Build Your Own Joystick Controller KIT!

[GameCabinetsinc]

Build your own joystick controller.
Try out our animated online kit builder


http://www.gamecabinetsinc.com/joystickkit.htm


We provide you with all of the parts including a easy to assemble box and a comprehensive instruction manual. You can even purchase a full wiring harness for only $14.99. No soldering or crimping required!!

Check it out!

[AceTKK]

very nice!  Good idea and excellent interface.  Prices are reasonable too.

-Ace-

[SNAAAKE]

dude no offence but do you know that x-arcade and mass systems sells "COMPLETE" single joystick for under $100...now give me 1 good reason why i should buy your kit for $131.99 then i still have to put the thing together and wire it myself..i mean..honestly..how many have you sold so far?

i suggest you built joysticks then ebay them(you can sell anything as long as it works).

dont be offended but I am trying to let you know that there are better opitions out there you see.

[Xphile]

dude no offence but do you know that x-arcade and mass systems sells "COMPLETE" single joystick for under $100...now give me 1 good reason why i should buy your kit for $131.99 then i still have to put the thing together and wire it myself..i mean..honestly..how many have you sold so far?

i suggest you built joysticks then ebay them(you can sell anything as long as it works).

dont be offended but I am trying to let you know that there are better opitions out there you see.

Does x-arcade come with an IPAC? or some proprietary keyboard encoder that limits your expansion options?  

I know you're a big xarcade freak,snaake ,  but from what I've heard the quality is inferior to Happs...  

I think their prices are more than reasonable considering the higher quality parts, and the fact that you can pop the ipac out and use it in any cab, and you get to finish the box yourself..  I think birch would look great in rich red mahogany.. :-)

[GameCabinetsinc]

Hey Snake,

Thanks for your comments!
No offence taken.

Let me point out a couple of things for you:

1. Happ Controls makes a way better and more responsive joystick and button then the parts used in the X-Arcade (In my opinion). It's worth the extra cost right there for the upgraded controls.

2. Other controllers come with only a PS/2 plug. You have to pay an additional $19.95 for a PC Or Mac USB Adapter if you want that option.

- Ours comes with both (no additional charge) if you add the Ipac to your kit.

3. Our kit allows you to fully customize the look and feel of your controller. There are many people who would rather build their own for this reason. Isn't that why so many people are visiting BYOAC.com?
If they were not interested in building a controller, they probably would not be here looking through the How-to articles.
Plus, we make it easy and fun with our kits!!

4. Our controller allows you to add a second joystick for those games like Robotron, Karate Champ and Crazy Climber! Where else can you get this feature unless you build your own?
These are very important games man  


5. You get to pick your own button colors!

6. We offer many upgrade options that are not available on other controllers like neon wire, clear top, and soon an all clear box which has never been offered before!


7. Please keep in mind this was designed for all those people who are interested in building their own controller. Not everyone has access to a table saw or drill press, but still want to build a joystick controller. Our kit also comes with instructions on how to assemble the box, where the wires go,  and how to setup the controls. This is worth something in itself for all those who have never done this before.

8. Some of the Happ parts we offer in our kit you won't find cheaper anywhere else.

9. One more thing:
What happens if you leave out the Ipac and wiring harness and use either a keyboard hack or a joystick hack? Cost is now only $77.47 for a complete box, joysticks and all the buttons with micro switches.
You could even hack into a Xbox or PS/2 controller and wire it to our kit for even more options.

10. Where else can you pick and choose each and every part you want with your controller?

Sure, we could sit here and pick apart every product on the market and argue why it's more expensive or better than something else.... what's the point?
I vote we spend more time working on our high scores in some of those great classic games  

GAME ON

[SNAAAKE]

Hey Snake,

Thanks for your comments!
No offence taken.

Let me point out a couple of things for you:

1. Happ Controls makes a way better and more responsive joystick and button then the parts used in the X-Arcade (In my opinion). It's worth the extra cost right there for the upgraded controls.

2. Other controllers come with only a PS/2 plug. You have to pay an additional $19.95 for a PC Or Mac USB Adapter if you want that option.

- Ours comes with both (no additional charge) if you add the Ipac to your kit.

3. Our kit allows you to fully customize the look and feel of your controller. There are many people who would rather build their own for this reason. Isn't that why so many people are visiting BYOAC.com?
If they were not interested in building a controller, they probably would not be here looking through the How-to articles.
Plus, we make it easy and fun with our kits!!

4. Our controller allows you to add a second joystick for those games like Robotron, Karate Champ and Crazy Climber! Where else can you get this feature unless you build your own?
These are very important games man  


5. You get to pick your own button colors!

6. We offer many upgrade options that are not available on other controllers like neon wire, clear top, and soon an all clear box which has never been offered before!


7. Please keep in mind this was designed for all those people who are interested in building their own controller. Not everyone has access to a table saw or drill press, but still want to build a joystick controller. Our kit also comes with instructions on how to assemble the box, where the wires go,  and how to setup the controls. This is worth something in itself for all those who have never done this before.

8. Some of the Happ parts we offer in our kit you won't find cheaper anywhere else.

9. One more thing:
What happens if you leave out the Ipac and wiring harness and use either a keyboard hack or a joystick hack? Cost is now only $77.47 for a complete box, joysticks and all the buttons with micro switches.
You could even hack into a Xbox or PS/2 controller and wire it to our kit for even more options.

10. Where else can you pick and choose each and every part you want with your controller?

Sure, we could sit here and pick apart every product on the market and argue why it's more expensive or better than something else.... what's the point?
I vote we spend more time working on our high scores in some of those great classic games  

GAME ON

errrr...

O...K.
If you say so  

[BombProofPlane]

first off

i agree with snake

second a sidewinder gampad is 5 dollars

a stick from happ controls is 13.50

a stick from bob roberts (exact same stick) 7.50

push button 1.80 from happ

1.50 from bob roberts (same button)

many people seem to be confused of the origin of these parts

they both come from industriaslorenzo

x-arcade makes there own sticks and buttons but they work fine except the buttons are shorter

ok end result is for a 6 button 1 joystick controller from happ is 29.30 (21.50 bob roberts) plus shipping and 5 bucks for some white scrap prelam from home depot

or

[rampy]

Guys, don't be total tools...

If a newb (or total klutz) wants to overpay for the priviledge of building an arcade control panel with easy to follow setup/system (or whatever) kit, let 'em.

Snaaake, you should re-think bashing or picking apart some vendor's kit/panel when no one took apart your asking price on your latest ebay offering  ( I know you coulda probably gotten more for it, but that's not the point... we didn't crap/part out what you were trying to do)...

Do I want what these guys are selling? heck no... I can like you guys build my own, and use my own resources to build it much cheaper.  

I think if you think it's a bad deal, next time a noob asks should I get a slick stick or one of these kit things tell 'em what you think....

I dunno... i'm not making my point very well...

I can see being a consumer advocate and saying "hey one could make something simliar cheaper (no duh!)" but it just seems stupid and besides the point... you aren't buying a bucket of parts you're buying a ready to assembly panel where everything is made to fit together and you get support for putting it together etc...

ya know what i mean? I'd pass on the product, but am glad it's available... and don't feel the need to piss all over it...  

I'd suggest treating people who post in the buy/sell forum with the same respect you'd like when you are selling something... but that's my opinion and your entitled to disagree...  I have an idea though...  be back in aminute..

rampy

[Xphile]

<snip>
I have an idea though...  be back in aminute..

ROTFLOL..

did you go make a new throw away ebay ID and buy his cab? <just kiddin'..>

x

[rampy]

no.. ha... I posted a topic in the main forum so that we could debate the merits/demerits of this idea with a fresh thread... =P

*shrug*

rampy

[medley]

Yea, I think for that price you should put them together customized for the buyer.
I'm sure you'll sell allot more.

[Xphile]

Yea, I think for that price you should but them together customized for the buyer.
I'm sure you'll sell allot more.

I think that's the whole point, the buyer does customize it ( within the limits of what available on their site) with decent components, doesn't have to own a single power tool, doesn't have to know the meaning of the words "square" or "flush" or "dovetail" or what the difference between 3/16ths slot cutter and a forstner bit are... but still gets the feel-good feeling of "building" it.

I dunno if this was the best forum to publicize the product, what with the number of woodworkers, electronic gurus, and other assorted propeller-heads (no offence:-) but for some people, this would be the way to go to get an arcade feel that they can customize to their tastes.  it's an option, no one is forceing you to go to their site and lay one out and enter you visa number..

that said, because of all the negative comments from a certain ssssomeone who was all pissy that a company would have the unmitigated gall to offer another alternative, (how dare someone try to bring a different product to market and let it fly or fail on it's own merits!) I ordered one, should get it soon  and will find out for myself how complete (or not) a package it is. how easy (or not) it is to put together and get working.. (i'll prolly let my wife build it... she has zero experience with woodworking or electronics) will post comments and a pic/ when it's done.

if it has a crappy fit/finish, and a crappy feel, I'll tell ya.  until I know one way or the other,I'll just assume it's another option for people to use if they desire.

