Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: 80s Kid on November 23, 2009, 01:56:56 pm

Title: Microswitches
Post by: 80s Kid on November 23, 2009, 01:56:56 pm
Hello all, I have been thinking about building an arcade for a few years now and there have been many that inspired me from this site. The first one i am building is a pretty generic one but one that gives me a warm feeling of when i was young in the 80s and my mother telling me not to spend my allowance on arcades. With that said, i ordered all of my electronics but somehow in the pocesses i didn't order the microswitches for the Electric Ice buttons. Now my question is where can a guy order these from. I know Groovygamegear where i originally ordered from has them but my order took 26 days to get to me and i was hoping to find somewhere that shipped a little quicker. Not that i am unhappy with the product. I just wanted to play this thing before christmas if possible.

Here is a peak of what i am working on

(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Big_Daddy_Lincoln/118.jpg)
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Big_Daddy_Lincoln/119.jpg)
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Big_Daddy_Lincoln/both.jpg)
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Ginsu Victim on November 23, 2009, 02:05:19 pm
Ultracade has a certain negative connotation attached to it. Maybe a different name is in order.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: 80s Kid on November 23, 2009, 02:29:07 pm
Ultracade has a certain negative connotation attached to it. Maybe a different name is in order.

Hahaha, uploaded the wrong pic actually...i was just typing and checking out fonts

Let me see if i can find the right artwork. This just goes to show you to name your files properly haha.

(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee135/Big_Daddy_Lincoln/both1.jpg)


I think the problem with shipping is that i am in Canada so everything seems to hang out at the border for a week.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Hoopz on November 23, 2009, 04:02:08 pm
If you need microswitches, look up Divemaster127.  He's a member here and has fast shipping.  I'm sure CheffoJeffo, RayB or another Canuck may be able to provide insight for you also on a local (Canadian) source.  I'm sure they'll be along soon.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: CheffoJeffo on November 23, 2009, 04:15:11 pm
It's strange ... I'm pretty sure that I have ordered more arcade stuff from outside of Canada and, unless I choose the cheapest shipping options, I never have any delays.

Depending on where you are in Canada, there are a variety of options ... including walking up to a parts counter if you are in Montreal or Toronto.

So, where are you ?
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Epyx on November 23, 2009, 04:16:20 pm
You can just give the Happ part number to one of the order guys at:

www.starburstcoin.com (http://www.starburstcoin.com) (EDIT: This is likely who CheffoJeffo is referring to in above post)

They are the Happs reseller here in Canada...for example Cherry switch part # is: 95-0733-01   

Randy's quality is great but his shipping via www.groovygamegear.com (http://www.groovygamegear.com) is very slow...my last order took 3 weeks as well.  It is worth waiting but if you don't have the time...starburstcoin is a great Canadian source for standard buttons/controllers etc and they ship FAST ;)  Or like CheffoJeffo mentions if you are in Montreal/Toronto just walk up to the parts counter :)
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: 80s Kid on November 23, 2009, 04:31:16 pm
I am actually in the middle of Saskatchewan...Saskatoon to be exact so there aren't alot of walk up places i can try.  I will give one of the other members a try and check out the Happs website. Its not that i am in a hurry for the parts, its just that the shipping took much long than normal. I had actually ordered something else from the states the same day and it arrived before i even got my tracking number for the arcade parts.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Epyx on November 23, 2009, 05:29:54 pm
Aye, just remember that Starburstcoin *is* a Happ reseller here in Canada and the CDN price is pretty much on par with the USA price plus better shipping.

Most stuff on their website is stuff they stock...even if they don't they will get it for you if you provide them with the Happ part #.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Hoopz on November 23, 2009, 06:22:15 pm
PM Divemaster127 to get a quote too.  He carries all of Happ's catalog along with Ultimarc's.  He charges actual shipping prices to boot.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: 80s Kid on November 26, 2009, 03:52:23 pm
Thank you for everyones advise. The microswitches arrived in about 2 days and i should be assembling this in the very near future and hope to be "test playing" it before christmas  :cheers:
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Epyx on November 26, 2009, 04:32:44 pm
Nice delivery time! Where did you end up getting them from?
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: 80s Kid on November 26, 2009, 05:04:47 pm
I went with starburstcoin.com and they were extremely fast and the price was very reasonable. But next time i need something i will try out one of the members mentioned below. It doesn't hurt to have a few options.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Epyx on November 26, 2009, 05:05:41 pm
Agreed. But ya, I wasn't kidding about Starburst being fast. Glad that worked out for you.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: CheffoJeffo on November 26, 2009, 05:19:04 pm
FWIW, I have not ordered from the folks at Playdium since they acquired Playdium and moved, but I understand that they kept most of the folks and they were already awesome.

Now, if I just didn't have to drive so far to play free pinball on Fridays ...
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: 80s Kid on November 26, 2009, 06:13:16 pm
I can't imagine how far of a drive it would be for me to play some free pinball haha
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: CheffoJeffo on November 26, 2009, 06:53:40 pm
Their old location was literally a 3 minute drive from my house. I would go to the showroom and play every Friday afternoon, occasionally taking my elder son and sometimes picking up some parts.

It's now a 15 minute drive ... man, am I ever lazy!

 ::)
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: DillonFoulds on November 26, 2009, 08:00:39 pm
It used to be nearly a 2 hour drive from my place to the nearest playdium, but i'd do it almost once a month. 25 ducks for unlimited game cards, 5pm till 1am. Pretty hard to beat that, and we put those suckers to good use, too!

Unfortunately, West Edmonton Mall charges an arm and a leg for rental, so playdium moved out. Out of the province even. Then to top it off they shut down the BC location, too! FML. I've gotta drive to Ontario for 25$ all you can play arcade games...

Pretty much the closest thing I have to an arcade around here is "Flippers" in the Calgary airport, consisting of 3 pins (Simpsons, Elvis?, and Family Guy), a redemption, and a handful uprights. Edmonton has 2 left in West Edmonton Mall, there's "Ed's", and one off of Galaxy Land, called Wizard's Castle. Both of those arcades are decent, but still a 2 hour drive...
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: Epyx on November 26, 2009, 08:21:24 pm
We have two arcades left in Vancouver...Movieland on Granville street in downtown Vancouver which has quite a few oldschool machines and one in Metrotown mall Burnaby with newer Japanese style machines.
Title: Re: Microswitches
Post by: CheffoJeffo on November 26, 2009, 09:19:18 pm
I've gotta drive to Ontario for 25$ all you can play arcade games...

I'd only charge you $10, but would provide the full Playdium experience -- half my games aren't working !

Pretty much the closest thing I have to an arcade around here is "Flippers" in the Calgary airport, consisting of 3 pins (Simpsons, Elvis?, and Family Guy), a redemption, and a handful uprights.

I've played there before  -- I would fly in for the weekend, visit family, get dropped at the airport, play some games, then off to the Maple Leaf lounge for pre-flight lubrication before the 11:55 flight back to Toronto.

 :cheers: