I have a Hori EX3 for the PS3 and no complaints for its pricetag. If you have the money to shell out I'd definitely think about upgrading that sucker to a HRAP3.

Well, the triggers mainly just work as multi-presses (K + P + G, for example), or  any other variation like that. I usually set the triggers for grabs (which works nicely in the Soul Calibur games, which have two different types of grabs).

Some fighters, like Mortal Kombat, use the shoulder buttons/triggers to switch between fighting styles.

I'm leaning toward the last one because it makes it easier to pull off combos and multi-presses with the main four buttons all right next to each other. Also, my button alignment will probably be switched up, with the top row of buttons slid to the left to create a vaguely similar button layout to a controller. This'll make it easiest to transition from a controller to the fightstick because the layout will be the same.

Lastly, my colours are going to change. Not sure what all to, but I'm going to go with the shoulder buttons being the same colours (L1/LB and R1/RB will be white, with L2/LT and R2/RT remaining black). That would mean that my white face button would have to switch to a different colour, unless I wanted it to just look stupid.

I'm going to be getting the plywood this week, and building the box first. I have all the controllers available, so I can use the PCBs from those to decide on dimensions. I think I'm going with Sanwa buttons (OBSF-30) and a Sanwa JLW-TM-8 or a JLW-UM-8. Both have the necessary wiring setup, the biggest differences are that the TM-8 has less travel and a shorter shaft - 27mm as opposed to 33mm. I think I'd rather have the longer shaft, but I can't decide. Maybe I can just go with the TM-8 because it's cheaper, eh?

Either way, right now, I can only find Arcadeshop.de as a good store to get these from (GREAT selection, low prices, etc). Know any other good ones? I found a few other stores that I didn't like, but I don't remember which those were.

I've decided I'm going to make it compatible now with ALL last-gen fighters and throw in Dreamcast compatibility as well.

This thing is going to be B.A.

Hmm, this is interesting, I've been looking into purchasing one for SF4, but I refuse to go into China Town to find one.

I highly recommend building one, personally. As I've been researching prices and options, I've been concluding more and more that it's a much better way to go.

First, you get to decide EXACTLY how you want your buttons laid out.

Two, you get to decide EXACTLY what parts you pay for - if you want different buttons/sticks than the fighting stick you buy has, you'll shell out extra cash and end up wasting money.

Three, you can get the same quality use out of a homemade one as you can from a manufactured one, since you can put the same parts into a homemade one. Or better.

Four, it's turning out MUCH cheaper. Since you can shop around for your various parts, you can find everything you need to make an eight-button (four face, four shoulder) Xbox 360 fightstick (complete with start, select, and guide buttons as well) for less than $90 (not including shipping).

Five, you're not restrained to a single console. Mine will be compatible with Xbox 360, PS2, GCN/Wii, and Dreamcast. All of 'em.

Six, if this goes well, I'll begin building these fightsticks to sell. If you like what mine turns out as, let me know and I can figure out a price-point and see how things go. It'll probably be a couple weeks to a couple months before I can complete it, though. Bills and all take precedence.

I'll look into making one, but not until the summer time - I'm actually looking for one to work through at least USB (PS3)...

I'll do some reading when I have the time I guess.

You can have it work for your PS3, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll work across a variety of platforms. Just so you know that. It may have a port on it that works for a variety of systems (good ol' USB), but having USB doesn't mean something with a USB port will recognize it.

Mine will work for the 360, PS2, GCN/Wii, and Dreamcast when I get done with it, but only after I have included the appropriate system's controller guts in it first.

It's going to be a monster of an arcade stick (operationally, of course. I'm trying to make it as small as possible). Man it's going to be awesome. =)

For doing reading, check those sites we linked earlier. That'll hold 90% of the relevant information, with a little extra that you may need to find on your own for your specific situation.

Ok, thanks the thread is bookmarked.

@Tonestarr

Seven, the satisfaction of building your stick and accomplishment that you've created something.

Anywho for arcade parts there's Lizard Lick http://www.lizardlick.com/pages/arcade_parts.shtml although currently they're out of operation till April because of SF4 >

It is April.