My First Arcade Controller(s)

[beardawg252002]

so, this is my first post here and also my first arcade controls.  please be kind.  its not as uber elaborate as some of the projects i have seen here, but i was very proud.  it took me a few days (long days, lol) and some trial and error, but its done and works GREAT!

i dont really have the tools or the woodshop to build my own box, so i bought the solo x-arcade and took the guts out.  i figure i can always put that back together if i wanted to (although, it works on pc now that it has 360 guts, so maybe no need).  then, i got a wired 360 controller and went nuts.  lots of fine soldering and tons of patience later, i give you my first authentic arcade controller.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/60641487@N00/436569216/

edit: oh, also, i hope this isnt the wrong place for this since its a done project, but i wasnt sure if it should go here or the console section.

[beardawg252002]

40 views and no replies.  hmmm.  i guess its not uber enough for this site. 

[javeryh]

40 views and no replies.  hmmm.  i guess its not uber enough for this site. 

There are lots of lurkers.  People get more excited around here if they see original artwork and stuff like that.  I could never do what you did (I've never soldered and I wouldn't have the guts to try on such expensive stuff) so it's uber enough for me - nice job.  Does it make the XBLA arcade games any more playable?  I've downloaded a bunch of demos but the controls are completely unresponsive.  The d-pad stinks.

[vrf]

well, it is a DIY kind of site.  

Still, impressive job on the controller hack. I think, in the future, using hacked 360 controllers (wireless ones) would be really cool for a sit-on-the-couch MAME box. (Now that those controllers can work in Windows.)

So I like to keep an eye out for projects like this. Nice job!

[beardawg252002]

There are lots of lurkers.  People get more excited around here if they see original artwork and stuff like that.  I could never do what you did (I've never soldered and I wouldn't have the guts to try on such expensive stuff) so it's uber enough for me - nice job.  Does it make the XBLA arcade games any more playable?  I've downloaded a bunch of demos but the controls are completely unresponsive.  The d-pad stinks.

thank you very much.  i am not much of an artist, more of an electrical engineer.  so, i left that stuff alone.  and yes, it makes the games so much more playable on a console.  the d-pad is horrible.  thats why i posted here.  i figured people with such passion for arcade cabs would understand how horrible it is to play on a controller.  i needed a joystick and buttons.  most people on xbox dont really care about the arcade stuff, but i am older and i love both types of games.

[beardawg252002]

well, it is a DIY kind of site. 

Still, impressive job on the controller hack. I think, in the future, using hacked 360 controllers (wireless ones) would be really cool for a sit-on-the-couch MAME box. (Now that those controllers can work in Windows.)

So I like to keep an eye out for projects like this. Nice job!

thank you for the props on the hack.  i thought i did "do it myself."  i just cant do the woodworking.  i dont have the skills or tools.  the next best thing for me was to buy a pre-made box and do all the guts myself.

i may make it wireless or make another one thats wireless.  the problem there is relocating the battery to a convenient spot so it doesnt look dumb and is easily replaceable.  for now, i just wanted to make sure it works, and then maybe do the wireless.

it makes the arcade games playable and actually fun again on a console.  oh, and it does work on pc (MAME) so its dual purpose.

thanks again.

[beardawg252002]

well, i now have a buddy interested in a 360 arcade controller that has a woodshop.

he is going to build a few boxes and i can do the guts and wiring.  i will post some pics when we get one done.  since everyone around here likes the woodworking so much, maybe that will get some more looks.

[theCoder]

well, i now have a buddy interested in a 360 arcade controller that has a woodshop.

he is going to build a few boxes and i can do the guts and wiring.  i will post some pics when we get one done.  since everyone around here likes the woodworking so much, maybe that will get some more looks.

My woodworking skills were pent up since HighSchool freshman year (many moons ago).  If it were not for a friend with a woodshop I never would have gotten the nerve to take up this hobby. 

Hey, some of us like the electrical hacks too.  Get busy coming up with some cool battery system for the wireless controllers.  Perhaps a permanently mounted block of re-chargables with an exposed charger port.  Or a converted fuel cell.  Just make sure to take lots of pictures.  Your words are nice, but pictures....

Good luck in the shop.

[Bountyhunterinc]

Here's the link to what I did. It's a very simple solution for me since I just flip the box over to get to the batteries, but with a bit of effort you can relocate this pack, or somethinig similar to be accesable from outside the box I'm sure.

Maybe cut a hole through the box and flush mount the access panel to the battery holder. You can use recharchable batteries in this holder as well i think.

Maybe ill do it this weekend. Ill post pics if I do.

There are also some other links in the thread that lead to tutorials I used if you hunt around in the posts.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57402.0

[beardawg252002]

thanks guys. 

i have Good Friday off this week.  so, tomrrow, my friend and i are going to build the prototype box and maybe one more.  then, i am off to do my solo part with the boards, buttons and joystick.  hopefully will have some pics up by the end of the weekend.

 

[beardawg252002]

here is a pic of the new box.  looks great.  now, i have to wait for warmer temps to paint.  its about 25 degrees F here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60641487@N00/450060017/

[Chris G]

Good progress on the new box - keep it up!  I like the nice, simple layout.  Very rewarding building from scratch, eh?

 
Chris

[beardawg252002]

Good progress on the new box - keep it up!  I like the nice, simple layout.  Very rewarding building from scratch, eh?

 
Chris

thank you.  i cant wait to get it painted.  then, the wireless guts and arcade parts go in.  hope for warm weather soon, and there will be more progress.

[beardawg252002]

NEW PHOTOS.  PAINT, BUTTONS AND JOYSTICK INSTALLED.

only wireless guts to go.  probably done by this weekend.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60641487@N00/453287586/

this will take you to the last photo.  scroll back a couple for the painting action photos.  ... alright, not so much action.

[Bountyhunterinc]

Lookin good, how's that wireless pad hack going? Get the battery figured out? Let's see some pictures of the good stuff.. you know, the guts 

[beardawg252002]

Lookin good, how's that wireless pad hack going? Get the battery figured out? Let's see some pictures of the good stuff.. you know, the guts 

i sent you a pm.  everything went good except the darn used wireless controller just wouldnt connect to anything.  it starts up and blinks, but the wireless connection button is totally dead.  i even tried physically making the connection around the switch, nothing.  at least i didnt go all the way and solder everything in the box.

started with a new one this time and i know it works on my console.

i mounted the batt on the outside, underneath the overhang.  i dont have a pic yet, been too busy making this thing work.  i will post some soon.

[beardawg252002]

so, my wireless version is all complete and working.  Happ comp joystick and 4 comp buttons.  the rest are x-arcade (boo, i know everyone hates it, but i had some extras).  enjoy the pics on my flickr page linked below.

i didnt think it could get any better for xbox live arcade, but it did.  turned out pretty good, i think.

my flickr

scroll forward or back one picture to see a couple different angles.

[NiteWalker]

I like the design of the new box. Came out great. My only criticism is that your friend put pocket holes on the outside. Otherwise it looks great.

 

[beardawg252002]

I like the design of the new box. Came out great. My only criticism is that your friend put pocket holes on the outside. Otherwise it looks great.

 

thanks.  yeah, i hear ya about the pocket holes on the outside.  but, i didnt have the heart to ask my friend for a whole new box.  i decided i could live with it, ya know.  plus, i made him feel really bad right after he did it.     i said, "wait, isnt that supposed to be.... oh."

[beardawg252002]

link to my xbox360 wireless arcade controller tutorial.

my arcade controller tutorial