does this exist? joystick with (easily) swappable handles

[tony.silveira]

hey everyone,

i've searched and have even toyed around trying to make one myself (with an old wico "boss" joystick) but have come up empty.  personally i think this would make a great seller if anyone is reading and wants to take this on...

my dream joystick, take ultimarcs mag-stick plus (easy switching of 4 to 8 way from the top), make the shaft square (so it's keyed) and have JUST the GRIP be removable, not the entire shaft.

that way, different joystick handle types could easily be swapped in.  tron type trigger stick?  check.  flight stick with additional buttons?  check.

a man can dream...

[Le Chuck]

Do you mean like this: http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Wireless_Hot-swappable_Trigger_Stick_Mod

You could mill a handle that cuts off short, is keyed, and has a wire jack for buttons but I found that just using rare earth magnets and wireless controls to be much easier.  Mine was build on an Omni2 with a servo mod but you could use a mag2. 

[Nephasth]

There was The Link.



But no joystick buttons...

[tony.silveira]

thanks for the info guys.  i would rather have it wired than wireless, make it as idiot proof for guests as possible, no pairing necessary.  my thought would be to copy the gravis blackhawk stick.  telephone jack receptacle in the base, my case on my CP.  then have each top plug into that.  i do like the rare earth magnet idea tho!

still some thinking of how to get this done

[Le Chuck]

thanks for the info guys.  i would rather have it wired than wireless, make it as idiot proof for guests as possible, no pairing necessary.  my thought would be to copy the gravis blackhawk stick.  telephone jack receptacle in the base, my case on my CP.  then have each top plug into that.  i do like the rare earth magnet idea tho!

still some thinking of how to get this done

Pairing?  It's mated to the dongle.  One click and you're live.  Anything involving any sort of a plug or cable that can be yanked by a drunk is not going to be idiot proof.  I'll keep an eye out and see what you come up with tho.  Best of luck!

[tony.silveira]

ah mated!  i'm an idiot...

i may hit you up for some advice via PM on the wireless stick mod if that's ok?

just saw your darkade machine, WOW!  it has me thinking, nice gift for my nephew with parts i have lying around.  i have an lcd from a toshiba laptop that took a dump on me.  could that potentially be used for something like your darkade?

thanks for the input!

[Le Chuck]

I don't see why it couldn't, as long as you have a toshiba laptop in need of a monitor that you're willing to stick in a cab.  The weecade base design is nice and very versatile, from there you can mod it all to hell like I did or make a quick and dirty great little cab.  Sky's the limit really.  Anyway, we're all here to help and make stupid jokes so feel free to ask away. 

[tony.silveira]

i wasn't clear, i have a toshiba lcd from a laptop, not the laptop itself.  i'd want to try and use that screen with a mini atx mobo inside that i have lying around.

but i'm getting ahead of myself.  gotta finish my project first...

[HaRuMaN]

i have a toshiba lcd from a laptop, not the laptop itself.  i'd want to try and use that screen

good luck with that....

[Le Chuck]

You were clear, I purposefully worded it the way I did.

If you can figure out the pin out for the FFC to the monitor and match the power requirements to the pinout to the mobo you want to use then then purchase the correct FCC to "other" cable adapters and get everything sympatico then yes you can do that.  Or, you can save yourself some heartache and pick up a 17" LCD on the cheap and work that instead.  I threw my laptop monitor away when I build weecade and it was working perfectly upon dismanteling but the pain in the ass ratio made the juice not worth the squeeze.  Plus most laptops aren't 4:3.     

[AGarv]

LeChuck, your hot-swap wireless trigger stick mod is really innovative - very nice work.  How strong are the magnets?  Ever had an overzealous person pull the knob/stick off in the midst of playing?

[tony.silveira]

ok, i found some good pc joysticks that i want to try this wireless mod on.  if you look at my machine, there are TWO sticks i want to do this to.  the two sticks closest to the trackball, currently i have two happ top fire sticks.

but my question, can i add two?  the presentation clicker sends "page up / page down".  are those commands configurable?  if so, i can add two sticks.  if not, well, i'll need to figure something else.

also, can this be done with any stick that has a threaded shaft (removable ball)?  i'm thinking of trying GGG's "zippy" stick

btw, where does the battery go in the stick for the clicker?  do you have to take it apart to install a new batt?

appreciate any info you might have

[Le Chuck]

LeChuck, your hot-swap wireless trigger stick mod is really innovative - very nice work.  How strong are the magnets?  Ever had an overzealous person pull the knob/stick off in the midst of playing?

