Build your own controller.

[Stingray]

I recently finished building a MAME cab, as a result I have a whole lot of arcade controls & parts - can't seem to stop buying this stuff! As much as I love the 2600, I don't care much for the standard joystick, hurts my wrist after only a few minutes of play. So I decided to build my own from real arcade parts.

 

 

 

So what do you guys think? Anyone else done this?

 

Sorry about the quality of the pics, my digital camera is pretty junky.

 

-S

[chadtower]

I've been considering doing this. One thought I have is that the quality of the joystick may require a heavier base. Another is what did you use for that plastic case?

[pmpddytim]

I have thought about doing this also. I am also curious about what kind of box you used, looks like a radio shack project box. If it is can you give us the part number?

 

One thought I have is that the quality of the joystick may require a heavier base.

 

My idea for a heavier base is just go to Wall-Mart and get on of those really small 5lbs weights. The real thin ones, i dont think they are very big around and should fit right in there because the case looks pretty big and rather empty.

 

Very cool.

 

-Tim

[Stingray]

looks like a radio shack project box. If it is can you give us the part number?

 

That's what it is. 270-1809

 

But no it's not empty, at least on the joystick side. The base of the stick only clears the bottom by less than a quarter inch. It really doesn't need any more weight as it is it feels nicely balanced. I suppose you might want to put some rubber feet or suction cups on it if you wanted to use it on a desktop, but if you just have it on your lap it works great as is.

 

-S

[pmpddytim]

Cool. I'll have to try making one of those. Who has the cheapest supplies? Haps perhaps?

 

 

On a side note I just noticed on the bottom of the page that your locted in OK. Where at?

 

-Tim

[joeybastard]

I've been messing around with building various controllers forthe past few months. I started off with some simple stuff like converting NES pads to the VCS, O2 sticks to the VCS, etc.

 

I was thinking about building a stick like that but I wasn't sure about some of the electrical stuff. I can do all of the wiring with no problem but does there need to be certain resistors or anything so I don't mess up the 2600 when this is hooked up? I like screwing around with stuff like this and can usually get stuff to work but I actually know nothing about resistance, etc.

 

At the moment I'm still working on a self centering 5200 stick and I want to build a paddle for the Dreamcast so I can play Tempest on the Atari Anniversary correctly

[Stingray]

pmpddytim- http://www.therealbobroberts.com/ has got the best prices I've found on arcade parts. The only drawback is that he doesn't take credit cards or paypal so you have to email him your order and then snail mail him a check. He's a good guy to deal with though and delivers pretty quick despit not taking electronic payments. I'm in Sapulpa, about 20 minutes outside of Tulsa. Are you in OK too?

 

joeybastard- Simple switches, no resitors or anything to fool with. Nothing to it. The pinouts are in the faq on this site. I recently converted an old NES triggerstick ( http://www.stingrays.dk/arcade/atari/nesatari.jpg ) to work with Atari. It works well, but the switches are pretty loud and it can be distracting.

 

-S

[pmpddytim]

I'm in Sapulpa, about 20 minutes outside of Tulsa. Are you in OK too

 

Yeah I'm in OKC, Closer to Moore actually. I like to see how many tornadoes I can ALMOST get hit by! 3 F4's and counting! WooHOO!

I live one block south of were the may 3 1999 torndao came through.

 

-Tim

[jeepnut24]

Yeah, Ill be making a few in the coming weeks. Trying to work out the details now. Im trying to figure out all the options for buttons. I want it to be able to play omega race for instance. Any other games require special configs?

[povlok1]

I know this isnt marketplace, but if anyone want to build one of these, I have a official Atari coinop arcade joystick out of a Galaga machine. It is in NEAR NEW condition.. black.. big ass atari fuji logo on the top. Comes with original scuff shield.. pm if interested

[joeybastard]

joeybastard- Simple switches, no resitors or anything to fool with. Nothing to it. The pinouts are in the faq on this site. I recently converted an old NES triggerstick ( http://www.stingrays.dk/arcade/atari/nesatari.jpg ) to work with Atari. It works well, but the switches are pretty loud and it can be distracting.

 

-S

Thanks! I kind of figured that but I was concerned about blowing out a controller port.

[Big Player]

pmpddytim- http://www.therealbobroberts.com/ has got the best prices I've found on arcade parts. The only drawback is that he doesn't take credit cards or paypal so you have to email him your order and then snail mail him a check. He's a good guy to deal with though and delivers pretty quick despit not taking electronic payments. I'm in Sapulpa, about 20 minutes outside of Tulsa. Are you in OK too?

 

Do you have an idea of how much the parts cost to make that joystick? It would be cool to have one.

 

I realize you might not know if you had bought a whole bunch of parts all at one time.

[Raijin Z]

Here I was thinking you etched your own board and actually built what didn't need to be bought..

[Stingray]

 

Do you have an idea of how much the parts cost to make that joystick?  It would be cool to have one.  

 

Not really, I built it mostly from leftover parts and stuff I got out of my various parts bins. I'd guess probably around $30 (US) or so if you were just to go out & buy the stuff.

 

I've been playing with this controller pretty much non-stop since I posted the pictures. My only complaint about it is that I didn't build it sooner.

