Best CHEAP Xbox 360 Fight Stick?

[Mephikun]

Thinking of building an arcade cab, but have no Fight Sticks, and the only ones I can find are REALLY expensive. I just need something that works, and I need 2. I'd like the sticks to be 25-40ish, I just need them to work, they'll be replaced eventually.

[fvgazi]

I doubt you'll find any stick under $40. However, if you get these terrible looking sticks you can easily pad-hack them into a legit console or make separate stick housings with Sanwa and Seimitsu parts when you want to upgrade.

**edit** Would you be against using regular 360 controllers until you are able to get legit sticks? Would probably be the most cost effective and you wouldn't have to waste money on sub-par controllers.

[Mephikun]

I wouldn't be 100% against it, I've got a few controllers for my Slim. Thanks for the link. I'll probably end up using regular controllers until I can get 2 of the 60-70 ones from amazon. I'd buy the odd ones, but I thought sanwa parts were a lot of money :s

Thanks for the reply,
Mephikun

[mjmjr25]

Part's aren't too bad - $2-3 per button, $18-25 for the stick and ball-top, depending on what you choose.

Almost all the current gen sticks are easily modded.

Are you building your control panel around your sticks, or just a base to set the sticks on top of? It'll look more slick if you customize it to the sticks you'll be using imo.

[noiseredux]

@mj: where's that thread you made a while back that showed off that cool arcade stick stand you built for yr living room?

[Mephikun]

I don't really have any power tools, so I'd probably buy a particle board and cut holes for the buttons. And that's a decent price for the buttons, I could probably use the stick that the odd stick has though.

Thanks for replying. I'm probably going to buy a desk a couple hours away from me for $60, and paint it black. the desk looks kinda like an arcade cab. http://unclehenrys.com/init/classifieds ... %233786932

Mephikun

[isiolia]

Thinking of building an arcade cab, but have no Fight Sticks, and the only ones I can find are REALLY expensive. I just need something that works, and I need 2. I'd like the sticks to be 25-40ish, I just need them to work, they'll be replaced eventually.

Usually the only "cheap" sticks I've seen have been licensed Mad Catz ones getting cleared out to make room for the next round. Gamestop lists the WWE All Stars Brawl Stick for $49.99, but not available online. Possible their in-store price would be similar, if any have them. Other online retailers still have it for a bit more, but it might be something to watch for.

I picked up a SFIV stick for my PS3 a couple Black Fridays ago for around $30, and you can find the Tatsunoko vs Capcom stick for $40 fairly readily.

Nice thing about the Mad Catz sticks is that you can easily swap actual arcade parts into them.

[fvgazi]

I don't really have any power tools, so I'd probably buy a particle board and cut holes for the buttons. And that's a decent price for the buttons, I could probably use the stick that the odd stick has though.

Thanks for replying. I'm probably going to buy a desk a couple hours away from me for $60, and paint it black. the desk looks kinda like an arcade cab. http://unclehenrys.com/init/classifieds ... %233786932

Mephikun

I'm working on 2 ps3/360 sticks right now. They are stand alone controllers similar to a madcatz or hori. The progress is posted in my project blog in my signature if you're interested.

I like you're idea converting a desk into the cab. However, might I suggest using MDF board rather than Particle board? If you want to paint it, the surface will be a lot smoother, requires minimal sanding and is pretty light depending on the thickness you use. It's available at any big chain stores (home depot/Lowes) and most lumber yards. You can get it in smaller sheets too. Usualy 3 or 4 feet wide by about 6-8 feet long.

Here are some other examples of cool mods i've seen.

http://makeprojects.com/Project/Coffee- ... ole/1378/1


http://www.bitrebels.com/technology/lov ... e-console/

[Mephikun]

Woah, that's cool. Thanks for recommending the MDF board. I don't have any tools to cut the holes, how much would you ask for if I shipped it to you to cut holes if need be?

Mephikun

[mjmjr25]

Hole cutters fit right into a standard 3/8" or 1/2" drill. Usually $1-5 per hole cutter, depending on size you need. Much cheaper to spend a few bucks on tools than shipping something back and forth.