Joystick Mod, Need Ideas

[Daubie]

I've got a Saitek AV8R-01 .

I velcroed this sucker to my desktop with doublesided tape.  I was full up on USB ports so I got me a powered hub.  

Next step, I need to shorten up my grip.  I've got big hands, but this stick is still too long.  I'm looking for ideas to make a rest for the heel of my right hand.  I use the plastic hand rest supplied, but that's not very good.  

Best idea is to makeup a two piece wood or aluminum block with a tapered eliptical cental hole to fit it, joined with socket cap screws.  That requires hand filing and custom fitting.  It's already made as I picture it in my mind, but doing it will take awhile.

I'm looking for an easier fix.

You guys have been around awhile, what do you do?

Wonder if there is a quick setting mold putty I could use?  Any think-tank forums out there to work out modeling ideas?  

The diehards in here would never use a hand rest; I realize that.

2nd Idea:
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I like Ghosth's idea of a wood board in my lap, "T"- in the middle, down,  to grasp with legs.  I don't like sitting that way too long, so I will modify that idea with double extensions to enclose each leg should make it solid.  I figure I'll eventually get something with left hand for throttle and joystick in right, in my lap.  I'm still playing with ideas.  I looked around in Google's Images a little bit, but nothing outstanding, yet.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or rude comments {;^) ,

Daubie

[Krusty]

Hand spacer: Go to a hardware store, and get some of that foam pipe insulation. Get something that looks thick enough to wrap around your joystick handle. Get a short length, as you won't need much.

When you get home cut 1 inch (or however much you need) and slide it around the base of your stick, resting on top of the hand rest. If it's too soft, get a piece of cardboard, cut it to match and put it on top (sandwhiching foam between plastic and cardboard.

That's what I'd do if I needed to.

If that's too soft, get a chunk of balsa wood from the nearest hobby shop that deals with radio control airplanes. Very soft, very easy to work with, just carve a C-shaped piece to the proper shape and rest it on the hand rest, instead of the foam.

[moneyguy]

i have a CH fighterstick that i used some cardboard, duct tape and a zip tie to make a spacer with. works like a champ.

[Shaky]

I just layered peices of duct tape till I got to the deisired height

[Ghosth]

Daubie

My buddy tank flys with just the T.

Myself I found it was more comfortable and solid if I added a crosspiece on the bottom so it looks like an H laid sideways.

Only one warning, be carefull how you set it up in respect to cords, etc and where you put it. I tripped over mine one day and snapped the shaft on my MS Sidewinder Prec 2. Luckily I'd picked up a couple of spares off ebay.

I'm in the process of turning the broken stick into a 4 quadrant throttle.

Let me know if you want pictures of how I did it.

[DREDIOCK]

Head to your local arts & crafts store
Pick up a small block of "Sculpey"in any color you like (I chose black)

Its a clay
Break off a section and fit it around the base and custom form it to fit your hand.
Slide a thin knife under it to carefully seperate it from the stick and bake it (the clay form. NOT the joystick) in the oven at 275 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Take out and let cool. then attach it to the stick anyway you like. glue whatever

You now have a handrest that is custom fit to your hand.
And damn near looks like it belongs there

[Krusty]

Ghost: My MS Prec Pro uses LEDs and sensors to determine position, no pots to scavenge! Does yours have pots?

Drediock: Wouldn't the weight of the clay throw off the feel of the stick? Make the handle heavier?

[Daubie]

Hi,

Sure, please do let me see your photos, either here or use my e-mail link to Yahoo!

Thank you sir,

Daubie

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re:

Daubie,

My buddy tank flys with just the T.

Myself I found it was more comfortable and solid if I added a crosspiece on the bottom so it looks like an H laid sideways.

Only one warning, be carefull how you set it up in respect to cords, etc and where you put it. I tripped over mine one day and snapped the shaft on my MS Sidewinder Prec 2. Luckily I'd picked up a couple of spares off ebay.

I'm in the process of turning the broken stick into a 4 quadrant throttle.

Let me know if you want pictures of how I did it.

(Ghosth)

[Daubie]

Hi to all that responded,

I am experimenting with your ideas.  I will try the modeling clay.

I'll also search around to Yahoo!Groups for a model makers' forum.  I betcha' there are guys out there that makeup custom joysticks.

Yes, I would think balance would be an issue.  I'm so green, I don't think I would notice the difference.  I usually run with the postulate that one can adapt to anything given the proper motivation.  Stating that I could just adapt to this dadburn joystick and quitmybellyachin' .




Thanks for the ideas.

Daubie

[Ghosth]

Krusty

This Prec 2 appears to have 4 small pots. No longer digital/optical.

2 for x & y axis, one for rudder rotation, one for throttle.

I'm still debating over materials, and exact linkages, will post pics as it comes together.



Daubie will shoot pics tommorow if all goes well.

[Engine]

I can't imagine playing anything without my Force Feedback 2 right in my lap. The extra hand on the base really helps with precision, not to mention being able to easily hit the 4 buttons on the base with my thumb.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by Krusty

Drediock: Wouldn't the weight of the clay throw off the feel of the stick? Make the handle heavier?

Not at all.
Once its baked the moisture is baked out of it and its really quite light weighing not much more then the pipe insulaton suggestion.

But you gotta wait for it to cool as its pretty brittle when you first take it out of the oven. after that it really gets pretty hard