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Help Please with Mini Joystick Button

S-Man

S-Man

StrivingON
Sorry not hifi, but maybe somebody can help...

I have a couple of Satmap units and the joystick button fell off one of them. Satmap no longer keep spares for the old 10 and 12 models so I'm on my own.

I am looking for a cylindrical piece of plastic with a 2mm X 2mm square hole to fit onto the joystick. I will also have to add a membrane of some sort, but the initial problem is the plastic cylinder. It's the small black thing on the piece of paper:

IMG-2341.jpg


I think the joystick might be an Alps one.

Q1 - Anyone know if it's possible to buy the "button" and where?
Q2 - Any ideas how to fabricate a couple? Could it be 3D printed?

Cheers,
Dave
 
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My current thinking is to file a piece of alu to have a 2mm square shape on the end. Heat it up and press a square hole into the end of piece of plastic. Then machine the cyclinder shape using my pillar drill as a sort of lathe and cut it to length.
I suspect this will be very tricky in practice, so still looking for better solutions.
 
garyi said:
I can print you one when back home but wont be till end of next week.
Click to expand...

That would be absolutely wonderful! No great rush.
Sorry to be greedy, but 2 pcs would be useful in case I lose one.
Please let me know costs, or I can make charity donation.
Is the drawing enough, or do I need to send more info?

Cheers,
Dave
 
It’s no problem. Would you not want it to flange out a bit at the top to make it more comfy to move about?

or is it just a ‘mating’ piece?
 
The existing one fits inside a rubber boot/grommet that seals to the case. I cannot see any way to replicate that so I was thinking of trapping a piece of rubber glove on top of the button and below the top of the case - if that makes sense? That would hold the button on. I suspect the thin rubber would wear out from time to time but as long as it's replaceable I could live with it.

The other possibility I dreamed up is to poke the button through a thicker piece of flat rubber. In this case it might be beneficial to make the button a bit of a top hat shape to stop it getting lost by poking too far through the rubber.

I'm open to suggestions. Many minds are better than my one tiny one! :)
 
S-Man said:
Well I've ordered the tube, so let's see.
Click to expand...
I like a.palfryman's suggestion too - 2mm sq is 2.8mm on the diagonal - I think I'd cut a 50mm length, say, drop one end into a hot water to soften, then push- over the square stub; cut to final length when cold.

inner circumference of 2.5mm id is 7.8mm; perimeter of square bit is 8 - you'll have to see how that holds up.

Second quick/dirty thought - how about building up 2-3 layers of small-dia heatshrink, then cutting to length..?
 
Come on man, stop messing about and get on with it! ;)
I like the idea of the rubber glove for the boot. Put that at the bottom, trapped under the new button. Bit of fine brass tube will allow you to cut a nice sharp hole in it. Otherwise might be possible to use the finger end cut from a marigold of similar to cover the 'joystick' (ew Maytron)
 
I would love to crack on with it, but the postman only brought more recycling bin fodder today :(
 
The tube arrived and I've had a quick dabble. It works to a fashion but is a slightly loose fit. More fiddling needed, but Mrs S wants our water butt capacity increasing before it rains. So rain has stopped play.... sort of.
 
The tattoo needle grommet works rather well with the original button. It's a tightish interference fit so the button shouldn't drop out. The joystick action is a bit stiff, but it works, maybe it will loosen up with some use?

Just need a couple of buttons now, one for the other Satmap unit and a spare. Then the job's a good'un! Hoping Garyi can help when he's back.
 
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