How does everyone manage their joysticks...

[rasch_C]

...when you're not playing with them :laugh:

 

I have a bunch of joysticks and paddles I need to get organized when not in use. I was originally intending to put them in one of those Atari Hot Wheels POP displays. But the K-mart I supposedly had mine secured at after they sold their cars (they never did sell any) disposed of it -if anyone has one, I would definitely be interested.

 

So, I was wondering how everyone else organized/displayed their joysticks. Or, what people had for ideas for doing such.

[Andromeda Stardust]

Having about ten different retro systems, I have found it is convenient to use books shelves to store carts, discs, etc especially if the shelving is adjustable. Great for organizing games, but accessories create too much clutter to be stored this way. Since there is not enough room at my entertainment center to hook up all my systems, I bought some storage crates to put my systems and controllers in. Each storage crate contains the system, power supply, AV connectors, and controllers for a single system. I bought some Sterlite storage crates at Target, they work nicely for this purpose. Walmart also sells crates but the holes on those crates are a bit large. I prefer crates with smaller holes so that cables and do-dads don't poke or fall out as much. The crates are stackable and I have them labeled for each system. When I want to play a specific system, I pull the crate corresponding to that game system. Milk crates would also be ideal and likely higher quality, but they are hard to find as they are mostly used in the restaurant/wholesale industry and the delivery trucks always reuse the empty crates so they won't sell or give them to customers.

 

They have more colors available in stores:

http://www.target.com/p/sterilite-milk-crate-turquoise/-/A-14089508

Edited October 13, 2013 by stardust4ever

[karokoenig]

IKEA.

 

http://www.ikea.com/de/de/catalog/products/00224316/#/00224279

 

Strong cardboard, stacks nicely, looks neat in the shelf, dustproof. Comes in 4 different sizes. The larger ones for complete systems, sticks and acessories. The smaller ones for games.

Edited October 13, 2013 by karokoenig

[jaybird3rd]

I own dozens of CX-40 joysticks and probably two dozen sets of paddles, and I just keep the ones I'm not using inside inexpensive Sterilite plastic drawers, packed inside zip-lock bags to protect them from dust and to prevent cable tangles. I'd like to find a better system someday, but it does the job for now.

 

From collecting and refurbishing lots of used controllers, and seeing the kinds of things that can happen to them in long-term storage, I try to be especially careful about the cables. One thing I would definitely not recommend: tightly coiling the cables for storage, like this ...

 

 

If the cables are coiled or tied too tightly, or wrapped around the stick, the wires inside are more likely to break, and it's almost impossible to get them straight again. I've acquired several joysticks with cables that were apparently tied into sheepshank knots years earlier, and they always had to be replaced. I also would not use rubber bands to secure the cables: they tend to turn brittle or melt over time, which leaves a nasty sticky residue. The best thing to do is to wrap the cable into a loose loop, with a wire tie around the middle, the way Atari originally shipped them:

 

[rasch_C]

From collecting and refurbishing lots of used controllers, and seeing the kinds of things that can happen to them in long-term storage, I try to be especially careful about the cables. One thing I would definitely not recommend: tightly coiling the cables for storage, like this ...

 

That's a good note about the cables. And something I'll definitely have to keep in mind!

[+bennybingo]

So, I was wondering how everyone else organized/displayed their joysticks.

I have the same problem...especially since my joystick is HUGE!!!!