Source for analog joystick pots?

Question

Ideas? These used to be available as surplus EVERYWHERE when they were used in Apple and PC joysticks - a simple 2-axis stick with 10k linear taper pots on each axis, and a threaded handle. Typically the mechanism was a black cube with the pots mounted on two edges, and four screw holes in the top.

I need a few of these for a little art project, but I can't find them at my usual vendors (Jameco, MPJA, All Electronics, Alltronics, Electronic Goldmine, et al). I've found old 15-pin PC analog joysticks at places like geeks.com, but it's not obvious from the photos if these will do for my purpose, since they don't look like the old Apple joysticks.

I actually want to use these as gimbals, not as pots - I will remove the pot and drive the shaft with a servo to aim the stick.

Sjouke Burry · Accepted Answer

go to and input joystick in the searchbox.

larwe · Answer

Not speaking Dutch, I don't know if these people ship to the USA - but the crucial info I see there is: "Geschikt voor: GameCube".

This part isn't exactly what I want - it's much smaller than the old mechanisms I was thinking about - but if I can't find exactly what I'm looking for, I now know I can salvage a Gamecube controller for the parts I need, and they're only $4 each on eBay :)

Thanks for the pointer.

Paul Carpenter · Answer

Well in the past years I have bought these on occassion from places such as Farnmell, RS, Penny and Giles and even Radio Control model shops, for low volume production equipment.

I have seen them refered to as

Joysticks Controllers 2 axis joystick/controllers

Usual sub-classification potentiometric

Even the cheap ones are made by Apem available from places like RS for 4.50 GBP.

Michael A. Terrell · Answer

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Paul E. Bennett · Answer

How about canabalising an old radio control transmitter?-- ********************************************************************Paul E. Bennett...............Forth based HIDECS ConsultancyMob: +44 (0)7811-639972Tel: +44 (0)1235-811095Going Forth Safely ..... EBA. ********************************************************************

Source for analog joystick pots?

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