Mini Arcade model

[AlienInferno]

Got bored today and wanted to build something so I built this.  Modelled it after a TMNT/Simpsons/Bucky O'hare cab that I got the plans for off Jakobud.com.  It's built out of 1/8" balsa sheets I had laying around.  Built it just to build it and put on a shelf somewhere but my 11 year old stepson thought it would be cool to make it work.  I thought about it and have an old cellphone laying around with Tetris and PacMan on it still so if I can figure out how to make a small enough joystick that works I might do it.  Either way I'm going to finish it and put some graphics on it and call it good for now.

[danny_galaga]

Ha! Do it! Patrickl made a joystick from some mini microswitches and a nail. And made a ball top from some sort of putty I think. His was only two way, but it's food for thought.

Printing out the artwork from stiff paper should work a treat.

[AlienInferno]

Shortly after posting this I found a how to on the joystick using switches and a half a pen.  It was top fireing too.  LOL.  Shouldn't be hard to make a four way but I want to keep the model to scale so I'm not sure if I can make 4 switches fit.  On the graphics I was just going to print it on regular paper.  Smooth the balsa, paint it, then glue the paper down similiar to vinyl.

[danny_galaga]

Yeah, four micros would be too big to fit, wouldn't it? If you are handy with a dremel, you could cut out some button pads from a wrecked controller. Even a basic joypad will have at least six or so. You could arrange them 'standing up' like this (looking down from the top):

                                                                    _
                                                                   l_l

with the rubber pads facing inwards and the joy obviously pushing on them in the middle. This would be very compact with a trade off of extra depth, but with luck that can be accommodated in the cab without changing any dimensions (",)                                                               

[Xiaou2]

The simple option may be a hack of a Analog joysticks "Hat" controller.  The Hat has very tight and tiny switches.

[Xiaou2]

wow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FehsClg3hr0&feature=player_embedded#at=39

[danny_galaga]

wow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FehsClg3hr0&feature=player_embedded#at=39

And you don't have to worry about getting 'mire' for it, because it has 'premire' 

Wow alright, but still too big for aliens cab...

[NiN^_^NiN]

I did a post ages ago on how to make a tiny joystick it used sewing pins as they look like arcade sticks


Here's my post
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=80042.msg839802#msg839802

If you scroll up patrickl has a good picture with his 2 way stick setup

[AlienInferno]

Hey NiN^_^NiN.
Thanks for that.  That gives me a few ideas and it probably hopefully will fit.  Hmmm....time to draw out some ideas.

[ids]

This inspired a google, which lead to: http://www.techdesign.be/shop/index.php?cPath=23_33
mini sticks, and a cool mini track-ball.  I'm sure there are many other types and source.

can't deny this has me thinking....

[gryhnd]

I had this bookmarked for future ref: Subminiature Joystick

[DNA Dan]

There's also something like this: http://www.solarbotics.com/products/50514/

Looking at the size of that thing, I holding it in your hand and using your thumb might be easier for control. I understand it's not true to the original however...

I just can't see using a joystick that small and getting buttons on there. What about the buttons?

[AlienInferno]

There's also something like this: http://www.solarbotics.com/products/50514/

Looking at the size of that thing, I holding it in your hand and using your thumb might be easier for control. I understand it's not true to the original however...

I just can't see using a joystick that small and getting buttons on there. What about the buttons?

I was thinking about using something like what they have on game controller boards (and probably a few others.)  Those little rubber pads with the metal contact on it.  You push the button which pushes the little rubber pad and contact down against the board which closes the circuit.  I was thinking that I could just use the little rubber padded part as the button since it's about the right size.  With this cell phone I would probably need three buttons though.  One for the on/off, one for the menu/back button in the games, and one for the OK button.  Since the two games I have on the phone PacMan/Tetris don't use buttons I will probably just mount them on the back so they are out of the way.

Never meant this to be a project.  Just wanted to show off my lame modelling skills.  But with everybodies suggestions it might just turn into one.  Also I'm happy it's got people thinking as well.

[crashwg]

Since the two games I have on the phone PacMan/Tetris don't use buttons I will probably just mount them on the back so they are out of the way.

You must be a Tetris master if you can play without rotating the pieces.   

[AlienInferno]

LOL I forgot about the rotate key.  DOH!