( I don't understand people slamming any given product until someone uses it and finds flaws - just doesn't seem very american to me..)

fwiw,
x

[medley]

don't get me wrong it's a damn good idea.
and if you add up the time it takes to make a joystick from scratch, all the shipping charges, and then all the people who don't have there own tools it's actually not as expensive as it first sounds.

[planetjay]

Build your own joystick controller.
Try out our animated online kit builder


http://www.gamecabinetsinc.com/joystickkit.htm


We provide you with all of the parts including a easy to assemble box and a comprehensive instruction manual. You can even purchase a full wiring harness for only $14.99. No soldering or crimping required!!

Check it out!

Hmmm. 1/2" plexiglass as a Control Panel.

Me... Personally... I'd never buy one of those. But I do have a garage full of tools and skillz. Still, I learned something from looking at it. That 1/2" plexiglass would be great for a CP top.

And, while I would never buy one. I would HIGHLY recommend them to about 98% of the people I know. None of which, have ANY tools or skillz.

Instead of trashing companies for trying to make someone's life a little better, at least give them the benefit of a doubt. You can learn something from every project posted here. Even if it is how NOT to do things.

And also, for future reference, Trust anything Snaaaaack says about as much as you trust a snake in the grass.  

[Xphile]

That 1/2" plexiglass would be great for a CP top.

I think it would be cool to try and side light it (like a laptop screen) somehow (perhaps automotive neon on three sides)...and maybe sandwich multiple layers with some sort of translucent/transparent artwork to give a  three demensional effect.. you would need a clear drying yet very liquid adhesive to make it work right..
(not full coverage artwork, that would negate the effect and weaken the slab ...just a few characters here and there in the different layers..)
if it were done right ( I don't know how just yet or what kind of adhesive..:-), you shouldn't be able to tell it was multiple layers sandwiched, and should be just as strong as a solid piece of 3/4 plexi and just as easy to populate as 3/4 mdf...hmmm :-)

[radiator]

grr...

i hate the way some people seem to bash products as soon as they're released...

this guy (sorry can't remember name) has come along to the forum to tell us about his kit, only to get a slap in the face from 50% of the repliers (is that a word?)

sure, you can save money by buying the parts direct from Happ - but i've heard story's about Happ not being very reliable (in the UK anyway) - back ordered parts that end up arriving a month or two after you order them (etc)

look at it this way; if you really needed a part (for something), and the options were either to go to the overpriced store in town, knowing that you'd get the 'part' straight away, or, would you order the 'part' from elsewhere, saving a few bob but having to wait for it to arrive...

i'd go to town (but i'm impatient!)

[Tiger-Heli]

As a regular to the board, I thought I would respond to this thread.

First off, I think GameCabinetsInc has a very good idea.  They are a little more expensive than Bob Roberts for the joysticks and buttons, but they sell a blank cabinet if you wanted to save money, so I can't argue that.

I don't know what they charge for shipping, but it might be cheaper to pay the extra money for joysticks from them and have them shipped together with the cabinet, than paying shipping from both them and Bob Roberts.

Personally, I would prefer a narrower controller and would use cheaper wood and laminate, but birch looks very nice and the dimensions are comparable to the X-Arcade Solo.

On to the manufacturer's quotes:

1. Happ Controls makes a way better and more responsive joystick and button then the parts used in the X-Arcade (In my opinion). It's worth the extra cost right there for the upgraded controls.

Agreed, but as I said, I can get Happ parts for less from Bob Roberts.

2. Other controllers come with only a PS/2 plug. You have to pay an additional $19.95 for a PC Or Mac USB Adapter if you want that option.
- Ours comes with both (no additional charge) if you add the Ipac to your kit.

And I believe your price on the I-PAC is less than ordering one direct from www.ultimarc.com. :-)

3. Our kit allows you to fully customize the look and feel of your controller.
Plus, we make it easy and fun with our kits!!

Agreed!

4. Our controller allows you to add a second joystick for those games like Robotron, Karate Champ and Crazy Climber! Where else can you get this feature unless you build your own?
These are very important games man  

Ummmn, you lost me here . . . HotRod, X-Arcade, SlickStik, OzStick Ultimate . . .  all support a second joystick.  For that matter, OzStick uses an I-PAC, but not the Happ joysticks.

