Arcade Fighting Sticks (Build your own)

[FiB3R]

Yay! Finally got it working (fully) :)

Wires and resistors in the wrong places, ripped off PCB traces, great fun! lol.

Probably wont get it filled, sanded and painted until next weekend now, but still, I'm a very happy bunny.

Also, I really don't like the button placements, so I think I'll be changing those too. I still have quite a bit of scrap wood and plastic left, so it's cool.

Not sure when I'll get started on MKII but I definitely have plans to do it some time soon.

I've learned a lot doing this, like how to remove components without removing the trace with it, how to use a multimeter and my soldering has gotten much better.

Huge thanks to RDC over at http://forums.xbox-scene.com for all his help and for the great guides he has put together.

Go check out some of his mods, they're nuts.

[ceminess]

I have been silently following this thread. It's pretty cool what you have done. I look forward to seeing the final project.

Keep up the good work!

[FiB3R]

Thanks Darrian, Emorex, ceminess ;)

Anybody have some good ideas for a cool paint job?

[Vortex566]

How does it work in Street Fighter IV?

[Berserk87]

i want to see a vid of you using this with street fighter, and some arcade games.

[sensurround]

Congrats on your successful endeavor! Nice choice of artwork, too. This thread has been very informative and interesting to follow.

[Guest]

Looks OK, could've done with a nicer choice of wood though. Just paint it jet black though. Black goes with everything.

What stores other than Maplin do you use? You're better going with Rapid: http://www.rapidonline.com/ (My old college uses them ;))

[FiB3R]

Vortex566, it works brilliantly :)

Berserk87, that sounds tricky, but I'll see what I can do.

Harreh, I only used MDF because it's what I already had laying around, but it's strong, heavy (which is good) and paints well, so it's not that bad of a choice. There is no point in using nice wood if you are just going to paint over it. And if you intend to keep the wood on show, then your joinery better be a lot better than I managed here, or it'll just look ****.

I was thinking black too, or another solid colour, but then you see stuff like this...

I only used maplin because I can actually walk in and "get" stuff there and then, rather than waiting for the post. Rapid looks cool though, I'll definitely check them out in the future.

I'm not happy about the thickness of the box atm, so I think I'm going to take some drastic measures to make it thinner.

I'm currently on the look out for more materials for my next joystick, it's amazing what you find in skips :)

[Vortex566]

How much did it cost in total? I really want to do this but am a complete novice when it comes to building things.

[FiB3R]

If you buy the parts from http://www.arcadeshop.de then....

Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT - ?20.47 (comes with ball top, in a choice of colours)

Sanwa Octagonal Restrictor GT-Y> - ?4.62 (not necessary)

http://www.arcadeshop.de/images/thumbs_gr/arcade-harness-jlfh.jpg[/imgStickharness JLF-Hb> - ?3.68!!!! (rip of:angry:ry:

http://www.arcadeshop.de/images/thumbs_gr/arcade-pb-obsn30-green.jpg[/imSanwa OBSN-30/b> - ?2.33 x 10 (you can get away with just 6)

http://www.arcadeshop.de/images/thumbs_gr/arcade-pb-obsn24-green.jpg[/iSanwa OBSN-24 - ?2.15 x3

http://www.arcadeshop.de/images/thumbs_gr/arcade-joyst-lb39-green.jpg[/Seimitsu Ball LB-39] - ?Other Materials->

Insulated Crimp Terminals[/b]ls - ?1.29 for 10 @ Maplin or ?2.20 for 100 @ Rapid Electronics (2 needed per button) I no longer feel guilty for "shopping" at:shiftyninja:tyninja:

http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/18/p1443618_l.jpTerminal Blocksocks 3 Amp - Pack of 10 ~?2.50

http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/80/p1439980_l.jWire>Wire - (2 Core Bell Wire 100m ?6.12) I used the wires from an old PC power supply.

Wood Glue[/b]od Glue - ~ ?2.00

http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/97/p1865597_Screwsb>Screws - ~ ?3.00 for 200

http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/i/001/0c/30/3a002mm Plastic Acrylic Perspex Sheetpex Sheet 210 X 297mm (A4) - 99p (eBay)

Edited March 31, 2009 by DARKFiB3R

[t0mbi]

DARKFIB3R....any chance of building a custom one for me? Money would be exchanged of course haha..

then we can verse each again at SFIV...battle of the century!

[FiB3R]

I'd definitely consider it, though the cost may be a little bit prohibitive. I forgot to add the cost of a wireless joypad to that list. So that's another ?20ish for a second hand one. Play and charge kit? USB Port? You could have a wired version to bring the cost down. Paint? Postage to Aus?