 

-S

[xmetalhedx]

Thats cool man. I just finished my arcade panel for my pc and am planning on doing something similar for my 7800. Also if you are looking for cheaper arcade joystick parts, i got a kit from xarcade with 2 8way sticks and 20 buttons for 20 bucks. Theyre all just plain black though, but happs sticks were all 13 bucks each or more. I figured this way i could make my six button pc stick, a 2 button 7800 stick and a fingertip type controller and have a few buttons left over. I've been looking for spare cords from broken joystick for mine but i see you just used a cord with a regular db9 connector, ill have to try that i guess.

[pmpddytim]

Any other games require special configs?

 

It would be cool to have one with buttons on the sides for midnight magic and video pinball...Just rig the left and right swithches (or what ever the game uses for the paddles) as buttons instead of the joystick...heck you could probably do away with the joystick all together for a pinball controller....

 

I wonder if you could build a compound controller with a paddle attached. Flip the switch one way the joystick works' date=' flip it the other the paddle works....I'll have to tinker with that.

 

[/quote']I know this isnt marketplace, but if anyone want to build one of these, I have a official Atari coinop arcade joystick out of a Galaga machine. It is in NEAR NEW condition.. black.. big ass atari fuji logo on the top. Comes with original scuff shield.. pm if interested

 

Got a pic and dimensions?

 

-Tim

[jeepnut24]

Any other games require special configs?

 

It would be cool to have one with buttons on the sides for midnight magic and video pinball...Just rig the left and right swithches (or what ever the game uses for the paddles) as buttons instead of the joystick...heck you could probably do away with the joystick all together for a pinball controller....

 

I wonder if you could build a compound controller with a paddle attached. Flip the switch one way the joystick works' date=' flip it the other the paddle works....I'll have to tinker with that.

 

[/quote']I know this isnt marketplace, but if anyone want to build one of these, I have a official Atari coinop arcade joystick out of a Galaga machine. It is in NEAR NEW condition.. black.. big ass atari fuji logo on the top. Comes with original scuff shield.. pm if interested

 

Got a pic and dimensions?

 

-Tim

 

Yes, that is exactly what I am currently working on. I posted a thread on various control schemes a few weeks ago and didn't get much response. I hadn't even thought about the pinball setup. Im trying to determine the best way to wire it all up. Include a paddle controller along with a joystick and maybe a "driving" controller all in one.

[ATARIPITBULL]

Another place you might want to try for arcade parts is www.wicothesource.com I have been working on my exidy Venture arcade game and have bought many arcade joysticks and buttons from them, plus they take credit card payments.

 

[Stingray]

i see you just used a cord with a regular db9 connector.

 

Yeah, I should have mentioned that this connector will plug in with no problems to a 2600 Jr, it will plug in but is a bit loose to a light sixer, but it won't plug in at all to a heavy sixer since the socket is deeper. I'm working on an adapter to increase the depth.

 

I have a official Atari coinop arcade joystick out of a Galaga machine. It is in NEAR NEW condition.. black.. big ass atari fuji logo on the top. Comes with original scuff shield.. pm if interested

 

Must have been a Galaga conversion, since Galaga used a two way stick. In any case I have a couple of those sticks too, and was tempted to use one because of the Atari logo on the ball top, but these sticks are HUGE under the panel. They're probably twice the depth of the Wico type leaf switch stick that I used. You would need a very tall enclosure.

 

I wonder if you could build a compound controller with a paddle attached. Flip the switch one way the joystick works, flip it the other the paddle works.

 

I think this could be done. As a matter of fact, I started to do just that, but decided I didn't want to fool with the switching mechanism (okay, I was in a hurry to start playing ) I think what will do next is build another controller with two paddles and a driving controller in it. Seems like pretty much the same concept, just a matter of working out which pins are common and building a switch for them.

 

I hope some of you guys who are talking about giving this a try go ahead with it. I'd like to see what you come up with! :thumbsup:

 

-S

[pmpddytim]

About to order some parts to make one of these. One question 4-way or 8-way joystick? I know an atari joystick only has 4 switches but I wasnt sure.

 

-Tim

[+SpiceWare]

I've been thinking about tracking down one of these Sega Genesis Arcade Power Stick. A friend used to have some for his Genesis, they worked quite well. Only button B would work with the atari, though I might look into hacking it so that another button would work for Omega Race.

[Stingray]

Tim, you want an 8 way stick. Atari joysticks are 8 way. 8 ways only have four switches. The only difference between 4 way and 8 way is that a four way stick is restricted so it can only hit one switch at a time. 8 way sticks can hit two at a time which creates the diagonal movent.

 

-S

[Stingray]

I've been thinking about tracking down one of these Sega Genesis Arcade Power Stick.  A friend used to have some for his Genesis, they worked quite well.  Only button B would work with the atari, though I might look into hacking it so that another button would work for Omega Race.

 

That should be no problem if you know which pin the booster grip sends the second button signal through. Anyone have this info? I wish I would have thought of that.

 

It may work right of the box actually, you'd just have to try it and find out.

 

-S

[jeepnut24]

Don't know if the genesis would work right out of the box on omega race. Ill have to plug one in and try. As for a switching method, any ideas? I really would like to make a controller that does it all. Or most of it all.

[Stingray]

 As for a switching method, any ideas?

 

I've been thinking about this, but haven't come up with anything brilliant. I think I need to take a trip to radio shack to see what they have in the way of switches and wait for inspiration to strike.

 

-S