ALL NEWS ITEMS

06/01/10 - Use code "SUMMER2010" to get instant $200 off of any order of $1200 or greater.

05/25/10 - We are switching from one credit card processing company to another and until this process is complete, Paypal will be  our only online payment method. 

05/20/10 -  The reproduction Amplifone tubes have passed testing and we've OK'd the full production run. 

05/15/10 - Amplifone reproduction CRT's (tubes) are almost ready.  We just obtained our pre-production samples from the vendor.  We'll test them and report back.

05/10/10 - Amplifone HV PCB's and deflection PCB's are nearly complete.  Watch for them -- they're on pre-sale now.  Please go here to order.

05/02/10 - Star Wars yoke controllers are still being shipped.  Assembly time has been slow, but we're shipping them daily.  If you have not received your order yet, please stand-by.  Shipping continues.

04/21/10 - We have received 5 working samples of the new Amplifone yoke coils.  We tested them and they performed perfectly.  We've OK'd the production run on this item.  We should have them available very soon.  We will sell these stand-alone for use with existing (OEM) CRT's and installed on the new reproduction CRT's when we have them in stock.

04/11/10 - Star Wars yoke, Paperboy handlebar controller USB adapters are now available and shipping.  Please go here to order them. 

03/28/10 - Star Wars yoke controllers are now again available for sale.  Please go here to order them.  To read the full production BLOG, please go here.

03/02/10 - The blank PCB's for WG6100 HV & deflection boards have been completed.  We're going to start on assembly as soon as we get the remainder of the components in stock.

02/20/10 - Paperboy controller parts are now available. Please go here to order them.

02/08/10 - New versions of the 720 rebuild kits are now available.  Please go here to order them.

01/29/10 - Tempest encoder flywheels and flywheel caps are now available.  Please go here to order them.

01/12/10 - Star Wars yokes are on backorder status while one production flaw is being corrected - sorry about the delay.  To read the full production BLOG, please go here.

12/27/09 - Star Wars yoke controllers are now available for sale.  Please go here to order them.  To read the full production BLOG, please go here.

08/22/09 - Tempest encoder discs are now available.  Please go here to order them.

08/18/09 - 720 encoder and centering discs are now available.  Please go here to order them.

08/02/09 - The server was offline most of yesterday and part of today for maintenance.  It's back online again.  All is well.

07/24/09 - Red Baron controller shafts are completed and added to the online store.  Also, the Food Fight/Red Baron/Battlezone pivot balls are completed and added the the online store.

07/01/09 - Merchant account has been  set up.  We now accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover Card directly through our online store (as well as PAYPAL).

06/26/09 - PAYPAL is now fully accepted as the payment method of choice for all online orders.

06/24/09 - Food Fight shafts, knobs and assembled handles are now available.  To order, go here.

06/21/09 - Pre-orders open on Major Havoc Control Panel Overlay, Major Havoc Dedicated Marquee and I, Robot control panel.  Click on pictures in middle of main page to place orders.

06/19/09 - Several artwork projects have been started up again.  Major Havoc CPO and marquee, I, Robot CP decals and marquee.

06/17/09 - Tempest spinner encoder hubs are completed, tempest spinner shafts are completed and food fight joystick shafts are completed.

06/13/09 - Pre-orders open on Lunar Lander thrust controller, Star Wars yoke controller, Major Havoc dedicated control panel.  Click on pictures in middle of main page to place orders.

06/10/09 - 720 control handles (knobs and shafts) are now available.  Please go here to order them.

05/11/09 - Second OEM I, Robot control panel being sought to complete related project.

04/17/09 - Tempest spinner project nearing completion.  Stay tuned for rebuild kits and complete control assembly availability.

03/16/09 - 2-1/4" Major Havoc / 720 t-molding and 1-1/5" Star Wars Cockpit t-molding is now available.

02/10/09 - I, Robot & Major Havoc control panels are being worked on right now.  Stay tuned for pre-order to open up on them sometime soon.

