Joystick Won't Fit On My Control Panel....

[eggedd2k]

was working on my Defender cab tonight and began on the control panel. i'm creating the CP the same as on an original defender cab.

Problem is the joystick - the button is quite near to the joystick hole on a Defender cab but as you can see in the photo below, the joystick isn't going to fit straight.

any ideas how to get round this? did an original defender cab use a smaller joystick?

[skippy]

Yes,

[whammoed]

Just trim the plastic from that part of the joystick.  It will be plenty secure with 3 bolts/screws.

[skippy]

I was gonna trim mine. But I couldn't stand the idea of butching anos 4-way wico leaf I just bought.  The overlay is easier to get.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Just trim the plastic from that part of the joystick.  It will be plenty secure with 3 bolts/screws.

I did that on mine, and it worked perfectly.
I actually even put the reverse button a little CLOSER to the stick, so I wouldn't have to reach so far.

[fiscap]

It looks like that is pretty darn close to fitting. If you remove the plastic nut from the button, will it square-up properly? If so, you can use a router to recess the joystick into the panel up to bottom portion of the joystick mounting lip. You can then use the nut from the button to moderately secure that corner of the joystick. Even if it is close with the button, you may be able to notch the plastic housing on the button just a little bit to get it square.

The other option is to make a spacer to get it beyond the button and notch the spacer instead of the joystick. This will probably drop the joystick too far into the panel and severely limit its mobility.

Good luck.

[paigeoliver]

To use a wico with the same layout you cut the hole for the button, and then install the Wico stick with 3 screws holding it.

Then you take a 1 1/8" holesaw and go right through the hole again , which chops off the corner of the Wico base.

Then install the button, the nut for the 3rd button  holds the 4th corner down.

Don't worry aboot chopping the base, the plastic bases themselves are a dime a dozen, it is the grommets, nice handles and proper leaf switches that are hard to come by.

[nostrebor]

Hack the corner off. Don't follow Paige's advice though... it's too clinical. I prefer a cutting torch. Flames are fun!

Just close your eyes and it will be painless.

(r you could just do it like Paige said. It works just great. )

[spiffyshoes]

If you're trying to keep it as origonal as possible why not just use a Defender 2-Way joystick instead.

[fl0yd]

1. Cut/trim the corner, 3 screws will be plenty.
2. Loosen the nut, secure the joystick, and tighten the nut down on top of the joystick.  Buttons don't really get many lateral forces applied, so it should be plenty stong with this approach.

[rdagger]

Will it fit, if you rotate the joystick 90 degrees?

[paigeoliver]

Will it fit, if you rotate the joystick 90 degrees?

Nope, you have to cut the corner no matter what you do.

Just cut it already.

[Mr. Bubblehead]

Will the stick fit better with the nut off the button?  If so, use glue to hold the button in place. Otherwise, CUT THE STICK and it will fit.

[rdagger]

How about rotating the joystick 30 degrees.  Then remove the microswitches and remount them 30 degrees offset.  Here's a diagram:

[TOK]

The 30 degree rotation idea is pretty ingenious. Do most sticks have a lug setup that allows this? I'm staring at a set of sticks I have here, and it looks like they don't.

[nostrebor]

It won't work on wico leafswitch sticks, but it might on others.

You could just cut the corner off

[paigeoliver]

I'll put it this way.

I have a Wico leaf base in my parts box. If you DON'T cut the stick then I will throw it away.

So you are going to kill a base no matter what, so you might as well get something out of it.

[skippy]

Save your base.  the panel is already done with stick to the left.  Been playing it that way for a week. looks fine.  Maybe next time I redo the panel I'll chop the base.

[krick]

The 30 degree rotation idea is pretty ingenious. Do most sticks have a lug setup that allows this? I'm staring at a set of sticks I have here, and it looks like they don't.

I don't think 30 degrees will work on many joysticks.  However, 45 degrees is probably very doable.

[rdagger]

I don't think 30 degrees will work on many joysticks.

[LPZ]

Cut the corner off already!

[jcoleman]

That would not work on a Wico stick as they have leaf switches, not cherry.  And what's this about Wico bases being a dime a dozen?  I searched high and low for over a year before finding 4 NOS 4-ways.  I seriousbly doubt they're easy to find.  Also, why waste a 4-way when you're already restricting the motion with the control panel?

[CheffoJeffo]

That would not work on a Wico stick as they have leaf switches, not cherry.  And what's this about Wico bases being a dime a dozen?  I searched high and low for over a year before finding 4 NOS 4-ways.  I seriousbly doubt they're easy to find.  Also, why waste a 4-way when you're already restricting the motion with the control panel?

Not all Wicos are leafs.

There are at least 4 Wico leaf bases on eBay right now ... they were posted immediately after the seller sold another lot of 4 to an upstanding BYOACer.

Cheers.