Soldering phobia. Build my own controllers, or buy them?

[Craig Pilecky]

Ive been thinking about how im going to do my controllers for my cabinet. I figured that to build my own console adaptors for PS2, DC, Neo Geo, would cost around $112 each. Thats assuming I never make a mistake and fry one of the controllers im hotwiring to the arcade control panel that I would have to make.

Second option is this http://www.massystems.com/ProStick.html buying a Masstick compatible with PS1/2, DC, and Neo Geo for about $165 each. I could then tear down the controller, and put the components into my own custom designed controller cabinet so that I could still have the same exact layout as I want.

I would like to solder my own, but ive never soldered before and im not sure how difficult it will be. In the end buying the Massticks might be the cheaper alternative.  

What should I do?

[eightbit]

There are other options, here's one-
http://www.x-arcade.com
They sell complete units and console adapters or they'll sell you the parts to make your own.

The consensus around here seems to be to hack a PSX pad and then purchase the adapters for the other systems you want it to work on. There are a bunch of recent threads on this very exact topic. Do a search and you'll find lots of info.

If your lucky, Snake will jump on this thread and offer you some direction he's done a few this way.

[REBIRTH]

You really dont need to solder to build your control panel.  The cherry switches on the buttons have male .187 connections.  Just buy female .187 disconnects that crimp onto your wire and then just slide onto the male switch leads.  It is snug, no fear of slipping off during gameplay.  The other end of the wire, if you go with an I-Pac (Ultimarc) connects using a screw down terminal.  Then the I-Pac connects to the PC via a standard cable (like your keyboard cable connection).  There is no soldering in the whole setup.  In fact, using the disconnects is much better than soldering, making it easier to replace a cherry switch down the road.

Have fun

Rebirth