found a semi-working tac 2

[flammingcowz]

I found a tac2 at a thrift shop today for only $3, but after trying it out only the fire button and up work. The screws in it are a weird square shape, even if I could get it open whats the chances of getting it to work?

[user42]

Have you tried using paddles?

 

 

 

 

Edit: I am thinking of Tac Scan....

Edited May 29, 2010 by user42

[monzamess]

If I remember right, inside the housing, the stick itself ends with a round metal ball that "slaps" metal plates when you move the stick in the various directions. So you can open it up and make sure the various metal pieces are not oxidized--maybe give them a rub with fine sandpaper. You can also check the wires but they're unlikely to be damaged.

 

As for the square screw heads... that's weird. Driver bits for them are usually included in a set of screwdriver bits so maybe you or a friend has a toolset with the right bit in it. If you get the screws out I recommend replacing them with normal phillips-head screws; just take one to the hardware store to match; should be less than a buck...

[BigO]

Square screw heads (sometimes known as Robertson heads)? I don't recall that in my Tac2 that I took apart. Now I'm going to have to go find them and look...

Edited May 29, 2010 by BigO

[misspent_youth]

I just checked my Tac-2, and it is indeed a Robertson Number 1 (the green one). There are 5 sizes of Robertson head screw (the size of the 'square' is different). I know this about Robertson head screws because I'm Canadian, and so is the Robertson head screw.

[A.J. Franzman]

I thought they were #2 Robertson (the most commonly found size here in the U.S.) but I could be wrong. I think I have both #1 and #2 drivers.

[JingleJoe]

According to wikipedia:

# TAC-2 has no microswitches, using instead a metal ball that short-circuited contacts (Don't you mean "connects contacts" wikipedia?) around the bottom shaft of the controller.

# The fire buttons work with copper contact plates, which tend to become oxidized and thus need care every now and then.

 

 

Sounds like a bit of cleaning will make it work again!

[flammingcowz]

I got it opened with a standard flat screwdriver, and the ball that touches the things to make it move left/right/etc looks like it is supposed to screw into the top of the joystick, but it won't. when i touch the ball to the sides it does work, so is the broken screwing part the problem? thanks for the responces

[A.J. Franzman]

Maybe, but I don't remember that part being threaded... can you post a photo?