Example Ingredients

This section shows example products I have acquired and prefer in making joystick controllers. In no way are all these used to make one controller. I just decided to put together a list showing my favorite items and many of my purchases and what I paid and where I got them, and give some insight into how they (or similar things) are obtained. Some utilized tools will not get a purchase mention because I had them sitting around long before making a controller.

Using this list can help figure what and how to acquire things, and estimate some costs. There are many, many sets of ingredients that can be used to put a controller together. You do not need to get exactly what is shown. This is not meant to advertise.

This section will likely remain fairly unorganized.

Favorites

Here is a list of some of my favorite items to use in making a controller. Some descriptions will be more specific than others. Note the attributes of listed items if you choose not or cannot get the same item. This subsection will probably change as my preferences change. The list below contains most everything needed to make a large variety of great controllers.

Joysticks: Sanwa JLF or Seimitsu LS-33 (fighting games), Seimitsu LS-40 (other games)
Buttons: Sanwa OBSN-30, Seimitsu PS-14-K-N (long switch modded), 24mm of matching colors
Wood: MDF, hardwoods
Acrylic: Plexiglas (control panel), lexan (bottom panel)
Metal: Stainless steel, aluminum (more to come as I have not worked with it much yet)
Finish: Mineral spirits, polyurethane, clear wax, sandpaper, rubbing and polishing compounds, primer, spray paint, clear coat
Safety: Heavy gloves, rubber gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, respirator, work table, strong lighting, push stick
Power Tools: Table saw (I have a Dewalt DW745 I really like), drill press (I have a Delta DP300L I like), router w/ table (each with good quality), cheap rotary tool with many bits
Jigs and Fixtures: Stop blocks, mounting plate templates, table saw sled, rip fence templates
Drill Bits: Brad-point (variety), metal-grade countersink (about 3/8" diameter), hole saws (24mm and 30mm), forstners (1/2", 24mm, 1-1/8", 30mm, 1-1/2")
Router Bits: Hinge mortising pattern 1/2" x 1/2" (flush bearings on shank), trim 1" x 1/2" (flush bearings on tip), chamfer 45 degrees, roundover small, roundover large, hinge mortising large, 5/8" bushing
Fasteners: #4 and #10 screws bolts washers and nuts (insert nuts too), dowels (wood), wood glue, white glue, clamps (variety), masking tape, double-sided tape 1" x 1296" roll (big fan), hot glue gun
Hand Tools: Sandpaper (variety of 50-2000 grit), sanding block, screwdrivers (slotted and phillips in various sizes), pencils, markers, utility knife, needle-nose pliers, diagonal cutters, framing square (about 18" long), combination square (about 12" long with centimeters also), wire cutter/stripper 16-26 AWG (no crimper)
PCB: PS1 digital H, PS2 Dual Shock A (late version), Xbox 360 Mad Catz 4716 (late version), Pelican/Real PS3 converter, XCM converter, 8.2K and 10K resistors, digital multimeter
Wire: Velleman K/MOW or K/MOWM 24 AWG insulated
Terminals: Single-barrel 20-26 (and 14-16) AWG noninsulated .110" and .187" quick disconnects (I solder wire to them), small European-style strips, D-sub, USB
Soldering: Soldering station with helping hands, thin solder, soldering iron 15-20 watts with thin tip, flux paste, desoldering braid
Rubber Feet: 1/2" diameter 1/4" depth or less screw-in
Printer: Good quality printer that can print 10-3/4" long, using thick paper

Products

This subsection centers on where to acquire products and examples of them. In the following, "B&M" is short for "brick and mortar", ie a local building. If the item was ordered online, it will say "site".

Joysticks and Buttons

Screws, Pliers, Wrench, Nuts, Bolts, Washers, Corner Brace, Hand Saw, Brush, Etc

Many standard hardware products will be found in any store with a hardware section; the larger the hardware section, the greater the selection.

Power Tools

Power tools of different kinds are found in stores with a large hardware section. Because they tend to be fairly expensive, it can pay to shop around and wait for sales.

Safety Gear

Safety gear is found at most any store with a hardware section.

Drill Bits

Drill bits are found at most any store with a hardware section, more specialized ones at specialized stores.

Router Bits

Varieties of router bits are found at stores with an extensive tool section. They tend to be kind of expensive, so finding them on sale or clearance can be helpful. If you plan on working a lot with a router, getting a large router bit set could be a way to consolidate costs.

