Welding vs. Tapping vs. Roll Pin

That sounds like an easy lathe job. Do you have one?

How much force will be on the extension?

I think there must be a lot you have not mentioned. Otherwise you would just use a longer rod to begin with and not have to do any attaching.

Dan

Exactly what I was thinking as otherwise you would just use a 4" long

3/8" rod. Maybe a high grade material on the end of a lower grade shank but without knowing material specs and purpose of what needs joining it's difficult to know. Mention of roll pin and tapping would seem to indicate the materials can be drilled and tapped and maybe welded from the OP question.  From previous postings I and others thought this guy might be a troll so maybe why so little detail.

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Nah, he's cool. Been asking similar questions to that here for years now. As I recall he lives in the city and has limited space for machines. Repairs old arcade games like pinball machines :)

Yes, I have a lathe. What I don't have and was looking into getting is some welding equipment. (I have a little MIG welding experience from back in the early 80s).

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

Yes, I have a lathe. What I don't have is welding equipment, yet. (I did learn MIG welding back in the early 80s).

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

It comes down to what I already have and have access to.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

There is no way to know that. I was hoping that the strongest option would generally work best.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

Nah, I stay away from Pinball machines.

This is actually another video game related project. You know the standard ball-top video game joystick? I plan to take them apart so I can make the joystick shafts longer.

Here's why. The bottom of most joysticks poke through holes in little metal plates. These are called restrictors. (Diamond shaped holes are used for a 4-way joystick). As a result, the movement of the joystick is restricted in the desired 4 directions (usually up, down, right, & left). This makes switch activation a lot more accurate.

I plan to remove the joysticks default restrictor so I can use a special restrictor I designed, which will be located at a lower position, therefore I need longer joysticks.

Thanks.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

I am still confused. WHat is it that keeps you from just using a longer rod? I suspect it is that one end of the original rod is threaded. So what is keeping you from using the lathe and cutting a thread on a longer rod?

Dan

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It the ball/knob on top screws off can you just add on there?

Maybe a coupler to match the old shaft thread and threaded on the opposite end to match old ball.

A completely new, longer shaft to replace the old I think is the best solution. I've watched people play before and they get excited, upset... and way more pressure than needed gets applied to those controllers :(

Since you have a lathe then I suggest tapping. Use a roll tap AKA form tap. These taps don't make chips so they are great for blind holes, and they make stronger threads. You need to use a larger diameter drill bit than for a cutting tap. Tap both part and assemble with a set screw and red Loctite. Or tap one part and drill through the 1/2 inch part for screw clearance. Then use a socket head screw. And red Loctite. Eric

You could friction weld the parts in your lathe.

Best Regards Tom.

It's a joystick. And I can't find what I need in the size I need. So I figure I'll try to extend what I already have.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

The ball-tops don't screw on. They are molded onto the rods.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

The idea was to drill a 1-1/4" hole through the center of a 4 inch square piece of 2 by 4. And then cut it down the center into two pieces.

This would be the work holder for the joystick.

In the end there can be no protusions, and I'll need to round off the end.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

I'll look into that.

Thanks.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.

This is new to me. I'll have to research it. It would seem to be the easiest way to get this done.

Thanks.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.