TRON joystick shafts for 49way/Super/Competition! Spider Kits are coming!

[1UP]

Here are the parts needed for two tron grips (last number before price is quantity...cut in half for only one grip)

Zoiks, that IS expensive!

[millercentral]

Would this shaft work witht he handles from this stick:


http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/95006500.htm

Thanks! -james

[NoOne=NBA=]

This is why I was originally going to mold my own all-in one housings (i.e. with plastic mounting points for switches to get rid of the brackets, etc.) and fit them with Radio Shack switches, but that is less cost effective without some really large orders.

I found some RS switches that fit inside very nicely, and have about the same pressure requirement as the OEM switches.
I had to make my own backplates out of aluminum to get the right size holes, but they work beautifully.

I'm not sure if THIS model number is correct, but it should be the same ones I used.
The only reason I am questioning the part number is that they don't make mention of momentary on that page.
They also make an all black version of the same switch.

[1UP]

Would this shaft work witht he handles from this stick:


http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/95006500.htm

Thanks! -james

No idea.  I would need specs to determine compatibility (length & diameter of shaft, spacing of holes.)

[1UP]

This is why I was originally going to mold my own all-in one housings (i.e. with plastic mounting points for switches to get rid of the brackets, etc.) and fit them with Radio Shack switches, but that is less cost effective without some really large orders.

I found some RS switches that fit inside very nicely, and have about the same pressure requirement as the OEM switches.
I had to make my own backplates out of aluminum to get the right size holes, but they work beautifully.

I'm not sure if THIS model number is correct, but it should be the same ones I used.
The only reason I am questioning the part number is that they don't make mention of momentary on that page.
They also make an all black version of the same switch.

That's not the same type of pushbutton.  Those are leaf switches, and are pretty stiff for game use.  You can hack these to work with microswitches, but it's more trouble than it's worth.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Would this shaft work witht he handles from this stick:

Thanks! -james

No.

The hole spacing is entirely different, and the shaft diameter is smaller.

[NoOne=NBA=]

That's not the same type of pushbutton.  Those are leaf switches, and are pretty stiff for game use.  You can hack these to work with microswitches, but it's more trouble than it's worth.

They aren't any stiffer than the OEM microswitches on the Xeno sticks I've got.

The thumb switches aren't used as frequently as the trigger anyway.

It's a good, and cheap, alternative for anyone who doesn't want to pay out the nose for Happ's ones.

[1UP]

That's not the same type of pushbutton.

[Tiger-Heli]

This is why I was originally going to mold my own all-in one housings (i.e. with plastic mounting points for switches to get rid of the brackets, etc.) and fit them with Radio Shack switches, but that is less cost effective without some really large orders.

I found some RS switches that fit inside very nicely, and have about the same pressure requirement as the OEM switches.
I had to make my own backplates out of aluminum to get the right size holes, but they work beautifully.

I'm not sure if THIS model number is correct, but it should be the same ones I used.
The only reason I am questioning the part number is that they don't make mention of momentary on that page.
They also make an all black version of the same switch.

Great info - for those that might be considering this - I'm pretty sure Happ offers a blank backplate that you could just drill out to fit these.

[1UP]

Great info - for those that might be considering this - I'm pretty sure Happ offers a blank backplate that you could just drill out to fit these.

Yes they do.  Just change the end of the part # to -00 for the blank (or -01 for one hole)

[Flinkly]

well, just to make you all feel better about the price, i got a pair of black happs tron joysticks each with a single button (along with the trigger) for 10 bucks off ebay last week.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Are the button barrels larger or smaller than the holes on the tron plates?

They are smaller.
The outer diameter of the cone is 1/2", compared to the 7/8" on the Xeno buttons.
I'm guessing they take about a 3/8" mounting hole, give or take.
I didn't want to take mine apart, and measure it.

Here's a picture of one of mine mounted.

I think they are a bit stiffer than the Happ micros though.  I tried using one of these as a fire button, and didn't like it (too stiff for rapid fire).

I don't have a Happ's to compare them too.
I've got one DOT one, and several used/NOS Xeno ones.

They wouldn't work well for a rapid fire situation, but I never liked the cone buttons for that either.
Missle Command in particular annoyed me because you couldn't fire as fast as you could on Asteroids, etc... with good leafswitches.

[Kremmit]

Those RS buttons look like the same ones RayB put on his topfire sticks.

[1UP]

OK, if anyone wants to order with the Radio Shack buttons, just add $2.50 per button.

BTW, the site says they mount in a 1/2" hole, which is larger than the holes in the Happ plates, so they should work in either pre-punched or blank plates with a little drilling.

[1UP]

Hey, just got the word that Happs 49-ways are on sale for $24.99 from now until the end of May!

[Sasquatch!]

Guess I might be the first guy to make the leap, since I'm in the process of ordering one of these right now.   Granted, it's for a Competition and not a 49-way, but I'll sure to post my findings!

(BTW 1UP, check your email if you haven't, por favor.)

[1UP]

Got your email, reply sent! 

BTW, I should have some info on price and specs on the spider kits this weekend.

[NoOne=NBA=]

BTW, the site says they mount in a 1/2" hole, which is smaller than the holes in the Happ plates, so they should work in either pre-punched or blank plates with a little drilling.

Mine would fall completely through the stock holes in a DOT/Xeno stick.
That's why I had to make my own plates.
I'm not sure if Happ is using the same holes, or not; but, if they are, the RS buttons won't work in the stock holes.

The stock hole on my DOT plate is 5/8", and the outer cone on the RS buttons is just a hair over 1/2".
I don't think they have much of a lip on them, so the 1/2" hole may be proper for them.

