Console gamers have relatively few options when it comes to hardware hacking, unless they wish to partake of some extreme modifications that threaten the very integrity of their machines. So without reaching for a Dremel, how can you insert a little individuality into the same standard components all your friends have?
It seems one answer is to customise your controller with some different buttons. There are commercial outfits that will supply your needs in this direction, but they aren’t always cheap, and plenty of older machines have no products available. This isn’t a problem for [RockerGaming] though, who shows us how to cast your own set of custom buttons using a silicone mold taken from the originals.
The video is a step-by-step walkthrough of the molding process that could just as easily be applied to any other small plastic parts and is not unique to console buttons. The subjects come from a Sega Saturn controller, in the video a beige model, which raises a passing interest among European Hackaday scribes who remember the Saturn as a black console.
We see the preparation of the original buttons and mold. An acrylic golf ball trophy display case is pressed into service. (Who knew those were even a thing!) A dye is added to the two-part silicone to provide a visual mixing aid, and once the cast mold is separated from the buttons the final resin is poured into it. The cloned buttons are tidied up underneath with a Dremel, and the controller is reassembled.
A set of custom buttons will not improve your gaming, but underlying this is the fact that resin casting is a useful skill. It’s somewhere we’ve been before in depth, so it’s worth reading our guide from back in 2016.
Thanks [Andrea Campanella] for the tip.
Microsoft, somewhat oddly enough, is making hardware hacking somewhat easier with this interesting official “controller” platform.
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/accessories/controllers/xbox-adaptive-controller
So this is more about the Moulding process casting, for the cheaper faster option EBAY $2 buttons galore already made with some exceptions being bullet buttons coin buttons etc those are more expensive, I’ve slapped some controllers together on $14 AUD china shells and buttons for my young brother he sold one for $200 considering how easy this process is I don’t see how it’s so profitable.
Very true, However, you will not find any buttons for a sega saturn on there nor nintendo switch. Xbox and PS, all day I agree with you.
This is so cool! Thinking about personalizing the buttons!
The Saturn was released in beige and then later in white in Japan only, I believe
Mine are black (article says they are the UK variant?). But ya the beige was the original US release and there was a Japan only white one as well.
I bought a Saturn on release day here in the USA. It was black, never seen a beige one in person. Sure you’re right on this one?
Jenny, thanks for publishing this! I really appreciate it and hope others can benefit from the process! This works with a variety of controllers and while I only featured the Saturn, it works with PS3, Xbox, and Switch. I’m sure it works on more, but those are the only ones I have looked into at this point.
Where can I buy the mold without making it so I can make ultra custom buttons?