01/09/09 - Online ordering has been converted to an "honor system" in which orders are shipped ahead (cross shipped) before payment is made by customer.

12/15/08 - All projects have progressed.  720 controller, SW Yoke controller, Lunar Lander thrust controller and Tempest Spinner should all be available sometime during 2009. 

12/01/08 - Second OEM Lunar Lander thrust controller secured.  Project is now back on track.

11/23/08 - Online ordering has been restored at RAM Controls.  Click here to place an order.

10/25/08 - The Star Wars yoke project BLOG has been updated with new pictures of the first article handles, complete with powder coat!

10/23/08 - We have taken receipt of the latest order of parts for the Hall Effect controller (the magnets used in the slide plates) and the 720 rotary controller (the 32 tooth and 9 tooth sprockets).  We should have the order pages updated soon with these additional components.

10/15/08 - The Lunar Lander thrust controller project hit a small snag.  We're trying to secure a second OEM controller to take measurements from.  Standby, this project is all but completed.  The thrust controller should be available well before Christmas '09.

10/09/08 - Star Wars handle cast samples just came in today.  These samples turned out perfect!  It appears that our new choice of aluminum alloy is working out great.  It is stronger than the OEM material and it lends itself to a good powder coat with negligible outgas issues.  Just waiting to sign this off before the full production run begins.

10/03/08 - We have begun the production run of Tempest spinner encoder wheels (Atari part number 036798-01).  We're running off a huge supply of 1000pcs.  Made from 0.010" stainless steel, these are better than OEM.  These should be available shortly.

09/29/08 - We have started the production run of Hall Effect and Logo stick "joystick disc" (Atari part number 039713-01).  We're running off a lifetime supply of 2500pcs.  Made from black ABS, these are going to be identical to NOS parts, but newer!

09/21/08 - We've posted job openings on Monster for two additional Laser table operators.  Applicants must be familiar with the Mazak Hyper Turbo-X 4000W 2D cutting table and be capable of working the graveyard shift.  If interested, please send in resume and references via email.  PDF format preferred..

09/18/08 - Star Wars yoke handles are still in process as of today.  We're still in the queue to get these parts cast from the new alloy.  Again, refunds are still available to any existing pre-order customers.  Contact sales for any assistance.

09/14/08 - The I, Robot control panel project has hit a snag with the plastic vendor we were using to complete the panel itself.  Another company has bit the dust, so we're searching for an alternate vendor to utilize.  In the meantime, this project will continue as we still need to manufacture the other rigid components which we can do in-house.

09/09/08 - The Major Havoc cabinet project has been put on hold temporarily while we work on completing the Major Havoc control panel and cabinet head side pieces "ears".  All of these items will be made available separately for anyone who needs replacement parts for existing OEM cabinets.

09/01/08 - Production run of upper ball and lower ball for the "logo" sticks has been completed.  These parts are now available for purchase. 

08/28/08 - We've posted job openings on Monster for four additional CNC operators and one floor supervisor.  Applicants must be familiar with Hass VF series and Haas SL series and be capable of working the graveyard shift.  Specific knowledge of the VF-5/50, VF-11/40 and SL-30L would be preferred, but any experience on Haas CNC's is acceptable for applicants.  If interested, please send in resume and references via email.  PDF format preferred..

08/23/08 - Star Wars yoke handle casting is still in process.  We placed the order a month ago, so we're in the queue.  The good news is that the casting mold has already been made previous to the alloy change and it will work fine with the new production run.  So, we'll save a little bit of time there. 

08/20/08 - Star Wars yoke, Lunar Lander thrust controller, Assault joystick, Gimbal joystick and Hall Effect joystick rebuild kits are now available in many different flavors.  Contact sales for more information or to order specific parts needed.  You can also make purchases of our reproduction parts at our reseller:  www.videogameparts.com.

08/15/08 - Again, we would like to mention that if you have an existing pre-order for the Star Wars yoke and you no longer wish to wait for our reproduction version to be completed, contact our sales department and they will issue a full refund to you.  Please accept our apologies for the continued delay with this project.

