You can dabble in lexan as long as you take a few precautions. When drilling, use a fast speed but don’t push overly hard. When you score it to cut it use a metal ruler clamped down TIGHT. Then score a few times lightly to make your main score and then go harder after you have a guide to follow(the score you made with light cuts). And Yeah if you have no experience routing use 1/2" MDF and Lexan. I prefer Lexan cause it’s very easy to work with and is high quality stuff. Don’t be afraid to do a lot of experimenting with your first stick. You know you’ll build another…It’s addicting…
hmm…what is MDF?
The thing is that the only wood that looks good and seems strong enough is 3/4" and I already bought it. The reason why I really want to use plexiglass is that I’m don’t what to paint the wood so the feeling of the hand on the wood would be annoying IMO… What if I go with a 1/8" plexi? still to thick? it’s gonna be 7/8" thick…
MDF=Medium Density Fiberboard. Same stuff most arcade machines are made out of. 1/8" plexi is cool just rout out about 3/8" from the bottom. You’ll be left with 1/2" which is a good mounting depth for a joystick.
To anyone looking to do it: The Hip Gear xbox controller sold at Blockbuster is too difficult to hack. It seems like there’s at least 3 or 4 different grounds. Not worth it.
alright, ive had enough time to pull myself away from xbox live and christmas shopping to ask a quick question. should i just scrap my art for the stick and just get it over with? they dont look that bad without art do they? im running short on cash (the reason why i hate girlfriends and christmas) so im thinking about just putting it together and worrying about art and everything else on my next one. i guess that would make this stick basically the prototype.
You can always just add the lexan and then just add the art later on. Or even skip both for now. My first stick I built is getting a major facelift/upgrade soon so nothing is out of the question.
well, here goes a couple questions. How hard would it be to put lexan over a finished stick? it seems like it would be a major pain in the ass once your done with it considering i think you would have to take off the buttons and all that good stuff. Also, i know i should be asking this in the sanwa thread, but im looking at starting my sanwa stick after this one. I play on both square gates and octagon gates, but i really dont have a preference. i like both of them equally. ill pretty much be playing 3d fighters on my PS2, which im making the stick for, but how easy would it be to add an octagon gate to the sanwa stick say maybe a lil while down the line if i get tired of the square gate?
Very easy to add the octogon gate. For adding the lexan…It’s not too difficult as long as you prepare for it. Just label each wire where it connects to the microswitch as to which button is which, and then the only thing you have to do is remove the buttons and joystick (and do yourself a favor and get the button wrench- it makes life million times easier) and insert the lexan and replace all the buttons and microswitches and you’re done. This method works great as long as you’re prepared. It’s the main way I do it to change art on my controllers.
oh, i was gonna get that, only 10 dollars here. Any other cheap 3rd party i could hack?
The controller s has a common ground but somewhat small solder contacts.
do you know where i could find the soldering points for a controller s? I have one lying around which i dont use.
http://www.shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59640&highlight=xbox+hack
in that post, it show me, but do i have to use resistors? Couldnt i just use a common ground? or multiple grounds? (one for buttons/one for joystick)
thanks
Controller s uses a common ground. I didn’t use any resistors on mine and it still works fine. My advice if it’s your first time soldering to a PCB don’t even bother with the l and r triggers. No fighting games really utilize them with the Black and White buttons already there. I also heard some mad catz controllers are good to use but can’t confirm. I’m still seeking a good controller that’s easy to use that doesn’t have the $30 tag.
Quick question, what size hole should I make for the joystick?
If the joystick is american, same size hole as the buttons.
no it isnt my first time, ive had a bit of experience. Just dont want to fry my xbox pad. Yea, ill just solder to the buttons and not the triggers. Thanks
Sanwas take bigger/smaller holes? I thought they were also the same as button holes.
I’ve only installed american shite.
Tell me what you think
That is among the biggest joystick I’ve ever seen.
Bigger if you consider the big hole you have to cut to Top Mount them as the hole. But Smaller if your bottom mounting and for the hole in the Plexi. The Sanwas need a smaller hole in the plexi because they have a small dust washer and if you use a 1-1/8" hole or bigger then the hole will be exposed when you move the joystick.