Wanted: 4 way leaf switch ball top joystick

[IceCold]

I don't know if I'll be able to get one, but I'm looking for a 4 way joystick.  It has to be Ball top, and I would really like it to be leaf switch.  I could probably take microswitch if it's a good deal.

Most joysticks I see are not the ball top kind, that's why I'm asking here.

[mcleanjoel]

Check here:
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=2&action=display&threadid=5799

[IceCold]

Check here:
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=2&action=display&threadid=5799

How much money are you looking to get out of it?  And is it one of those sticks that have "dead zones" or is it a good 4 way stick?

[mcleanjoel]

I have not seen a dedicated 4-way wico leaf stick so I don't know if those have a diamond shape feel/restrictor in them but this one does not.
If someone else knows that would be important.

Here is a link to some that I think are the same stick on E-bay that sold for $60 for 2:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3214534014&category=13718

I would like $25 and $5 to ship.
Always willing to consider trades as well.

[IceCold]

I have not seen a dedicated 4-way wico leaf stick so I don't know if those have a diamond shape feel/restrictor in them but this one does not.
If someone else knows that would be important.

Here is a link to some that I think are the same stick on E-bay that sold for $60 for 2:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3214534014&category=13718

I would like $25 and $5 to ship.
Always willing to consider trades as well.

Well, I'll wait and see if I can find a dedicated 4 way stick.  If you still have yours in a few weeks and I haven't found one, I'll probably buy it.  I'm really looking for a dedicated 4 way ball top, even if it's not leaf switch.

[spidermonkey]

A Wico 4-way leaf switch joystick does have a restrictive diamond shaped hole. When trolling for these on Ebay keep in mind that a Wico 4-way's base is the color GREY and the Wico 8-ways are black so even if the seller claims its a Wico 4-way you should always ask the seller what color the base is. Sometimes its hard to tell from a picture. This was for quick identification for arcade operators. The 8-ways use a round unrestrictive hole. Wico also used two different joystick shaft lenths for use with metal or wood control panels. You'll probably want the long style if your cp is wood. If you or anybody needs any info or specs on 4-way or 8-way Wico leaf switch joysticks just let me know as I have both on my cab. If you're into classic 4-way games the one of these is a must. A microswitch joystick will NOT give you the authentic feel  of a true dedicated Wico leafswitch joystick and I'm not just talking about the annoying clickity click that a microswitch joystick produces. The real difference in feel is due to the fact that leaf switch joysticks use a rubber positioning grommet to return the stick to center while a microswitch stick uses a spring to perform this task. The sticks have two completely different feels to them.

[IceCold]

A Wico 4-way leaf switch joystick does have a restrictive diamond shaped hole. When trolling for these on Ebay keep in mind that a Wico 4-way's base is the color GREY and the Wico 8-ways are black so even if the seller claims its a Wico 4-way you should always ask the seller what color the base is. Sometimes its hard to tell from a picture. This was for quick identification for arcade operators. The 8-ways use a round unrestrictive hole. Wico also used two different joystick shaft lenths for use with metal or wood control panels. You'll probably want the long style if your cp is wood. If you or anybody needs any info or specs on 4-way or 8-way Wico leaf switch joysticks just let me know as I have both on my cab. If you're into classic 4-way games the one of these is a must. A microswitch joystick will NOT give you the authentic feel  of a true dedicated Wico leafswitch joystick and I'm not just talking about the annoying clickity click that a microswitch joystick produces. The real difference in feel is due to the fact that leaf switch joysticks use a rubber positioning grommet to return the stick to center while a microswitch stick uses a spring to perform this task. The sticks have two completely different feels to them.

Thank you for the information!  I'm not EXTREMELY into classic 4 way games, but I do like many of them.  This is why I want it to be
1. Ball top, for me it's a must with classic games like pac-man
2. leaf switch, a whole lot more classic feel.
I'll be on the lookout on ebay for a grey base wico leaf switch joystick, you just really helped me out!

If i'm doing a gamepad hack, should I just wire up, down, left and right just to buttons on the gamepad?  That would probably work, I wouldn't need another direction pad to hack, and it would be just a 4 way stick anyways...

I just hope my control panel doesn't get too crowded   , it's fairly small, and I'm doing 2 8 way joysticks with 6 buttons each, a 4 way stick(hopefully   ), and probably an i-ball(I think that's what it's called) trackball(if I get my order on the ones for $2.99 a piece).  I really need to lay it all out, but I don't have that visio program  

[Larry Smith]

Later Wico leaf switch joysticks (at least the 8-ways) used springs instead of centering grommets. The springs are fairly stiff and the feel is close but not quite the same as the older style. I'm very happy with mine.

