Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Doom bucket on February 02, 2008, 04:25:06 pm

Title: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Doom bucket on February 02, 2008, 04:25:06 pm
Basically I had made some woodworking and button placement mistakes that I can not work around without rebuilding this control panel. So I was thinking that I either have to buy a new joystick or turn it diagonally and mount it. It would be possible,  I assume, to change the settings once I got this all hooked up... because if I didn't it would obviously mean that up would become upper right, left would become down-right... etc... so is it possible to change this in windows settings to correct it?
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on February 02, 2008, 04:30:16 pm
It would be possible,  I assume, to change the settings once I got this all hooked up... because if I didn't it would obviously mean that up would become upper right, left would become down-right... etc... so is it possible to change this in windows settings to correct it?

No it isn't..... on an 8 way if you mount the joystick diagonally you're going to be hitting two switches instead of one, when you push in any regular direction. There are no windows settings that can compensate for that.

Sorry! but you're going to have to start again and build it the right way this time.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Doom bucket on February 02, 2008, 05:11:04 pm
its a happs perfect 360

would that make a difference?
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Doom bucket on February 02, 2008, 05:29:48 pm
please respond
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on February 02, 2008, 05:35:00 pm
please respond

Have a bit of patience!!!! we don't all live on here all the time. A bit of patience might also have saved you from having to build your panel again.

The answer is no.... it makes no difference. It just uses optical switches instead of mechanical ones. The instruction sheet is quite clear about positioning.

1. Always install the joystick with the electrical terminals facing the player’s right.

and

4. Connect control wires to the proper terminals on the joystick according to the directions (up, down, left, and right).

Sorry! you need to build your panel the right way. A bit of planning before you build it will go a LONG way!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Doom bucket on February 02, 2008, 05:38:11 pm
Ah, I had done it right it's just that... after heavy use it ripped out of the board. I was too embaressed to admit that I have been using my arcade so roughly >_>

where it had been fastened, it seems to be impossible to screw into again
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on February 02, 2008, 05:43:31 pm
where it had been fastened, it seems to be impossible to screw into again


It would have been a hell of a lot easier to help you if you'd just told the truth in the first place. Try putting some dome head bolts through the panel from the top and mount it on those.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: RandyT on February 02, 2008, 06:09:29 pm
Ah, I had done it right it's just that... after heavy use it ripped out of the board. I was too embaressed to admit that I have been using my arcade so roughly >_>

where it had been fastened, it seems to be impossible to screw into again

Heh.  If you want, shoot me a photo of the damage.  I have a little kit that will get you fixed right up if it's not too bad.  They were going to end up on the store soon anyway ;)

And it won't require bolt heads on top of your panel.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

RandyT
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Brax on February 02, 2008, 06:40:07 pm
You could always turn it into a dedicated Q-bert cabinet.  ;)
Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Zebidee on February 02, 2008, 09:57:35 pm
Ah, I had done it right it's just that... after heavy use it ripped out of the board. I was too embaressed to admit that I have been using my arcade so roughly >_>

where it had been fastened, it seems to be impossible to screw into again

It isn't your aggressive style at fault.

Don't use screws for joysticks, use bolts.  Your control panel simply won't stand typical arcade punishment unless you use bolts that go all the way through the control panel.

4-5mm (about 3/16") cup-head (ie domed, as Fozzy fecommended) bolts with matching nuts, washers AND spring washers recommended!  Spring washers ensure that the nuts stay tight through heavy play.  Length as necessary to suit your control panel (35mm should be sufficient).

Print this out and ask the nice guy/gal near the nut & bolts aisle at the hardware store.



Title: Re: Mounting Joysticks diagonally... am I screwed?
Post by: Level42 on February 03, 2008, 08:43:00 am
There IS one solution.

Use a Suzo Inductive joystick. Doesn't matter which way you mount it, or push it, feels the same.

It WILL require some re-programming of the keys at the several directions.