  Unless you are the type that plays "whac-a-mole" on the end of your stick... with a real sledge hammer,  the notion that these will come off accidentally is preposterous. The force required to unseat these will break the components in the base long before the clip gives way.

And, I'll even back this up with a money-back guarantee.  Be rough on them.  If you have any problems related to the above, just send them back for a refund.

RandyT

*edit* typos.....

[Tiger-Heli]

I noticed this discussion starting in the thread from the competion.  So I'll play nice and address it here.

RandyT, thanks for clarifying.  (I still don't see how it fits through the actuator.)

I have been following both threads (who'd of thunk), so let me clarify what happened:

Minwah asked first in this thread how the stick works without the stepped shaft.

The competition posted about their new product and someone mentioned that it looked good, but they would really like plastic tops.

Minwah posted a link in the competition's thread back to this thread attempting to help out the poster that wanted the plastic tops.

I THINK the competition took the link back to this thread as somewhat of an attack on their product and therefore mentioned the straight shaft in the other thread.

Everyone back to their corners . . . .

[Minwah]

Apologies for any misunderstanding, Tiger-Heli hit the nail on the head - I didn't mean to start anything, just trying to figure out how the shafts work purely because...

Ultimately I want a ball-top on my 49-way - I am just trying to weigh up if this is possible / the easiest way to do it.

Randy:

[SlikStik Christian]

I have a dumb question:

If the shafts are all one diameter, what stops the shaft slipping down (for say the competition)?

[RandyT]

Apologies for any misunderstanding, Tiger-Heli hit the nail on the head - I didn't mean to start anything, just trying to figure out how the shafts work purely because...

Ultimately I want a ball-top on my 49-way - I am just trying to weigh up if this is possible / the easiest way to do it.

Randy:  So how does the shaft (the part which is usually thinner) fit through the joystick's actuator?  It looks as though it isn't possible, but I don't have a Competition stick to examine to figure it out.  On my 49-way it certainly looks (note I haven't took it apart fully) like it isn't possible, at least without drilling out the centre of the actuator or something.

Edit: (sorry Tiger I missed the part where yo usaid you don't get it either)

No Problem....

The situation is this:  If any working part of the stick goes below 10mm in diameter (like the Ultimates....)  Then these shafts will not work.  If the 49-ways fall into this category, then I will need to look into a custom version.  If anyone wants to volunteer some precise dimensions, I will look into a special version.

In my personal opinion the step does more than act as a stop, it also fits through the plastic shaft spacer that actually prevents the shaft from being sloppy inside the base.

Hmmm....Well, in a situation like this, opinions don't really relate to solid engineering principle.  The shoulder on those sticks do nothing more than stop the stick from pulling through.   They are also part of what creates the spring tension required to center the stick.  On most of the common sticks, this is plastic and is molded into a spacer below the "knob".  It never goes inside the base, so I'm not sure what you are basing your opinion on.  The Versa-Ball design mimicks the original shaft exactly as far as it's interaction with the base is concerned, and there is no "slop" of any kind.  We have already sent out a few and I'm sure our first customers will be able to attest to this.

Obviously we have taken different engineering approaches in our designs, but just because you don't understand how mine works, doesn't mean that it doesn't work and work well. 

As far as competition, I wouldn

[Tiger-Heli]

Okay, I looked at Oscar's review and I think I see how it works on the competition.  Hard to tell without a stick to compare. . .

The competition's shaft does not appear to be stepped  (I think the Super's shaft may be stepped to accept the long or short sleeve).  The shaft goes through what OSCAR calls the Z-stop and the actuator attaches over that.

I am ASSuming that RandyT's stick will also go through the Z-Stop and the actuator goes over the stick/z-stop assembly.

Either that or the stick actually is stepped and you discard the Z-stop with RandyT's Versa-ball sticks, but I don't think so . . .

[subzero23]

so can anyone confirm the material the ball is made of on the ones from RandyT?
Are they the same size as the ones on X-Men/Simpsons etc