Ms Pacman Reunion 4-way Joystick in Wood Panel

[RobotronNut]

my current top candidate for a 4-way joystick is the happ ms pacman reunion, mounted to the underside of a 3/4" thick wood SlikStik panel.

unfortunately, the stock handle is too short for a wood panel, and i've ruled out a metal mounting plate, because of appearance and footprint.

fortunately, 3rd-party replacement sticks are available. the stock happ super handle and groovygamegear versa-ball have been verified compatible, and i assume the slikstik super version would work as well.

unfortunately, these replacement sticks are very long. even after subtracting out the 3/4" thickness of the wood panel, they all result in a stick that is 3/4" to 1" higher above the surface of the panel. take the 3/4" thickness of the panel and add this gratuitous extra height, and you have a stick that has a much longer throw than the original. i assume this has a negative effect on game play.

has anyone tried the reunion with one of these long handles?

how does it play?

is there a shorter replacement handle available?

if worse comes to worst, i could do some minor surgery on the versa-ball, as outlined *HERE*, but i'd like to avoid that if possible.

i understand that the betson space invaders stick (part # 47-9075-07) is the identical mechanism with a longer stick. does anyone know its length (measured from the top of the joystick base to the top of the handle)?

thanks.

[RobotronNut]

on more thing: i'd rather not thin out the underside of the panel with a router, because i'd like to keep open the option of swapping in a wico leaf stick or other 4-way.

[markrvp]

You can get a longer shaft from Tornado Terry.

[RobotronNut]

cool! i'll call him tomorrow. thanks!

[Grasshopper]

Have you considered using a metal mounting plate and then gluing a thin veneer of plywood over it?

[markrvp]

Have you considered using a metal mounting plate and then gluing a thin veneer of plywood over it?

He's having SlikStik build his CP and they don't offer that as an option.

[Dervacumen]

Call Terry at 1-817- 431- 6121 and tell him Mark Rash from Granbury told you to call about the longer Reunion stick shafts.

Think Terry would mind if I gave him a call, too?

[markrvp]

Please call him.  He runs an arcade and sells parts for a living.

[RobotronNut]

You can get a longer shaft from Tornado Terry.
...
I have one and it works great.

markrvp - would you mind measuring the length of your reunion with the TornadoTerry shaft?

i'd like to know either:
(1) length from top of joystick base to top of ball, or
(2) length from surface of control panel to top of ball AND thickness of panel.

thanks.