[spidermonkey]

Yep, you can use the same gamepad. As long as the stick you're hooking up to it is a 4-way you don't have to worry about the gamepad receiving unwanted diagonal signals. If I see one for sale I'll post it here.
Good luck

[IceCold]

Yep, you can use the same gamepad. As long as the stick you're hooking up to it is a 4-way you don't have to worry about the gamepad receiving unwanted diagonal signals. If I see one for sale I'll post it here.
Good luck

Hehe, I meant INSTEAD of using the directional pad, I'd just wire it up to 4 different buttons   .  Thank you for all the information and posting here if you find one for sale.

[MrToasty]

A Wico 4-way leaf switch joystick does have a restrictive diamond shaped hole. When trolling for these on Ebay keep in mind that a Wico 4-way's base is the color GREY and the Wico 8-ways are black so even if the seller claims its a Wico 4-way you should always ask the seller what color the base is. Sometimes its hard to tell from a picture. This was for quick identification for arcade operators. The 8-ways use a round unrestrictive hole. Wico also used two different joystick shaft lenths for use with metal or wood control panels. You'll probably want the long style if your cp is wood. If you or anybody needs any info or specs on 4-way or 8-way Wico leaf switch joysticks just let me know as I have both on my cab. If you're into classic 4-way games the one of these is a must. A microswitch joystick will NOT give you the authentic feel  of a true dedicated Wico leafswitch joystick and I'm not just talking about the annoying clickity click that a microswitch joystick produces. The real difference in feel is due to the fact that leaf switch joysticks use a rubber positioning grommet to return the stick to center while a microswitch stick uses a spring to perform this task. The sticks have two completely different feels to them.

I bought a couple of these a few months ago:
http://www.centsibleamusements.com/product.asp?3=393

They're listed as 8-way and come with 4-way and 8-way actuators.  However, the hole is diamond-like, not quite a clear diamond shape but also not a circle.  From the above color discussion I'd be tempted to think they were really 4-ways.  My I-PAC comes tomorrow, so I guess I'll find out soon.

[Grasshopper]

A Wico 4-way leaf switch joystick does have a restrictive diamond shaped hole. When trolling for these on Ebay keep in mind that a Wico 4-way's base is the color GREY and the Wico 8-ways are black so even if the seller claims its a Wico 4-way you should always ask the seller what color the base is. Sometimes its hard to tell from a picture. This was for quick identification for arcade operators. The 8-ways use a round unrestrictive hole. Wico also used two different joystick shaft lenths for use with metal or wood control panels. You'll probably want the long style if your cp is wood. If you or anybody needs any info or specs on 4-way or 8-way Wico leaf switch joysticks just let me know as I have both on my cab. If you're into classic 4-way games the one of these is a must. A microswitch joystick will NOT give you the authentic feel  of a true dedicated Wico leafswitch joystick and I'm not just talking about the annoying clickity click that a microswitch joystick produces. The real difference in feel is due to the fact that leaf switch joysticks use a rubber positioning grommet to return the stick to center while a microswitch stick uses a spring to perform this task. The sticks have two completely different feels to them.

I bought a couple of these a few months ago:
http://www.centsibleamusements.com/product.asp?3=393

They're listed as 8-way and come with 4-way and 8-way actuators.  However, the hole is diamond-like, not quite a clear diamond shape but also not a circle.  From the above color discussion I'd be tempted to think they were really 4-ways.  My I-PAC comes tomorrow, so I guess I'll find out soon.

I bought a couple of the black version of that joystick about a year ago. They're not genuine Wicos but not bad substitutes. One thing about them which I prefer to the Wicos is that the leaf switches can be easily removed for adjusting. However the handles were really poor quality.

Do your joysticks have a diamond shape hole at the top? The reason I ask is that my joysticks (which were advertised as 8 ways) have a round hole at the top but a diamond shaped hole underneath. They have an 8 way feel.

[MrToasty]

Do your joysticks have a diamond shape hole at the top? The reason I ask is that my joysticks (which were advertised as 8 ways) have a round hole at the top but a diamond shaped hole underneath. They have an 8 way feel.

The hole on top is pretty much a diamond.  You can feel the 4-way directions, but you have to push a little ways to feel them.  Just received my I-PAC so I'll test these sticks with both actuators.