Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: fogman on November 30, 2003, 09:11:04 am

Title: Joystick balls
Post by: fogman on November 30, 2003, 09:11:04 am
OK, I did try a search, but couldn't find the answer to this question, even though I am sure it has been asked before.  Does anyoneknow where (other than the SS Sliksticks) I can get a red ball end for a Super joystick?  My cp is already drilled for a super and I have the Ocsar restrictor plates.  I was originally going with a top fire, for battlezone, but now decided I want a ball.

Thanks...
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: Tiger-Heli on November 30, 2003, 10:13:17 am
OK, I did try a search, but couldn't find the answer to this question, even though I am sure it has been asked before.  Does anyoneknow where (other than the SS Sliksticks) I can get a red ball end for a Super joystick?  My cp is already drilled for a super and I have the Ocsar restrictor plates.  I was originally going with a top fire, for battlezone, but now decided I want a ball.

Thanks...

See http://1uparcade.com/projects-tronsticks.html.  The guy that made the Tron handles was also selling ball-tops for Supers.  His website is down, though, and last I heard he had just gotten out of the hospital and wasn't sure if he would be making arcade stuff anymore, but you could try E-mailing him.

OSCAR was going to make some, but decided not to.

OSCAR used Wico Ball-top shafts (www.arcadeshop.com $15) with some P360's.  Not sure if they'd work with Super's or not.  OSCAR would probably know off the top of his head.

Other options - J-Stiks (www.ultimarc.com) will use a Super mounting pattern (I think), but I don't know if the Oscar restrictors will work with them.

Omni-Stiks (www.groovygamegear.com) have a ball/bat handle and can use a super mounting hole pattern.  I highly doubt OSCAR's restrictors would work with them, but the Prodigy can be switched from 4-way to 8-way from above the panel.  If you didn't want to use a metal plate with these, you would have to drill a 1.75-inch center hole for these, but the mounting screws line up.

Someone on the board was going to build their own, and I suppose you could buy, scuff, and paint the SlickStik SS ones, but that's a lot of time and $$$.
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: Minwah on November 30, 2003, 11:03:38 am
I think your best bet would be to use a J-Stik (unless it must be a Super).  I believe the J-Stik can be mouted in Super holes, BUT the mounting plate is bigger so may require a larger area routed (if using wood).
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: Grasshopper on November 30, 2003, 01:04:05 pm
I haven't measured them myself, but my understanding is that the Wico/Perfect 360 joystick handles have a slightly narrower shaft than the Happ/IL joystick handles (9.5mm vs 10mm).

If you want to contact the Tron guy then his email address is n2new@aol.com.
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: menace on December 01, 2003, 10:31:08 am
built my own out of an old super(?) i had --shaft was 5/16 and ball is 1 1/2" painted bright red (had some left over touch up paint from my car  ;D)  Looks good as far as I'm concerned.  Oh yeah, it cost .36$ for the ball and 6.00 for the paint, which I had anyways so basically .36--You can't get much cheaper than that. ;)  edit: the ball is wood bought from a local builders supply place.
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: dvdapex on June 15, 2004, 10:54:28 am
Where would one find wooden balls to make ball-tops?  I have a red ball top and want a bright green one.  I figured I'd rather paint and replace the ball-top instead of trying to dye the current red one.
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: Witchboard on June 15, 2004, 11:05:40 am
Check your local hobby/crafts stores like Michael's or Hobby Lobby.  They would possibly have wodden balls around the size you're looking for.  Maybe even Wal-Mart in the crafts dept?
Title: Re:Joystick balls
Post by: Nannuu on June 15, 2004, 11:58:13 am
You can paint original plastic joystick tops with Krylon Fusion.  You can get it at Walmart or most hobby stores.  It is specifically made for plastic.  It says it dries in 15 minutes in the instructions but wait a few hours and your are good to go.  

http://www.krylon.com/main/product_template.cfm?levelid=5&sub_levelid=10&productid=1751&content=product_details