Joystick Modding

[H-street]

This is something i've always wanted to do and just finally got around to it..

My goal with this mod (a very easy mod) was to convert my desktop joystick into a floor joystick, essentially to be similar to what a real pilot would use..

the joystick i have is the thrustmaster force feedback afterburner (if this didn't work i was going to buy a new stick anyways)..

before

and after

What was involved:

1. A PVC Tubing about 36" long that i cut..
2. 24guage wiring to extend the button electronics
3. 5/8" wood dowel
4. 2 1" hose clamps

I was worried before starting this it would be a moster project, it ended up being pretty easy.. the PVC i got (was actually a 36" Riser in the spinkler section - $2.19) ended up being just the right size to go over the end stick when i removed teh handle.. .

i used a piece of dowel to extend the handle out of the PVC Riser

this pictures are blurry but i am too lazy to take some new ones

The Handle

TheBase

the most time consuming part was the soldering as it was 6 small wires i had to splice and my fat fingers didn't want to cooperate..

Now someone might ask why , well beyond the fact just for heck of it.. i'm finding it to be more and immersive when playing flight sim games (i haven't tried in BF2 yet as i don't use a joystick for bf2)...

The increased precision is nice as the range of motion has gone from an 8" diameter circle (from the top of the handle) to a 24" diameter circle (approximately)

the one thing to be careful is you have much more force at the base of the stick when you hit the limit, could easily start breaking some plastic pieces ...

the next project is to build a wood base for the stick that will house the Throttle assembly so i can sit back in my chair and fly the trecherous skies.. This will also allow me to use it while sitting my big fat ass on the couch...

PS.. yes i have too much time on my hands..

 

[FiZ]

Nice work.

 

[GeForceX]

P.S. I don't care if you have too much time. If you can do it, then show us.

I like the work. Good idea on being more precise on flying since it's much longer. The thing you should find out is if the software engine and/or mechanical devices actually detects the preciseness. Such as a 400 DPI would detect less compared to a 1600 DPI mouse would. Supposedly your joystick had an engine that could only detect 200 movements around. That would result in "pixelated" movement. I'm not sure if I could explain this any better.

-J.

 

[H-street]

its taking some time to get used to, i'm finding the flying is fun. the force feedback is actually a nice touch instead of just annoying..

i ended up taking the base apart and re tightening all of the mechanical connectors as it was having a problem calibrating (the pots where off)..

once i cleaned it and redid the mechanical it has worked much better..

once i get the throttle mount built it seems it will work really well (especially on the 130" projector), i'm going to try and make a mount of the keyboard below the throttle too ..

so far so good though..

 

[PhoS]

hahah awsome

realism ++

 

[hungryduck]

thats sweet.

 

[XeRo_Dark]

o m g HAHAHAHHAHA hell yah! im so doing that with my logitech wireless freedom 2.4 @_@