Atari Assault joystick repro part(s) - interested?

kenc3dan

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I've been restoring some old Atari Assault joysticks and have found that resin casting yields really nice repro parts for the unique and wear-prone plastic parts of the sticks.
The sticks have a lot in common with the Atari Logo joystick used in Gauntlet and others, except they have a 4-way restrictor plate "spider" that prevents diagonal movement. Also the shaft and handles are different.
I've repro'd this spider as a first step to converting a Gauntlet stick onto an Assault stick. (see photos - part 039717-01 in attached assembly diagram - left part in photo is original, right is reproduction casting)
The resin version seems to have identical hardness and durability to the original.
Is anyone interested in buying one of these repro 4-way restrictors?
Would you be interested in a repro of the 041287-01? (see other photos) Often the slot indicated in red gets worn away and the sticks get slop in them over time as the metal pin that prevents rotation wears the plastic.
If there's enough interest maybe I'll do a small batch.
 

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Nice work.

Can't recall how many Atari games use that 4 way plate (039717-01) so I can't speculate. Could dig through a bunch of manuals and get an idea though. Cyberball (among others like Gauntlet) are all 8 way units and I for one would be interested in a set of 8 way "spiders" (039717-03) if you opted to make those as well.

The other plate you mention (041287-01) appears to be common to most of the other Logo sticks as a quick manual check shows Cyberball/Gauntlet use them too. I'd have to see what condition the ones in my games are in though to gauge my interest there.
 
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I've finished the first batch of six of the 4-way restrictor spiders, three are currently spoken for. The price will be $50 USD each plus shipping. They've each been tested on an original Assault joystick and function perfectly. Here's a closeup photo of the original part (left) and on of the repro parts (right). There are small bubbles caused by the casting process, but that's about the only difference. If there is sufficient interest I may make more, it's a hand-crafted item so It's not a quick process.PXL_20250625_143836108~2.jpg
 
I think we're basically to the point where we can build an Assault stick out of a Gauntlet/Atari Logo stick. I have all the fasteners and roll pins, the restrictor plate and the part above it. I'm also working on a short run of repro steel shafts. The time of the Assaults is here!
 
Works in progress. I'm learning how to turn steel on a lathe to make repro stick shafts for Assault.
These will work great, but they're not pretty. The one in the right is original.
Again, is anyone interested?
Turn your Gauntlet or "Atari Logo" stick into an Assault stick. Woohoo!
 
Works in progress. I'm learning how to turn steel on a lathe to make repro stick shafts for Assault.
These will work great, but they're not pretty. I'm getting more skilled and the newer ones show it. The one in the right is original.
Again, is anyone interested?
Turn your Gauntlet or "Atari Logo" stick into an Assault stick. Woohoo!
Edit: Yes, I'm going to drill and thread the holes for the handles and drill the holes for the spring pins.
 

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