Any trick for taking the plastic handle off of the controller

[AtariBrian]

I need to replace the boot and i need to pry off the black handle. I dont wanna break anything and thought I would ask here first. Any tricks ?

[phuzzed]

Atari actually made a controller handle puller just for this task. Best electronics carries it, and if you do a lot of controller rebuilding, it is worth it.

 

Otherwise, if you don't have the tool,one way to get it off is to use a really extra long screwdriver (or other appropriate prying tool), and slide the shaft of hte tool under the controller handle where you can get leverage to push/pull straight up on the handle. Beware, some handles come off a lot easier than others.

 

Another way, is to get some small pliers, and grab a hold of the metal shaft under the controller handle. Some small vice grips or channel locks work well. Once you get a get grip of the metal shaft on the controller, take your other hand and start twisting clockwise and counter clockwise while pulling up. It will eventually set free, but may take some work.

[shadow460]

I wonder if vise grips would score up the shaft. I have a couple of 5200 controllers that don't have boots on 'em.

[AtariBrian]

Thanks phuzzed. And I think it kind of does but the boot covers it ayways. I used channel locks and it worked. I did the dot trick on some controllers and the one boot was all tore up. 3 more working 5200 controllers now.

Edited September 30, 2012 by AtariBrian

[shadow460]

Lucky you. Mine all have bad flex circuits, and I just haven't ponied up the $40+ per unit to buy gold rebuild kits yet.

[AtariBrian]

I just get the gold flex circuit...but i dont know if its really needed. Best has the Rev. 9 ones for under 3 dollars each... One i had done years ago doesnt have the gold flex circuit with tinfoil only and no gold parts and it works great. And I either use the triple dot buttons or the single larger contact fire button. Just use tinfoil on everything and it works. I use a loctite super glue pen.

Edited September 30, 2012 by AtariBrian

[phuzzed]

Vice Grips/pliers can score up the shaft a little. Therefore it's important to get a good grip when you do it. Even if you score it up some, the boot will cover it up.

[bohoki]

i use a claw hammer

 

you dont need the gold flex circuit what you need is the gold buttons

Edited September 30, 2012 by bohoki

[AtariBrian]

All the gold is expensive, a just as good alternative is using tinfoil and much cheaper... just takes more of your own time.

[zylon]

I grab the control shaft with needle nose pliers and pry against them with a screwdriver to remove the handle top.

[shadow460]

All the gold is expensive, a just as good alternative is using tinfoil and much cheaper... just takes more of your own time.

 

Two of my controllers have the tinfoil fix. They died when the flex circuits failed. You can actually see where the conductors within the flex circuits have physically split. when I saw those splits in the third controller, I knew then it would need to be completely rebuilt.