Completly redesigned N64 Replacement Joystick

[whatchitfoool]

I have loved the N64. As technology has advanced over the years, I watched the system fall to the way-side. My attention had been grabbed by newer, more feature rich items. But recently things have been picking up (like the 64Drive and HDMI output via Marshallh's work), and an old flame has been rekindled.
I have been planting the seeds necessary for a major Nintendo 64 controller over-hall for years. Enough pieces fell into place that at the beginning of this year I really kicked-it into gear.

First on the agenda, the joystick. Completly unacceptable and unusable for today's needs. The replacements china are pumping out aren't' much better. So from the enclosure up, I am designing my own. I will be getting my cases from injection molding, and assembling them with my PCB design. The Pot joystick will be of the best quality available (from Mitsumi, Nintendo's OEM for joysticks). It will be a drop-in replacement for the original stick.

One thing I am not 100% on is a demand for this product. Would anyone be interested in owning one of these?

More info can be found at http://www.NagleIndustries.com (site is still a WIP, but mostly there)

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Diminuendo]

these look really cool, I'd love one, but it depends on the price

when I replace my analogs the important thing for me if for it to look like it was built that way; I would really want one the exact same colour of the original restrictor gate.

 

[whatchitfoool]

I can render the model in whatever color I choose. In that pic I went with a goldish hue.

The color of the actual restrictor gate parts is determined by the plastics used in the injection molding process.
I was thinking about offering a range of colors, in addition to a standard dark grey or black (if people want the extended choice).

 

[Elektix]

Would the boards be available solo for people building portables? And I would be interested in one regardless so I can build my next portable.

 

[βeta]

I don't think there is a large enough market for you to ever recoup the cost of tooling without charging an enormous amount per stick. Injection molding is really expensive. Your estimate of $1,500 for tooling may be off by up to a factor of 10, unless you have offers stating otherwise.

 

[DK]

For a small batch, 3D printing by someone like Shapeways might end up cheaper than injection moulding.

 

[whatchitfoool]

I have had a few ruff estimates at around the 1.5-2K mark, from Asian manufacturers for aluminum molds. I have had state side quotes at just over 10k for quality steal family molds.
I have to weigh the options out, with cost being a major factor. These prices are just from mold toolers, so it does not include the actual manufacturing costs (like setup, plastic material, handling / machine time, shipping). It may be more economic to buy a nice 3d printer than to get a mold tooled.

Shapeways, or other 3d printing services I've looked into, state that it costs them the same amount to make 1 or 1000. For that reason, they do not offer volume discounts. It is costing me over $20 to get a print made, plus shipping.


I am planning on making just the boards (populated and with the joystick i've sourced) available. I don't think they'll sell like hot cakes this way, but I have enough material to make 50 - so I have to do something with them, even if I decide to not get the plastic made.

 

[Diminuendo]

I'd also like to suggest a feature that shouldn't cost you anything extra.

I recently asked RDC to make a daughterboard so that he could put a wii U pro controllers inside a daughterboard. one issue we discussed was that the Wii U pro has clickable analog sticks. he came up with a solution so that the daughterboard can use both original GC analog sticks but also certain PS3 ones;

see the oval shaped holes for the daughterboard? that's what made them dual function.

I would love for you to include similar mounts for you board, so I can wire up the L button to stick click

 

[βeta]

3D prints really don't have the wear properties you need for this application. It'd go the way of the old stock very quickly.