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Hit 100 controller mods and realized something about my thumbstick method
I keep a log of every mod I do on my controllers. Last weekend I hit exactly 100 mods, starting back in 2019. Turns out I have swapped thumbsticks on 42 of those controllers. What surprised me was that I still prefer the simple method of using a hair dryer to soften the glue instead of buying a fancy heat gun. It takes about 30 seconds longer per stick but I have never once damaged a thumbstick cap this way. Has anyone else stuck with a cheap tool even after trying the more expensive option for the same job?
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cooper.nathan10d agoTop Commenter
42 controllers with swapped sticks, that's some dedication. I used to be all about the heat gun, thought the hair dryer was for amateurs. But I blew a cap melting it too fast once and that cheap little dryer hasn't let me down since. It's just more forgiving, you can really feel the glue soften instead of guessing. It changed my whole mindset on spending big for a tool that does the same job slower and safer. I still grab the heat gun for metal parts but for sticks it's the dryer every time.
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see I gotta disagree here, I think the heat gun is way better if you know what you're doing. the hair dryer takes too long and that time adds up when you're doing a bunch of sticks. plus a heat gun gives you way more control over the temperature if you get one with adjustable settings, you just gotta pay attention instead of leaning on "feeling the glue soften" which is kind of vague and unreliable. I've done over 60 stick swaps with a cheap heat gun and never melted a cap because I keep it moving and test the glue often. the hair dryer just feels like playing it safe when you don't need to, and I'd rather spend the extra money on a tool that actually saves me time and frustration. but hey, to each their own, if it works for you that's what matters.
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