Robin, Flat Rate Shipping USPS Priority to Canada is $55. Flat rate within the US is $17. Non-Flat Rate Priority to Canada is $75.
Moving the 24mm buttons from the left to the back where the USB connector is requires a different approach to the case bends/cutouts which would require a redesign to ensure the case remained strong. The bottom has nuts pressed into place for the feet, so you could choose to not use the feet and it would sit flat on the table or lap without a problem, but removing them would also require a rework of the design, not difficult but beyond the scope of my current manufacturing contract with the machine shop.
The Layout can be spaced a little more with ease. Currently, the NOIR layout provides a spacing of about 3.25inches from the center of the joystick hole to the middle of the closest button (lower left).
Just posted some professionally shot photos of the TankStick. One with the wrap designed by Focus Attack and another of the case by itself. They look amazing.
Hi Jasen, I was wondering if you’d be able to do some custom button cutouts beyond the standard ones?
I’m thinking about getting a case for my girlfriend and while she only casually plays fighting games, I’m hoping to also have it be used for pinball games. So for this case, the three control buttons have to be moved to the back and each side has to have one button (for each flipper respectively). The top-side would still be a standard Vewlix.
Another case I’m thinking about getting is for a left-handed friend who has always struggled on right-handed sticks. I’m hoping to remedy that for him and wondering if you can do perfectly reverse Vewlix layouts.
Let me know if you would be willing to do anything like this–thanks a bunch,
Huy
I can easily mirror the Vewlix Layout. Simple day!
For the other layout, the PS360+ is tucked too close to the edge and would interfere with the button installation. Additionally, the 3 buttons being on the back face would potentially interfere with the mounting lip of the bottom piece (where the top bolts into), I fear that notching out spaces for the 3 buttons might create some sort of weird weakness that I haven’t accounted for during the design phase.
The PS360+ is still going to be in the way of the buttons on the right side of the case. It’s just long enough that it precludes use of the right face for buttons anywhere on it. We could explore a custom case where I move a lot of things around to support the buttons on the side as you want them and keep the PS360 properly mounted inside, but it will most likely cost more and could be come prohibitive. Feel free to shoot me a message and we can chat about it off the forum.
I don’t understand why it would require a redesign. You are already drilling 24mm holes into the back of the panel. I don’t mean all the way where the screws are. Middle-left or Middle-right is fine. Is that not possible? I don’t want buttons that are attached to the bottom panel because it would make removing and changing parts inside more troublesome.
I am also curious to how loud the case sounds. Button clicks sound louder in the Omni case (a two piece all metal case like yours) due to the internal reverb. It sounds more holo than a standard TE or a custom wooden case.
Awesome looking sticks. I got too many sticks so not looking for one right now, but maybe in the near future.
Don’t mean to butt into your thread Jasen Hicks, but just wanted to comment on this as a fellow seller. Shipping internationally is very expensive. Within the past few years, the USPS dramatically increased the price of shipping to foreign addresses. Even a lighter stick like the SFxT Pro Fightstick costs about $50 to ship to Canada. Considering how sturdy these sticks look, I imagine the shipping is higher.
The case is separated in two halves. The top features the joystick mount, the action buttons, and the Neutrik Adapter spot. The Bottom features the PS360+ mounting points and the 3x 24mm buttons. Moving the side buttons from the bottom half to the top half requires rework of drawings, shop setup, and calculations to verify strength of the case because of the notches that need to be cut out of the lip so that the buttons aren’t obstructed when the two halves are mated.
Imagine the scenario goes like this: The machine shop is willing to change all of their tooling and files that cut and bend the case for free, I don’t do any calculations or thought on the design and just go with it, and we build/ship the case. You get it and the case flexes or is difficult to build/the notches aren’t sufficient, etc. Naturally, you will be upset. I can’t refund or exchange your case because it’s not a manufacturing problem but a design problem. I just did what you wanted, right? Well, yes but I didn’t do my due diligence and just used malicious compliance to get a sale and to make you happy. In the end neither of us are satisfied because you have a case that doesn’t work as envisioned and my reputation is damaged permanently.
While I would love to support absolutely every single custom request I can for the TankStick, some are just a bit more tricky without investing the time in a one-off prototype before selling it. As you can see the time and personal cost associated with building a prototype before selling/shipping a customers case would make the TankStick at least double in price.
