Need help on routing MDF for sanwa joystick

[Kajoq]

My searching efforts have been futile on this topic unfortunately...

I'm building a new control panel to replace the mediocre one that came on my cab.  Almost done building the base of the box and am about to start working on the top.

I have a good to-scale template of button/joystick hole placement, but haven't been able to figure out exactly how much material to route out to get proper joystick height.

The closest I came to what I need was a picture of one of Nitewalker's custom sticks


I'm using 3/4" MDF as my material.  I seem to recall hearing that sanwa sticks are intended to be mounted 7-9mm below the surface material, So, with my plexi on does that mean I should be routing all but ~5mm out of the bottom? It seems like that would be very thin and not very strong.

Thanks in advance for any help

[BobA]

Timoe used a method of mounting that give more support.  Top mounted with plexi over.  See pic.

Actually nitewalkers is similar but hard to see the details.  The plate is on top which means that you have the full MDF support minus the inset for the mounting plate.  The portion that is 5 mm in your calc is not providing support so it should be fine.

[Kajoq]

That picture looks perfect!

I realize its not from your stick, but do you by chance know the exact dimensions of those cuts?

I've got a pretty good estimation just from measuring my joystick and comparing, but extra numbers could never hurt

[BobA]

Sorry, I do not have a sanwa stick.   Just posting the picture to help you figure out the mounting.  Timoe could probably help you out with his mount.

[scotthh]

Click the link for the "reference diagram" towards the bottom of this web page. It has the dimensions in millimeters.

[Kaytrim]

Your depth is also important for the mount.  The proper height is 24-25mm from the surface of the Plexiglas to the bottom of the joystick ball.  For the Sanwa JLF you want a total depth of around 9mm.  Take out 3mm for 1/8" plexi and your router depth should be set at 6mm.  That should leave the joystick at the proper height for true Japanese arcade feel.

[Neilyboy]

how does one switch these from 8 way to 4 way. im at work right now and cant play with mine but its 8 way now but since its in my dk cab ill want to convert it to 4 way.

thanks in advance,
Neil

[Kaytrim]

The stock square gate on the bottom needs to be rotated 45 degrees.  I am not sure on the mod because I swap the square gate out for the octagonal one.  There are 4 tabs that hold the gate in place.  There are also some holes in the gate I think that they might be used with screws to put the gate in 4-way mode.  I'll do a search over lunch today and see if I can find more detailed info for you.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Kaytrim]

The image below is thanks to LizardLick.com.  I have circled two nubs in red.  These need to be rotated to the slots I have circled in green.  You may have to lift up on the nubs a bit to disengage them from the slots that they are in currently.  That will put the stick in 4-way mode.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Neilyboy]

katrim you are a genious!! thanks so much buddy..

Neil