Various questions about modding my HRAP3

m1dy · Post by **m1dy** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:25 am

I recently bought a HRAP3 as my first stick for PS3/MAME usage and recently ordered 8 OBSF-30's, 2 OBSF-24's and a balltop.

Note: I *have not* installed the new parts yet, I don't even have them at the moment.

The balltop on my HRAP3 seems to turn freely on the stick as if you're able to unscrew it or something? Is this normal?

How does one replace the balltop of the JLF with another one?

To my knowledge (from what I hear)... the Sanwa JLF is the standard stick that you'll find in every Japanese arcade cabinet, is the JLF in Japanese arcades identical the JLF in the HRAP3? Does it feel *exactly* the same as the HRAP3's does out of the box? I want the closest Japanese arcade experience as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Necronopticous · Post by **Necronopticous** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:31 am

The balltops are screw-on, however the free turning you've mentioned is more likely the entire shaft turning within the shaft cover cylinder, since the balltop is usually very tightly screwed on. In order to unscrew it, you're going to have to open your stick up and use a flathead screwdriver to hold the shaft in place from behind while you twist off the balltop.

LuckyDay · Post by **LuckyDay** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:49 am

A JLF is a JLF. If your stick came with one it's the same stick. There are variations in mounting plates and such, but the feel is going to be the same as long as you're using the same restrictor plate.

Every once in a while when you first get the stick the balltop can be a little loose. As the above post stated you can tighten it from below with a flat head.

m1dy · Post by **m1dy** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:55 am

LuckyDay wrote:A JLF is a JLF. If your stick came with one it's the same stick. There are variations in mounting plates and such, but the feel is going to be the same as long as you're using the same restrictor plate.

I figured as much, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask anyways just to be sure.

LuckyDay wrote:Every once in a while when you first get the stick the balltop can be a little loose. As the above post stated you can tighten it from below with a flat head.

Is this because the balltop is loose or is it the entire stick rotating like Necronopticous stated?

One more thing -- Are JLF's ideal for shmups? I know they're great for fighters and I know that a lot of the people here prefer the LS-32 to the JLF for shmups, but is the difference really that big? Is it a known fact that the LS-32 is superior to the JLF for shmups, or is it more of a personal preference sort of thing?

Also; Japanese arcade cabinets use square restrictors, correct?

Thanks again for the extremely quick and helpful replies, much appreciated.

LuckyDay · Post by **LuckyDay** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:05 am

Yeah, they use square restrictors, unless it's an old school game, like something that only has two directions.

A lot of people here like the LS-32 for Shmups better. It returns to the center quicker, and engages the switch a little faster, so it's more responsive.

But in most cabs the JLF is there anyway, so for just pure authenticity, the JLF is the stick to go with.

Open up your case and just tighten the bottom of the shaft with a screwdriver, if you're still feeling rotation, it's just the shaft cover.