Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Rick on October 10, 2014, 01:52:54 pm
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I am currently putting together an order from my suppliers, to build up my current inventory to help for the "Go Live" of my website in the next few weeks. I would like to reach out to the BYOAC Community, to find out the parts you order on a regular basis (as I know a lot of you do build more than just a single cab) or what parts you may have trouble finding.
I've got a good start on the 'arcade staples', including various types of joysticks and buttons, as well as arcade power supplies, horizontal and vertical multi-boards, JAMMA wiring harnesses, PCB mounting feet, etc.
So - what do I need to stock, and how much would you consider ordering from your friendly Canadian arcade parts supplier?
:D
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CNC cut bartop kits? :lol
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CNC cut bartop kits? :lol
LOL all you want - I have those as well. Announcement to come.
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It would be nice to have black-rimmed LED (either single-color or RGB) admin buttons with diffusers and decent-sized inserts that are close to the same profile as the player buttons instead of these sawed-off volcano-wannabe's. :(
(http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/864-thickbox_default/red-led-convex-arcade-pushbutton-black-rimmed.jpg)
Left to right: GGG Arcade Prime (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=351&zenid=eeqqrbhsnn2g4ff7u2bdsfiv80), Paradise White Convex LED Lighted Arcade Pushbutton (http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/led-buttons/234-white-led-convex-arcade-pushbutton.html), Paradise White Black Rimmed Convex LED Lighted Arcade Pushbutton (http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/led-pushbuttons/673-white-led-convex-arcade-pushbutton-black-rimmed.html).
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=141204.0;attach=315802;image)
You can mix-and-match IL buttons, but the insert size is 56% smaller -- 0.640" (0.321536 sq. in.) instead of 0.850". (0.5671625 sq. in.)
How hard can it be to get the body of the buttons that almost every vendor carries (below) cast in black plastic? (No new mold needed.) :soapbox:
(http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/333-thickbox_default/red-led-convex-arcade-pushbutton.jpg)
[/rant]
Scott
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It would be nice to have black-rimmed LED (either single-color or RGB) admin buttons with diffusers and decent-sized inserts that are close to the same profile as the player buttons instead of these sawed-off volcano-wannabe's. How hard can it be to get the body of the buttons that almost every vendor carries (below) cast in black plastic? (No new mold needed.)
I've reviewed my suppliers stock - and it would seem that it's challenging to find what you want. I can supply the black-rimmed buttons in 33mm sizes, but not in the standard 24mm/28mm size. There are 24mm LED buttons, but I can only find them with silver-plated surrounds. (I even tore down one of my LED buttons as well as one of my black buttons, to see if I could somehow assemble something that would function, but no dice.)
I now share your frustration. I may need to see if I can determine a viable solution by painting the surround, but I don't think the tolerances will allow it - and then, the wear and tear may not keep it looking good for long.
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How hard can it be to get the body of the buttons that almost every vendor carries (below) cast in black plastic? (No new mold needed.) :soapbox:
I can probably shed some light on this. All buttons are cast from multi-cavity molds. Not only are there multiple cavities for the body of the button, but also multiple cavities for the plunger portion, all in the same, very expensive mold. Sure, you could probably get custom color runs made with a very high minimum order (they would probably do as few as 20,000, if there weren't others who wanted the same thing), but you would also be purchasing the plunger, as they would have no market value.
So in conclusion, not hard, just expensive. There's no way to avoid the premium cost of a two color button, be it special runs, or merely throwing away the un-needed extra parts.
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It would be nice to have black-rimmed LED (either single-color or RGB) admin buttons with diffusers and decent-sized inserts that are close to the same profile as the player buttons instead of these sawed-off volcano-wannabe's. How hard can it be to get the body of the buttons that almost every vendor carries (below) cast in black plastic? (No new mold needed.)
I've reviewed my suppliers stock - and it would seem that it's challenging to find what you want. I can supply the black-rimmed buttons in 33mm sizes, but not in the standard 24mm/28mm size. There are 24mm LED buttons, but I can only find them with silver-plated surrounds. (I even tore down one of my LED buttons as well as one of my black buttons, to see if I could somehow assemble something that would function, but no dice.)
I now share your frustration. I may need to see if I can determine a viable solution by painting the surround, but I don't think the tolerances will allow it - and then, the wear and tear may not keep it looking good for long.
Tried the mix and match trick, too-- different plunger dimensions, but the diffusers and covers swap between the translucent and black-rimmed buttons.
