Custom Mini VCS Stick [3D Printed]

[MCP90]

Hey all, I want to share my little 3d printed mini digital joystick for the VCS (and compatible). This little stick uses a design similar to some full size arcade sticks (reversed rocker stick) but simplified by using rugged big tactswitches, which allows a spring-less design. Currently it does not use a pcb which makes tedious to wire everything up but once assembled it is really sturdy, way more comfortable than the original stick and really really precise in all directions, mind it does not require any glue, it is all press fitted with screws. Here it is some pictures with all the parts and some assembly steps and a simple video with a small demonstration.

If you want the STL and BOM you can just PM me but mind that I plan to improve it with a pcb or at least better screw holes.

Edited October 11, 2020 by MCP90

[MCP90]

As promised here it is the STL of a slightly improved version, it looks the same but fitting between parts is now spot on. 

Required parts are:

• 4x M4 x 14mm screws
• 1x M4 x 30mm screw
• 4x M4 nut
• 5x 12 x 12 x 7.3 mm tact switch (with mounting guides + 1 button keycap)
• 1x DB9 female + wire to connect ground between all switches

BEWARE two parts of the joystick require to insert a nut mid printing so set your gcode to pause the print accordingly.
I hope to see pictures of your prints soon, if you need help reply in this post or PM me.

mini vcs stick 0.4.stl

Edited October 15, 2020 by MCP90
forgot something

[+Andrew Davie]

Interested in having a go at this.

Can  you link to the switches somewhere so I know I'm getting the right part?

 

[MCP90]

5 minutes ago, Andrew Davie said:

Interested in having a go at this.

Can  you link to the switches somewhere so I know I'm getting the right part?

 

Sure, here it is. It says omron in the back but I'm sure are not legit. Mind in the picture they do not have the two little "posts" in the bottom-middle but mine came with them and those are necessary to keep the switches perfectly aligned during assembly, check with the shop if they are gonna send them with or without. Regarding the joystick I suggest you to put a washer and two very tightly screwed nuts to retain the wheel at the bottom of the stick, the other two nuts are for the two upper parts, everything else screws is directly into plastic (I know, it is not the best thing ever but measures are tight and you need an hammer to break it once properly screwed in).
aliexpress.com/item/2044227676.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4d4ZKMZb

BTW I also have a dual stick version if you like this single one: it uses the same mechanism, it is basically two of these stuck together and will use both players ports. Useful for those very few twin stick shooters (RobotWar 2084 is a great example), although currently it is not wired because I need to buy two knew cables.

[+Andrew Davie]

TY. If the ones in the link don't have the posts, then they're not suitable. I've done literally hundreds of AliExpress transactions (well, I just checked -- 333 purchases) and I know well enough by now that any question like you suggest will either not be understood or answered randomly.  In any case, could you please do a better pic/explanation of the missing posts so I know exactly what I'm looking for?

Thanks

 

 

[MCP90]

2 minutes ago, Andrew Davie said:

TY. If the ones in the link don't have the posts, then they're not suitable. I've done literally hundreds of AliExpress transactions (well, I just checked -- 333 purchases) and I know well enough by now that any question like you suggest will either not be understood or answered randomly.  In any case, could you please do a better pic/explanation of the missing posts so I know exactly what I'm looking for?

Thanks

Here it is a picture, see the two little plastic pieces? Mind that that insertion is the same from were a bought mine, I don't know if it is just a case that mine came with those two plastic pieces. Watching again at the pictures, it looks like those were just cut off by hand. 

 

Also I found a better picture of other equivalent ones, with also those little posts, it seems they are clones of the omron B3F series with 12x12x7.3 mm measures

[MCP90]

For some reason I can't edit my topic, in any case here it is a new video with a better demonstration with gameplay