Atari Logo Joystick Question

TheSilby

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I am working on a Gauntlet and trying to round up 4 Atari logo joysticks. I currently have 3, but one ain't right. One of the joysticks has microswitches. I know the base looks a lot like the hall effect sticks and leaf sticks, but are they the same? In other words, are these joysticks all the same and they just either had leaf, microswitch, or the hall effect crap bolted on the bottom? Can I simply buy the leaf switches and bolt them on the joystick I have (if the are possible to find.....)?
 
No help with this one?? Somebody has to know what the hell I am talking about....
 
atari

i belive you are right. i checked once before and the leafswitches lined up with the holes for the micro switch. if i remember correctly the micro switch version has a rubber band around the switch accuator. you remove this and then you can use the leafswitches. hope this helps!
 
easiest way to be sure is to check the manuals of the games using the same kind of joysticks, check the exploded views of the joysticks. you will notice that some parts used hold the same reference number. if the base part numbers match the one using leaf switch and for another one using microswitch, and if there is no more parts holding the switches then here you are.
 
Since you have three working sticks, easiest thing would be to remove a leaf switches from one and see if it screws into the same place on the one with the micro switch.

IMG_7356.jpg
IMG_7357.jpg




And while you are in there, pick up some new pivot balls and plungers from Dave over at Ram Controls.
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EDIT: the leaf switches from Bob Roberts won't work.
 
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Since you have three working sticks, easiest thing would be to remove a leaf switches from one and see if it screws into the same place on the one with the micro switch.

IMG_7356.jpg
IMG_7357.jpg


If that works, you can then pick up the leaf switches from Bob Roberts ($1.20 ea)
joyleaf.jpg


And while you are in there, pick up some new pivot balls and plungers from Dave over at Ram Controls.
IMG_7354.jpg


Yeah, if you can get the damn things apart! I have a bunch of these and just can't do it. I've wanted to figure a way to convert the sticks to work on a happ ultimate joy (perish the thought) with no luck...
 
Yeah, if you can get the damn things apart! I have a bunch of these and just can't do it. I've wanted to figure a way to convert the sticks to work on a happ ultimate joy (perish the thought) with no luck...

Yeah, I hear you on that. I haven't figured out how to get the pin out of the bottom piece yet.
IMG_7359-Copy.jpg
 
You need what is called a pin punch for that. They sell em in various sizes at hardware stores. When in a bind and dont have one around, Ive used the short bent end of an allen wrench and pounded those out before.
 
A couple of things...

First, you can use a small punch to carefully knock out the pin.

Second, the joysticks can be changed from micro switch to leaf as the base has the holes for both and you do need to remove the black plastic ring that is on the acentuator. I know as I made this conversion...

One thing, however, I dont know if the Bob Roberts leaf switches would work unless you drilled a couple of holes in them (I dont believe they have the holes pre-drilled. One of the holes is for the screw, the other has a little plastic post go in it to hold it in place.
 
The Bob Roberts leaf switches are the right size? The Atari leaf switches seem to be a bit shorter.
 
I dont think they are the same, but I have not bought any from Bob. I do believe that the Wico switches are different and Bob's are replacements for them...
 
Scratch all of this.... After closer examination, the microswitch stick that I have has a 4 way base and the two leaf sticks are 8 way. In other words, I would need to get 4 leaf switches and a new bottom piece in order to use the stick in a Gauntlet.
 
In a couple days, I will have two used, working, Atari logo microswitched joystick assemblies for sale, circa 1990.
 
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