Is it possible to "fix" joysticks?

[Nipedley]

On my Megatech machine, (which was a bit beaten up when I got it), the first player's joystick doesnt function very well at all. The microswitches are all fine - but the metal contacts inside the joystick itself are bent, is there any way to disassemble these and bend them back into shape or do I need a new joystick?

[paigeoliver]

It depends on the stick, in general though you are better off just replacing them.

My quick fix for most games (especially cocktails) is to simply swap the player one stick with the player 2 stick.

[Nipedley]

It depends on the stick, in general though you are better off just replacing them.

My quick fix for most games (especially cocktails) is to simply swap the player one stick with the player 2 stick.

Hm well I'd do that but Player 1 is Red and Player 2 is Black so it just wouldnt really look right :/

[RayB]

The metal contacts inside the joysticks?

Photos please!

[Nipedley]

Hehe I'll get em tomorrow - but I'll try and describe, the joystick handle pushes against a base of 4 metal contacts which in turn pushes the microswitch and closes the circuit.. I'd take pictures now but its 2am, and rather dark

[MaximRecoil]

Hehe I'll get em tomorrow - but I'll try and describe, the joystick handle pushes against a base of 4 metal contacts which in turn pushes the microswitch and closes the circuit.. I'd take pictures now but its 2am, and rather dark

Aren't those "metal contacts" part of the microswitches themselves? On my Nintendo joysticks they are; but maybe Nintendo is just doing things differently than everyone else (wouldn't be the first time).

[pointdablame]

yeah, it sounds like the micros used on Happ Supers... those metal actuators are part of the microswitch, so some new micros would fix up that problem.

It may not actually be what I'm envisioning though, but it sure sounds like it.

[MaximRecoil]

yeah, it sounds like the micros used on Happ Supers... those metal actuators are part of the microswitch, so some new micros would fix up that problem.

Yeah:



The Nintendo joysticks used on games like Punch-Out and Vs. Machines are the same way.

[Nipedley]

I dont really know, I've been focusing on the monitor and art portions of my machine more than the controls to be honest I'll go out and get some pics now, you're all probably right though. I cant tell, though it definately looks like it, there is a plate over the top of the micro's obstructing from my view. Does this just screw off? (there is a screw in it). If it just needs new micros, are they a specific type? As my button micro's dont have the same function as those..

[Nipedley]

On a similar note, is it possible to get replacement leaf-switch buttons? (I have the assemblies, just need new buttons..) the previous owner (-_-) decided he would play with the control panel layout and swapped colours around, and even put in fruit machine buttons for the game select/enter buttons (I'll just replace those with microswitch).. (He didnt actually bother to light them, though the bulb came in useful for the coin mech..)

[MaximRecoil]

I don't know anything about that joystick in your picture; but how did you come to the conclusion that:

The microswitches are all fine - but the metal contacts inside the joystick itself are bent

If you can't see the microswitches or the actuators due to the view being obstructed by the cover thing? I'd take that cover off and have a look-see if it were mine.

[Nipedley]

I don't know anything about that joystick in your picture; but how did you come to the conclusion that:

The microswitches are all fine - but the metal contacts inside the joystick itself are bent

If you can't see the microswitches or the actuators due to the view being obstructed by the cover thing? I'd take that cover off and have a look-see if it were mine.

You can see in the circle where the handle is - all I saw was metal contacts that were bent out of shape, the actual view of the microswitches is obstructed by the plate yeah.. Might dig into it tomorrow, but now I have another (sigh) monitor problem to worry about

[MaximRecoil]

You can see in the circle where the handle is - all I saw was metal contacts that were bent out of shape, the actual view of the microswitches is obstructed by the plate yeah.. Might dig into it tomorrow, but now I have another (sigh) monitor problem to worry about

I think you'll find when you remove the plate, that the "metal contacts" are part of the microswitches themselves; in which case, replacing the microswitches should do the trick. I don't know specifically which microswitches you need; though it probably doesn't have to be an exact replacement. There should be identification numbers on the tops of the switches which may help.

[SirPeale]

I think you'll find when you remove the plate, that the "metal contacts" are part of the microswitches themselves; in which case, replacing the microswitches should do the trick. I don't know specifically which microswitches you need; though it probably doesn't have to be an exact replacement. There should be identification numbers on the tops of the switches which may help.

At which point you'll find that likely it's cheaper to replace the entire stick.

[Nipedley]

No way of bending the contacts back to normal position then? I think it might have been intentional.. at every corner of this machine ive found something broken or incredibly dangerous that looks like it was left there on purpose -_-

[RayB]

Yeah, you can probably bend them straight...

[MaximRecoil]

Be aware that some joysticks INTEND for the metal actuators to be bent. In fact Nintendos have a soft V bent in them that encompases the round bushing on the joystick end.

Yes they do, and is there any place you know of where you can get new replacement microswitches for those? I have a Super Punch-Out joystick and while the microswitches are fine in it, I would like to know where to get some spares. The "get a new joystick" advice doesn't apply here because SPO joysticks don't exactly grow on trees.

[Nipedley]

These arent meant to be bent - it makes the game very hard to control, and player 2's controls (obviously less-used) are perfectly square

[Stingray]

If it were me, I'd save a lot of headache and just buy two new sticks.

-S

[ChadTower]

Agreed.  You're putting in a lot of work on this thing, don't put crappy sticks on it.  You'll end up with a very pretty, but annoying to play, cabinet.