83 replies to this topic

[Jim Difalco]

 

[John Gorski]

A new handle?

[The Number of]

No trigger, all thought controlled.

[Don Weaver]

New handle. Hold cursor in box and description shows Difalco Design Handle  "left handle" / "right handle."

[Jim Difalco]

Yes, this is a sneak peek at my new handle design.

 

I have kept the same distance between the top two mounting holes so this handle can be retrofitted to any controller brand. It has a trick new/old mounting system that locks the controller frame to the rear handle. The bottom has been lengthened 5/8" so your hand will not hang off the bottom of the handle.

 

I kept other controller manufacturers in mind so all the inside posts are gone and the cutout on the top of the rear handle can be used by designs with a one level circuit board without any cutting.

 

The grooves for the fins are gone so painting or applying vinyl wraps will be a snap and look great.

 

Thought control, why didn't I think of that!?!

 

Three trigger options with all new hardware will also be available.

[Steve Deiters]

Capitalism: "Identify a need and fill it."  

 

An interesting example of industrial design that traces it's pistol grip design roots to Russkit in the mid-60's still in use in a constantly evolving format almost seven decades later with influences on all scales of slot racing and R/C cars.

 

Good luck with the new handle. Looking forward to seeing it.

[Cheater]

Thought control, why didn't I think of that!?!

It would have been a bad idea and likely very difficult to execute.

IMO there's a non-trivial percentage of slot racers without a signal with which to link... LOL.

[Jim Difalco]

Thanks, Steve. Desperate times prompted the action. I wish I had done this two years ago.

[SoCal Bill]

Has it become difficult to get the Parma handles? 

I love the idea of a little bit longer grip. I use the Red Fox trigger on my Difalcos.

I can hardly wait for the new wing car model with wire choke!

[Cheater]

Has it become difficult to get the Parma handles?

Bill,

A lot of the Parma product lines are not available any more, including the controller handle and other controller pieces.

[pmwslots]

Can't wait. I will need a few.

[Rotorranch]

I hope blue is an option! Clear blue is even better!

 

Rotor

[Jim Difalco]

The geometry on the Red Fox triggers are a little off from the Parma so the throw is a little shorter on the full power side.

 

Most likely clear and transparent black (not brownish smoke) on the first run of handles.

[jrjr]

Looks great! Got a tentative availability date?

[team burrito]

I would go with a longer beavertail and finger grooves. Just a suggestion.

[Jim Difalco]

Jack, no actual date yet as the final handle tweaks will come after the 3D printed version arrives here within the week and is approved. I might bring the 3D version to Port Jefferson in two weeks. October is a reasonable estimate for arrival.
 
Russ, by the beaver tail I guess you mean the bottom of the handle? That has already been lengthened 5/8". The vertical finger grooves at the top are gone. They were replaced by my horizontal fins. The two fins on the front of the handle can easily be removed to expose the wiper bands if desired. The top of the handle is already opened up so there is no cutting involved to fit the new handle to any of my old controllers.
 
Racers, any suggestions on features or changes you want to see? If something is really good it may not be too late to add it.

[John Streisguth]

By beavertail, I am assuming he means the extension towards the back of the handle that typically would rest on the top of the crook between your thumb and forefinger (it's a term commonly used when discussing handgun design). 

I would not recommend finger grooves in the grip area, since everyone has different size hands they may not line up right for everyone.

[Jim Difalco]

Oh, I get it. No finger grooves on the bottom like some gun grips. I thought he was referring to the top fingers on a traditional Parma handle. People are very picky about their controller handle so the bottom half will feel exactly like a Parma.
 
The longer beavertail might be great for racers using their pointer finger for driving but horrible for racers using their middle finger. Maybe now racers will figure out why I started a survey on which finger they drive with back in April! This also helped me decide to have three different trigger options for racers: traditional flat, curved, and two-finger.
 
I will post a better view of the actual handle soon.

[jrjr]

By beavertail, I am assuming he means the extension towards the back of the handle that typically would rest on the top of the crook between your thumb and forefinger (it's a term commonly used when discussing handgun design).

Exactly. It helps protect the skin from the slide when firing the gun. 1911s are most notable for the larger beavertails.

[Revtor]

Exciting, Jim. Always cool to see something new for the hobby. Even as mundane as a controller handle!

Steve

[Jim Difalco]

Here is a 3D look at the handle instead of the graphic.

 

[jrjr]

Awesome sauce!

[boxerdog]

Nice piece, smart universal design, good timing, and the best part is he put his name on the handle! 

[B.C.]

will the opening on the top go down far enough for mush button/brake button? or will we have to trim away to fit?

[Jim Difalco]

The handle is already cut for the mush button in the thumb location, but not on the front position.