49-way question - for Midway owners

[Green Giant]

Been wondering if anyone has come up with a way to add lightup/balltop joystick handles to the old Midway 49-ways.

Read earlier about adding the new GGG centering grommets which make the versa49 ball tops fit, but haven't seen any results of this. 

Anyone figured tryed this out yet.  Not the Happ 49's but the old Midway ones you can pick up on ebay.

[Kremmit]

I considered this once upon a time-  It looks to me as if you'll have to replace the actuator, dustwasher and sliders as well as the grommet.  Or, you could possibly just enlarge the hole in the dustwasher and actuator, and widen the slots in the sliders.

-OR-

Put the new handles on a lathe and turn down the diameter of the shaft until it fits the old parts. 

[Green Giant]

Looks like good old black bats for me.   

[Kaytrim]

I have one of the versa49 replacement sticks and grommet.  I had to ream out the plastic actuator to fit the stick.  If I had more space under the CP it would work.  I really want to make this work because the grommets I have on my Midway 49 sticks are worn to the point where it is hard to return to dead center.

Kaytrim

[Kremmit]

I have one of the versa49 replacement sticks and grommet.  I had to ream out the plastic actuator to fit the stick.  If I had more space under the CP it would work.  I really want to make this work because the grommets I have on my Midway 49 sticks are worn to the point where it is hard to return to dead center.

Kaytrim

You didn't have to do anything to the sliders?  I thought the slots would be too narrow for the new shaft.

[RandyT]

You didn't have to do anything to the sliders?  I thought the slots would be too narrow for the new shaft.

Nothing needs to be done on the sliders.  The only difference is the inside diameter of the spacers.   If one can safely and accurately ream them to the correct size, everything else is fine.

RandyT

[Green Giant]

Anyone have any luck reaming out the spacers, and what is the difference in diameters of the midway and happ 49-way's. 

Know if it would be possible to do this with a regular drill and bits?

[Kremmit]

You didn't have to do anything to the sliders?  I thought the slots would be too narrow for the new shaft.

Nothing needs to be done on the sliders.  The only difference is the inside diameter of the spacers.   If one can safely and accurately ream them to the correct size, everything else is fine.

RandyT

Ahh, I see.  I should've dug a stick out sooner instead of just going from memory.  Looks like new spacers/actuators might be the way to go for folks unable to modify the old ones.  It also looks like Happ wants big bucks for 'em.  I wonder if there's a matching nylon spacer in the bins at the hardware store?

[Green Giant]

Kremmit,

Any luck trying this one out?  Wondering if you found any spacers or know where to find them.  I am having trouble with 4way games using my current sticks, and I think these grommets will help.

[Kaytrim]

If anyone is interested in getting new grommets for the Midway 49-way sticks shoot divemaster a PM.  He is getting me a set from Happ and I will post results here on this thread once they arrive.  These are supposed to be for the Midway sticks which have a thinner shaft than the Happ 49 way model.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Angry_Radish]

Lemme know how it goes, I could always use some spares, min are starting to look iffy :-)

[Kremmit]

Kremmit,

Any luck trying this one out?  Wondering if you found any spacers or know where to find them.  I am having trouble with 4way games using my current sticks, and I think these grommets will help.

Never tried.  My Midway49s sit in a box, untouched.  I have a set of Williams49's hooked up that do the job for me.

[Kaytrim]

If anyone is interested in getting new grommets for the Midway 49-way sticks shoot divemaster a PM.  He is getting me a set from Happ and I will post results here on this thread once they arrive.  These are supposed to be for the Midway sticks which have a thinner shaft than the Happ 49 way model.

TTFN
Kaytrim

Bad news.  The grommets I got from Happ were the ones from their 49-way stick.  The hole in them is larger than the Midway stick.  They are also a much more heavy duty grommet.  I'll have to head to the hardware store and see if they have some kind of spacer that I could use.  I'll have to see what I can find.

TTFN

[RandyT]

If anyone is interested in getting new grommets for the Midway 49-way sticks shoot divemaster a PM.  He is getting me a set from Happ and I will post results here on this thread once they arrive.  These are supposed to be for the Midway sticks which have a thinner shaft than the Happ 49 way model.

TTFN
Kaytrim

Bad news.  The grommets I got from Happ were the ones from their 49-way stick.  The hole in them is larger than the Midway stick.  They are also a much more heavy duty grommet.  I'll have to head to the hardware store and see if they have some kind of spacer that I could use.  I'll have to see what I can find.

TTFN

I had a feeling...

I know pretty well what HAPP offers and didn't recall seeing anything that would work with the older sticks.

Anyone who might need replacements for the older Midway sticks should drop me an email.  I have some that should fit properly.

RandyT

[Green Giant]

Bad news.  The grommets I got from Happ were the ones from their 49-way stick.  The hole in them is larger than the Midway stick.  They are also a much more heavy duty grommet.  I'll have to head to the hardware store and see if they have some kind of spacer that I could use.  I'll have to see what I can find.

TTFN

I had a feeling...

I know pretty well what HAPP offers and didn't recall seeing anything that would work with the older sticks.

Anyone who might need replacements for the older Midway sticks should drop me an email.  I have some that should fit properly.

RandyT

Randy,

Did you still have anything that might work for upgrading the grommets on a midway 49.  Sent you an email a while back but I don't think I got a response.  I know you check this more often anyways.

Kaytrim,

Did you ever get around to picking up a new spacer?  Any news on the grommets?


Thanks all,

[RandyT]

Randy,

Did you still have anything that might work for upgrading the grommets on a midway 49.  Sent you an email a while back but I don't think I got a response.  I know you check this more often anyways.

I'm starting to think I have a few email issues.  PM me with your email address so I can search for it.  I'm pretty sure I replied to a query about this not too long ago.

RandyT

[Kaytrim]

Kaytrim,

Did you ever get around to picking up a new spacer?  Any news on the grommets?

Haven't had the time or opportunity to look for one.  I might try this weekend over at Lows and/or HD.

TTFN