I am taking you never saw the Mad Catz VS
Note the individual sections with screws .
There is a bracket and several plates that are used to bolt two of these sticks together .
http://www.madcatz.com/sfxtekken/images/connectorjit-img1.jpg
Maybe try bead blasting? Would give a nice even texture and matte finish.
No. I know all about that but my idea is something much different. More like a docking station for two TE-S sticks. Quick install and quick release. Think of a two car garage and you will have more of an idea what I want to make.
You might want to look at Kray’s Kraylix TE cabinet for an idea… Of course, HAVING A Kralix TE cabinet would be much more awesome than any other idea us mere humans might have for pairing two TE sticks together.
Let me know when your doing SE top panels.
Very true but I don’t have that kind of dough. Ya feel me? LoL.
You still alive? Any progress? Still excited 
-ud
Still very much alive. Sorry I haven’t been posting/replying, I’m in the final stretch of a very big project, and it’s looking like I’ll be working every weekend until it’s done, which is when I would be working on the sticks.
Ok, keep us posted! Also, nice avatar! I bet most people have no idea about it
-ud
Hey, it’s me again. Sorry I fell off the face of the earth. Work got crazy, we had this 6-month-long nightmare project that I couldn’t pull myself away from.
However, I now have free time again. Came up with this redesign over the last couple days. Hopefully these pics make up for my absence. I’ll be ordering the aluminum tomorrow.
Features to note:
15+ lbs. annodized aluminum frame (Is that a pro or a con? Not sure.)
Modular side buttons, as previously discussed in this thread.
Real carbon fiber top panel (not vinyl).
Very intricate illuminated stick that will probably give me more headaches than the entire rest of the project. (I’ve already scrapped 2 Sanwa JLF shafts in what we shall call “research and development”)
You may notice however, I forgot to make a spot to put the rubber feet on the bottom. Hopefully I don’t have to change too much.
http://i.imgur.com/EH4n0xH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/F24ODCz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MhgMrfX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xQrO6zK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ymdKbar.jpg
that shaft is one of the coolest things i’ve ever seen. can you really make it happen?
I would say sign me up for one, but two weeks too late…
Wow, 15 lbs?!! That’s serious! So awesome looking!
-ud
Strong work, good to see this project back up and going. We are happy to help out with the LED lighting aspects, looks like fun!
Wow. I really like the physical design of the casing. The shape and accents are very sleek.
My comments:
Wow, what is the projected price range on this?
This.
The original MadCatz TE is just under 10 lbs, and that’s with the combined weight of the frame and all of the components. Having 15 lbs on the frame alone seriously reduces the portability of the stick, and makes it really difficult to comfortably play from your lap.
If you could trim the weight down to something like 12 lbs including joystick and buttons, I think that’d be acceptable for most players.
My body is ready.
My wallet wants to know, how much?
I could always fail, but I have what I think is a very solid concept. Only concern is strength, since a lot of material is being removed.
See PM.
I will have to get further before I can say, because the cost will be driven by time. I can get a good idea of how long the machine will run on each part, but sawing the rough material up, putting the parts in the machine, cleaning them off before and after, etc, is what always runs up the clock. I’ll make the prototype with a stopwatch and do the math. I will take a wild stab in the dark and say $200-$400.
Normal screw positions, just didn’t get around to adding them in the model.
Weight seems to be a common concern. Although a change of material is not impossible, my first choice would be adding pockets and reducing overall size. I added a few rough pockets to the model and dropped the frame by itself to about 11 lbs. The thing is also 16.75" by 11.25" by 3" tall. I’m not really sure what a good standard size is, but I think that might be a little big. The reason I came to these numbers is because the little pieces on the sides are 1.5" wide, and those are the outside dimensions if I have 10 on the front an back, and 5 on each side. Maybe it doesn’t need the potential for 30 side buttons?
Also speaking of standard sizes, are top panels usually interchangeable? If there is a standard size and hole pattern, I should probably design around that, so people don’t have to make new ones. I must admit to a very poor level of knowledge regarding things like that.
top panels are usually interchangeable but with the help of custom panel makers here on the forums and even then its only with more common manufactured sticks. the consensus seems to sit well between the NOIR and Vewlix 8 button layout. your prototype seems to use a steeper incline found on cheaper mayflash sticks. i dont know much about the milling process but i assume switching between layouts would drive up the cost.
i think the stick could stand to be alot smaller. you could find the strength you’re looking for and maybe bring the cost down a little. anything above 10lb+ is fine. the prototype looks slim which is great for playability/portability.