5. You get to pick your own button colors!
6. We offer many upgrade options that are not available on other controllers like neon wire, clear top, and soon an all clear box which has never been offered before!
7. Please keep in mind this was designed for all those people who are interested in building their own controller. Not everyone has access to a table saw or drill press, but still want to build a joystick controller. Our kit also comes with instructions on how to assemble the box, where the wires go,  and how to setup the controls. This is worth something in itself for all those who have never done this before.

Agree with 5, 6, and 7

8. Some of the Happ parts we offer in our kit you won't find cheaper anywhere else.

Really?  Which ones, okay, the top-fire joystick is less than what Happ charges and BobRoberts doesn't carry them.  The regular joysticks, pushbuttons, and MS-PacMan Joysticks are all less from BobRoberts, but that's not the point.  There is something to be said for the convenience of ordering everything from one shop.

9. One more thing:
What happens if you leave out the Ipac and wiring harness and use either a keyboard hack or a joystick hack? Cost is now only $77.47 for a complete box, joysticks and all the buttons with micro switches.
You could even hack into a Xbox or PS/2 controller and wire it to our kit for even more options.

Personally, if I were ordering, I would go one step further and order the blank controller box for $49.99.  This is really what you bring that's unique to the table.

10. Where else can you pick and choose each and every part you want with your controller?

Point taken.

P.S. don't take this negatively, as it wasn't meant to be.  I think you have a unique product and a good idea and I hope you are successful.

[mrhowell]

I like it.  It is another option for people that do not have much free time.  Jobs, family, no space for work shop cut in to hobby time. Good luck with your contribution to the arcade community.

[Xphile]

Ummmn, you lost me here . . . HotRod, X-Arcade, SlickStik, OzStick Ultimate . . .  all support a second joystick.

yeah, but they don't come with the second stick (or at least a hole for it) in a single player controller like the dual joystick model at GCI...you have to buy a two player x-arcade to play the above mentioned games requiring 2 joysticks..

[soundwav]

i'm building a 2 player control panel for almost $40 cheaper than the single joystick 'build your own joystick kit'. my control panel will include the following: 2 super joysticks, 20 buttons (both of these from happcontrols.com) and an ipac2 keyboard encoder.  need i say more?

[Xphile]

nothing important.

[Xphile]

sorry snaaack, didn't mean to upset cha'

[SNAAAKE]

sorry snaaack, didn't mean to upset cha'

nothing important.

 

what upset?

WHAT nothing important?

You can delete your messages all you want though but I quoted them right now so wanna explain why upset?      

Maybe you are retarded  .
Your post doesnt make any sense.

[planetjay]

i'm building a 2 player control panel for almost $40 cheaper than the single joystick 'build your own joystick kit'. my control panel will include the following: 2 super joysticks, 20 buttons (both of these from happcontrols.com) and an ipac2 keyboard encoder.  need i say more?

Not to mention he is selling freaging plans for joystick..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3215709365&category=13716

How hard is building a joystick that I gotta go buy a plan .

AND its illegal to sell anything on ebay thats like downloadable.

For cabinets,its totally reasonable if someone wants to sell DETAILED plans.

Ok Idiots, Since you're too lazy or dumb to read ALL of the Downloadable Media Policy, I've included the parts that apply to your complaints.

Exception
Sellers may list items that would otherwise violate this policy where:

• the seller is the copyright owner, or
• the underlying material is in the public domain

Since you're obviously lazy I've included a link to eBay's policy here.

And now to make a point.
I am VERY TIRED of this crap. We are NOT the eBay POLICE. Posting of eBay links YOU THINK are not acceptable IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Then reporting them to me several times only serves to piss me off even more. You can expect a new rule involving posting of links to eBay shortly and you can also expect me to personally delete your account and thousands of crap posts from it, if you do it again. If you have a problem on eBay, REPORT IT TO EBAY![/size]

[Nervous]

i'm building a 2 player control panel for almost $40 cheaper than the single joystick 'build your own joystick kit'. my control panel will include the following: 2 super joysticks, 20 buttons (both of these from happcontrols.com) and an ipac2 keyboard encoder.  need i say more?

Yeah, tell us about the wood shop you have in your garage...  Or are you like Flaaaaake who builds joystick controllers with scissors, his teeth and a small hammer?  

[rampy]

i'm building a 2 player control panel for almost $40 cheaper than the single joystick 'build your own joystick kit'. my control panel will include the following: 2 super joysticks, 20 buttons (both of these from happcontrols.com) and an ipac2 keyboard encoder.  need i say more?

Unless you are offereing it for sale at that price to the masses as a ready to make kit, you do need say more... cuz you totally missed the point.  

Thanks for playing, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars....

*shakes head*

rampy