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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: SlikStik-Christian on November 04, 2004, 10:43:44 pm

Title: SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: SlikStik-Christian on November 04, 2004, 10:43:44 pm
All,

  Here is a sneak peek of our new 2-piece design, ball top joysticks. The colored "anodized" balls are aluminum and the polished ball is solid stainless steel.

In addition the shafts are also stainless steel.

They will be made to fit Happ Optical, Competition, Super and Ultimate joystick bases.

Creating the new 2-piece design is necessary to counteract the cost of manufacturing our solid stainless steel joystick handles due to stainless steel prices which have been on the rise for over a year and continue to do so with no relief in sight.

The final pricing is not yet available but they will be less than the solid versions.

(http://www.slikstik.com/new-balls.jpg)

They will be available on the SlikStik website with in the next 2 weeks, enjoy...

Comments and questions are welcome.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: SirPoonga on November 04, 2004, 10:46:39 pm
Cool
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Santoro on November 04, 2004, 10:46:50 pm
Comments and questions are welcome.


Those look great... Nice!
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: SirPoonga on November 04, 2004, 11:05:54 pm
We were talking in chat.  Now come up with a clear one we can light up :)
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: mozzer on November 04, 2004, 11:07:08 pm
Sexy!  :o
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: SpamMe on November 04, 2004, 11:07:56 pm
How long will the finish last in a high-use environment?
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: grueinthebox on November 04, 2004, 11:28:59 pm
Those are hot - much better looking than the plain stainless, IMO.

How tall (long) is the conbined shaft and ball top on these things?  I notice your old sticks say they're 1/4" LONGER than the original Happ part...  Any chance of getting something maybe a bit shorter?  I'd personally like something about 1/4-1/2" shorter than the standard Happ stick...

Need anodized aluminum pushbuttons to match...  O.o
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Bgnome on November 04, 2004, 11:40:42 pm
We were talking in chat.  Now come up with a clear one we can light up :)

is it just me, or does that shaft look like it might have a hollow area through the center?  if you stick an acrylic sphere on there with a LED, you might have some pimpin sticks.. ;)
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: paigeoliver on November 04, 2004, 11:45:27 pm
If you want shorter handles then just install a piece of wood between your joystick base and control panel as a spacer. I have seen this done on several conversion games I have owned.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Gunstar Hero on November 04, 2004, 11:45:29 pm
Quote
How long will the finish last in a high-use environment?

Well, I'm sure they're meant more for home use.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: SirPoonga on November 05, 2004, 12:03:45 am
We were talking in chat.  Now come up with a clear one we can light up :)

is it just me, or does that shaft look like it might have a hollow area through the center?  if you stick an acrylic sphere on there with a LED, you might have some pimpin sticks.. ;)

I think their shafts are lathed.  But yeah,a  hollow shaft and LEDs would be cool.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: GGKoul on November 05, 2004, 12:34:01 am
Looks cool. But I wonder how much.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: grueinthebox on November 05, 2004, 12:42:52 am
If you want shorter handles then just install a piece of wood between your joystick base and control panel as a spacer. I have seen this done on several conversion games I have owned.

Cab in question has a metal CP and insufficient clearance underneath to add a spacer.  Adding Happ joysticks at all would be pushing it for clearance.  :(
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: paigeoliver on November 05, 2004, 01:05:05 am
Well a metal panel doesn't mean you can't space it with wood!

But since you are having clearance issues then I suggest forgetting about these and going with short handled wico balltops (old school ones).
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: clanggedin on November 05, 2004, 01:09:25 am
I really wanted the one piece stainless sticks, but they were way out of my price range. If these are half the cost of the others then I'll be picking some up.  I may have to talk the wife into getting me some for x-mas.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: SlikStik Christian on November 05, 2004, 01:14:41 am
Apologies for the delayed reply, my account on this board is all messed up so I had to create a new one; I have answered all your questions below;

Quote
SpamMe
How long will the finish last in a high-use environment?

(Since the Anodizing process actually grows a layer on the aluminum which is harder then the aluminum itself and is extremely tolerant to wear and tear, it is expected to be in the "years" range.)

Quote
grueinthebox
How tall (long) is the combined shaft and ball top on these things?  I notice your old sticks say they're 1/4" LONGER than the original Happ part...  Any chance of getting something maybe a bit shorter?  I'd personally like something about 1/4-1/2" shorter than the standard Happ stick...

(The new shafts with the new balls installed are the same 1/4 higher as the previous joysticks. As for a lower joystick, I may be able to make you a custom set. Once they are released email me at info@slikstik.com if you are interested and i will see what i can do.)

Quote
Bgnome
is it just me, or does that shaft look like it might have a hollow area through the center?

(The hole that you see in the photo is not actually a hole, it
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: grueinthebox on November 05, 2004, 01:58:24 am
But since you are having clearance issues then I suggest forgetting about these and going with short handled wico balltops (old school ones).

Going to do as Christian suggests and shoot him an e-mail after these become available to see if something can be worked out...  Until then, I'll just "stick" with my Sanwa sticks (har har).  ;)

Thanks for the advice, though!
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: ras2a on November 05, 2004, 03:33:11 am
We were talking in chat.  Now come up with a clear one we can light up :)

Yeah, that would ROCK! - I'd certainly buy some.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Minwah on November 05, 2004, 09:28:23 am
Looks pretty cool :)

A few questions:

1) Would these work / could they be made to work with a Happ 49-way stick?  I don't know if the shafts are the same as any of the 8-way sticks, but it looks very similar.  I have a Happ 49-way so could take some measurements if it would be any help...

2) Could the top of the shaft be turned down and threaded in order for a Sanwa plastic ball-top to be attached?  What I mean is use the same thread on the ball-tops as existing plastic ball-tops (maybe the Happ shaft is too fat for this to be possible / look right?).  Alternatively could you supply plastic ball-tops to fit?  I don't really care for the anodised look personally...
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: DYNAGOD on November 05, 2004, 09:53:54 am
im curious how that onion peel feel of anodized aluminum is going to go over in sweaty hands..
I do like the idea of aluminum overall as a substrate. i own a SS bat top on a happ360 optical and its just to much stick for me..
aluminum imho is a much better choice of material. you can polish it to a nice 15-32 finish like the SS and enjoy the light weight.. all the cosmetic appeal with nonoe of the negative RTC problems
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Stingray on November 05, 2004, 10:18:47 am
Very neat item! Blue anodised ball tops would sure look great on my cab.

-S
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on November 05, 2004, 10:26:08 am
The 49-way is the only Happ stick I own, so I'd be really interested in one of these if they'll fit.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: pointdablame on November 05, 2004, 11:10:32 am
Those look really great.  If the price isn't out of my range, I'd really love to get a few blue anodized ones for my cab.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Will on November 05, 2004, 02:13:27 pm
Is the ball top a little bit smaller than your older one peice design?The reason I ask is i find the stainless version a bit big for my hands.Thanks..
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: Hoagie_one on November 05, 2004, 02:23:47 pm
My experience with anodized aluminum has shown that it is a very strong coating and unless you have your keys in your hand whle playing, you should be alright, but if you have any rings on that may be harder than the anodized aluminum, it could scratch.
Title: Re:SlikStik *New Product Sneak Peek*
Post by: mahuti on November 05, 2004, 04:54:24 pm
Sometimes red & purple fade too, depending on the process.