Author Topic: Tornado Terry's Ms. Pacman stick question (Read 6883 times)

GaryMcT · « **on:** October 06, 2009, 12:26:53 am »

I want a good 4-way for either a wood panel or a metal panel (not sure which yet. . . starting with wood at least). I see that there are three options on Tornado Terry's site:

1) Ms Pac-Man stick for wood panels
2) Ms Pac-Man stick for metal panesl
3) Ms Pac Man joystick with adaptor plate & Hardware for wood or metal panels

If I get #3, is it a superset of both 1 and 2? It really isn't for a Ms. Pac-Man machine, so I don't need the adaptor plate, etc., but I wouldn't mind paying a little bit extra so that the stick will work with either.

Does that make sense?

Thanks!
Gary

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:38:00 am »

The difference in wood and metal is the length of the shaft cover it includes. The shaft itself is the same, you just place the clip in a different spot.

Option 3 you do not want.

Contact Terry and ask him to include both shaft covers. He did this for me.

GaryMcT · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:52:17 am »

For the life of me I can't find his email address on his page, even though it says in multiple places to email him about things. (Good didn't find it either!)

I feel like a moron, but can you give me his email address?

Thanks!

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:58:03 am »

I had a friend ask Terry the same question and here's the response that he got:
"You are looking at the retrofit kit and it does come with both spacers. The object is to let you know that it can be used on wood or for metal panels, meaning its not limited to either one as long as you are buying the retrofit kit. Some PAC MAN control panels are wood so you would have to have the long spacer. Ms pac man panels are metal so it uses the short one.

The Ms pac man stick purchased by itself (also available on my website) with no adaptor plate has to be ordered which ever way it needs to be.
It doesnt come both ways. This is the same for the auction I have on ebay since its not the retrofit kit.

The retrofit kit will soon be ordered the same way but will still let people know that it will work on wood or metal but they must specify. Its for informational purposes only. Basicly just so a customer who has a wood panel doensnt figure it wont work for a metal panel and skip it altogether. I hope that explains it. "

D

GaryMcT · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:01:02 am »

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 06, 2009, 12:58:03 am

I had a friend ask Terry the same question and here's the response that he got:
"You are looking at the retrofit kit and it does come with both spacers. The object is to let you know that it can be used on wood or for metal panels, meaning its not limited to either one as long as you are buying the retrofit kit. Some PAC MAN control panels are wood so you would have to have the long spacer. Ms pac man panels are metal so it uses the short one.

The Ms pac man stick purchased by itself (also available on my website) with no adaptor plate has to be ordered which ever way it needs to be.
It doesnt come both ways. This is the same for the auction I have on ebay since its not the retrofit kit.

The retrofit kit will soon be ordered the same way but will still let people know that it will work on wood or metal but they must specify. Its for informational purposes only. Basicly just so a customer who has a wood panel doensnt figure it wont work for a metal panel and skip it altogether. I hope that explains it. "

D

Was he putting it in a Pac-Man/Ms. Pac-Man machine, or a generic control panel?

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:12:02 am »

I believe it was a 3/4" wood panel he was building.

GaryMcT · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:14:36 am »

Quote from: Ginsu Victim on October 06, 2009, 12:38:00 am

The difference in wood and metal is the length of the shaft cover it includes. The shaft itself is the same, you just place the clip in a different spot.

Option 3 you do not want.

Contact Terry and ask him to include both shaft covers. He did this for me.

Oh, so by picking one or the other, they are pre-placing the clip for you and sending you the appropriate cover?

EwJ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:16:20 am »

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 06, 2009, 12:52:17 am

For the life of me I can't find his email address on his page

That page is a tad rough.
In the 'Games for Sale' 'section', his addy is listed as TERSHAN@1SCOM.NET.

mytymaus007 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:36:57 pm »

This is the best 4 way joystick money can buy, no comparison, best $60 you'll spend on your control panel, if any thing you cheap out on dont let it be a true leaf switch original pacman stick. A must if like fast pacman games.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPLETE-BARELY-USED-MIDWAY-JOYSTICK-W-XTRA-NEW-GROMMET_W0QQitemZ300347278107QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ee17c31b

GaryMcT · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2009, 04:51:31 am »

Quote from: mytymaus007 on October 06, 2009, 11:36:57 pm

This is the best 4 way joystick money can buy, no comparison, best $60 you'll spend on your control panel, if any thing you cheap out on dont let it be a true leaf switch original pacman stick. A must if like fast pacman games.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPLETE-BARELY-USED-MIDWAY-JOYSTICK-W-XTRA-NEW-GROMMET_W0QQitemZ300347278107QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ee17c31b

I may try other solutions first that are more easily maintainable before going the leaf route.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:35:57 am »

