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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: RandyT on May 18, 2009, 02:37:52 pm

Title: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on May 18, 2009, 02:37:52 pm: .
(http://www.groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/vball2_s.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=381)

Some of you may have noticed that the VersaBall Shafts have been out of stock for a while. Well, here's the reason. We have improved the design with a wider, precision machined shaft made from solid aluminum alloy. We also shortened the shaft just a tiny bit for improved aesthetics and feel. The VersaBall2 is hard anodized and is offered in your choice of 4 different colors, with one of the widest selections of standard and premium ball tops anywhere.

The VersBall2 is designed to directly fit Happ and IL Competition and Super Joysticks at 2 heights, Omni-Sticks, and possibly other 10mm diameter shaft sticks of similar design. For those who have been modding these for other styles, the wide range and quantity of snap ring grooves and easier to machine aluminum will make this task even simpler.

Price is $16.95, and includes choice of Hand-Candy™ Premium Ball-Top (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=368) and 2 E-rings for installation.

Thanks for looking and a special thanks to those who support GGG with their parts purchases, and who allow us to keep the new items coming.

RandyT
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on May 19, 2009, 02:23:45 pm: :applaud: AWESOME :applaud:

When will these be released?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: severdhed on May 19, 2009, 04:03:19 pm: wow...very nice....makes me wish i liked ball top joysticks. i like them for 4 way, but just can't stand to play fighting games with a ball top stick.

either way, they are really nice
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: kowal on May 20, 2009, 01:11:32 pm: on SUZO this shaft still need original washer or new pivot? without this custom shafts they crunch,
(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2106/vball2s.th.jpg) (http://img35.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vball2s.jpg)
6 groove to what it serves?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on May 20, 2009, 10:17:09 pm: Will the balltops be replaceable w/ sanwa/seimitsu balls?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: mrclean on May 20, 2009, 10:46:51 pm: will these fit u360's / work with them ? If so is it by any chance 3/4'' longer ?? I know andy sells one that's 10mm longer but mines mounted on mdf 3/4'' and they sit way too low.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Ginsu Victim on May 20, 2009, 11:32:05 pm: mrclean:
No, they don't.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on May 21, 2009, 01:54:31 am: Quote from: kowal on May 20, 2009, 01:11:32 pm
on SUZO this shaft still need original washer or new pivot? without this custom shafts they crunch,

The original plastic parts must still be used. This makes the ball sit higher, but this is an advantage for these sticks when mounted below the panel. A longer shaft increases the throw of this otherwise short throw stick.

Quote
6 groove to what it serves?

It is an alternative shoulder stop. If a user wishes for the shaft to sit higher, they can install the smaller, upper clip in this groove.

Quote from: butteroj on May 20, 2009, 10:17:09 pm
Will the balltops be replaceable w/ sanwa/seimitsu balls?

No. They use a 5/16 - 18 thread.

RandyT
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Franco B on May 21, 2009, 02:13:38 am: Quote from: RandyT on May 21, 2009, 01:54:31 am
Quote from: butteroj on May 20, 2009, 10:17:09 pm
Will the balltops be replaceable w/ sanwa/seimitsu balls?

No. They use a 5/16 - 18 thread.

RandyT

Is that Whitworth or UNC or..?

Maybe you could make a M6 x1mm adpater for them so people can use the Jap balls, I imagine they would be more popular. Maybe you could offer them hollow too for LED lighting etc?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on May 21, 2009, 02:29:01 am: Quote from: Franco B on May 21, 2009, 02:13:38 am
Is that Whitworth or UNC or..?

UNC

Quote
Maybe you could make a M6 x1mm adpater for them so people can use the Jap balls, I imagine they would be more popular. Maybe you could offer them hollow too for LED lighting etc?

I didn't feel there was enough strength in aluminum to consider smaller diameter threads, and this would be exacerbated by a hollow shaft. I suppose someone could make an adapter, but it would increase the length and probably look like dookie...
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Franco B on May 21, 2009, 03:34:14 am: Ah, I forgot they were ally. Yeah I see the problem. The remaining wall thickness is pushing it even with steel as you are only left with 0.635mm of wall if you use a 3.5mm drill.

I think the adapter would work though as the 5/16" thread would have a 1.35mm wall thickness from the root to the 3.5mm hole which should be adequate. The additional length would only be slightly longer than the length of the existing thread. I think a polished etc SS adapter would look quite nice for a little contrast.

