Williams Cocktail Joysticks

SkippyJoe777

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So I have two Williams Cocktail games, a Defender and a JOUST. The two way directional joysticks are super sloppy on both games. I have put new leaf switches on both sticks on both games but the "tension" is still not there and it makes gameplay a bit difficult particularly on the JOUST. Since there are no rebuild kits for the Cocktail joysticks, does anyone know any tricks to restore these joysticks so they have their original tension before the leaf switch makes contact?
 
let's see pics of how you have the leafs installed. Most likely you did not save the spring tension leafs from the the old leaf sets. If you threw them away, you will have to make new ones. I have found that pin leafs will have the spring tension leafs that you will need to modify.
 
A very common operator hack is to cut two pieces of hacksaw blade to the correct length and mount them in place of the spring steel tensioning springs.

ken
 
Hacksaw Blades

The hacksaw blade is a good idea. I will take out the old tension springs and try it out! Thanks.
 
The hacksaw blade is a good idea. I will take out the old tension springs and try it out! Thanks.

You are welcome. I can't take credit for it though, I've had 2 or three Jousts where the steel tensioning springs have been replaced with pieces of hacksaw blade. Either the ops that did that thought it up independently or there is a notebook full of old bar napkin scans of how to hack these games :D

ken
 
if the joystick shaft is loose in the cross bar, shim it with some thin material - paper layers work ok but you could hammer out some brass shim and cut a strip wide enought to make it tight. too tight ? hammer your shim a little thinner, refit. also try some washers between e clip and cross bar. then reset your leaf switches.

either that or buy a rebuild kit.
 
Andy, that works for the upright joysticks. This is for a cocktail joystick. They are smaller and the mechanical parts work differently.

ken
 
Sorry! Didn't mean to sound harsh. I didn't know the difference until I tried to find replacements for my Joust cocktail. If you see them (I know here are pictures around here somewhere, I couldn't find them though) you will see what I am talking about.

BTW: It's good to see you hanging out around here again. Merry Christmas! Enjoy hanging tinsel and lights on the palm trees down there.

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ken
 
Sorry! Didn't mean to sound harsh. I didn't know the difference until I tried to find replacements for my Joust cocktail. If you see them (I know here are pictures around here somewhere, I couldn't find them though) you will see what I am talking about.

BTW: It's good to see you hanging out around here again. Merry Christmas! Enjoy hanging tinsel and lights on the palm trees down there.

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ken

thanks - i was just slappin meeself aboot for not checkin the detail before oopenin the goob! :D

and merry christmas and happy new year!

oh, and they're gum trees not palm trees ;)
 
Hacksaw blades

This worked great! Joysticks are tight as new! Highly recommended for all of you Williams Cocktail owners out there with 2-way joysticks! Thanks YellowDog!
 
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