[1UP]

When I said the button shafts were smaller, what I really meant was larger...   So the RS buttons are larger around than the holes in a Happ thumbswitch plate.  Make it a little bigger and they should work, or there are always the blanks.  Good thing I just bought a 1/2" bit.

In other news, I just received an old Williams 49-way from Lilwolf, will do some playing around with it.  One thing that seems promising:  The spacing of the mounting holes on the spider plate look to be the exact spacing of the screws holding the bottom of the Happ 49-way together.  A longer set of screws and a repro of the old plate would make mounting a stock spider to the Happ stick quite easy.  The only problem is the small size of the hole in the center of the spider.

I also received today a repro spider (home molding job) that has no metal inserts as the NOS ones do.  It is very stretchy (easily stretches to 200% of its normal length without stressing) but seems stiffer than the NOS spiders, which might make them well suited for the extra leverage exerted by the Tron shafts.  The center hole is easily stretched over the shaft of a Happ 49-way without any major distortion, so I will have to do some durability testing to see how it holds up.

One drawback to the repros is that they have a LOT of bubbles in them, which could turn into tears pretty easily.  I think the best approach will be to have new ones cut from solid rubber with a CNC water jet as I had first planned.  I will also look at prices for injection molding, but the setup tooling on molds tends to be high.

[1UP]

Ok, looks like the spider kits are going to be a reality!  The spiders will be made of a durable rubber, injection molded with metal inserts.  The plate will be mountable on a Happ 49-way with included hardware, and will not change the joystick depth.  Will work with or without the Tron shaft.  Spiders will also fit an original Williams 49-way with a different center insert (provided).  Pricing will be close to my previous estimate.  More info and prototype pics to follow...

[Flinkly]

Will you hurry up!?!

[1UP]

Will you hurry up!?!

[1UP]

Pic of the Competition version alongside the 49-way version.

[Tiger-Heli]

Yes, play testing will be included!

Life is rough!!! Have fun and keep up the hard work!!!

[RandyT]

I am still working on the spider plate (just need some time to get out the drill press!)  It will probably be the weekend again before the pics are available.  I am also working on a spider design that uses bungee-cord-like material, and should hopefully have some photos of those together with the plate, as well as some side-by-side comparisons with an original Williams 49-way.  Yes, play testing will be included!  I am still planning to do a run of injection molded or die-cut spiders, but in the mean time, we can play with the bungee type...

Cool looking Spider-gizmo!  But if you are just trying to increase resistance for the bigger handle, I may have a better solution for you (or not ) 

Email me.

RandyT

[19rjs99]

Not sure who is selling these but maybe you could strike a deal with him. Tron repro handles... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6170923744&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I already sent him an email with no reply. It's worth a try though.

[IntruderAlert]

Hey, just got the word that Happs 49-ways are on sale for $24.99 from now until the end of May!  So you can just subtract $10 from the price of the complete 49-way setup until the sale ends. 

How many do you have to buy to get that price?
The web site has them listed at $35.33

[Kremmit]

Hey, just got the word that Happs 49-ways are on sale for $24.99 from now until the end of May!  So you can just subtract $10 from the price of the complete 49-way setup until the sale ends. 

How many do you have to buy to get that price?
The web site has them listed at $35.33

Add them to your cart and see how much they are. 

[IntruderAlert]

 

[1UP]

Those are already available here, no bidding necessary.  http://members.aol.com/specialtyplastic/index.htm

[IntruderAlert]

ooh.. glow pushbuttons!!! 

[JODY]

What games are 2 player at the same time that might cause me to buy 2 of these?

[1UP]

Well there are plenty of one player/dual joystick games:  Battlezone, Assault, Cyber Sled, Vindicators, Robotron, Crazy Climber, Total Carnage, Smash TV, to name a few.  Not all of them need triggers, but there's no reason you couldn't use these sticks for them anyway.

And of course, they are a must for the tank games. 

[Flinkly]

yeah, i'm using two for tank games primarily...also toying with the idea of having one 49way be 4 way and the other be 8 way, so i can do the dang light cycles...

[1UP]

yeah, i'm using two for tank games primarily...also toying with the idea of having one 49way be 4 way and the other be 8 way, so i can do the dang light cycles...

It's been pointed out before, but the 4 way mode allows you to hit diagonals in the extreme corners, so you get sharp turns in light cycles, and full 8-way maneuvering in the other stages.  I've tried it myself, and it works well.  And with the spiders fitted, it should be even harder to get into the corners accidentally.

[Kremmit]

ooh.. glow pushbuttons!!! 

Glow Nintendo-sized pushbuttons.  Do not fit a standard button hole.  (buttons too small)

I sure wish Tom would start doing regular size buttons.

[Flinkly]

hey, just wanted to check up on the situation...everything going ok? 

also, this might be a wierd question, but could i buy a set of screws from you for my tron handles?  or should i talk to ponyboy?  some jerk stripped mine already, so i need a new set so they look nice and pretty...

[1UP]

Things are still moving along.  I have most of my machinery, but I'm waiting on a tube bender and my raw materials.  I should be cranking out a few sets of handles later this week once everything is in.

If you want to get the screws from me, that's fine.  I'll probably be going to an outside supplier for the small bits (screws and nuts) and stock up on them.  I'm sure I could get 100 of those screws from one of my usual sources.

I did finish my spider plate proto today, look for some pics later tonight!  I am working with RandyT on producing some custom spiders, with more material around the center hole to compensate for the larger hole size necessary.  The center insert can be substituted with one having a smaller hole size, so they will work on the Williams sticks as well.  That's the plan, anyway.

Now, I've got to get out and see a movie for a couple hours--I've hardly had a break in 3 weeks with all the projects on my plate!

[MrSaLTy]

Sweet 1up.... am really interested in the 49way spiders.  Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[1UP]

OK, here goes.

This is the custom spider plate.