Been working today so far on making a rotating joystick. You might recall a few years ago, on my first (trial run learning ground) multi-system, I had a joystick that could be rotated, as different console controllers have their orientation differently. It was basically a joystick mounted onto a square cut-out and recess, and kept in place when the backing section (that contained the console section) pressed against it.
This is a far better design, and fit for purpose.
Putting this into the reference section too (on my forum)
Step 1
Cut through the perf board to cut through the pot pins and the other pins holding the joystick in place. Cut a piece of styrene so the wires can be connected to a central point and the joystick can lay flat.
Step 2
Make sure each of the 6 connections (2 pots, 3 connections on each) are soldered and use different coloured wires, and mark on paper what they connect to. Superglue the unit into place.
Step 3
Cut out a square from the 2mm styrene (white in pic) and a corresponding hole in 1mm styrene (black in pic) for it to fit into.
Step 4
Salvage the springs and posts from generic GameCube controller.
Step 5
Cut to size.
Step 6
Cut hole through the black piece in the center just large enough for the post to go through, but the spring not. Superglue the post to the joystick backing.
Superglue the joystick cap to the joystick holder.
Step 7
Position the assembly into the case so it is just raised enough to be able to lift the joystick up enough to rotate it in the case.
The principle is when you use a joystick you press down lightly, which is fine; you won't pull the joystick in gameplay. To rotate the joystick, pull the joystick and rotate.
