Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: dh16dh on February 03, 2017, 10:52:31 pm
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I'm building a joystick mouse for disabled person using an Ultimarc Ultrastik 360. In this application, it would be helpful to protect the joystick mechanism from dust, dirt, and fluid. I have some industrial joysticks that are enclosed in a rubber boot with accordion folds, and I'm trying to find something similar for arcade joysticks.
Could anyone suggest a a rubber boot or bellows that would fit on a joystick like the Ultrastik? It does not have to cover the knob if it fits tightly around the shaft. It would also be nice if it had some way of sealing at the bottom, such as screw holes that fit the mounting panel, but I'm willing to figure out something ad hoc.
I thought this would be some kind of standard item, but it seems difficult to find. On eBay or similar, there are few listings for rubber boots, but they are for particular boat thruster or forklift joysticks, and there's very little info about the actual size of these items.
Thanks.
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I regret to say that I do not know of a suitable product.
I also regret that I am inexorably compelled to quote "It does not have to cover the knob if it fits tightly around the shaft" out of context, despite all of my efforts to resist doing so.
Truly, I am sorry.
I generally end up ordering all the parts I think might work, and end up with some unsuitable items kicking around spare for future projects.
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It depends on what type of shafts you'll be using. It looks like the balltop shafts are a smaller diameter than the battop shafts, and I can't find a dimension for those on Ultimarc's site. If I had to guess I'd say the balltop shaft is probably ~10mm, and the battop probably ~12mm.
McMaster-Carr has some tapered boots listed, which might just fit the bill. 10mm is roughly equivalent to 3/8" and 12mm is roughly 1/2".
https://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-bellows/=167bdl4 (https://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-bellows/=167bdl4)