37
My thumb stick on my 3ds is disintegrating, and my switch is starting to follow. Please help. (lemmy.today)
submitted 2 weeks ago by YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today to c/retrogaming@lemmy.world
36 comments fedilink hide all child comments

So I'm very large and strong, I think I may be the cause of this. But does anyone know of a strong replacement? I'm capable of installing it myself, but my cursory Google search turned up nil for "strong game sticks"(let the jokes flow)

Just curious if I'm stuck playing d-pad game.

top 36 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] justsquigglez@leminal.space 11 points 2 weeks ago

I would just replace them with normal sticks and then maybe get stick cap/covers akin to these or these.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the links homie!

[-] Sc00ter@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I used to have this problem with my ps controllers. I used to replace sticks, until i realized caps were easier. One time, used metal sticks and that was fine too

Edit: looks like switch only sells as a whole unit. Didnt see any third party metal sticks

[-] fprawn@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Have you checked iFixit? they carry replacement 3DS parts and might have what you need.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 4 points 2 weeks ago

Switch stick in question.

[-] popcar2@piefed.ca 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

This stick doesn't look that bad, if it's still working well you can probably scrape that plastic on the side and put a stick cap on top. Otherwise, I'd recommend going for hall-effect sticks if you're looking to replace it. They're higher quality and last longer than normal sticks.

As an aside, your Switch would REALLY benefit from being cleaned with some compressed air, that D-pad looks rough. All that gunk will get stuck at the bottom eventually which would make it feel very sticky. Same for all that dust under your stick.

[-] KeenFlame@feddit.nu 2 points 2 weeks ago

No, no it ... It looks bad...

[-] LuigiMaoFrance@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago

Replacement stick is less than 5 bucks on Aliexpress.

[-] who@feddit.org 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I think I would start by scouring the web for suitable replacement stick 3D-printer files. Once I had those, I would investigate what 3D-printing filament material is especially strong, and look for a place to print the files with that material.

If there's a hackerspace / makerspace in your area, someone there might be able to help.

Edit: The idea here is to make something that is stronger than the original stick or any cheap plastic replacement, in order to address OP's recurring problem. (I thought that was obvious, but there's at least one rude person here who apparently didn't follow.)

[-] Krudler@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

No. 3D Printing is not the solution to everything. Get a replacement for $1 online. The End.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 0 points 2 weeks ago

Problem is going to be layer adhesion. No matter if I orient it horizontally, or vertically. If injection molding can't stand up to the pressures I'm using, I doubt additive manufacturing will.

Not trying to sound combative btw! I appreciate all input and challenges to my thinking.

[-] wintermute@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 weeks ago

If your really want to go for it, you can order metal 3D prints from jlcpcb. They might require some post processing/polishing for this particular use.

You mentioned in another comment that you ordered some replacements from AliExpress. Those might last even less than the original ones. I would recommend take a look at GuliKit for good quality replacements.

[-] who@feddit.org 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I'm talking about the whole stick, which most likely extends into the device. Not just the broken-off piece of the stick.

If you're determined to avoid opening the enclosure to do the replacement, you might consider drilling a post hole into the remaining piece of the broken stick, and printing a replacement piece with a matching post, but I think you would get better results replacing the entire part.

Edit: Regardless of what new stick you choose, it might be worthwhile to reinforce it by drilling a hole in the center of its post and inserting a metal rod.

I don't know the particulars of these devices, though. It's possible that the stem part of the stick might be too short to easily work with, or the potentiometer assembly might be resist disassembly. Good luck!

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 2 weeks ago

Very good idea! Thank you homie!

[-] Psaldorn@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

So you play around a lot of acetone vapor or something? Actually impressive wear tbh.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 2 weeks ago

Acetone only when I'm blending the layers of an abs print. Otherwise, no. I didn't usually fuck with low vapor pressure chemicals.

[-] Psaldorn@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Ah, a printer. Perhaps, like me you have thousands of shards of plastic from the old style supports (I think I've got a few left waiting to fall out, but the callouses and spikes my hands developed could probably sand a joystick down)

[-] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago

I'm just shocked that you were able to avoid stick drift on the Switch for long enough to wear them down.

[-] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 2 weeks ago

could be unrelated but maybe this is caused by acidic sweat...?

[-] resipsaloquitur@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Acid for blood.

[-] Romkslrqusz@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

If there’s a 3D model / printable replacement, might be able to modify it with a bit of texture and have someone with a CNC mill it from aluminum

It’s probably better for the easily replaceable stick to be the “wear and tear” part rather than the soldered stick module underneath

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago

Dunno why I never saw this comment a week ago, but I could actually make one at work. Why it never dawned on me will continue to bother me throughout the weekend.

[-] DaMummy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

This seems to be a common issue for you. You may have to switch over to using retro devices like AYN, Retroid, Ayaneo as the sticks are easily user replaceable.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago

I actually been spending most my time gaming lately on a steam deck and/or an r36s.

[-] Strider@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

It's really interesting. I own a lot of devices and consoles and usually never experience something like this even on well played systems / controllers.

But in comparison a family member uses his notebook for 1 month and it looks like it had been in a war zone for 30 years.

How??

(I'm not blaming anyone, they're your devices, but really curious how does this degrade this much? )

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 0 points 2 weeks ago

I'm just a big goof and press down harder than most.

[-] Strider@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I don't know. If you look at the picture of the switch lite thumbstick you've shown I would formulate the theory that your body oils slowly decompose plastics with rubber component. 🤷

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 2 weeks ago

Makes sense

[-] smeg@feddit.uk 0 points 2 weeks ago

Same thing happened to my 3DS analogue thingy (it's not really a stick), I just use the jaggy plastic bit and stop playing when it hurts my thumb too much!

[-] TootSweet@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago
[-] smeg@feddit.uk 1 points 2 weeks ago

Haha it's nowhere near as bad as it was playing the original Mario Party on the N64

[-] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

Have you considered taking care of your electronics? That thing is filthy.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

Happened to both sticks on my PS4 controller, only thing I could do was get a new controller. 😟

Not sure how to fix the 3DS, but for the Switch I'd just replace the Joy Con.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 2 weeks ago

Jeebus! I played all the souls games including sekiro and bloodbourne, and my PS4 sticks are fine.

There's a meme about presenting a crown that would fit here.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

3,000+ hours in Destiny and Destiny 2. LOL.

[-] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 1 points 2 weeks ago

You fucking win.

this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2025
37 points (100.0% liked)

RetroGaming

26029 readers
11 users here now

Vintage gaming community.

Rules:

  1. Be kind.
  2. No spam, AI slop, or soliciting for money.
  3. No racism or other bigotry allowed.
  4. Obviously nothing illegal.

If you see these please report them.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Xylinna@lemmy.world
Tenthrow@lemmy.world
gts@lemmy.world