Tried liquid Rit Dye on a clear translucent -- no luck at all. :(
Tried 3 coats of Krylon Fusion Satin paint -- light still bleeds through easily and even after months of cure time the paint scratches easily with moderate pressure from a fingernail.
I can probably shed some light on this. All buttons are cast from multi-cavity molds. Not only are there multiple cavities for the body of the button, but also multiple cavities for the plunger portion, all in the same, very expensive mold. Sure, you could probably get custom color runs made with a very high minimum order (they would probably do as few as 20,000, if there weren't others who wanted the same thing), but you would also be purchasing the plunger, as they would have no market value.
So in conclusion, not hard, just expensive. There's no way to avoid the premium cost of a two color button, be it special runs, or merely throwing away the un-needed extra parts.
If we were talking non-LED buttons, I'd agree that it makes sense to do the plunger and body in the same mold. (better color matching, etc.)
The LED buttons like your Spectralite series use a different plastic for the plunger body and diffusers than for the bodies of the buttons.
With at least 3 different types of plastic per button (4 if you count the black LED/switch holder), would they still use only one mold? :dunno
Bryan managed to get a custom run of only 600 pink buttons here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119964.msg1313252.html#msg1313252) from IL color matched to pink t-molding, but that might be because they saw the possibility of sales to other vendors, too.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SVTRePAiE6k/UMK8RKbYQAI/AAAAAAAAAGA/GVT7LSdG8rg/s144/Uploaded%2520from%2520my%2520Photo%2520Share.png)
Scott
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Bryan managed to get a custom run of only 600 pink buttons here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119964.msg1313252.html#msg1313252) from IL color matched to pink t-molding, but that might be because they saw the possibility of sales to other vendors, too.
Hmm. Interesting. Definitely looks like it can be done! I'm forwarding an email over to my supplier, to see if there's something we can do. Would definitely be nice to be the North American supplier of this solution.
;)
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The LED buttons like your Spectralite series use a different plastic for the plunger body and diffusers than for the bodies of the buttons.
Not entirely. The caps on the plungers are the very same material as that of the body. It's likely that those caps are part of the same multi-cavity molds, for the same reasons of color matching, etc... But there may be a chance that production is high enough for those caps have their own molds, and run on a different machine. One reason that injection molding companies don't like to do this for smaller runs (<20,000 units at a time) is that it is inefficient unless dedicated to a press. Having to change out these molds and re-set up machines takes time and effort to tune them in, and having one mold with all of the pieces of the same color related that particular item, means one setup, larger batches in material dryers and lower production costs.
Also to keep in mind is that parts don't always come out of the molds perfectly, and over time, a company can build up a surplus of less problematic parts. The caps, being smaller parts, probably mold more reliably than the bodies, and extras can be used with a different button design (like the black one you pictured). But again, the quantity of molds / presses being used really depends on the scale of production.
With at least 3 different types of plastic per button (4 if you count the black LED/switch holder), would they still use only one mold? :dunno
No. The same switch holder is used on just about every lighted button from that manufacturer. So it would make sense to mass produce these on their own. The diffuser element is also likely used on other lighted buttons with the same size plunger.
As for small runs of special colors, that wouldn't be the first time IL has done this. They, and other manufacturers, will sometimes entertain small orders, possibly at costs lower than their production costs, to have others explore the possibilities of new markets. Their transparent colors line seems to have started out this way long ago as a request from one individual (from here, no less) and when it looked like there was a market for them, they sold them to anyone through HAPP, pretty much negating the prospects of future sales for that individual. Something similar happened when they knocked off the properties of our ElectricICE buttons, after we established the market. I actually approached IL with the ElectricICE concept before resigning myself to having our own (expensive) molds made, and they flatly refused to have anything to do with the idea. Of course, this was before they lost HAPP's business, so things could be different today. Now they supply their own translucent white version to at least two other vendors, likely after being approached by one of them initially. In retrospect, it was just as well things went this way, as it afforded opportunities for us to design a button with more diverse options, and opened the doors to produce other colors at our whim. But I digress. :)
Anyway, if those special colored buttons prove not to be big sellers, they would most likely not run them again. But that's obviously for them to decide.
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So bob Roberts is in Louisiana, he sends Moon pies and mardi gras trinkets. Brian is in Hawaii and sends macadamias/chocolates. I think you should be shipping beer and maple syrup with your orders.
if only poutine could be mailed...
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So bob Roberts is in Louisiana, he sends Moon pies and mardi gras trinkets. Brian is in Hawaii and sends macadamias/chocolates. I think you should be shipping beer and maple syrup with your orders.
