WTB: 8-way Wico joystick for Taito Zookeeper

[tparis]

Hi all,

Looking for an 8-way Wico joystick for Taito Zookeeper to replace the 4-way that's currently in my Zookeeper.

Thanks!

 

[andrewb]

What length shaft do you currently have? (Tall or short?)

Technically, you'd only need to swap the base halves and the actuator, if you wanted to convert. Depending on what length shaft you have as well, as most 4-ways are tall shaft, while a proper ZK 8-way is a short shaft.

 

[tparis]

It looks like a short one to me.

 

[andrewb]

Looks like wrong pics.

Is that your guitar setup??

 

[tparis]

I don't know what happened. That's the studio I work at.

 

[tparis]

Bump - Still looking.

 

[mgkastra]

Not my business, but what would you want to put a 8way in a Zookeeper? EDIT I should change what I mean. Why does Zookeeper have an 8way?

I believe you should be able to just swap out the base and use the same shaft, so any common red ball 8way wico with 3/8" shaft should work.

I have a base and actuator I am not going to use. You may have that for cost of shipping.

 

[andrewb]

Not my business, but what would you want to put a 8way in a Zookeeper?

I believe you should be able to just swap out the base and use the same shaft, so any common red ball 8way wico with 3/8" shaft should work.

I have a base and actuator I am not going to use. You may have that for cost of shipping.

ZK uses a skinny stick. It also calls for an 8-way per the manual, see page 27:

https://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-videogames/Z/Zookeeper.pdf

(Though it's a fair question why you need the diagonal moves. However I'm not a ZK player so I can't say.)

You're correct that he can swap the base (top and bottom) in this case, but only if it's an 8-way skinny base, as they're different from an 8-way standard shaft base.

Note you also would need to swap the actuator as well. The 4-way skinny actuators are 0.500", and the 8-way actuators are 0.600". The stick won't really play right with the wrong size. See the attached Wico spec sheet.

 

[mgkastra]

ZK uses a skinny stick. It also calls for an 8-way per the manual, see page 27:

https://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-videogames/Z/Zookeeper.pdf

(Though it's a fair question why you need the diagonal moves. However I'm not a ZK player so I can't say.)

You're correct that he can swap the base (top and bottom) in this case, but only if it's an 8-way skinny base, as they're different from an 8-way standard shaft base.

Note you also would need to swap the actuator as well. The 4-way skinny actuators are 0.500", and the 8-way actuators are 0.600". The stick won't really play right with the wrong size. See the attached Wico spec sheet.

Ah! Short skinny 8way. I feel those are getting harder and harder to find. I think I asked you andrewb, a few months ago if you had any, haha.

 

[andrewb]

Ah! Short skinny 8way. I feel those are getting harder and harder to find. I think I asked you andrewb, a few months ago if you had any, haha.

Yeah, I haven't had any in a while. I have a few skinny parts left, but not enough to make complete sticks.

If I had a complete 8-way base I'd offer to trade here, as I have tall shafts to make a 4-way, but I don't have any 8-way bases.

 

[tparis]

Appreciate all your replies.

With the 4-way gameplay is clunky and difficult.

So this looks like its going to be a bit more of a challenge to find the right parts.

 

[ELutz]

This is my last one. Could stand to be cleaned and buffed, but otherwise, in nice shape. The grommet was trash, so I installed a new one. $75 shipped

 

[tparis]

Thank you - PM sent!

 

[ElectricDreamz]

i've been able to cobble together what i think is the correct short skinny 8-way (or at least as close as i can get), but i know i need to replace the actuator. it's the older style (diagonal sides) but is .500 in diameter at its widest point.

does anyone 3D print repro WICO 8-way skinny actuators? i've got some new style (cylinder) 8-way actuators, but they're all for thicker sticks

Note you also would need to swap the actuator as well. The 4-way skinny actuators are 0.500", and the 8-way actuators are 0.600". The stick won't really play right with the wrong size. See the attached Wico spec sheet.

 

[andrewb]

i've been able to cobble together what i think is the correct short skinny 8-way (or at least as close as i can get), but i know i need to replace the actuator. it's the older style (diagonal sides) but is .500 in diameter at its widest point.

does anyone 3D print repro WICO 8-way skinny actuators? i've got some new style (cylinder) 8-way actuators, but they're all for thicker sticks

These would be trivial to make if my lathe was up and running, but it isn't.

If you could find one to copy (or could get precise dimensions from someone), you could try asking @Arcadenut, as he's a 3D printing guy.

 

[ELutz]

i've been able to cobble together what i think is the correct short skinny 8-way (or at least as close as i can get), but i know i need to replace the actuator. it's the older style (diagonal sides) but is .500 in diameter at its widest point.

does anyone 3D print repro WICO 8-way skinny actuators? i've got some new style (cylinder) 8-way actuators, but they're all for thicker sticks

I will double check later, but I'm pretty sure I have some of the skinny Wico 8-way actuators...probably NOS....

 

[easy_rider]

I am in need of a zookeeeper correct joystick

 

[Arcadenut]

i've been able to cobble together what i think is the correct short skinny 8-way (or at least as close as i can get), but i know i need to replace the actuator. it's the older style (diagonal sides) but is .500 in diameter at its widest point.

does anyone 3D print repro WICO 8-way skinny actuators? i've got some new style (cylinder) 8-way actuators, but they're all for thicker sticks

Got a pic? I've replicated a few actuators, and can easily repro others if needed.

 

[ElectricDreamz]

the actuator from my 2-way skinny ...

... and per the manual regarding dimensions ...

there are also newer actuators from WICO that are barrel/cylinder shape, with their own dimensions per their 2- 4- or 8-way build, but i couldn't tell you if one style is better/superior/more desirable (or if ultimately it doesn't matter, and the really important part is the dimensions of the actuator

Got a pic? I've replicated a few actuators, and can easily repro others if needed.

 

[Arcadenut]

I have the bottom one reproed

there are also newer actuators from WICO that are barrel/cylinder shape, with their own dimensions per their 2- 4- or 8-way build, but i couldn't tell you if one style is better/superior/more desirable (or if ultimately it doesn't matter, and the really important part is the dimensions of the actuator

I have the bottom one reproduced. I'll work on the top one this weekend, shouldn't take long to do. I'll have to check some of my games to see if I have that one to copy from.