Posted by bill connolly on 18, 2000 at 11:32 AM:
In Reply to: Building my own console. Advice please! posted by JustinT on 18, 2000 at 10:27 AM:
: Hi folks! I have spent 2 weeks reading all Mame control sites out there, and I think I've gained enough confidance to make my own now. For the record, I'm 28 years old, and want to be 14 again ;)
: Anyhow, it seems that Happ controls are the way to go. I need some general advice on building my setup:
: a) I will go for the keyboard hack method. I will use a USB keyboard (building this for MacMAME, on a G3). Will those 'paper layered' keyboards work? It doesn't seem to me like these newer design will let you solder that easily.
ANSWER: I don't know much about USB but I though I read something about it having a limit to the number of buttons that may be pressed at once, hopefully someone can clarify.
: b) What exact Happ part do you long-timers recommend for a joystick? I want it to be 8 way (combine corners) and it must NOT click. Happ has too many joysticks!
ANSWER: Most people seem to prefer the super over the ultimate but I think it would click because it does use microswitches with a leaf style piece of metal. I think you will need to go with some WICO leaf joysticks. You can buy them from a couple of different companies from this website or I have a couple of new ones I can cut you a deal on.
: c) Does each Happ button have everything I need, or do I need to purchase a separate part for complete assembly and mount?
ANSWER: the buttons are complete
: d) If you think I might be overlooking assembly parts, please raise your hand. Once I place my order, I guess there's no turning back!
: -2 joysticks
: -8 buttons
: -1 'player 1 start' button
: -1 cherry mini button (insert coin)
ANSWER. I bought a bunch of the mini buttons without realizing that they are not long enough to mount in my wood control panel. Well if I had a router I could route out the bottom some. FYI.
ALSO... other things you may want to buy from HAPPs if you are building a cabinet. T molding, marquee mounting hardware, latch hardware for swapable control panels, monitor bezel, trackball/plate/interface, a 2 player start button (surely you have friends!), player 2 insert coin button if you will play games that need this.
: Thanks a ton, I can't wait to get this started!