Help ID these joysticks and buttons

[XtraSmiley]

This is from a dedicated Trog.  I need a new yellow button (player 2 has been replaced with a blue one) and I'd like to get replacement sticks b/c the originals are rusted as well as use one of these type sticks in my new SlikStik cab so any help would be appreciated. 

If these are Wico sticks, can you tell me if they are 3.5 or 4?  Does this size indicated height and all the ball sizes are the same or is there a measurement for ball top size?  (I like the bigger ones and don't want to get stuck with the smaller ball, ha ha).

If you have one yellow button or the sticks to sell please let me know!

[XtraSmiley]

One more b/c the last joy pic was blurry:

[XtraSmiley]

40 views and no one can ID them?

[jcoleman]

Those are the oft-searched-for-and-rarely-found Wico 4-ways.  Get yourself some grommets...I suspect they use the 3.5" shafts - 4" shafts were pretty much Robotron-only.

Gratz!

[XtraSmiley]

Really?  They don't feel 4 way, but they work great.  Thanks a million man, now if I could only find the shafts in the colors I need... Red, Blue, Purple and yellow.

Any idea about the buttons?

[Kremmit]

It's hard to see from the pics if they're 4-way or not.  If the holes in the base that the shaft passes through are round, they're 8-ways; if the holes are diamond shaped then they're 4-ways.  Check Ponyboy's post in Buy/Sell/Trade for handles, he's got at least the red in 3.5, I dunno if he's got the right shade of blue.  The Purple and Yellow are going to be tougher.

The buttons look like your garden variety short leafswitch buttons.  Try Bob Roberts, Centsible Amusements, MikesArcade, ArcadeShop, QuarterArcade, LizardLickAmusements...

[XtraSmiley]

Thank you very much.  Yes I think they are 8 way as I don't feel restricted when I move to the corners.  They also work great so no need for any new parts.

I saw that BR is selling a cheap Chines leaf joystick.  Is this any good?  Are they terrible?  They seem like a better deal than a NOS wico for $40.

Do you think my buttons are the short ones?  I read on BR site that if it is wood it is probably long ones.  I guess I will measure before I buy.

Thanks for the tip on the sticks.  Do you know anywhere where I can get all the colors I need?

[Kremmit]

The cheap Chinese stick is usually dismissed as crap.  But if the ones you've got work well, then why would you want to replace them?  All you need is new handles.

Maybe I'm wrong about the length on your buttons; from the pics, I though it was a metal control panel.  Measuring is a good idea.

re:  colors- What am I, your personal shopper?    Seriously, I don't keep up on everybody's inventory, you'll just have to have a look around.

[XtraSmiley]

ha ha, thanks for everything man.  the ones I have work GREAT.  I want to replace the Happs 4 way on another panel with a Wico 4 way, but since I cannot find a new one (for other than $50) I was looking at the $10 Chinese one.

[lizardlick]

Smiley,

From my experience, the old Wico's came in grey for 4-way, and black for 8-way. We sell the Chinese version, and it really is crap. The only reason we carry it is because it's the only leaf-switch joystick that you can still get new. You're better off rebuilding the ones you have by replacing the grommets and cleaning up the handles. You can usually pick up the grommets on eBay, there may be someone else that carries them as well. It's pretty tough to find the Wico's new, and you will pay out the nose for them if you do... On the buttons, if the nut is recessed, they are probably the "short" variety. The purple you're looking for is going to be a tough nut to crack; we stock many colors, but no purple. You can drop me an email or pm if you need any more help putting your project together, you may have other options that you're not aware of...

Thanks,

Chad
http://www.lizardlick.com

[Crowquill]

So you only want to replace the yellow button and find similar sticks for another project, right?

If you're unsure whether they're the long or short buttons, why not just take one out and measure it?

I have a few spare yellow leaf buttons that I think are in pretty good shape. I bought a grab bag of used leaf buttons off of ebay a few years back. Are the yellow buttons a normal plain-jane yellow or are they more of a yellow-orange traffic sign kind of color? I'm pretty sure I have buttons of both varieties. If I can find it I'll drop it in a padded envelope and send it first class mail to you (as long as you're in the US). I won't have a chance to look until tomorrow when I go to pick up some other stuff from my storage unit.

