Proper Microswitch Wiring?

So, I've made a few joysticks in my time. Usually using cherry microswitches with the cheapest tab connectors I could find at Radio Shak (less quality, more money!) with whatever wire I had handy (usually harvested from a CAT5 cable).

Which means I've been using monsterous connectors with thin wire and to hold the whole thing together, I've been soldering the connectors onto the wires.

So basically, I'm doing it the hardest way possible. Granted, the connectors are goin' nowhere (the wire will snap before the connector comes off) but it's such a chore that I now avoid replacing buttons, which means I wont be building any joysticks anytime soon.

So let's stop bad habits. I have a Pelican arcade joystick, with just a great amount of potential. The case is solid. It has PS2/GameCube(therefore Wii)/Xbox(therefore USB) connectors. It has potential. It also has really mealy microswitches.

Anyone care to talk about properly building a joystick wiring harness? What gauge wire with what tab connectors, what kind of stripper/crimper to use?

I've turned what should be work into a sysiphean chore. I'm willing to mend my ways.

Thanks.

I just use the same gauge wire as is found on jamma harnesses. Blue banded quick disconnect tabs and molex connectors for p1 and p2 side to keep everything neat. This is arcade stick wiring though, I don't mess around with console stick mods.

Are you really having a problem removing the quick disconnects from the switches? If so, it sounds like you are using either a bigger size and crimping down the tab side or using to small of a size.

If you are using too thin of wire for the quick disconnects, that can be a pain in the ass as well as the wire will slide out easily no matter how tight you crimp it.

I've been using them for years and replace buttons / sticks with ease.

You could always solder the wire straight to the switches, but that really is a pain in the ass to switch anything out.

You don't like the switches on the Pelicans?

I love those switches, but hate the buttons.