As for the noise, there is some reverb but it’s easily mitigated by using silent buttons or FocusAttack’s silent washers they now offer for Sanwa/Seimitsu buttons. Great product. Additionally, I have found that a piece of craft foam can be easily applied to the bottom of the case to deaden the sound even more of the minimal reverb is too too much.
Thanks SmokeMaxX for sharing your comments on shipping. I was surprised that Canada is slightly cheaper flat rate than the rest of the world, but Mexico or Australia Flat Rate is the same price!
Well thanks for the response. If really can’t be done, then I won’t push it. BUt I don’t want a stick with parts attached to the bottom panel. I will pass for the time being. If your process ever changes allowing more customizing be sure you update us on your facebook. I’ll be following your work on there.
I wrote a review on my build a few days ago but it went to an approval process, likely because of the image I uploaded. I guess I’ll try again. I bought the tankstick to build a stick similar to my Etokki Omni stick. The case arrived well packed from Jasen using thick bubble wrap around the case and on the sides. I used 3M Carbon Fiber Di Noc wrap on my tankstick, which applied and held with no problem. I used nuts on each JLF mount post to drop the height of the stick to the standard mount height. I did run into some issues wiring the stick due to the fact that the PS360 mounts on the bottom panel and most of the wiring for the stick will be on the top panel. I didnt want to rip any wires nor scratch the coat, so i used double-sided tape to temporarily mount the ps360 on the upper panel until all wiring was complete, then mounted it on the bottom and connected the 3 side buttons. Using longer wires would have allowed me to easily wire the PS360 with the 2 panels separated. I did find the stick to have the same hollow sound as the omni when I first installed the JLF and the buttons but most of that went away when the wiring was all complete. I believe the steel used in the tankstick is thicker than the omni as well. Jasen’s done a great job with the case. I tried to find an imperfection or abnormality with the case, the holes, the spacing…everything is spot on. I do hope he includes a JLF spacer in the future, but this stick is well worth $107 shipped.
I find that installing all of the wires and zip-tieing as I go works well for installation. I try to get everything wired up and done button wise then connect to the PS360+ with it not attached.
One thing for the hollow sound that helps is using silent buttons and a piece of craft foam on the bottom.
As for the JLF mount, I think using the other mount would work as well, although it would require some drilling. I am looking into having some of them on hand predrilled ready to go as well as spacers.
Hi everyone, I have some disappointing news that I felt it was important to share so that everyone knew the level of standards and quality I demand from my partner machine shop. I want to maintain a reputation of an honest and easy to work with person who will keep everyone informed of the happenings at Jasen’s Customs; good, bad, or indifferent.
Today I received 4 cases for customers and none of them passed my final inspection. Each of these cases had an issue that contradicted a rigorously approved drawing and build sheet. I have directed the shop to rebuild each of these cases as well as directed the shop manager to investigate exactly why there were 4 problems.
This was completely unsatisfactory on my partner machine shops part and I hope that you understand that I truly regret this unfortunate delay to my customers.
If anyone has any questions about this matter please do not hesitate to message me.
Thanks for stopping the buck at the shop and not trying to pass bum product onto the customer and then only point the finger at the shop if the customer complains. Not that I have any reason to think you anything but an upstanding businessman, it’s just we’ve seen some pretty weak “entrepreneurs” pass through this hobby and it’s nice to see someone handle this type of situation properly and respectably.
-ud
UD, thanks for the kind words. I insist on getting the final inspection and that’s why I don’t simply drop ship these, for these very reasons. I am a true believer in standing by your product 100%. If it’s not ready to go, I am not going to ship it.
Out of all of this, I hope people will understand my commitment to excellence and nothing less. Despite the problems, a few cases were awesome and will be shipping to their new owners.
J, I don’t believe so. Given the new layout we are doing for your case we did have to go through a very thorough review/approve process to ensure it was right. I expect it to start being pressed on Monday.
I will keep you up to date on the status as it becomes available.
Please watch this customer for fraud, as I just learned that he defrauded our Snapback photo contest. It’s best that you refrain from accepting any purchase requests from him. I’ll inform you privately of further details.