Ball replacement stick for P360

[Wienerdog]

Relocating a side conversation from another thread.

Sure, rub in that DOT spinner...

You don't want that one, it's the prototype and not as high quality as the production ones.  I opted to keep that one for myself, you guys will get the good ones...

Can I get the 4" Wico Balltop handle by itself somewhere or do I have to buy the joystick?  Where is the best place to buy that stick?  Is that one of the Universal Series 500 sticks at http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page88.htm ?

Oscar, you mention the robotron sticks, would the Robotron replacement sticks be good:
http://www.arcadeshop.com/pics/robotron-long-shaft-set.jpg

The look good, I just wanted to confirm that a Robotron replacement stick would work.  I found them on the site you sent me to, so I wasn't sure if there was a problem with these particular ones.

[OSCAR]

Hmmm, they must have added those since I last looked there.  Last time I looked they only had the 3.5" handles.  Those appear to be the correct handles to fit in the P360 bases and they are advertised as Robotron replacements.  I should have looked through their current products before I said they didn't carry them, I guess.  

[MrToasty]

Again, these are made by the same guy that sells replacements on Ebay.  Look for seller n2new@aol.com or email him directly.  He makes both the 3.5" and 4" and in a variety of colors.

[Wienerdog]

Great.  Thanks to both of you.

I think I have the same approach that you do Oscar.  I like the P360 alot and plan to use it for all of my sticks (8 way fighter, Trigger stick (Raider Pro) conversions, and 4 way balltop with restrictor).  It is expensive, the p360 seems like a versitile stick.

MT, I'll check out those auctions to see if I can get the sticks cheaper.

[Homebrew]

Just thought i'd let you guys know, i ordered a pair of the robotron handles from arcadeshop.com and recieved them today.  Shipping was fast, i ordered on Monday i believe.  Great quality.  They fit fine through my 3/4" CP(though i do have a 3/16" recess routed).  I definetly prefer the feel of it for my 4 way joystick.  Now i just need to install my 4-way restrictor for the complete feel.  

-Kevin

[jdjuggler]

Homebrew -
What joystick did you put the ball top handles on?

[Homebrew]

P360

-Kevin

[bdsjake]

anyone know where I can get a GREEN ball top?  I really want this color.  Found a couple of japanese websites with green balltop joysticks, but I have no idea how to order.

thanks,

[OSCAR]

When I needed a green balltop for this project, http://www.skum.org/bartop, this is what I did:

I took a blue Wico balltop that I already had and scuffed it up with steel wool.  Next I coated it with primer that was formulated for use with plastic, it was made by Kilz, IIRC.  Then I just spray painted it with about 3-4 color coats and finished it off with about a dozen clear coats.  It turned out great!  Even after countless hours on this joystick, it still looks just as good as when I finished it.  I figured I might have to refinish it after a while, but even after a couple years it has held up great.  I doubt now that I will ever have to go back and refinish it.

[MrToasty]

anyone know where I can get a GREEN ball top?  I really want this color.  Found a couple of japanese websites with green balltop joysticks, but I have no idea how to order.

If all you need is the replacement handle and not the whole joystick, contact the guy mentioned above.  I have two green Wico replacements from him.  If you need Happ replacements, he makes those as well.

[bdsjake]

Oscar, great idea, thanks!

but, I already emailed Tom at  n2new@aol.com and he emailed back that making the green tops for me would be no problem!

thanks to all for all the great advice.

bdsjake