They are strong enough to require a straight up pull rather than a push.  As you play with your hand around or ontop of the handles and not underneath you aren't giving it the pressure in the right direction during regular or vigerous play.  I have yet to have either come off accidentally by my hand or by a guests.  I think the quick release Nep posted is even better tho.  You'd just need to by two so you could hot swap them.  Mines cheaper and has worked well so far but that one quick relase is a pretty choice piece of gear.

ok, i found some good pc joysticks that i want to try this wireless mod on.  if you look at my machine, there are TWO sticks i want to do this to.  the two sticks closest to the trackball, currently i have two happ top fire sticks.

but my question, can i add two?  the presentation clicker sends "page up / page down".  are those commands configurable?  if so, i can add two sticks.  if not, well, i'll need to figure something else.

also, can this be done with any stick that has a threaded shaft (removable ball)?  i'm thinking of trying GGG's "zippy" stick

btw, where does the battery go in the stick for the clicker?  do you have to take it apart to install a new batt?

appreciate any info you might have

Depends on the clicker.  Size is at a premium so watch what you order tho.  The one used in the wiki entry is not programable but others have more than just two inputs.  If you get one that has directional keys you should be in the clear to use two.

This can be done with any stick that has a removeable top.  Pretty much all but the cheapest bats will.  Zippy from GGG will work fine. 

Battery goes in the handle, I think the pics on the wiki show this but I can double check.  When you need to change you do have to take the handle apart.  I start using mine before Christmas and haven't had to change yet.  That's like almost six months so nyar.   

[tony.silveira]

I searched for nep's quick release, would you have a link?  trying to explore all options before I start hacking controllers up

[Le Chuck]

There was The Link.

 

[tony.silveira]

jesus, in my own post!  i was searching on my iphone, got hits back for this topic but didn't bother clicking on them.  oh man, I'll stop now

[Nephasth]

 

[Mysterioii]

If you go the magnet route, this site has tons of different varieties of rare earth magnets, from teeny tiny to big enough to smash your thumb if you bring two of them too close...  good videos and info too.  I've purchased from them several times.

kjmagnetics.com

[tony.silveira]

thank you everybody, i think i am leaning towards The Link.

i've already confirmed my stupidity above so i'll ask another stupid question.  The Link says it fits JLF sticks.  my google-fu tells me this is a sanwa stick.  i am assuming The Link shaft will fit into a GG stick, i'm leaning towards the zippy.

really excited to get these removable sticks up and running.  thank you everyone for the wonderful feedback

[Mysterioii]

i am assuming The Link shaft will fit into a GG stick, i'm leaning towards the zippy.

I'm not familiar with those specific sticks, but I would actually assume just the opposite until it was confirmed that they fit...  unless the sticks themselves are based on the same design?

[tony.silveira]

ok, gonna go the magnet route instead  wiki says 1/4 inch diameter x 1/2 length, correct?

[Le Chuck]

That's what I used.  If you can find them sold by the mm then you want 6mm I think but 1/4" will work fine. 

[Mysterioii]

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D48-N52

[tony.silveira]

thanks everybody for the input.  i have all parts in hand, going the magnet route, just waiting on the joysticks to arrive.

fyi, i am doing a quick release cable but instead of a phone jack, i'm using an 1/8" stereo jack.  that way if some drunk idiot does decide to get squirly, the cable will simoply pop out.

i will update my project post once joysticks are in hand and complete.

appreciate all the feedback from you all!

[Mysterioii]

I'm thinking about trying this too... ordered 2 of the cheapo presentation remotes from Amazon (I know I can't use them both at the same time on the same machine since it will look like the same 2 keystrokes, I just like to have a spare).  Actually I guess maybe you COULD use two at the same time if you only needed one button per player... use page up for the trigger on one stick and page down for the trigger on the second stick...  I'd like to use both inputs on a single stick though, just throwing that out there.

Would've liked to have been able to find a remote with more controls on it but it seemed like everything with more than 2 was up in the $35+ range...   

Since I don't have a flight stick I'll have to pick up a cheap one, and it occurs to me that once I scavenge the stick from it I'll be left with the base which should be a perfectly functioning USB joystick interface with 2 pots and several button inputs.  Seems a shame to waste it.  Any suggestions?  Pedals?     I'm getting way ahead of myself, I don't have nearly enough free time to make all my plans come to fruition...

[tony.silveira]

Since I don't have a flight stick I'll have to pick up a cheap one, and it occurs to me that once I scavenge the stick from it I'll be left with the base which should be a perfectly functioning USB joystick interface with 2 pots and several button inputs.  Seems a shame to waste it.  Any suggestions?  Pedals?     I'm getting way ahead of myself, I don't have nearly enough free time to make all my plans come to fruition...

oh boy, never thought of that.  i'll try getting my pedals to work with one of these sticks and report back...

[Le Chuck]

There have been a few questions about the trigger stick mod so this should clarify.  If this is helpful let me know and I'll update the wiki entry. 


This is the base as seen from below.  The threaded nut and magnet are positioned and held fast by the putty.


This is the complete assembly.  The large yellow mass is the putty used to hold the magnet in place.  As you can see I had to sacrifice one of my screw posts for this area.  I intend to drill into the putty and use a very short screw but for the time being everything holds tight with one screw and a bit of black tape at the bottom.  It doesn't bother me and I'm in no rush.


This is the two part putty I used.  Really anything workable that isn't overly sticky and air cures would work well, I just happen to really like this product. 

[tony.silveira]

thanks for the follow up pics!

quick question.  did you put half of the stick on the shaft, align the insert and magnet and then mold the putty around everything?  once dried, does it pop off easily?

thanks again for everything!