Quote from: mytymaus007 on October 06, 2009, 11:36:57 pm

This is the best 4 way joystick money can buy, no comparison, best $60 you'll spend on your control panel, if any thing you cheap out on dont let it be a true leaf switch original pacman stick. A must if like fast pacman games.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPLETE-BARELY-USED-MIDWAY-JOYSTICK-W-XTRA-NEW-GROMMET_W0QQitemZ300347278107QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ee17c31b

Needs a LOT of room. Not an option for some of us.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:46:42 am »

Quote from: Ginsu Victim on October 07, 2009, 08:35:57 am

Quote from: mytymaus007 on October 06, 2009, 11:36:57 pm
This is the best 4 way joystick money can buy, no comparison, best $60 you'll spend on your control panel, if any thing you cheap out on dont let it be a true leaf switch original pacman stick. A must if like fast pacman games.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPLETE-BARELY-USED-MIDWAY-JOYSTICK-W-XTRA-NEW-GROMMET_W0QQitemZ300347278107QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ee17c31b

Needs a LOT of room. Not an option for some of us.

In which case a WICO 4-way leaf stick is your 2nd choice. They're not too difficult to source either... (unless you're looking for 4" Robotron shafts)

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2009, 09:09:01 am »

Yes, I am aware of Wicos as an option (which I'd call my first choice, actually).

CrazyKongFan · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2009, 12:26:07 pm »

Yeah, I'd love a real pac joystick in my MAME cab, but it wouldn't fit either and have buttons next to it. I do have a real Gaplus cab which has a similar joystick. I don't know if his in the auction is 4-way or 8-way or switchable (hopefully it's switchable with the game list he gave...Gaplus would suck with a 4-way) The original Midway stick does play really nice on my Gaplus. I can do alot better with it and the leaf buttons than on my MAME cab next to it with a regular Wico 8-way and micro buttons.

(edit: added "The original Midway stick" to my sentence about it playing nice on my Gaplus, just to add some clarity)

GaryMcT · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2009, 05:03:48 pm »

You convinced me. I went ahead and bought the Pac-Man stick. I can make a separate control panel for it.

mytymaus007 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2009, 05:19:34 pm »

YEH now were talking, it worth it let us see the CP when your done with it

GaryMcT · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:38:55 am »

The Pac-Man stick isn't here yet. Did some a related experiment though just to see how it works out for general purpose use.

I bottom mounted my U360, put a small ball top on it, and put a 4-way restrictor on it to see how it is for speed hack Pac-Man/Ms. Pac-Man. Still doesn't feel as good as I think a Pac-Man stick feels. I think the thing that is missing is the grommet. If the restrictor on the U360 has a rubber coating on parts that the stick hit, it'd likely feel a lot closer/better.

I'm likely keeping the lower mount and the small ball top for general use. This feels like an improvement to me. Still happy I ordered the Pac-Man stick for that purpose.

Bender · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2009, 03:07:47 am »

I've been thinking about getting one of those for while
Can't wait to hear your opinion once you get it set up

GaryMcT · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2009, 03:18:39 am »

Quote from: Bender on October 12, 2009, 03:07:47 am

I've been thinking about getting one of those for while
Can't wait to hear your opinion once you get it set up

Hey! How you been? Haven't seen you on a while.

I'll definitely post impressions when I get it set up. I need to solve my audio latency problem too before fast Pac-Man will feel right to me.

GaryMcT · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2009, 03:23:05 am »

Bender, to be clear I ordered a real original Pac-Man stick, not the Tornado Terry one. His is such a good price though that I may end up ordering one just to compare. If it feels as good, I'd rather leave the Pac-Man stick for someone with a real Pac-Man machine.

mytymaus007 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:30:36 am »

Cant compare the 2 sticks it's realy the only original stick needed. All other games you can get away with not using the original stick but PACMAN is in a league of its own especially fast pacman, as the game goes on board after board the moves have to be presice. All other sticks are not as acurate as the original IMO. but i would like to hear if ther is any arguments over this.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:33:27 am »

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 12, 2009, 03:23:05 am

Bender, to be clear I ordered a real original Pac-Man stick, not the Tornado Terry one. His is such a good price though that I may end up ordering one just to compare. If it feels as good, I'd rather leave the Pac-Man stick for someone with a real Pac-Man machine.

You might want to update the title of this thread to reflect that.

Bender · « **Reply #22 on:** October 12, 2009, 12:57:05 pm »

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 12, 2009, 03:23:05 am

His is such a good price though that I may end up ordering one just to compare.

Yeah do that

-selfishly smirks-

I've been around a little
you seem to be the one MIA working on L4D2

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:24:40 pm »

I just ordered another Ms. Pac stick from Tornado Terry's yesterday. This time in Green. :-) It will do nicely for my 4-way vertical cab I am building. I swear by that stick, especially at that price. I already own a wood version, but this time I ordered a metal version. I'd like to see the difference once and for all.

D

zabrin · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:28:56 pm »

I just picked one up as well. I just love it, keep in mind it was an upgrade from a Happs Ultimate. Quick shipping as well. I ordered it last Sunday, it arrived on Wednesday.

Just my thoughts...

Z.

GaryMcT · « **Reply #25 on:** October 12, 2009, 03:53:13 pm »

Quote from: Bender on October 12, 2009, 12:57:05 pm

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 12, 2009, 03:23:05 am
His is such a good price though that I may end up ordering one just to compare.

Yeah do that

-selfishly smirks-

I've been around a little
you seem to be the one MIA working on L4D2

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I at least got to spend some quality time in the back yard with the drill press over the weekend.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #26 on:** October 12, 2009, 07:22:31 pm »

Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on October 12, 2009, 01:24:40 pm

I just ordered another Ms. Pac stick from Tornado Terry's yesterday. This time in Green. :-) It will do nicely for my 4-way vertical cab I am building. I swear by that stick, especially at that price. I already own a wood version, but this time I ordered a metal version. I'd like to see the difference once and for all.

D

The difference is the shaft cover length and where the e-clip goes. Other than that, it's the exact same shaft and base.

GaryMcT · « **Reply #27 on:** October 18, 2009, 03:29:34 am »

I got the Pac-Man stick (original one, not the Tornado Terry one). I haven't had a chance to put it in a control panel yet.

I get the feeling that if someone were to take the 4-way restrictor on a U360 (that is bottom mounted in 3/4" MDF/plywood and with a smaller-than-usual balltop) and somehow coat the part of the restrictor with rubber (think chocolate dipped, but with rubber instead

), it would feel a lot like the Pac-Man stick.

Does the Tornado Terry stick have the rubber-coated feeling of the original? I still haven't ordered one.

Is there any sort of brush-on material that is liquid and drys to something like the rubber on one of the original sticks?

GaryMcT · « **Reply #28 on:** October 18, 2009, 03:38:48 am »

I wonder if any of these could be used to coat a restrictor in a flexible rubber?

http://www.rubbermoldcompounds.com/liquidrubber.htm

Also, I suppose you could put a rubber ring of some sort around the joystick where it touches the restrictor to get the same effect.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #29 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:03:05 am »

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 18, 2009, 03:29:34 am

Does the Tornado Terry stick have the rubber-coated feeling of the original?

No, it's just a modified Happ Super.

GaryMcT · « **Reply #30 on:** October 19, 2009, 01:21:54 am »

Quote from: Ginsu Victim on October 18, 2009, 11:03:05 am

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 18, 2009, 03:29:34 am
Does the Tornado Terry stick have the rubber-coated feeling of the original?

No, it's just a modified Happ Super.

Oh, I thought maybe he made a custom restrictor for it that made it feel like a Pac-Man stick. If not, I don't think I'll even buy one to compare. I think that rubber feel is the key ingredient to a stick feeling like a Pac-Man stick.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #31 on:** October 19, 2009, 08:31:00 am »

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 19, 2009, 01:21:54 am

Oh, I thought maybe he made a custom restrictor for it that made it feel like a Pac-Man stick.

It's just a custom 4-way restrictor built into the base, and the shaft has two places for the e-clip (wood and metal lengths).

Quote

If not, I don't think I'll even buy one to compare. I think that rubber feel is the key ingredient to a stick feeling like a Pac-Man stick.

You've already got a proper one, so there's no reason to bother. Terry is only offering a cheaper alternative, but it feels nothing like the real thing (no rubber grommet, microswitches instead of leafswitches).

tornadoterry · « **Reply #32 on:** June 09, 2010, 07:57:47 pm »

Quote from: Ginsu Victim on October 18, 2009, 11:03:05 am

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 18, 2009, 03:29:34 am
Does the Tornado Terry stick have the rubber-coated feeling of the original?

No, it's just a modified Happ Super.

Actually its an IL base, even says so on the base, looks just like a Super but it is made for MS Pac man with the restriction molded into the base bottom piece. its just like a Super except for the area where the switches screw on, thats where the diamond shape comes in. No stick can compare to the original ms pac, no doubt about that and I doubt ever will. A Wico if you can find an old stock one, still doesnt have that feel.

The reason why most sticks dont work with all pac man games is because of the way the program is written. Most all games, like 99.9% will recognise the next switch engaged. Pacman programs do not recognise the next switch until the last switch is disengaged and will ignore all switches until the first one in line is released. This is why you miss turns with any regular 4 way or a Super stick or heaven forbid an 8 way. Terry

tornadoterry · « **Reply #33 on:** June 09, 2010, 08:02:59 pm »

Quote from: EwJ on October 06, 2009, 01:16:20 am

Quote from: GaryMcT on October 06, 2009, 12:52:17 am
For the life of me I can't find his email address on his page

That page is a tad rough.
In the 'Games for Sale' 'section', his addy is listed as TERSHAN@1SCOM.NET.

Yes its quite rough, it was my first try at web building and was over 10 years ago LOL!

Admin if you would be so kind as to put a sticky note on this so everyone has the address/phone. Thanks

www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm 817-431-6121


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