4 way joystick that doesnt need mounting plate?

[hulkster]

i bought a galaga/pacman 4 way from happ, and ive read that you need a mounting plate and all that crap.  is there a 4 way that somebody makes that the shaft is longer?? (heh)  seems like somebody would do this.  anybody know of a place where they sell something like this?

[paigeoliver]

Heck, I will sell you one. But you won't like it. I used to use a long shafted 4-way, but it just didn't cut it.

It really is not hard to do a mounting plate. Check out my website, I am using that stick with a mounting plate, it only took a few minutes to do, and you can't even see the plate.

[meta87]

How did you go about making one ?

[hulkster]

paigeoliver i went to your site but the pics are too dark and i cant see what you did very well.  is there somebody else that can tell me what i need to do?  or at least show me some pics on how to do this?  do i have to cut a big square hole i my board (requiring a jigsaw correct?)

[Grasshopper]

It might be worth checking out the Wico/Suzo series 500.

[J_K_M_A_N]

The Ms Pac-Man/Galaga is IMO the BEST 4-way ever if you play all the classics. Just order a mounting plate from Oscar. About $20 shipped. It is worth it, believe me. Donkey Kong, Ms Pac-Man, Galaga, Mr. Do, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Etc Etc Etc...... are all GREAT with that joystick. Good luck.

J_K_M_A_N

[hulkster]

well see i play those games, but not as much as other ones.  i was born in 1981, so i only played the really old games a little, but i did play some.  but the problem im having now is that i dont have a router, and its going to be a pain the in the butt to cut the hole and order a mounting plate just for like 5 games that i will play with a 4 way joystick.  i have an extra super8 and thats easier to install, and plus i can make it 4 way.  i guarantee i will not play 4 way games a WHOLE lot like many will.  i will play street figther, wrestling games, g.i. joe, etc. more than anything probably.  so i just want to know if i can GET BY with the super8 and not be totally pissed off at its performance.  can anybody give advice?

[rampy]

You can "Get by" if you aren't a classics fan...

You're building this cabinet for you... so design it/build it to how you'd liked it.

Me personally:  I've been playing 4 way games (which I like - born in spirit of 76) on my super-esque x-arcade sticks and I can do "ok"... but it's not the same.  It causes vulgarity when I get "stuck" on a ladder in donkey kong because I'm pushing up and right instead of just UP...  So for ME i'm adding a dedicated 4 way (actually j-stick ball top left in 4 way mode) to my cabinet, but I've got to chisel route out so it'll have nice(er) stick height.

So yeah... if you are only going to be plaing occasionally 4 way games ... don't clutter up your control panel with a dedicated one. (or get the ultimarc switchable sticks and switch 'em between 4 and 8 way on the rare case when YOU want to play 4 way games more authentically)

*Shrug*

rampy


ps you could always leave "room" for it and try it sans dedicated 4 way and  play with 8 ways for a while to decide if you want to tadd a dedicated 4 way at a later date.

[DeafBug]

Just order a mounting plate from Oscar. About $20 shipped. It is worth it, believe me.
J_K_M_A_N

I went over to Oscars and I can't find the price or part list for the mounting plate to order.  I did find this template

[AlanS17]

Any Happ stick offereing 4/7 way changeableility is just crap in my opinion. They work great in 8-way mode but the 4-way just really doesn't work right. I can't speak for the Japanese sticks that they sell on the Ultimarc site. Those actually seem like they would work.

I just inherited a couple of wico leaf switch joysticks that are 8-way. I'm gonna try flush mounting one and then cutting a diamond shape into the lexan to restrict the motion to 4-way. I'll tell yall how it turns out. (Beats paying $20+ for a mouting plate w restrictors if it works.) Wish me luck!!!

[jakejake28]

I can't speak for the Japanese sticks that they sell on the Ultimarc site. Those actually seem like they would work.

my j-sticks and e-stick are great for 4 and 8 way. the prob with the j-stick tho is the reach. it is too hard to hit the micro's in pac-man quick enough, luckily my e-stick resolves that problem

[hulkster]

well ive already drilled all the holes in my cp today.  and its layout is 3 joysticks w/buttons across the cp.  i just drilled a regular hole for the super 8 that will be my 4 way joystick, so if i ever want to convert, then i can find a router some where and cut the square.  but i guess ill just have to settle for a while.  this is my first cab, so its not that big of a deal i guess.

[J_K_M_A_N]

I went over to Oscars and I can't find the price or part list for the mounting plate to order.  I did find this template

It is on the price and ordering info page. Scroll down about half way and it says "Joystick Mounting Plate". You have the option of Black Dimpled, primer or blank. Price of $15. Can't miss it. Good luck.

J_K_M_A_N

[paigeoliver]

well ive already drilled all the holes in my cp today.  and its layout is 3 joysticks w/buttons across the cp.  i just drilled a regular hole for the super 8 that will be my 4 way joystick, so if i ever want to convert, then i can find a router some where and cut the square.  but i guess ill just have to settle for a while.  this is my first cab, so its not that big of a deal i guess.

Who needs a router or a jigsaw? I don't have either. I cut my square hole out using a freaking drill and a drill bit. I have done this multiple times in the past too.

Then put a piece of sheet metal over the hole. Install the stick to the sheet metal. I used a rather thick piece that I found laying around.

[DeafBug]

I went over to Oscars and I can't find the price or part list for the mounting plate to order.  I did find this template

Ahh!  Found it.  Thanks.  You actually have to shop to see it!  Any way to plug the extra holes as I only want it for the mspacman/galaxia joystick. Or are they not a factor?
It is on the price and ordering info page. Scroll down about half way and it says "Joystick Mounting Plate". You have the option of Black Dimpled, primer or blank. Price of $15. Can't miss it. Good luck.

J_K_M_A_N