Introduction: Custom Arcadestick/Fightstick Buttons

By Anomaly Arcade Sticks
About: This is Anomaly Arcade Sticks. I make custom wooden arcade sticks, as well as sell custom accessories, and modding services. www.AnomalyArcadeSticks.com

Simple Arcade Stick Customization: Custom Buttons

Arcade Sticks are great for Fighting Games, Shoot'em Ups, and many arcade titles/emulators. Custom Buttons are a simple way to personalize your Arcade Stick. In this DIY I go over Sanwa, and Seimitsu brand buttons, but many similar buttons have very similar install.

Supplies -

  • 30mm Arcade Stick buttons with clear, or tinted caps (24mm for start/back buttons)
  • Scissors
  • Precision screw driver
  • Optional
    • Glue Stick (Photo Safe, Acid Free, Dry Clear)

Step 1: Create Your Image File

  1. Download the PSD file with the 2 button size templates, then open it in your preferred photo editing software. (
    http://apps.pixlr.com/editor/ works well and is free)

  2. Insert the images you would like to use and re size them to fit into the circles of the template.
  3. Print your images. (Normal paper can work, but I prefer glossy thin paper. Thicker paper may make it harder to re assemble the button, but if cut correctly even photo paper will work)
  4. Cut the images out, the way the template is made you want to cut on or just inside of the black circle.

Attachments

Step 2: Disassemble the Buttons - Sanwa

Sanwa

  1. Locate the tab hole on the side of the button.
  2. Insert the precision screw driver into the hole, under the white tab, press the tab in and down, then do the same on the other side of the button which will push the center of the button out through the top. (see the pictures)
  3. Remove the clear plastic cap from the white plastic plunger. Grab the white plunger with one hand and pull down on the clear plastic rim with the thumb of the other.
  4. Remove the small white disc out of the clear cap.

Step 3: Disassemble the Buttons - Seimitsu

Seimitsu

  1. Remove the plastic screw, then locate the hole with the plastic tab in it.
  2. Insert the precision screw driver into the hole, under the tab, press the tab in and down, then do the same on the other side of the button which will push the center of the button out through the top.
  3. Pull the white plastic plunger out of the cap

Step 4: Reassemble Buttons: Sanwa

Sanwa

  1. Put a small bit of Glue on the flat side of the white disc (This is optional but keeps the image from rotating during game play, but also is easy to remove and doesn't damage the image)
  2. Insert the image into the clear cap, the bump in the clear cap can be considered the top or the bottom, and a good way to orient how you insert the image. The image shows the bump I'm talking about.
  3. Put the white disk back inside of the clear cap, line the bump on the back of the disk with the bump on the clear cap. See the picture.
  4. Line up the small gap on the white plastic plunger, with the bump on the back of the white disk, and the bump on the clear plastic cap and push the pieces together.
  5. Insert the cap/plunger back into the outer rim, align the white tabs with the holes in the rim then push it back in.

Step 5: Reassemble Buttons: Seimitsu

Seimitsu

  1. Put a small bit of Glue on the flat side of the white plunger (This is optional but keeps the image from rotating during game play, but also is easy to remove and doesn't damage the image)
  2. Insert the image into the cap, then re insert the white plunger.
  3. Insert the Plunger/Cap into the outer rim by lining up the tabs with the holes