Just a thought.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on June 02, 2009, 10:29:13 pm: any updates on release?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on July 11, 2009, 10:36:46 am: Quote from: butteroj on June 02, 2009, 10:29:13 pm
any updates on release?
?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on July 11, 2009, 11:28:31 am: Sorry about the delay. We are finally finding some time to update the site. A new product was added last night and these will be up there soon as well.

RandyT
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Ummon on July 11, 2009, 06:56:19 pm: Probably good to say 'coming soon' in cases like these.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Beretta on July 12, 2009, 12:51:10 pm: Quote from: severdhed on May 19, 2009, 04:03:19 pm
wow...very nice....makes me wish i liked ball top joysticks. i like them for 4 way, but just can't stand to play fighting games with a ball top stick.

either way, they are really nice
i agree for the classics ball tops are nice but for fighters the bat is where it's at.

these do look really nice though, the translucent ones look like they should light up.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: King Nerd on July 12, 2009, 02:09:58 pm: Quote from: Beretta on July 12, 2009, 12:51:10 pm
these do look really nice though, the translucent ones look like they should light up.

How many licks does it take to get to the centre of a Tootsie Pop?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Beretta on July 12, 2009, 02:32:21 pm: Quote from: King Nerd on July 12, 2009, 02:09:58 pm
Quote from: Beretta on July 12, 2009, 12:51:10 pm
these do look really nice though, the translucent ones look like they should light up.

How many licks does it take to get to the centre of a Tootsie Pop?
3
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on July 15, 2009, 11:58:47 am: Quote from: RandyT on July 11, 2009, 11:28:31 am

Sorry about the delay. We are finally finding some time to update the site. A new product was added last night and these will be up there soon as well.

RandyT
Cant wait!!! :applaud:
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on July 20, 2009, 11:49:16 am: This week?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on July 20, 2009, 12:54:09 pm: I have a few more colors coming, and was waitiing for them to arrrive.

The additional colors are Pale Blue, Medium Purple and Bright White.

But it looks like it could be a bit longer for these, so I'll add these colors at a later date.

RandyT
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on July 27, 2009, 03:41:37 pm: Today?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGame
Post by: Zapf on August 24, 2009, 08:34:07 am: I apologize for the resurrecting an old thread, but I was wondering if these were still being produced? I have been considering getting one for a suzo stc 500 (omni-stik), but ggg still shows versaball 1 (and at 0 stock). I was also wondering if the 2 installable heights mentioned also applies to the omni-stik
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on September 01, 2009, 01:05:15 pm: I WANT NOW :hissy:
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on September 16, 2009, 11:01:52 am: Im giving this one last shot for an update before I have my own made.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on November 10, 2009, 01:15:00 pm: :hissy: :hissy: :hissy:
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Red 5 on November 10, 2009, 01:30:06 pm: Will they fit Mag-Sicks? Or should I say could they be "adjusted" to fit Mag-Sticks?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Hewskie on November 10, 2009, 03:30:13 pm: Would love an update on this Randy, it's exactly what I've been looking for

Cheers

Hewskie
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on November 17, 2010, 08:07:13 am: What ever happened to these?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on May 23, 2011, 12:29:20 am: Quote from: butteroj on November 17, 2010, 08:07:13 am
What ever happened to these?

They have been resurrected :)

(http://www.groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/VersaBall2_Splash.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=381)

First post updated.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: butteroj on May 23, 2011, 08:09:02 am: Will these fit Wico leafs?
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: emphatic on May 23, 2011, 11:38:38 am: Wow, I've always felt a product like this has been missing. :applaud: Too bad about the incompatibility with SANWA or Seimitsu balls though. Ah, well, you can't have everything.
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: RandyT on May 23, 2011, 12:20:06 pm: Quote from: butteroj on May 23, 2011, 08:09:02 am
Will these fit Wico leafs?

The short answer is: It depends on your modification abilities.

I just made one fit, and it only took me about 10 minutes to do it. The grooves line up, at 2 different heights, but the shafts are a little larger in diameter than the original WICO. Because the shafts are aluminum, they can be more easily sized. So, it literally takes only a 1/2" chuck electric drill (not too tight and/or some tape on the shaft to protect the finish) and a small belt sander to make them fit. One nice thing about doing it this way is that older, but still serviceable grommets can be a little worn out (mine was) and you can give the new shaft a nice snug fit if you'd like.

RandyT
Title: Re: New Product: VersaBall2 Cross-compatible Joystick Upgrade Shafts -GroovyGameGear
Post by: Silverwind on July 01, 2012, 11:19:30 pm: Do these work with a happ pac reunion joystick?

I was thinking about getting a longer shaft for my pac joystick so that I can mount it under 3/4" MDF without using the metal mounting plate.