Modding Namco PS1 Stick with Seimitsu Stick

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phase3
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Modding Namco PS1 Stick with Seimitsu Stick

Post by phase3 »

Yes, another stick mod thread. I have a few questions that I hope some of you knowledgeable folks will be able to help me with.

I plan on modding the PS1 Namco Stick to have shorter throw.
I have found a relevant thread here and another related page here.

From what I gather, most Seimitsu sticks are a bit too long for the relatively small box. TheRealNeoGeo in the aforementioned thread claims to have used the LS-32. However Kowal says the LS-33 is a better fit, but the LS-33 is no longer in production.
Would using an LS-32 involve grinding the shaft to make it fit? Also, would it be possible to re-solder the wires already attached to the current stick to a new stick, or would I have to gut a PS1 controller PCB? If so, why?

Are there any sticks that are currently in production that have a similar size (with comparable throw) to the LS-33?

My goal here is to reduce the throw and make the Namco stick more serviceable for shmups. At the moment, I am not interested in changing the buttons. (I may look into that later.) As it is, it's perfectly competent for fighting games, but not so great for accurate twitch dodging.

Any advice or assistance would be very much appreciated. For the record, I have some experience with electronics, but I've never attempted a stick mod.
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brokenhalo
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Re: Modding Namco PS1 Stick with Seimitsu Stick

Post by brokenhalo »

If you're just looking to reduce the throw, you could always try using heat shrink tubing or electrical tape on the actuator to fatten it up.
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phase3
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Re: Modding Namco PS1 Stick with Seimitsu Stick

Post by phase3 »

brokenhalo wrote:If you're just looking to reduce the throw, you could always try using heat shrink tubing or electrical tape on the actuator to fatten it up.
I've considered doing that, actually! I'll give it a shot.
Thanks for the tip.

Does anyone offer stick modding services here on the farm? I'm in the South Eastern US. If I find my issue isn't resolved easily, I have no problem sending it to someone skilled.
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the_knives
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Re: Modding Namco PS1 Stick with Seimitsu Stick

Post by the_knives »

So we are two years further down the line. Anybody else curious what happened?

And before I continue, let me introduce myselves, I am the_knives and I am a longtime site lurker. In my Amiga years I developed a love for shmups. That somehow dissapeared in my later gaming life. I recently found out why: I grew up on playing shmups with an arcade stick! Somehow, playing with a stick feels better for me than with a controller.

I recently was able to purchase a Namco ps1 stick and although I like it a lot, it is not all that good for shmups as mentioned above. I learned by studying this forum that the problem is with the 'throw'. I want to fix this in the most simple way. I a do not have any experience with modding and the solution needs to be feasible for a tech-noob like me.

I am not sure whether Phase3 is still active here, but if you are, I would glady learn from your experiences. If somebody wants to share concrete solutions, you can make a fellow shmupper happy.

By the way, I tried fattening the actuator with tape (that's my level of tech :-), and the throw was better. Yet, the stick felt a bit less responsive. What other solutions do I have?

Ideas are wecome!
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