08/09/08 - The Lunar Lander thrust controller cover production run has been completed.  The plastics industry as a whole has been hard hit by the economy.  From our perspective, four out of every five plastics shops we're aware of have closed up shop in the U.S. over the last year and half.  This has caused delay upon delay in getting these covers produced.  One small part still needs to be completed for this project before the assembly of this project will begin.

08/04/08 - Another run (300 units) of Major Havoc controller assemblies completed and ready for shipment.

07/30/08 - We have located a source for the component needed for the Major Havoc adaptor boards.  An order has been placed for a few samples.  Also, in related news, we've also completed a slight redesign of the boards which may resolve the issue if these sourced parts don't function as planned.  Either way, we should have this project nailed.

07/24/08 - Note: there are only a few Star Wars yoke pre-orders remaining.  We would like to again mention that if you have a pre-order for this item and you no longer wish to wait for our reproduction version of the Star Wars yoke to be completed, contact our sales department and they will issue a full refund to you.  Please accept our apologies for the continued delay with this project.

07/22/08 - It's been a little over a week now and the Star Wars yoke handles manufactured with the new alloy appear to have accepted the powdercoat without incident.  Production run of the new alloy handles will begin shortly.  We have to shop this part out to a casting vendor, so it may take awhile.  The casting industry appears to have been unaffected by the economic downturn which means they're busier than ever.  Stay tuned for more information on this topic.

07/16/08 - Major Havoc adapter board samples have been completed.  Physically, these are exact matches to the OEM boards.  However, issues have been noted with regard to sourcing one single component needed for these adaptor boards.  Due to this, we cannot reliably test functionality at this time.  Redesign of the circuit may be required.  In the meantime, identifying and sourcing the part continues.

07/15/08 - The website was down for a couple of days while we changed hosting services.   Everything should be fine now.

07/14/08 - The powdercoat testing on the new Star Wars yoke handles appears to have been successful.  We're going to let the coat sit for a awhile to see if there is any delayed reaction before we officially call this issue resolved.  Stay tuned.

07/11/08 - Projects have been resumed as of 07/09/08.  Notables of today: the sample Star Wars yoke handles manufactured from the new alloy material have been completed.  We're going to powdercoat them and will have results shortly.  Stay tuned.

07/04/08 - All projects at RAM Controls are temporarily shut down while David is working a contract in Australia.  Projects will resume in about 1 week while project management is reassigned.  Stay tuned..

06/30/08 - The production run of gimbals has been completed.  These parts are now available for purchase. 

06/20/08 - The Star Wars yoke project has been stalled yet again because of the powdercoating.  In April '08 we entertained the idea that maybe the alloy we used was at fault and, after much testing, we determined that this was in fact the issue at hand.  After two months of trial and error, we've chosen a new alloy for the handles which is both stronger (a lot stronger) than the OEM handle material and does not react poorly with the powdercoating.  We will now begin the process of creating a small sampling of the handles with the new alloy and powdercoat them.  Essentially, this project is approximately 85% completed at this time.

06/11/08 - Replacement Atari encoder boards have been completed.  These will be used with our reproduction Tempest spinner.

06/09/08 - Gimbal samples are completed and have been approved.  We will begin production of this part.  Note: Online ordering remains shut down while work is performed on our new e-commerce site.  If you need parts in the meantime, please visit our main reseller:  www.videogameparts.com.

05/25/08 - We are running off a few samples of the redesigned gimbals, we should have results within a week.

05/17/08 - Food Fight / Red Baron top plates have been completed.

05/11/08 - A slight redesign of a few of the gimbal joystick gimbals has been approved for our reproduction joysticks.  This redesign will alleviate the need for the linkages which has always been the weakest component in the original design.  This redesign will net a much more reliable controller.  Note: These reproduction gimbals will work with OEM controllers and the reproduction linkages will still be available for the OEM controllers using OEM gimbals.

05/02/08 - Initial samples of replacement Atari encoder boards has been approved and production run has been started.

04/28/08 - Food Fight / Red Baron linkages have been completed.

