my latest stupid question about Pac Man...

mindbinge

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Which joystick is best to replace the original Pac sticks with? I have the original CP with the plywood under the metal...what should I get to go in there? is anyone making the original style leaf switch sticks now or do you just have to rebuild the original ones if you want to go that route?

I've seen the stuff Bob Roberts has and I'm a little confused as to what to order...would rather get a new stick with leaf switches if there are any out there.
 
What is wrong with original? If you can just clean it up and use that, you can find replacements but their just not the same. If you don't have the original I would post in the buy it now and get one. I can't see you being happy with a generic replacement, I sure wouldn't be.

Good luck with restoration be sure to post pictures,
 
What is wrong with original? If you can just clean it up and use that, you can find replacements but their just not the same. If you don't have the original I would post in the buy it now and get one. I can't see you being happy with a generic replacement, I sure wouldn't be.

Good luck with restoration be sure to post pictures,

I have the original...but the switches are kinda rusty. I was going to replace the leaf switches, but you say the replacements dont have the same feel? The ones Bob Roberts has don't look like the ones in my CP...looks like mine has 3 parts to the leaf section instead of 2 like the switches he has.
 
Just clean up the original and it should be fine. As long as the contacts are clean it should still work. Part of restoring a machine is keeping as many usable original parts as possible..plus it saves money.
 
Just clean up the original and it should be fine. As long as the contacts are clean it should still work. Part of restoring a machine is keeping as many usable original parts as possible..plus it saves money.

Bingo, what I was trying to say
 
Yes you can rebuild it and replace the leafs if needed. Just desolder the old ones out and solder the new in. I would clean mine first and then inspect. Usually the leafs, unless bent up, can still be reused.

You can always buy a new rubber grommet for each stick too and stiffen them up like new.
 
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Yes you can rebuild it and replace the leafs if needed. Just desolder the old ones out and soder the new in. I would clean mine first and then inspect. Usually the leafs, unless bent up, can still be reused.

You can always buy a new rubber grommet for each stick too and stiffen them up like new.

yeah...i know i can rebuild them...i was wondering where to get the replacements.

here is a pic of my control panel:

DSCN0749.jpg


looks like there are 3 leafs on each one? does anyone have these? Or a replacement stick like this?
 
yeah...i know i can rebuild them...i was wondering where to get the replacements.

here is a pic of my control panel:

DSCN0749.jpg


looks like there are 3 leafs on each one? does anyone have these? Or a replacement stick like this?

What's wrong with the switches that are already there? Those look fine - they're not bent or mangled, the spacers are still there, etc.

The third leaf isn't really part of the electrical switch contact, it's just there for stiffness and consistency, so the stick presses the switch contact together evenly every time.

I just fail to understand why you need to replace that stick, or the leaf switches. I don't see anything wrong with it. At worst, you just need to replace the centering grommet and clean the switches. You're not going to find a better stick for Pac-Man than the original.

-Ian
 
What's wrong with the switches that are already there? Those look fine - they're not bent or mangled, the spacers are still there, etc.

The third leaf isn't really part of the electrical switch contact, it's just there for stiffness and consistency, so the stick presses the switch contact together evenly every time.

I just fail to understand why you need to replace that stick, or the leaf switches. I don't see anything wrong with it. At worst, you just need to replace the centering grommet and clean the switches. You're not going to find a better stick for Pac-Man than the original.

-Ian

there is some sort of fiber stuff between the switches that is coming out...about like saw dust...figured if i could find some replacements while i am doing everything i might as well replace them. I have to take everything apart anyway to repaint and get rid of all the rust...pretty much everything has rust on it under there. I could prob just leave it, but i'm not a big fan of rust, especially after all the hours i'm putting in the cab to make it look nice...seems kinda half ass to just leave the CP in shitty shape.
 
just take a bit of fine sand paper and take the rust off. If you are determined to replace the joystick feel free...just do the community a favor and offer the original up for sale.
 
As long as they are working fine I wouldn't replace the leaf switches. A new rubber centering grommet will stiffen that stick up and make it feel almost new.....
If your stick is sloppy, replace THAT first......
Bob sell them for like $10
 
just take a bit of fine sand paper and take the rust off. If you are determined to replace the joystick feel free...just do the community a favor and offer the original up for sale.

if i was going to replace it, i would want an original repro...which is what i was looking for when i made this thread...i'm guessing no one makes them since no one has offered up a link.

My second option was new leaf switches, but i couldn't find the ones that look like mine? I'm guessing those are not avail either since again, no link surfaced.

I'm just wanting it to feel original and play good lol...if i replaced it, i would keep it and rebuild it for use in something else later.
 
My second option was new leaf switches, but i couldn't find the ones that look like mine? I'm guessing those are not avail either since again, no link surfaced.

You can buy replacement leaf switches from Bob Roberts. They're not identical replacements, but they'll fit and work, and they're the next best thing to having the original switches.

I don't know of a current source for new switches that are 100% identical to the original Pac switches. Used parts are available from time to time - these Pac sticks are very desired because of the way they were made, the switches, etc - everything makes them the perfect control for Pac games. Yours is in very good condition.

Aside from the centering grommet, there's not much in one of these sticks to break. The switches themselves rarely fail. Just clean them with a business card or something (never use sandpaper on a leaf switch).

So, yes, you can replace the switches. But don't bother unless there is actually something wrong with the ones you have. You're not going to be able to improve on an original Pac stick :D

-Ian
 
You can buy replacement leaf switches from Bob Roberts. They're not identical replacements, but they'll fit and work, and they're the next best thing to having the original switches.

I don't know of a current source for new switches that are 100% identical to the original Pac switches. Used parts are available from time to time - these Pac sticks are very desired because of the way they were made, the switches, etc - everything makes them the perfect control for Pac games. Yours is in very good condition.

Aside from the centering grommet, there's not much in one of these sticks to break. The switches themselves rarely fail. Just clean them with a business card or something (never use sandpaper on a leaf switch).

So, yes, you can replace the switches. But don't bother unless there is actually something wrong with the ones you have. You're not going to be able to improve on an original Pac stick :D

-Ian

what about just some electrical contact cleaner? that wont hurt anything will it?I guess i will need to order a replacement grommet...that might be most of the problem with mine.
 
what about just some electrical contact cleaner?

It won't hurt anything, but try to avoid spraying it all over. Also, some contact cleaner (such as Radio Shack Tuner Cleaner) tends to make things worse, as it leaves this oily goo on everything, which attracts dirt faster. Caig Deoxit is great stuff though.

Realistically, the best thing to use to clean leaf switch contacts is a piece of somewhat rough paper, like copier paper, a business card, or a dollar bill. Just pinch the paper between the contacts and pull it out. Repeat until the black lines stop appearing on the paper. If the switches are really bad, I'll wet the paper with a little isopropyl alcohol.

You don't want to use a harsh abrasive like sandpaper, because it will take the plating off the contacts.

-Ian
 
I have a pacman joystick. This is the frist leaf spring replacement I had to do. in 20 odd some year. I took parts of another one to fix mine. I going to need to make a bob roberts run and buy some parts. That way I have a fresh spare when this one breaks down in another 25 years LOL
 
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