Official Sanwa Modification Thread

Well, I noticed the last question asking for someone to mod went unanswered, I think. I have a Namco stick case. I’ve modded before, but I don’t think I can do this one. That last pic of the modded Cube Hori didn’t go so well.

My directionals seem to go on and off whenever they feel like it, or I get a VERY delayed signal. Not sure if it’s because I used an older pcb, if it’s because I soldered to the microswitches before soldering to the prongs, or what?

Anyway, I’d just like a professional job on the Namco case. I took out the original pcb and just have the wires hanging from the start/select/r2/l2 pcb. I’d like the Sanwa stick to be a legit Sanwa stick instead of the Hori shaft switch-a-roo, and of course sanwa buttons.

Con, if you’re out there, we talked in Albuquerque about this. Lemme know a fair price for anyones services.

Hey where are you guys getting the clear/sparkly ball tops? I haven’t seen them on himuragames or that other sanwa site

The clear/sparkly ball tops are from Seimitsu. They are on Page 6 and Page 15 of their catalog. TheRealNeoGeo was kind enough to post a PDF of both the Sanwa and Seimitsu catalogs for us.

Himuragames can get the ball tops for you but he doesn’t keep them in stock normally so he’d have to special order them for you. Send him an e-mail and let him know what you want.

SoulCaliFreak
http://arkadesticks.com/namcomoden.htm
http://arkadesticks.com/namco2005.htm

I’m looking for some advice on drilling holes in MDF and other wood that I may build my cases with. I don’t know much about hole saws, but I do have a spade bit for happ-sized buttons. It works OK, but I’m thinking that a forstner(sp?) bit or a hole saw would be better- can anyone give me their preference?
Can I use Hole saws and forstner bits with a regular drill?

Additionally, I have been to both Home Depot and Lowes, and neither store has been able to find 1-3/16" (30mm) drill bits for me to use to make holes for my sanwa buttons. Any advice on the best place to shop for these?

What is the preferred width for the stick’s hole? I am assuming it is the same, 30mm.

Also, I’m looking for the best place to buy Lexan. any help is appreciated.

quick question. can anyone tell me if the blue sanwa snap ins match the color of the blue sanwa bat top? thnx

Yes, they are the closest match you will find. The texture is a bit different, but on the ones I have, they appear to be exactly the same.

Anyone have any Seimitsu stick building knowledge? how do they differ from the sanwas (mounting wise).

thanks! :wgrin:

ParryPerson.
Depends. What joystick you wanna use?

The LS-32 and LS-40 sticks use the same mounting holes as a sanwa JLW and the LS-33, LS-55, and LS-56 use the same mounting holes as a sanwa JLF.

Hey SpiffyShoes or anyone else this may concern…

**Where’s a good place to get octagonal gates for a Sanwa JLW? ** Or does anyone have a few they could sell to me?

There aren’t any octagonal restrictors for the JLW, at least not in the Sanwa catalog. There is however a GT-0 (or GT-O not sure) circular restrictor available for the JLW.

Yeah…tell me where I could get that.

I can get it.

I’m looking to build a custom stick and I’ve been told sanwas the way to go. So I’ve looked around and have emailed himura games about shipping costs (one of the reasons I’m building a stick, I live in Australia and so getting something like a hrap sent here costs almost as much as the unit itself). But still haven’t recieved a reply. However I did find this site http://www.highway.net.au/parts/buttons_and_joysticks/?max=34&at=25&page=0

Which Leaves me with a couple of questions.
Firstly, how reliable is the industry, that is, am I likely to get legitimate sanwa parts or is there a significant risk of ending up with cheap knockoffs?

Secondly, the sanwa joystick advertised there does not come with a mounting plate, nor do they appear to sell them, from what I understand from this thread they can be top or bottom mounted, and only top mounting requires a mounting plate right? Well a)how would I go about bottom mounting the stick (It’s been mentioned that there was a guide on modeverything.com but that site seems to be gone), how hard is it to fabricate your own mounting plate, and what’s the differences in appearance and performance between top and bottom mounting?

Finally, just to confirm, sanwa joysticks by default come with a square gate right?

I’m aware that some of these questions are likely to sound pretty stupid, but I figure it’s better I ask them then go ahead making the stick only to stuff something up because I overlooked something basic.

Edit: Should mention that I have some experience in soldering and electronics, but haven’t done any wood or metalworking before, although I should be able to borrow all the tools that might be nessecary.

top mounting guarantees that you have a tall ass stick, which is not something you’ll find very often in arcades. quite uncomfortable IMO, since arcades usually have sticks at one inch tall or so. performance-wise, it’s the same. and Square gates by default, yeah.

Is there a tutorial anywhere how to build a arcade stick that shows info about the volts and what pcb and all?

I think the last question I asked was answered by TheRealNeoGeo a while ago, so thanks bud.

Does anyone know how well the colours between Seimitsu and Sanwa parts are coordinated? Like is the Seimitsu “light blue” identical to the Sanwa blue? Also, are balltops between the two brands interchangeable? In other words, can I put a Sanwa balltop on a Seimitsu stick?

Thanks in advance.

Well the White Sanwa and Seimitsu buttons match but other than that the other colors don’t match. The ball tops are interchangable though. So you can get Seimitsu buttons and a Sanwa joystick and put a Seimitsu ball top on it to make it match the buttons.