happs ultimate joystick - need recessing?

[specialmoose]

Hey all, thanks for all the help so far. Finally got into building my arcade cabinet and didn't realize how much time these things take! Already went over my budget twice (tools, new mame comp, broken tv, etc.) and can see how these bad boys rival other hobbies out there.

Anyways, my question is this. I installed a Happs Ultimate joystick on 3/4" MDF and when I tried playing the classic street fighter 2, it was damn near impossible to pull off moves. I'm thinking I need to recess the stick (route out 1/4" or so) to get the stick to well stick up more. In MAME I only have 4 buttons registered for the stick (up, down, left, right) and the stick is connected to a KeyWiz (?) by Groovygamergear.com. You guys think it might be the stick needs recessing or did I goof up on configuring the stick in MAME?

I read up a lot both from here and retroblast.com and seems Happs Ultimate should be pretty decent with fighting games. Hell, it seems it's the industrial standard stick of choice. SCHMUPS play just fine however

[Joystick Jerk]

Definitely. Sounds like you're not hitting the diagonals, or barely hitting them, and thusly not being able to pull off moves properly. Are you totally sure that's the problem though? Look at your panel; do the stick shafts actually touch the sides of the mounting hole when pressed sideways or on a diagonal? If so, then that's why you're not hitting the diagonals.

[ahofle]

If he's able to play schmups fine, then I doubt the issue is hitting the diagonals and recessing won't solve anything.  A simple test would be to load up a game like robotron and see if you can walk easily in all 8 directions. 

[Joystick Jerk]

But you can play a shmup somewhat fine without hitting diagonals, so the problem wouldn't be as noticeable. In a game like SF though, where you have to roll the stick for your moves, not hitting a diagonal immediately cancels the move and would be very noticeable.

[specialmoose]

I think the joystick is just not worn in (too new) or when the move registers (move left) registers too quickly. I can hear the button click before I even hit the side of the wood.

[Joystick Jerk]

You're not supposed to hit the wood.

[XtraSmiley]

You're not supposed to hit the wood.

What he said.  Really, this is the FIRST thing you need to check/test.

[javeryh]

Let me see if I understand - you have the joystick mounted underneath the CP on 3/4" MDF without any recessing and the shaft of the joystick is hitting the 1-1/8" hole you drilled when you push on it?  If so, it's not supposed to do that - I recommend routing out the MDF about 3/8" deep and trying again.  Hope this helps.