Mini Joystick with Fire Button by gzip
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This is a miniature joystick made from a few switches and a ballpoint pen. An optional fire button can be added if your pen is the clicker type. The action is very smooth and responsive. A bit of back story follows so feel free to skip it and get right into building.

Most projects start with an idea and then you source components to build it. This one started from a simple component which turned into an idea.

I had made a purchase from the Electronic Goldmine and got a free surprise box with my order. The box contained around 50 right angle switches amongst a lot of other goodies so I started thinking about what I could do with them.

It didn't take long before I came up with the idea of mounting four of the switches around a center point and using something to control them like a joystick. But what to use as the joystick? I rummaged through my junk pile and found half of an old pen, perfect.

I prototyped it out and it worked okay. The first thought was that it would be cool to have a button at the top of the joystick. I needed a better pen, the retractable type with a clicker. I built another version with the same electronics and a new pen. It was close but there were still some issues to work out. The third time was a charm and I'm very happy with the results. So let's get started.
 
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Step 1: Gathering the Parts

parts.jpg


What we'll need:

1) A pen, preferably the retractable type but just about any pen will do.
2) Four right angle push button switches.
3) A long screw, the smaller the diameter the better, and a nut to match. I used a 4-40 at 1-1/2 inches long. A 2-56 at the same length would be even better but I couldn't find one at the local hardware store.
4) A small piece of proto board.
5) Some hook up wire. The thinner the better.
6) Headers of some sort.
7) A small grommet (optional).
8) A round push button switch (optional, not pictured).
vonPongrac says: May 4, 2013. 11:39 PM
I was amazed how simple ii can be. Your instructable inspired me soo I made one myself. Thank you for sharing the idea! Here is link to my mini joystick: http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Joytick/
gzip (author) says: May 5, 2013. 10:08 AM
Cool, nice mods to make it work with what you had!
kaikengketch says: Nov 29, 2012. 9:08 AM
thank you for the instructables but can you give me a schematic diagram for this? i'll appreciate your kindness thank you :D
clovisfiesta says: Jul 7, 2010. 10:07 AM
I Like your project. Thanks for share your ideia with us!
dungeon runner says: Apr 30, 2010. 8:39 PM
Hm, how did that go again...

UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A START.

Hey, why is my arduino glowing?
gzip (author) says: Apr 30, 2010. 10:31 PM
It's funny you say that because back when I wrote this Instructable I took a video of the test circuit while entering the Konami code. I guess I should post it!
dungeon runner says: May 1, 2010. 1:02 AM
Yeah, that would be cool. Alas, most game developers nowadays are aware that the Konami code is no big secret, so they for the most part stopped using it as a cheat. Or worse, it gets you killed when you try it (I heard that trying to enter it in Metal Gear Solid II gets you jack squat and solid snake mocking you for being a cheater).

-Y
Yerboogieman says: Jan 27, 2010. 5:34 PM
This would be great for my laptop as a mouse. I can't stand the touchpad which randomly decides it doesn't want to work. Like an IBM.
gladys45 says: Mar 9, 2010. 6:58 PM
 do u mean this could be used in the same way as IBM's Trackpoint?
this is digital, not analog like the Trackpoint.
or do u mean IBM's Trackpoint randomly doesn't work?
if ur Trackpoint doesn't work, replace it.
Yerboogieman says: Mar 9, 2010. 7:09 PM
That is completely opposite from what I said.
My laptop does not have a Trackpoint, this is almost like a Trackpoint, my touchpad sucks and never works.
Blackice504 says: Oct 6, 2009. 2:23 PM
Great work and great design maybe next time a Analogue ;) also very clean work.
awdark says: Sep 17, 2009. 1:16 PM
Nice design, the end results look very clean! Did the surprise box come as packed as the one in the picture? If so that's quite impressive!
gzip (author) says: Sep 18, 2009. 7:34 PM
Yep, pretty much. Here's a photo of the full contents after sorting most of it.
dscf3641.jpg
sk8er6 says: Sep 28, 2009. 1:05 PM
besides hard wiring this to a keyboard or mouse, is there a way to wire it to pc?
sk8er6 says: Sep 29, 2009. 10:23 AM
answered my own question... ppjoy

http://www.geocities.com/deonvdw/Docs/Diagrams/CHAMPgames.htm

this is the best matching schematic for this kind of joystick. just replace the db9 with the pins that you made, and install the ppjoy driver.

hopefully, ill be building one soon, but im going to put my own spin on it.
ikestarm17 says: Sep 24, 2009. 5:46 PM
I was thinking about ordering from them, do you think the extra shipping is worth it for the surprise box? How did you get it for free?
gzip (author) says: Sep 24, 2009. 8:23 PM
They give away free gifts when you spend more than $25. The surprise box is just what it happened to be at the time. I always have a hard time paying $7-8 for shipping no matter where it is. I don't think it's worth it for just the surprise box but it might be worth it for a larger order. I wrote a blog post about a few other places to source electronic components.
ikestarm17 says: Sep 25, 2009. 4:19 AM
ok becaused on a regular order, once you add the surprize box shipping goes from $7 to $10
BOOJAN says: Sep 24, 2009. 7:03 PM
i can say only one thing about this project, and that is WICKED!!!!
roboman2444 says: Sep 23, 2009. 2:02 PM
now just wire it up to the space bar and arrow keys of a keyboard and you can use it to control ur favorite pc game!
ikestarm17 says: Sep 24, 2009. 5:47 PM
Yeah but using the joystick is pretty much the same as using the arrow keys
robotguy4 says: Sep 24, 2009. 3:22 PM
Or WASD keys...
zorbada says: Sep 24, 2009. 6:08 AM
Nice! Old times! :p
omnibot says: Sep 23, 2009. 1:29 AM
Great project!
toddshmack says: Sep 22, 2009. 12:01 PM
I heart Electronic Goldmine
raykholo says: Sep 22, 2009. 5:57 PM
it is a great place
billytwix says: Sep 22, 2009. 11:56 AM
OH shiiii, street fighter 4 - SHORYUKEN EX CANCELL TO THE ULTRA!
annodomini2 says: Sep 22, 2009. 11:47 AM
Atari 2600 joysticks all over again :)
robomaniac says: Sep 17, 2009. 8:54 PM
Nice instructable!! Keep up the good work! Jerome
gzip (author) says: Sep 18, 2009. 7:34 PM
Thanks!
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