Leaf joysticks rock and so does Trog. I was just thinking about that game the other day. At a truck stop I saw a World Class Bowling in a converted Trog cabinet. It was easy to identify since it still had a trog and a dino on the monitor bezel.

[XtraSmiley]

So you only want to replace the yellow button and find similar sticks for another project, right?

If you're unsure whether they're the long or short buttons, why not just take one out and measure it?

I have a few spare yellow leaf buttons that I think are in pretty good shape. I bought a grab bag of used leaf buttons off of ebay a few years back. Are the yellow buttons a normal plain-jane yellow or are they more of a yellow-orange traffic sign kind of color? I'm pretty sure I have buttons of both varieties. If I can find it I'll drop it in a padded envelope and send it first class mail to you (as long as you're in the US). I won't have a chance to look until tomorrow when I go to pick up some other stuff from my storage unit.

Leaf joysticks rock and so does Trog. I was just thinking about that game the other day. At a truck stop I saw a World Class Bowling in a converted Trog cabinet. It was easy to identify since it still had a trog and a dino on the monitor bezel.

That is correct.  If you did this for me it would be awesome!  I am in TX.  Trog is awesome and the dedicated cab is super hard to get.  I would even buy a converted one in the hopes the side art can be converted back.  I'd also love to have the monitor bezel you saw as it is super rare.  Any chance you could snag that cab to sell or just the bezel?

I am also looking for replacement sticks for the Trog itselft (I'm looking for a new 4 way for another project) since mine are rusted.  I think Ponyboy has two of the colors I need which I'll be getting from him, but I need the other two still.

If you don't end up finding the buttons, no worries, I found them new from Bob Roberts for about $1 plus shipping.

Anyway, thanks a ton man.  If you ever need anything that I can help you out on, let me know!

[RayB]

Your 4-ways feel like 8way because the plastic has worn down over time and become a round opening instead of diamond.

The yellow button is the color commonly called "Galaga gold". If you just buy "yellow" you'll end up with something more lemon yellow.

[Level42]

Yeah,, I've got a couple of those Chinese  leaf joysticks. You wanna trade them for the Wico ?

[shardian]

Yeah,, I've got a couple of those Chinese  leaf joysticks. You wanna trade them for the Wico ?

If you have broken leaf's, those chinese leaf joysticks serve as a passable supply for replacement leafswitches... at least that is the only use I could find for them.

[XtraSmiley]

Your 4-ways feel like 8way because the plastic has worn down over time and become a round opening instead of diamond.

The yellow button is the color commonly called "Galaga gold". If you just buy "yellow" you'll end up with something more lemon yellow.

Thanks for the tips.  KLOV lists Trog as 8 way sticks.  Do you think they are wrong?  Player 3 and 4 look like they have barely been used, not sure if they are worn down.  Only way to check is to take it apart I guess...

[Crowquill]

tips.  KLOV lists Trog as 8 way sticks.  Do you think they are wrong?  Player 3 and 4 look like they have barely been used, not sure if they are worn down.  Only way to check is to take it apart I guess...

It wouldn't be the first time a listing was wrong. I don't see any reason why in the game you would NEED an 8-way. Maybe for easier navigation of the high score table or something. Although by the time that game came out it might have been easier for Midway to get 8-way sticks.

That bezel was pretty nifty to see, but there really wasn't much to it. It was just white line-art on black of a trog and dino; one on either side of where the instruction card would have been. It was on location in a truck stop, so no access to it, sadly.

I'll check on the button(s) tomorrow. If you want to PM me your address I can send it out within the next couple days.

[XtraSmiley]

I just ordered a NOS wico 4 way and I thought it would come with a diamond cut hole as a restrictor.  Turns out the actuator is what makes it a 4 way.  I'm not sure an actuator would make a good 4 way.  Anyone have experiance with this?

