Q's Regarding DC Arcade Stick modification

[Codger]

I've been thinking about buying a spare DC Sega Arcade Stick and hacking it to work on my PC. However I would like to add an extra button to it for Neo Geo games.

1. What type of button does the arcade stick use? Obviously microswitched, but what size is it? And where can I buy an EXACT duplicate of the same colour? Bear in mind that the DC stick uses slightly raised convex buttons.

2. Can I cut the metal top of the DC Stick using a standard hole saw bit?

[SNAAAKE]

how about building a brand new one from scratch?
It will be easier then what you are trying to do now.
You can easyly take out the guts from the stick(so you wont have to hack another dreamcast pad i assume) you have  and use one of these converter( http://levelsix.com/products/pc/PCMagicBox.shtml)to hook your dreamcast pad to your pc...not bad idea afterall ehh ?

[MKL]

They're the same buttons that are mounted on Naomi cabinets. You can get them from arcade vendors/distributors that carry Sega parts. Check www.seuservice.com

However, your idea seems hardly feasible to me, take a look at the inside of a DC stick:

[Codger]

Yeah I 've seen that convertor before and it doesn't work with the arcade stick.

I would like to build a new one from scratch, but I've seen how hard and expensive it can be to make it look nice (I don't like those box shaped ones people do and marble contact paper? Gah, no thanks)

I'm thinking this would be easier and cheaper to do. I imagine the metal won't be very thick...
So any information that can help me?

[SNAAAKE]

the reason i gave you the idea of building a new one because i already know its not possible to add more buttons.
There isnt enough space in there to add more buttons..i used to have one of these sega sticks long time ago(when it came out) and i wasnt happy with it(the joystick looks and feel horrible,my opinion of couse).
that metal casing is not even that thick and you could easyly drill but THINK...no space for more buttons.sorry

[Codger]

the reason i gave you the idea of building a new one because i already know its not possible to add more buttons.
There isnt enough space in there to add more buttons..i used to have one of these sega sticks long time ago(when it came out) and i wasnt happy with it(the joystick looks and feel horrible,my opinion of couse).
that metal casing is not even that thick and you could easyly drill but THINK...no space for more buttons.sorry

Coudn't I add a horizontal button near the A button to make a row of 4? Or would it not fit beneath the case?

[eightbit]

In that pic it sure looks like you could add a one to the bottom row of 3 and make it look like it belonged.

Don't mind Snake, he posts his opinion as fact. Often he's more negative than helpfull. A couple of months ago people were laughing at 1-Up and the rotating control panel idea. Well it works now. Just because it would be hard to do doesn't mean it can't be done.

[Codger]

In that pic it sure looks like you could add a one to the bottom row of 3 and make it look like it belonged.

Don't mind Snake, he posts his opinion as fact. Often he's more negative than helpfull. A couple of months ago people were laughing at 1-Up and the rotating control panel idea. Well it works now. Just because it would be hard to do doesn't mean it can't be done.

Thanks for the encouragement.

But I still need to know the exact type of buttons the DC stick uses. Are they standard pushbuttons I can get from Happs? Someone help.

[eightbit]

If you can't find the exact button you could replace  all of them.

[Codger]

If you can't find the exact button you could replace  all of them.

Yeah but the stick is green and I dunno where to get different coloured balls.  

[eightbit]

Yeah but the stick is green and I dunno where to get different coloured balls.  

They don't have to match, they could contrast. Or my favorite do every button in a different color.

[SNAAAKE]

Don't mind Snake, he posts his opinion as fact.

YES...i know you are on a rampage of proving me wrong but...

IT IS THE FACT ! .

Did you ever buy one of this DC arcade stick yourself?
NO ! right?
There isnt enogh space to add...how i know?

Because I do .

i am serious...there isnt enough space to add 1 1/8 buttons...
Also,i dont recall people making fun of 1up's rotating panel..its just... people thought i was little too complicated for most of us thats all(i mean you know...).

But I still need to know the exact type of buttons the DC stick uses. Are they standard pushbuttons I can get from Happs? Someone help.

As for you,I dont think you can buy these buttons from happs..AND i also dont think they are the *original* buttons used on original sega naomi machines(like zombie revenge).
If you somehow(i dont know how) manage to drill one 1 1/8 hole on that stick(i dont think you can,i had one of these long time ago and as far as i remember) then the closest you can get is thishttp://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=58-9613-L button.

The comp convex button from happs.get the green one because thats the only look very similer to the one on your dc joystick(its almost same).

If you can't find the exact button you could replace  all of them.

BLEEEEEP !...wrong

You cant use the nut from happs button on those existing holes on that DC stick.

[Hellfromabove]

I think there is a converter on Happs for about $90 I saw once. After you wire all your buttons you plug it into this and it has the capability to work on arcade cabs I am pretty sure but also PC. Don't ask me if it works through USB, joystick port, or PS/2 cause I don't know I only glanced at the thing. Thanx.

-See Ya!!!