NOS monroe joystick(s)

Before you break them up, please do one thing and post the shaft length, and the diameter of the knobs of the sticks here. Just for restoration purposes.

There are different lengths and sizes of Monroe sticks, and it will be useful to know which ones that game came with, for anyone looking to restore one of these in the future.

My guess from the pics is that they're the shorter shaft (1" measured below the ball), and the larger knob (38mm). There are also 1.5" shafts and smaller 35mm knobs, and it's possible to have any knob/shaft combination for a Monroe stick.

Yeah I can do whatever you'd like. I am working on it now.
 
The measurement below the chrom sleeve is 1 1/2"
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    195.3 KB · Views: 40
The 'pivot ball' (for lack of a better name) has a rubbery compound adhered to it. I assume it was for fluidity of movement?


I'm not sure how to best measure the ball yop, but it is big, not small.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    200.2 KB · Views: 39
When you sell the joysticks, you should clarify they came from what I assume is a NOS control panel. Otherwise I don't think I would sell them as NOS.
 
Andrewb, while I have them out I may as well use some alcohol and remove the old greaee huh?

I have 3-1 oil, white lithium grease, and super lube synthetic grease, should I pit a dab of one of these back in?
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    193.7 KB · Views: 28
Old grease on what I'm calling the pivot ball.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    203.3 KB · Views: 31
The rubbery compound is old dried grease. You can disassemble the stick, and dissolve and remove the old grease with Goof Off and a Q-tip. It takes a little patience, but it works without making a huge mess. You can then reassemble it with silicone dielectric grease, which you can get at any auto parts store, and the stick will be smooth as silk.

As for the ball size, just measure the diameter in mm. (Or measure the circumference with a soft tape, and divide by pi.) It's easier of you have calipers.
 
The super lube synthetic might work. The one thing is that you want grease, not oil, as you want the lube to stick to the pivot ball (and a little on the spring) and not creep down the shaft, where it can get on to the actuator, and then contaminate the leaf switches.

Some folks use white lithium. I prefer silicone for sticks, as I find it to be more slippery, and you only need to use a tiny amount. Plus it's clear, which looks better IMO. It's worth grabbing some, as a $7 tube will last you forever.

I apply it with a toothpick, or a Q-tip with the head cut off. You want to totally cover the pivot ball, and also get some on the top ring, where the stick shaft rolls against the base.
 
Dang time flies. I just spent the last 4 hours cleaning, and re-lubing these 6 joysticks. They feel perfect now.

Thanks for the insight andrewb.

Oh, and it looks like they are 38mm.
 
When you sell the joysticks, you should clarify they came from what I assume is a NOS control panel. Otherwise I don't think I would sell them as NOS.

Yeah I think clarity would be important if/when I sell these. I opened the box, so I know they've never been used.



edit:

andrewb, what games do these best suit? 38mm ball top with 1 1/2" shaft.

curious, I was just checking out my munch mobile, and I believe both of the monroes have microswitches in them instead of leafs.
 
Last edited:
They were mainly used on Rampage. Nos sticks are nice, but this is one of them where i would buy used ones for sure and redo them. Even nos ones wont look nearly as good as ones that were just chromed. There is nothing to rebuild on them, they are completely mechanical. I did however replace all springs so every stick feels exactly the same. Seems like they were a little inconsistent when new.







 
Are these better than the sticks in Pac-Man? I hate the joystick in my pac-man even with a new bushing.
 
Are these better than the sticks in Pac-Man? I hate the joystick in my pac-man even with a new bushing.


Monroes are 8-way, which you wouldn't want to use in a Pac. Pac sticks are 4-way, meaning there is a diamond-shaped restrictor, which prevents diagonal movement that would close two switches at the same time. Monroes do not have this, and can do diagonal moves, which will make playing Pac very difficult.

There should be a way to rebuild your pac stick to it plays better. You might want to look at the other parts to see what is worn.
 
They were mainly used on Rampage. Nos sticks are nice, but this is one of them where i would buy used ones for sure and redo them. Even nos ones wont look nearly as good as ones that were just chromed. There is nothing to rebuild on them, they are completely mechanical. I did however replace all springs so every stick feels exactly the same. Seems like they were a little inconsistent when new.









wow those are awesome, and if someone does the work you do, I can see redoing them. I don't however see how anything used is better than new. :)
 
Back
Top Bottom