04/21/08 - Issues with the powdercoating persist with the handles.  The coat produced is uneven.  After having discussing the matter, we believe that it has something to do with the aluminum alloy that we're using.  Further testing must be performed in order to determine exactly why we continue to have issues with the coat process on the handles.  Stay tuned for more information.

04/08/08 - We have begun the powdercoat process on the Star Wars yoke handles.  Stay tuned for updates.

04/03/08 - Initial samples of Food Fight / Red Baron linkages and top plate have been approved and production run on both has been started.

03/31/08 - Updates are being uploaded to the server.  The site should be completely updated within the next day or two.  All online ordering is still shut down while we work on the new e-commerce site.  If you need parts in the meantime, please visit our main reseller:  www.videogameparts.com.

03/28/08 - Control of server access has been successfully transferred.  Website updates have resumed.

03/15/08 - Star Wars yoke project finally coming to a close.  Powdercoating issues appear to have been overcome once and for all.  The handle assembly frame and the steering assembly frame look excellent.  Check out the latest on the project here.

03/01/08 - The remainder of the hardware needed for the Lunar Lander project has been received.  Check here to see the progress on this project.

02/22/08 - We're considering a slight redesign of a few of the gimbal joystick components which will net a much more reliable part.  Check out the project blog here for more information on the subject.

02/21/08 - Food Fight / Red Baron linkages and top plates are nearly completed.

02/05/08 - More updates to the Major Havoc dedicated cabinet project BLOG have been made, including photographs.  Check it out here.

01/28/08 - Circuit board projects progressing.  Replacement Atari encoder board design completed.  Major Havoc adapter board designs nearly completed.  

01/24/08 - 4000 piece run of Lunar Lander springs has been completed.  These are an absolute perfect match for the OEM part. Check it out here.

01/19/08 - We've posted a job opening on Monster for a powder coat operator.  If interested, please send in resume via email.  PDF format preferred..

01/12/08 - RAM Controls projects are now back into production.  E-Commerce site is being developed.  In the meantime, all ordering on this site has been shut down.  For ordering of individual parts, please visit www.videogameparts.com

12/15/07 - All projects at RAM Controls are temporarily shut down while David is working a contract in Australia.  Projects will resume in mid-January.  Stay tuned..

12/01/07 - Our initial attempts at using the powder coating equipment has been met with some difficulties, but we're working on it. Stay tuned for more information.

11/22/07 - We now have our very own in-house powder coating capabilities.  With some luck, this should speed things along with the SW Yoke project.

11/17/07 - The new potentiometers for the Lunar Lander thruster project have arrived!  These are better than the OEM parts!!  Check it out here.

10/30/07 - Discs of Tron optical encoder board has been completed.

10/10/07 - Updates to the Major Havoc dedicated cabinet project BLOG have been made, including photographs.  Check it out here.

09/28/07 - 2000 piece run of Assault joystick handles has been completed.  These are injection molded parts.  You can order them here.

09/05/07 - Discs of Tron Environmental CPO and floor artwork project has been started.

09/02/07 - We've taken receipt of our brand new Thermwood CNC Router.  This bad boy is going to be the centerpiece of our cabinet making projects.

08/15/07 - The Lunar Lander thrust controller cover prototype has been completed.  Check out the progress here.

08/03/07 - Discs of Tron / Tron joystick project started.  The first item to be done: handle molds.  We've been testing different types of plastics and additives to get the correct color under normal light and the "glow" effect under a blacklight.

07/24/07 - Hall Effect sensor board (used in I, Robot, Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters and Road Runner) is now completed.  Check out the progress here.

07/17/07 - Lunar Lander thrust controller base has been completed.  The assembly is precision laser cut, welded and painted.  Check out the progress here.

07/10/07 - 720 Degrees rotary controller "endless loop" chain has been made.  Check out the progress here.

