Help!!!!

[The Fugitive]

Does anyone know how to put this back together????



Kidding, Im sure I can get it back together. However, the view hat switch is worn on this Warthog. Most complain that the ball gets sticking and that is what makes the Warthog a bad stick. I put a softer spring and keep it lubed and mine is a smooth as the day I got it years ago. Unfortunately, Im on my second grip as the hat switch wore out on the first and the second is showing sings it isnt going to last too much longer.

Option one is to swap it with the other 4way hat, but the locating bumps are in the wrong spots as well as the bezel being to big on the original switch. So with modification its possible and I'll get another year or two out of it. On the other hand if I could find a replacement switch for it I could just swap them out when they go bad and continue on with the same stick. This is what Im looking for....



I would rather spend $150 for half a dozen switches than over $200 for a new grip. I have begun diggin through electronics parts stores, but if anyone here knows of a place to find switches that will work, let me know.

Thanks

[AKKuya]

Duct tape

[scott66]

Sorry bud I think you are f@!>+

[popeye]

How is the switch failing?  Sticking?  Not making contact?

Can't see the back of the switch, is it a purpose-made 4-way switch or a frame to hold four separate switches (like the CH 4-ways)?

[The Fugitive]

How is the switch failing?  Sticking?  Not making contact?

Can't see the back of the switch, is it a purpose-made 4-way switch or a frame to hold four separate switches (like the CH 4-ways)?

It is a purpose made switch, this is the second hat on the stick...



In the base of the switch (left arrow) it is made of plastic with a square hole in the base. The actuator is a plastic shaft attached to a medal thumb button. The arrow (right arrow) is pointing to the point where the shaft is cut square before it drops in diameter to the bottom of the shaft. This square cut fits in the square hole at the base of the switch and is used as the pivot point. Both show wear. When I push the switch up, it slips enough to contact the "right switch" giving me an "up and right" view.

So it is the base of the switch and shaft that is worn. Button replacement.... if possible wont help. Its the plastic connection parts that need replacing. So I need the whole switch assembly. I would think these should be a dime a dozen seeing as there are some many controls with hat switches, but so far no luck.. I have sent a note to Thrustmaster but Im not holding out much hope as Im sure they would rather sell me a new grip vs a replacement switch.

[Animl-AW]

Duct tape

We call it 90mph tape. It will hold rusty fenders on your car up to 90mph. According to my certified testing lab.
****
$150 for any part is forcing a new stick. Kinda the old car money pit. It’s probably made for $10.

I think you like beating the challenge. What I do.

I’ve not heard good things about TM support. And the buttons and stem breaks are most common, warn gimble to follow.

Like CH, TM and ever x52/x28 was best stick for it’s day, without super expensive route

Why I switched to a more hefty gimble and better support and wen VKB WWII grip stick fir $120, $170 after taxes, tariffs and shipping. Its the best for the price, with ball bearing gimble, triple springs, and 3 inner tension adjustment screws

Most are set on the stick they grew into.
So up to you, fix or switch.

Or, buy a repeat and have spare parts, just not the most common such as this.

I’m sure I didn’t have to say this, you know.

Beside that you may prov the theory wrong and find a cheap fix.

[Softail]

Did you contact Thrustmaster and get a price on a replacement?   Thats the route I went when I replaced the DMS Switch back in 2017.

It ran about $50 with shipping.


Or you could consider upgrading to an OTTO 4-way hat.   https://www.otto-controls.com/t4-t5-large-trim-switches



Softy.

[Mister Fork]

Wait... we want to actually give The Fugitive help in rebuilding his stick so he can shoot us down easier?

 



Just kidding...     how did it go?

[The Fugitive]

So this is where it stands now.....

Switch search.

You would think this would be easy as there are a good number of controllers on the market most with hat switches. nope. I finally found a part number for the CHproducts hat switch which is built basically the same as the Warthog switches other than an indexing tab. Line it up, add a dab of hot glue and off we go. Of the almost dozen places I found through Google, most show them as "discontinued" or out of stock. A couple wanted full company write up sheets to even think of quoting a price, too much trouble for a switch or two if they even would sell that small an order.

I did find a guy in the Ukraine that 3D printed a switch adding in the mini buttons. All you need do is pick a hat (castle, round top, pyramid) and send him 10 euros and hed send you one. Site had a lot of war propaganda so wasnt sure what I would actually being paying for.

Third option, much like the otto-controls company, there are a number of companies that make actual switch replacements for controllers for tractors, and planes and such. Of the ones I could get pricing.... most need a complete company history and all the financials... they run over $100 each.

Used Switches

I have two old CHproduct stick... one has the game port plug  and an old warthog handle for parts. While all the view hat switches are junk on them a few other switches havent had the same type of work out they did. Swapping switches is possible if your handy. A little soldiering, index post removed or added to get them in the right orientation and Im sure Id be good to go for awhile longer.

I did find a guy who had a bunch of CHproducts parts supposedly new removed from broken controllers. He wanted what I thought was way too much. After the auction ended with no bids, I sent a note with an offer and agreed to split the shipping cost. He decided to relist the parts on Ebay, which still has no bids. 

Upgrade

Paying over $100 for a single switch, while a top notch pro switch is a bit silly. Do I want to add another project (rebuilding the switches/stick), do I want to wait for Mr Ebay to get desperate enough to drop his price, or do I just give in a upgrade to a new stick. The new ones coming out with the gimbles look to be very nice and some are priced ok. After Christmas could have a sale but I doubt it as joysticks are not a high volume item so supply isnt going to out do demand creating a surplus. But as Im in no hurry, I can afford to wait.

So while my one and only  baby granddaughter is visiting from Vegas for the holidays I can hold out......for now   

[Shuffler]

You need to also take into consideration that the CH products are all 8 bit. Regardless of how well you get it working, it will not match the newer sticks.

I have all CH too. So I have been trying to decide if I even want to keep flying. I have not been up in AH for some time now. I may buy new equipment if I get the bug again.

[AKIron]

A VKB stick runs about $120 and is a twisty with rotaries that can be used for throttle. A cheap way to get all you need to see if the interest remains.

You need head tracking also at least for other sims. I've used VR and Track IR. I gave up on VR and have used Track IR for many years. I like it a lot but just ordered a Tobii eye tracker 5. Supposed to be here tomorrow.

[AKIron]

If ya use Track IR go with LEDs vs reflectors. Much more reliable.

[The Fugitive]

You need to also take into consideration that the CH products are all 8 bit. Regardless of how well you get it working, it will not match the newer sticks.

I have all CH too. So I have been trying to decide if I even want to keep flying. I have not been up in AH for some time now. I may buy new equipment if I get the bug again.

The only parts Id use from CH are the switches and they are the same on all stick, on and off  2 bit   

A VKB stick runs about $120 and is a twisty with rotaries that can be used for throttle. A cheap way to get all you need to see if the interest remains.

You need head tracking also at least for other sims. I've used VR and Track IR. I gave up on VR and have used Track IR for many years. I like it a lot but just ordered a Tobii eye tracker 5. Supposed to be here tomorrow.

Shufflers been around for ever but has found real life more fun over the last couple of years. I hope he comes back more often as I wouldnt mind helping in one of his favorite past times..... shedding P38 parts all over the landscape   

[SIK1]

Joe, at $100 to replace a switch you would be better off getting one of the base model sticks from Virpil, or VKB.

Just saying.

 

[Yeager]

Good luck.