[NoOne=NBA=]

I just ordered a NOS wico 4 way and I thought it would come with a diamond cut hole as a restrictor.  Turns out the actuator is what makes it a 4 way.  I'm not sure an actuator would make a good 4 way.  Anyone have experiance with this?

The bases on the 4-ways have diamond shaped restrictors in them.
The "4-way actuator" is needed to prevent the stick from hitting diagonals.

If you use a 4-way base, and an 8-way restrictor, you end up with a stick similar to the Tron ones.
Putting the 4-way restrictor on an 8-way base gives you an 8-way that has a large deadspot in the center.

[XtraSmiley]

I just ordered a NOS wico 4 way and I thought it would come with a diamond cut hole as a restrictor.  Turns out the actuator is what makes it a 4 way.  I'm not sure an actuator would make a good 4 way.  Anyone have experiance with this?

The bases on the 4-ways have diamond shaped restrictors in them.
The "4-way actuator" is needed to prevent the stick from hitting diagonals.

If you use a 4-way base, and an 8-way restrictor, you end up with a stick similar to the Tron ones.
Putting the 4-way restrictor on an 8-way base gives you an 8-way that has a large deadspot in the center.

Jesus H. Christ.  I just bought a "4 way" from a guy on the newsgroups.  He sends me an 8 way and then tells me basically that I'm an idiot because an 8 way in a 4 way game will work the same.  He also says he called a few people to make sure he was right and he is.

Now he wants me to mail it back for a refund.  Even though I asked 3 times if it was a 4 way and he said it was.  EVEN THOUGH he specifically said he had both 4 and 8 ways for sale.  EVEN THOUGH HE IS CHARGING A CRAZY price already, he still didn't send me what I wanted!

Ahhhhh ---fudgesicle---.  Sorry just had to vent.  Anyone know an easy or cheap place to make this 8 way into a 4 way?  Or a place to buy an actual NOS 4 way?

[lizardlick]

Smiley,

Drop me an email, I've got some refurbished Wico 4-ways, I'll sell you one.

Chad
sales at lizardlick.com

[shardian]

I just ordered a NOS wico 4 way and I thought it would come with a diamond cut hole as a restrictor.  Turns out the actuator is what makes it a 4 way.  I'm not sure an actuator would make a good 4 way.  Anyone have experiance with this?

The bases on the 4-ways have diamond shaped restrictors in them.
The "4-way actuator" is needed to prevent the stick from hitting diagonals.

If you use a 4-way base, and an 8-way restrictor, you end up with a stick similar to the Tron ones.
Putting the 4-way restrictor on an 8-way base gives you an 8-way that has a large deadspot in the center.

Jesus H. Christ.  I just bought a "4 way" from a guy on the newsgroups.  He sends me an 8 way and then tells me basically that I'm an idiot because an 8 way in a 4 way game will work the same.  He also says he called a few people to make sure he was right and he is.

Now he wants me to mail it back for a refund.  Even though I asked 3 times if it was a 4 way and he said it was.  EVEN THOUGH he specifically said he had both 4 and 8 ways for sale.  EVEN THOUGH HE IS CHARGING A CRAZY price already, he still didn't send me what I wanted!

Ahhhhh ---fudgesicle---.  Sorry just had to vent.  Anyone know an easy or cheap place to make this 8 way into a 4 way?  Or a place to buy an actual NOS 4 way?

Well write him back and say you have a whole board of people who would like to let him know he is a dumbass and is wrong. If you pay for a NOS 4-way, you better get a real 4-way.

[XtraSmiley]

Arrrgh, now he says he talked to a "MAME" guy and he says I just need to change the program so that the 8 way doesn't lock up.  WTF?

Seriously, I sent him a last pissed off email and he says he is tired of dealing with me and sent me a refund.  Problem is now I'm out $6-7 to mail the damn thing back to him.

Not sure what to do, but I don't feel right keeping it.  I think I will just end up sending him the money again and not dealing with him again.  Too bad to as he has some more NOS 8 ways that I may end up needing down the road.