Replacing Wico joysticks in a metal control panel.

[cmoses]

Does anyone know if there are any joysticks that have the same mounting holes as Wico joysticks?  I have a metal control panel and it came with (2) wico joysticks.  I cleaned them up a bit, but they seem to be a little iffy.  I am not ready to redo the control panel, but would like something that I can use that have the same hole pattern as the Wico so I can replace them easily.

[shardian]

If they are 'iffy', then check the grommet for damage.  Those can be replaced if you can find a seller. WICO's are widely renowned for a good reason - they are damn good sticks, and built like a tank.

If you must replace them though, they have a standard mounting pattern.  A cheap Happ Super or Ultimate will bolt right in.*



*Feel free to ship to crappy WICO's to me.  At my expense of course.

[Ginsu Victim]

Mike's Arcade has plenty of replacement parts for Wico sticks

LINK

[AUKev]

I recently ordered 2 sets of these:

http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=GROMMETKITW

and rebuilt 2 old Wico Leaf joysticks that are now working like new.

[shardian]

Interesting that Mike is repro-ing the grommet. I did not know anyone was doing that. There are still a guy or 2 here or on KLOV selling NOS grommets.

[cmoses]

Thanks for the info.  I do love the Wico's, very classic feel.  I am looking to switch to a Ultimarc U360, just for the versatility.  I like that it can be setup easily for individual games so that it is only 2 way, 4 way, 8 way, diagonal, etc.  I have a small control panel, so I need the most versatility in the smallest space.

I found some measurements and it does appear that they do have the same mounting layout.

[cmoses]

Confirmed the U360's do have the same hole pattern as the Wico's.  I got one to test and have now ordered a second one.  I did love the Wico's and they were great for 8 way games.  Were very good for 4 way games, but would occasionally cause a small problem with the diagonals.  Where I ran into the most issues was when I would play Q*bert or Congo Bongo (4way diagonal).  Now with the plugin they work perfect.  I also want to try some analog games.

I may hold on to them for another project or might consider selling them, not sure if there is a market for used Wico joysticks.

 

[CheffoJeffo]

I may hold on to them for another project or might consider selling them, not sure if there is a market for used Wico joysticks.

There is some market -- I pick them up when I see them available.

The hard to find ones are the 4-ways -- I haven't seen one for sale in years and put my last NOS one in a cab a few months ago and now have no more in the "Box O Joys".

[cmoses]

These are Red Ball Top ones with the bigger 8 way round piece that is at the end of the joystick.  Came with the cabinet when I got it.  They were just really dirty, so I took them off, cleaned them up and put them back on.

I just needed something more versatile so that is why I replaced them.  Wanted to be able to have the widest range of games available. 

[SirPeale]

Interesting that Mike is repro-ing the grommet. I did not know anyone was doing that. There are still a guy or 2 here or on KLOV selling NOS grommets.

Grommets have been easy to find.  Try finding leaf switches.

[shardian]

Interesting that Mike is repro-ing the grommet. I did not know anyone was doing that. There are still a guy or 2 here or on KLOV selling NOS grommets.

Grommets have been easy to find.  Try finding leaf switches.

The chinese knock-of 4-ways have acceptible leaf switches that fit Wico's. You still need the original white mounting sleeve though.