07/01/07 - Atari LED button reproductions have been added to the production lineup.  We'll base our design on the "Licon" version, but it will be made to accept standard Cherry brand sub-miniature snap action switches.  We'll offer them in standard red, of course.  Additionally, we'll manufacture them in blue, green, yellow and white.  We'll also produce standard non-LED black buttons as well.  This should be an interesting project.

06/27/07 - There has been a delay with the Star Wars yoke project due to powder coating issues.  Stay tuned for more information.  Visit the project BLOG here for specific updates.

06/20/07 - Star Wars "premium" yoke rebuild kit added to the lineup of available SW yoke parts.  This kit includes all the shafts and spring pins. You can order them here.

06/18/07 - We've begun the process of cutting the molds for the Assault joystick handles, check progress here.  We should have the completed run of handles sometime in late September or early October.  Also, the Lunar Lander thrust controller handle weldments have been completed are available here.

06/11/07 - The Lunar Lander thrust controller handle bars are now completed and available here.

05/29/07 - 1000 piece run of Atari "Logo" stick pivot balls has been completed.  The part is made from machined delrin.  They turned out beautiful!  They can be used on the 720 stick (here), assault sticks (here), hall effect sticks (here), etc.

05/25/07 - Some progress has been made on the Lunar Lander thrust controller.  Most of the parts with the exception of the handle, base and the cover are completed.  The parts which are completed are now available available here.

05/22/07 - Star Wars yoke gears and full rebuild kits are now available here.

05/01/07 - Several updates made to the website today.  Many recent updates never took effect due to a web publishing software issue.  Project BLOG section added here to help direct people to the various projects going on over here.  99% of the items are placeholders until I can get the related section(s) online. Wanted Section also added here.

02/15/07 - 720 Degrees dual optical encoder boards are now available here.  Also, Hall effect boards will be available in June or July (used in I, Robot, Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters and Road Runner).

02/09/07 - Star Wars yoke pre-sale now open here.  Complete unit nearing completion.  Project BLOG for Star Wars yoke online here.

01/17/07 - Tempest Spinner and Discs of Tron spinner added to the production lineup.  Pre-production Tempest spinner will be modeled shortly.

01/15/07 - 720 controller project restarted - optical devices for dual encoder board acquired.  Pivot balls to be produced shortly and made available for individual sale.  Star Wars yoke handle prototype casts are complete. Abuse testing to commence.

01/05/07 - We've run into a small snag with the Star Wars yoke.  The delivery of the gears has been rescheduled.  We've decided to have the control wiring custom made by a local wire manufacturer, so we're in a holding pattern in the meantime.

12/29/06 - RAM Controls projects are now back into production.  Star Wars yoke parts are now available and will be made available online shortly.  Complete yoke assemblies are not yet available.

09/15/06 - Production runs at RAM Controls is temporarily shut down while David heads up an R&D project in Texas.  You may still order online, however.  Stay tuned.

08/20/06 - Atari gimbal type joysticks are in production.  Maxi-Trackball project is on hold temporarily while cost analysis is performed.  Star Wars yoke production is nearly complete.

08/14/06 - Star Wars yokes are in full production.  Most of the small parts will be available shortly, including the rubber bumpers, shafts, trigger and button..

07/29/06 - 1000 piece run of Atari part number 039712-01 (Joystick Plunger) has been completed. This part is used on several joysticks. Go here to check them out.

07/15/06 - Tall Black Button Cones are back in stock and ready for shipment.  This item added to order page.

07/05/06 - Tall Black Button Cones are temporarily out of stock due to the "cone wars".  They will be restocked around the second week of July.

07/01/06 - Button Cones are in stock and ready for shipment.  These items have been added to the order page.

06/28/06 - 4.5" balls are in stock and ready for shipment.  This item has been added to the order page.

06/23/06 - 4.5" ball  will be in stock and ready for shipment on the 28th.  Complete Maxi Trak-Ball assembly still in production phase.

06/22/06 - Translucent roller in stock, first 200 Major Havoc controller assemblies complete and ready for shipment..  Individual part sales now available as well.

06/07/06 - Production run of OEM translucent roller for Major Havoc controller has begun.  We should have in stock by June 22nd.