Then there's the cost of labour and my new found expertise, for which I have no idea how much I should charge. Possibly priceless lol:DD

If you tell me exactly what you want, I can work out a price:))

[Smigit]

DARKFIB3R....any chance of building a custom one for me? Money would be exchanged of course haha..

then we can verse each again at SFIV...battle of the century!

https://www.jbhifionline.com.au/support.asp...;searchtype=all

and if he can't do it (or it's exy) theres always that.

Hell I want one and I don't even play Street Fighter. Looks niceeeee

[Darrian]

If you want to buy a custom arcade stick you should check out www.arcadeinabox.com. I came across it trying to find people who make custom boxes because it'll take me forever to put one together, and I seriously thought about just ordering one from them, but I think it'll be cheaper just to do it myself. On the other hand, if you don't mind paying for labor they are pretty customizable. They only seem to do the standard Street Fighter 6-button layout, though, and they don't appear to do wireless.

[t0mbi]

I would definitely have to get a wireless one! I would ask for one that is the same as yours but with a picture of akuma and maybe painted black around the sides? Red Buttons, the same as yours.. Throw a rough ballpark price out there for me.... My Prime Minister is about to give me $900 for free very soon....

[Smigit]

My Prime Minister is about to give me $900 for free very soon....

Thats for stimulating OUR economy...not theirs :p

[FiB3R]

$900 will do nicely :D

You can have any picture you like, printed on high quality photopaper. As many as you want really, it's not hard to swap them out. (there may be copyright issues here) :ninja:

I'm kinda busy right now, I'll send you a PM a bit later when I've had a chance to works things out, and we can make a list of exactly what you want. Button layout/quantity, images, stuff.

[hothmonster]

Great thread all, its been a real eyeopener and made me hungry to build one. Im going to try and order some parts.

Havent seen much about the wiring of one? Do i need to be a proficient solderer?

Good looking Fighting stick by the way!

[Darrian]

If you get the Cthulu board then no soldering is required, just a crimping tool for the QDCs and a small screwdriver. If, instead, you're dismantling a controller and using its PCB then yes, you will need to be able to solder.

[hothmonster]

Im trying to do it for the xbox 360, and i heard the Cthulu board is only for PS3 and PC. ive got a few questions if you would be so kind?

So im going to try and dismantle the xbox 360 wired controller. I having difficulty getting the trigger mountings off, can they stay on?

Does the power cable disconnect?

Im a beginner at soldering too but i will give it a shot. What type of soldering iron would be best for a beginner and for this type of work?

Right im back to my reading to try and get my head round these PCB diagrams and photos!

cheers

[Darrian]

You can get a basic soldering iron from Radio Shack for like $10, and it should be fine. You only have to remove enough of it to solder where you need to. If you don't intend to use the triggers then there is no reason you absolutely have to remove them, since you won't be soldering there. Just make sure your box has room to accomodate them.

[jtuyen]

I see that some are sharing pictures of their cases. Here is mine :)

Semi gloss stained oak

More images of my cases here:

http://www.joystickvault.com/showgallery.p...&ppuser=564

I think a different color scheme of colors should be used, what do you guys think?

[FiB3R]

Very nice jtuyen. I'm hoping to finish off mine this weekend.

[hothmonster]

That is a very nice case!

I have my order in! I have purchased from Gremlin Solutions who i must say are excellent. The joystick did take some time but there is a worldwide shortage! I have got:

Sanwa Ball Top Joystick JLF-TP-8YT

5 Pin Joystick Cable

Octagonal Restrictor Plates

Sanwa Pushbuttons OBSN-30 30mm Screw in x 6

Sanwa Pushbuttons OBSN-30 30mm Screw in x 5

Sanwa Pushbuttons OBSN-24 24mm Screw in x 3

Happ 1 Player Start Pushbuttons x 1

Cost about ?70! but i bought a few extra buttons and the world is changing.

Need to go out and buy some of the basics.

and still got a lot of reading to do on the wiring/soldering. Confused on how the joystick cable connects to the PCB. Any guide to which color corresponds to which soldering point? And whats this about orientation and how can it effect the gameplay?

Thanks in advance!

[FiB3R]

The cables coming from the joystick should be pointing towards you.

Black: Ground

Green: Up

Yellow: Down

Orange: Left

Red: Right

This is an updated layout I did. possibly more confusing than helpful :wacko:

Glad to see more people having a go at it. It's a great little project to take on, and the feeling of achievement when it's all done is awesome :) (still haven't actually finished mine yet)