Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Odonadon on January 25, 2003, 12:22:45 am

Title: Joystick height
Post by: Odonadon on January 25, 2003, 12:22:45 am
Okay, tomorrow I drill holes and do some routing.  Here's my question: I have 2 competition joysticks.  What height should the top of the joystick be compared to the top of the CP.  Should the top of the joystick be 2", 3", 4" high?  

I have a 3/8" peice of wood, and when I align the joystick up with it, it looks WAY too short.  Is there a standard length?

Thanks,
Odonadon
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: Brax on January 25, 2003, 07:07:07 am
3/8?! Are you sure you don't mean 3/4?

You couldn't possibly route out 3/8" and expect it to be strong enough for a joystick.... AND 3/8" would be plenty high.

I'll assume you meant 3/4". Many people here have mounted to 3/4" and found it to be high enough. Others have routed 1/4" out of their panel to increase the height slightly. Its personal preferance really. I think routing 1/4" from a 3/4" panel is closer to a standard arcade height personally. Thats what I would do but it really comes down to personal preferance.
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: Odonadon on January 25, 2003, 12:22:26 pm
3/8?! Are you sure you don't mean 3/4?

You couldn't possibly route out 3/8" and expect it to be strong enough for a joystick.... AND 3/8" would be plenty high.

I'll assume you meant 3/4". Many people here have mounted to 3/4" and found it to be high enough. Others have routed 1/4" out of their panel to increase the height slightly. Its personal preferance really. I think routing 1/4" from a 3/4" panel is closer to a standard arcade height personally. Thats what I would do but it really comes down to personal preferance.

Pardon me, I DID mean 3/4", sorry.  And I have a peice of Lucite to lay overtop, so I guess I should take that into account too :).

Thanks man,
Odonadon
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: Silverwind on January 25, 2003, 01:08:55 pm

Pardon me, I DID mean 3/4", sorry.  And I have a peice of Lucite to lay overtop, so I guess I should take that into account too :).

Thanks man,
Odonadon

How thick is the lucite?  Most of the time you want to make the total thickness = 3/4".  So in this case, the thickness of the lucite will be the amount you want to route for the joysticks.  If you prefer the joystick even higher, you can route an additional amount.

I would try to route the lesser amount first, then mount it.  If you route out extra to make the joystick higher and don't like it, you can't go back but you can always route more if it's too low.
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: SNAAAKE on January 25, 2003, 02:17:52 pm
ply wood...ply wood  :D ;)

Then route 2 layers out..out of 3/4 wood and you have perfect height.
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: Xphile on January 25, 2003, 03:46:47 pm
ply wood...ply wood  :D ;)

Then route 2 layers out..out of 3/4 wood and you have perfect height.

two layers...of what?


there's many different types of ply, from 1/32nd lam (Beautiful stuff, btw...hard to find, but tough as nails!:-) and up..

do you mean to route 2 x  1/8th inch layers?

just wanted to get it right.. ;)
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: SNAAAKE on January 25, 2003, 04:43:20 pm
YES..2x1/8 layers..I always do it like that and things do work out :D.
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: eightbit on January 25, 2003, 04:56:01 pm
Better plywood has more layers. The cheap home depot stuff has 5 but the better stuff usually has 7 or even 9.
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: spidermonkey on January 25, 2003, 11:13:05 pm
Why not just use 5/8" plywood and 1/8" lucite = 3/4"  If you're using Happ comps then chances are you'll be happy with the height and may not have to route anything. If you're using 3/4" plywood with lucite on top then you will most definately have to route no matter what.
Title: Re:Joystick height
Post by: Silverwind on January 25, 2003, 11:37:11 pm
Why not just use 5/8" plywood and 1/8" lucite = 3/4"  If you're using Happ comps then chances are you'll be happy with the height and may not have to route anything. If you're using 3/4" plywood with lucite on top then you will most definately have to route no matter what.

that's what i'm going to do.. 5/8" plywood for the CP with 1/8" lexan/lucite.. no routing involved