The Official Custom Arcade Sticks Thread II: A New Era of Builders

Tech Talk
281

I just began the woodwork for my very first custom stick, and I’m a bit nervous about that. My questions are as follows (I’m very sorry if these have been covered before):

Should I purchase these sort of buttons? Are they easy to work with for a first timer?

Where do you recommend getting a joystick? This seems fine but I’d like to get something cooler for future products, what site would you recommend?

I’m a complete nub at wiring, and I’ve been looking about for a PCB that would be easy to deal with… something like this seems like it would be noob-friendly, as it’s already wired like an arcade stick yet maybe it’s terrible since it’s so cheap. What do you think I should do?
Edit: I found a nice tutorial explaining how to wire with this, so I think I’ll just do that.

That’s all for now, I unfortunately don’t have time to read through the whole thread at the moment…sorry for the inconvinience.

282

Yes that Happ competition stick is the best you’ll find when it comes to American stuff, and you can choose from the other colors shown if you don’t like black.

Those competition buttons are also excellent. They are convex however, if you want concave, you’ll want Happ ultimate Pushbuttons instead.

283

Thanks for responding! Is there no difference between the Competition and Ultimate pushbuttons other than concave/convex?

284

Pretty sure it is the only difference.

285

Just make sure you get those happ parts from someone like Ponyboy in the trading post; Happ will ream you with shipping & handling costs if you’re ordering just a little.

286

Fo sure!!!

any one got some blue prints ins for some basic box designs?

287

Ok, I’m building my GF a stick for Valentines Day and was wondering what a good size box for someone with small hands would be?

288

try somethign from byrdos site he has some blue prints on there and hsi sticks look really sexy.

Try this one out

http://byrdo.org/small_sanwa_blueprint.htm

289

do notice that byrdo’s are for japanese sticks. American sticks and push buttons use more space and these blueprints won’t do

290

This is the blueprint I was using, but I’m most likely using american parts. Uh oh.

291

Sorry was just trying to help the dude

I wish i could find blue prints for some American ons…

292

Oh well, I’ll try it anyway!

293

what system are you making it for? if its for the ps2, then ps1 controllers are super easy to hack, also lots of third party controllers are easy to hack so you may want to try out those. im not really into american parts so i dont know much about them, but japanese and korean parts i know a little something. as far as woodworking, you should plan everything out thoroughly. dont just start cutting and painting. oh and even tho you dont have to, when you paint, primering the wood helps.

294

oh and about boxes, well in my opinion, you should make a box thats comfortable to you and not use someone elses’ plans, cause you never know, what if its too small for you.

295

Hey I’d like some blueprints PLZ its for a ps2 and im hacking a ps1 contorller

296

Thanks for the suggestions, hurricane. I took your advice and extended the dimensions so my big ol’ hands have more room to move.

297

I wanna get into building sticks but I just have one question really. Is a router the tool that can make indentions into wood? Like if I wanted to mount a sanwa stick lower than the actual surface of the wood and cover its mount with a graphic and plexi. What is a good kind to get and what bit will I need to do this? Thanks

298

A router is wonderfully versatile. What you described is one of the many things it can do; a straight bit is the cheapest bit that can accomplish that task.

299

Thanks! Also another question, how big should the stick hole be for a happ joystick? I already know the buttons are 1 1/8 "

300

Depends on how deep the stick is mounted below the top panel. The closer the base is to the top, the smaller the hole, but generally, 1-1/8" will work, IIRC.