CH combatstick mod

[caldera]

Saw a thread some time ago for moving the location of the hat switch on a CH fighterstick.  The search isn't working but I do have this link to the instructions for performing the procedure:

http://snomhf.exofire.net/8-WayHat.html

My question is can the same mod be done to the 4 way switch on the combatstick?  The lower and leftward location of the 4 way would be a much more natural position to hold your thumb in.  In fact, that's almost the same location for the hat on the Thrustmaster flightstick/x that I'm upgrading from. 

Has anyone here switched the hat on their stick?  Don't want to raise the bottom of the grip, as it would make it awkward to reach the lower buttons.  Kind of silly that the one button you use the most is the hardest to reach. 

[Ack-Ack]

Yes it can.

ack-ack

[caldera]

Thanks.  Time to break out the sawzall. 

[zack1234]

Ok

When i get in tonight i will photograph my fighter stick and show how you can mod your access to hat switch without cutting things up

[Blagard]

Making the  4 way hat switch to eight way should not be a problem except I think the way it is shown on your link is wrong! The template used was 45 degrees out of position!

The guide hole in the four way hat is set so you can only access one switch at a time (in the corner of the guide hole). The mod allows you to access two adjacent switches at the same time. So all you do is ream out the flats of the guide so the switch pin can access new corners.

If you look carefully you will see the contacts on the eight way are on the "flats" of the guide hole and the contacts for the four way are on the corners. Once modded the hole will be identical to the eight way. Also note the switches are very slightly angled off to each other. It is the shape of the hole relative to the position of the switches in it that is important.


EDIT. I did the mod myself on my older CH gear. - So I know from experience.

Be aware that the Eight way hat allows single keys to be assigned to each position. A modded 4 way will use two keys to get the same effect. There may be a limit on the number of keys you can press simultaneously . eg with a view 4 + 8 + 5 and flaps that is four keys. With a genuine eightway you use 7 + 5 and flaps. I don't know if anyone has had a problem after the mod or not.

[caldera]

I think he enlarged the hole as it was already oriented.  So it won't work set up that way?

[Blagard]

I think he enlarged the hole as it was already oriented.  So it won't work set up that way?

No. You need to create the the corners as aligned in the existing eightway. So the post of the hat can get into a corner to press two switches instead of just one. My sketch below shows the original 4 way guide hole with the enlarged 8 way over it. Also the new corner where your hat's post can now get and contact two switches instead of just one. My "black posts" are shown much smaller than the real thing just to show you the positions without the shapes overlapping. The radius at the corners only needs to be the same as the radius of the actual post so the corners will be more rounded than shown





EDIT:
Actual is more like the sketch below

[Chalenge]

What he did does work but he made the hole so much bigger than it really needs to be. If all you do is round the flat sides to round the hole (which I realize is not what Blagard is saying) it wont be enough.

[caldera]

No. You need to create the the corners as aligned in the existing eightway. So the post of the hat can get into a corner to press two switches instead of just one. My sketch below shows the original 4 way guide hole with the enlarged 8 way over it. Also the new corner where your hat's post can now get and contact two switches instead of just one. My "black posts" are shown much smaller than the real thing just to show you the positions without the shapes overlapping. The radius at the corners only needs to be the same as the radius of the actual post so the corners will be more rounded than shown


(Image removed from quote.)


EDIT:
Actual is more like the sketch below


(Image removed from quote.)

Thanks, I'll do it that way.   

What he did does work but he made the hole so much bigger than it really needs to be. If all you do is round the flat sides to round the hole (which I realize is not what Blagard is saying) it wont be enough.

He went a little overboard on the Dremel work.

Ok

When i get in tonight i will photograph my fighter stick and show how you can mod your access to hat switch without cutting things up

Saw your idea in the other thread Zack and tried that before during a short ownership of a fighterstick, but didn't like the result.  Doing that makes the lower buttons harder to reach.  Would rather use the switch at the top for elevator trim up/down and voice coms.  That way, the 8 way is easier to reach without changing the ergonomics of the other buttons ( fire all/secondary/primary/weapon select/zoom ) that see more use.