:cheers:
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I think you should be shipping beer and maple syrup with your orders.
You get Molson Canadian! YOU get Molson Canadian! EVERYBODY GET MOLSON CANADIAN!!!
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I think you should be shipping beer and maple syrup with your orders.
You get Molson Canadian! YOU get Molson Canadian! EVERYBODY GET MOLSON CANADIAN!!!
(http://bobanddoug.com/pics/mckenzie-promo.jpg)
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I think I just found a mouse in my, uh, button order, eh!
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How hard can it be to get the body of the buttons that almost every vendor carries (below) cast in black plastic? (No new mold needed.) :soapbox:
I know these are different than the standard, but my supplier asked if these would be better than the others you've shown? They are 28mm (I wish they were 24mm) but I may place a quick order of these, just to check their compatibility.
(http://i.imgur.com/yCIIRHH.jpg)
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They are the same button. Looks like this manufacturer re-uses enough of the same parts across their product line to mold each piece on it's own.
Here's a closer look at one.
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They are the same button.
But I don't think they're the same as the volcano buttons referenced in the first comment...
It would be nice to have black-rimmed LED (either single-color or RGB) admin buttons with diffusers and decent-sized inserts that are close to the same profile as the player buttons instead of these sawed-off volcano-wannabe's. :(
(http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/864-thickbox_default/red-led-convex-arcade-pushbutton-black-rimmed.jpg)
I think these are 'closer' to the convex ones he's really looking for, but still not perfect.
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Those "volcano" inspired buttons are from the same manufacturer. The size of the plunger and insert are identical, and can be swapped between the various styles. I think he was indicating that he'd rather see buttons with the bezel styled like the ones we just posted photos of, which are the same as the player buttons, but in black. A stroke of good fortune in this case, as the manufacturer already offers them as a standard product.
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(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=141827.0;attach=317700;image)
Thanks, Rick and Randy. ;D
Assuming that the vertical part is a removable black ring between the nut and the bezel like on the Paradise LED buttons, this looks exactly like what I had in mind. :applaud:
PROTIP: Get white LEDs with the yellow buttons -- yellow LED + yellow diffuser = muddy orange. :puke
Scott
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Assuming that the vertical part is a removable black ring between the nut and the bezel like on the Paradise LED buttons, this looks exactly like what I had in mind. :applaud:
No worries, sir. Yes, those are removable rings. I think I will place an order for some of these, just to make sure I've got stock on them.
I do have a lot of these: (actual 'in my house' product photo, ftw)
(http://i.imgur.com/xOSlwF4.jpg)
In hindsight, the green ones are ... ok ... until I found out I could use the white/clear ones and just order coloured LEDs for them. They look 100X nicer that way.
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Randy is fishing for your supplier details. Beware.
Make sure you don't actually take money until you have product in hand to sell. The well of exotic excuses for shipping delays has been thoroughly pumped dry around here.
:cheers:
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Randy is fishing for your supplier details. Beware.
I think Randy has more supplier contacts that I do at this time, but I'm really not that concerned. More importantly, I'm in Canada, so he's not really a threat to my market. The biggest issue in Canada right now is supply, as there are very few suppliers who regularly carry stock, and also the cost of shipping, as well... Duty coming across the border is a huge pain.
Make sure you don't actually take money until you have product in hand to sell. The well of exotic excuses for shipping delays has been thoroughly pumped dry around here.
No worries here. I am planning on making sure my website is up-to-date and has a functional inventory control system - so when something is out of stock, purchases will not be possible. Arcade cabinets will be a bit different, as there is usually a wait time between purchase and production, however, this will be more than adequately spelled out on the website.
There is nothing - nothing - that I have enjoyed less than having to explain the delays I have had in producing my CNC kits over the past few months, and I am certainly not interested in continuing that going forward. I am lucky to have had very understanding customers during this time.
:cheers:
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Randy is fishing for your supplier details. Beware.
::)
You can't throw a stone in China and not hit a "supplier" of items from this manufacturer.
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PL1 Agreed on the Yellow buttons. Another tip is don't get white for everything it washes out the other colors.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=141827.0;attach=317700;image)
Thanks, Rick and Randy. ;D
Assuming that the vertical part is a removable black ring between the nut and the bezel like on the Paradise LED buttons, this looks exactly like what I had in mind. :applaud:
PROTIP: Get white LEDs with the yellow buttons -- yellow LED + yellow diffuser = muddy orange. :puke
Scott