Router Bushings

Router bushings are found in specialty woodworking stores.

Dowels

Dowels are found at most any store with a large hardware section.

Images: Dowels 1/4" Quantity 36 (Home Depot B&M $2); Dowels with Centers and 1/4" Bit (Home Depot B&M $5); Dowels with Centers and 1/4" Bit (Harbor Freight B&M $3)

Glue

Various glues are found in any store with a hardware section.

Images: Arrow Glue Gun (Lowes B&M $3; moderate quality), Arrow Hot Glue Sticks Quantity 24 (Lowes B&M $5); Titebond 4oz Wood Glue (Lowes B&M $2); Titebond 4oz White Glue (Lowes B&M $2)

Tape

Various tape is found in any store with a hardware section, more specialized ones at specialized stores.

Clamps

Various clamps are found in any store with a hardware section, more specialized ones at specialized stores.

Measuring Tool

Various measuring tools are found in any store with a hardware section, more specialized ones at specialized stores.

Sandpaper

Various sandpapers are found in any store with a hardware section, more specialized ones at specialized stores.

Screwdrivers

Various types of screwdrivers are found in most stores with a hardware section.

Wood Chisel

Various chisels are found in any store with a large hardware section.

Image: Stanley 1/4" Wood Chisel (Lowes B&M $9)

Plastic Cutting Knife

Plastic cutting knives is found in stores that also sell acrylic glass.

Image: Plaskolite Plastic Cutting Knife (Home Depot B&M $3)

Wire

Insulated wire is found in hardware or specialized electronics stores. Getting nice 20-26 AWG wire is most likely found in a specialized electronics store though.

Cable/Wire Ties and Mounts and Wire Clips

Cable ties and wire clips are found in hardware or specialized electronics stores.

Wire Connects and Terminals

Wire connects and terminals are found in hardware or specialized electronics stores. You will find a better selection at a specialized electronics store. .110" female quick disconnects are not easily found and are best ordered online.

Wire Cutter/Stripper/Crimper

A wire tool is found in hardware or specialized electronics stores.

Image: Craftsman 16-26AWG Wire Cutters/Stripers 3482544 (Sears B&M $10)

Terminal/Barrier/Jumper Strip

Various strips are found in specialized electronics stores.

Images: Radio Shack 4-Position Terminal Strip 274-658 (Radio Shack B&M $2); Radio Shack 12-Position European Terminal Strip 274-680 (Radio Shack B&M $2.50)

Solder

Electronics-quality solder with a rosin-core is found in specialized electronics stores.

Soldering Iron

A soldering iron that works for electronics is found in specialized electronics stores. Remember, it needs a small tip.

Desoldering Tool

A desoldering tool are found in specialized electronics stores.

Soldering Station

A soldering station is found in specialized electronics stores.

D-Sub/USB Connectors

Cord connectors are found in specialized electronics stores.

Project Box/Enclosure

Project boxes are found in most specialized electronics stores.

Image: Radio Shack 4"x2"x1" Project Box 270-1802 (Radio Shack B&M $3)

Resistors

Resistors are found in specialized electronics stores.

Multimeter

Multimeters are found in most specialized electronics stores.

Images: Radio Shack Multimeter 22-810 (Radio Shack B&M $20); Cheap (but decent) Multimeter (Harbor Freight B&M $3)

Heat-Shrink Tubing

Heat-shrink tubing can be found in specialty electronics stores.

Rubber Feet/Bumpers/Grippers/Pads

Rubber feet are found in most stores with a hardware section. Finding a good variety for what you need can be a bit difficult though.

E-Ring

Replacement E-rings can be found in hardware stores. You may want to replace the C-ring on the LS-32 with a 7/16" E-ring.

Image: E-Ring 7/16" Quantity 2 (Home Depot B&M $.50)

Finishes

Various finishes are found in any store with a hardware section, more specialized ones at specialized stores.

Miscellaneous

Images: Incra Miter Gauge V27 (Woodcraft B&M $52 sale); Toilet Beeswax Gasket (Home Depot B&M $1); Foam Brush Set (Harbor Freight B&M $1); Snap Ring Pliers Set (Harbor Freight B&M $5); Utility Knife Set (Harbor Freight B&M $2)