Button box from a (salvaged) gamepad

Beaverz · 11 August 12, 21:38

This is my DIY button box from a salvaged gamepad.

from left to right:
- Salvaged board from Thrustmaster Firestrom Dual Analog.
It has a broken button and missing a conductive rubber.

- Plastic case of SuperDisk USB from my iMac G3.
It was broken so I removed the drive and threw it away then keep the box hoping someday I'll need it and now it seems to be the right moment.

- A bunch of buttons.
Got them from a electronic/DIY store, I was about to buy a lot more but I didn't bring much money that day so I only got 6. However it seems to be the right amount considering the size of the box I'm gonna be using.

Now it's the soldering time. If you have better soldering skill than me you will have up to 12 buttons and another 4 for d-pad with this board. But I managed to make it works only 6 (without d-pad), what a pleasant coincident.
Then I use glue gun to hold down all buttons. Again, not the best job but this will do since I don't have any drill with me to do things properly. (I'm not home ATM.)

This is how I solder buttons. Some of them are on the main front buttons while the others are in different positions. As I said before, if you have better soldering skill than me you will have a lot more working buttons.

Viola! the button box from a salvaged gamepad.
What left now is setting it up in the game and maybe labeling the buttons.

As you can see, you don't need an expensive usb controller to make a button box. Just get yourself a cheap USB gamepad then modify it yourself. It's a cheap and effective solution.

I hope you enjoy my small project and maybe get some idea to do it yourself.

GTR Dude · 12 August 12, 00:19

Outstanding idea Mate.

yetisaj · 12 August 12, 00:36

That's a great idea! I have a slightly broken Xbox 360 pad laying around and I think you've just inspired me to make use of it.

Beaverz · 12 August 12, 10:23

You can be more creative such as replacing analog sensor with potentiometer.

Beaverz · 4 October 12, 20:35

Now introducing my salvaged button box MK-II.

boyd747 · 8 October 12, 19:26

Great D.I.Y

starfox550 · 8 November 12, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaverz

You can be more creative such as replacing analog sensor with potentiometer.

I'm looking to do this

Can anyone advise what pots I would need to replace the analog sticks in a xbox360 controller?

11 August 12, 21:38	#1
Beaverz Join Date: Oct 2009	Button box from a (salvaged) gamepad This is my DIY button box from a salvaged gamepad. from left to right: - Salvaged board from Thrustmaster Firestrom Dual Analog. It has a broken button and missing a conductive rubber. - Plastic case of SuperDisk USB from my iMac G3. It was broken so I removed the drive and threw it away then keep the box hoping someday I'll need it and now it seems to be the right moment. - A bunch of buttons. Got them from a electronic/DIY store, I was about to buy a lot more but I didn't bring much money that day so I only got 6. However it seems to be the right amount considering the size of the box I'm gonna be using. Now it's the soldering time. If you have better soldering skill than me you will have up to 12 buttons and another 4 for d-pad with this board. But I managed to make it works only 6 (without d-pad), what a pleasant coincident. Then I use glue gun to hold down all buttons. Again, not the best job but this will do since I don't have any drill with me to do things properly. (I'm not home ATM.) This is how I solder buttons. Some of them are on the main front buttons while the others are in different positions. As I said before, if you have better soldering skill than me you will have a lot more working buttons. Viola! the button box from a salvaged gamepad. What left now is setting it up in the game and maybe labeling the buttons. As you can see, you don't need an expensive usb controller to make a button box. Just get yourself a cheap USB gamepad then modify it yourself. It's a cheap and effective solution. I hope you enjoy my small project and maybe get some idea to do it yourself.

12 August 12, 00:19	#2
GTR Dude Uploader Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wanna be in the UK Age: 52	Outstanding idea Mate.

12 August 12, 00:36	#3
yetisaj Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK http://yetisaj.blogspot.com/ Age: 30	That's a great idea! I have a slightly broken Xbox 360 pad laying around and I think you've just inspired me to make use of it.

12 August 12, 10:23	#4
Beaverz Join Date: Oct 2009	You can be more creative such as replacing analog sensor with potentiometer.

4 October 12, 20:35	#5
Beaverz Join Date: Oct 2009	Now introducing my salvaged button box MK-II.

8 October 12, 19:26	#6
boyd747 Join Date: Jul 2010	Great D.I.Y