Joystick from scratch: howto

[superfrog76]

Hi folks

So after that the last working joystick that I have is dead (a quickshot 2...strange enough it survived to my competition pro), I have decided to get a new one.

The problem is that you can't find many joystick for the Amiga, and even less, a new one, so I decided to go fro the handmade solution.

I've got an arcade stick (looks like a Sanwa, I think this is how you spell it), and various buttons; all of them are with microswitch, and pretty much, identical to the arcade stick and buttons; quite sturdy too.

Now I am planning to buy a cheap 9 pin serial cable, so I can cut one end and use it with the stick and buttons, but I do not know where to get a box that could be used as container for the joystick.
I have found an old wood shelf, which seems to be big enough to be cut and make a wood box with it. Altho I have no clue how to do so If you know where I could look at, to make a nice joystick box (or where to get one already made), I would really appreciate

The wiring is pretty simple, but now my question is: how can I make a stick that would be usable for the Amiga and also on the PC, when I use MAME? Is that even possible?

Anyone attempted to do so? In the worst case I will get an arcade stick just for the pc, but I would like to have as less stuff as possible on my desk, so one arcade stick for both was the ideal.

Thanks!

[lionstorm]

buy the PSX adapter and you will have plenty of joypads available (also new) !

[bbond007]

one of these

[Tenacious]

It would be interesting to try a new model of joystick ergonomics.  Maybe a flattened cube shape with a single switch on each vertical facet (up, down, left, right).  The top might have 2 fire buttons.

OR

Start with the same box and use industrial spring loaded toggles - one for up/down the other for left/right.  The switches could be installed, again on different faces, with the plane of toggling naturally oriented to the direction they serve.  This could be a very intuitive and responsive controller.  Might look kind of like a steam-punk design.

Fun to think about.

[Ral-Clan]

The problem is that you can't find many joystick for the Amiga, and even less, a new one, so I decided to go fro the handmade solution.

What do you mean you can't find one?  There are HORDES of them for sale, even if you want brand new, never used ones.

http://tinyurl.com/ljnqmcd

http://tinyurl.com/lx5bk69

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=610

[mechy]

Don't go for that newfangled stuff! this is all you need:

http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/tech/joystik.html

:biglaugh:

[Thorham]

The first thing you should do is ask about making a nice case on a specialized DIY Arcade forum. They're experienced with this kind of project there. Simply make the stick Amiga only, and use a ready made converter, like the cable suggested above.

Another option is to buy a good, ready to use arcade joystick, rip out the electronics, and mod it to connect to the Amiga. Good ones can be pricey, though.

It would be interesting to try a new model of joystick ergonomics.  Maybe a flattened cube shape with a single switch on each vertical facet (up, down, left, right).  The top might have 2 fire buttons.

OR

Start with the same box and use industrial spring loaded toggles - one for up/down the other for left/right.  The switches could be installed, again on different faces, with the plane of toggling naturally oriented to the direction they serve.  This could be a very intuitive and responsive controller.  Might look kind of like a steam-punk design.

Fun to think about.

Yeah, I'm sure that's a whole lot easier and more intuitive than a joystick, where you just move the stick in the desired direction :rolleyes:

[Tenacious]

Thanks for the open-minded encouragement.  

[vince_6]

The best joystick I've ever had was (and is) tomahawk/pacman.
A Greek stick that is unbreakable :-)
If u find one buy it.

[pyrre]

Best joystick (IMHO) is the zip stick.
So far i have been unable to wreck one.
Despite the fact, when i lost the stick was flying everywhere....

[superfrog76]

Thanks for all your reply!

So far I have  figured out that the build is pretty easy; once you get a serial cable and few switches, it is pretty straight forward.
Got a box from the local electronic store and added the stick and buttons; tomorrow I will solder the switches with the serial cable  and see if it is good or not.

I like the idea of the adaptor, once I have the joystick done, I can use that one to connect it to my pc and play finally the mame games with a real arcade stick!

There are joystick on the market, altho most of them are used; the issue is that I don't really want to pay 50 USD for a competition pro clone; I mean, that's a 4th part of the price of the amiga! In my days a joystick would cost me 10-20 bucks at most. Making one from scratch cost for sure less, and you know what kind of component you put in it. Other than a real competition pro or a Konix Navigator, I wouldn't buy a cheap imitation made in China, for a load of green

I thought of buying a good arcade stick, but the real good ones were $100+ and most of the electronics was integrated on the stick, so I just gave up on the idea to retrofit an arcade stick for PC or PS3/Xbox for the amiga. I am a beginner and I do not have the skill to de-solder boards and find where to make a small soldering point.

Attached a picture of what I have so far: the stick was 9.99, the buttons 1.29 each (they have a led inside, so they light up if you want...I am not sure if I can use the LED with the 5V coming from the joy port), the box was $6, so in the end, I paid barely $22 (I had already a serial cable to cut); while the cheapest arcade that you may find is about $40, and looking at the reviews; they crack after few months of use.

[vince_6]

Best joystick (IMHO) is the zip stick.
So far i have been unable to wreck one.
Despite the fact, when i lost the stick was flying everywhere....

Hey, don't say mine comes second.
lol, I haven't seen one. :-D

[superfrog76]

The zip stick is the one like the competition pro, but in black and yellow?

[Thorham]

Thanks for the open-minded encouragement.  

Sorry about that

[bbond007]

I ordered the joystick adapter in the picture above so I can report how it works once it arrives.

$9 with free shipping from the distant land of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.