Has anyone ever created a custom built DIVA controller?

Edit: First I'd like to say Hi, I'm new to these forums, and new to this game too. With the release of Project DIVA F here in the states, I quickly got into this game. I'm a rhythm game junkie, and I can truly say I'm a big, big fan of this game, and I want to get into it as deep as possible. Thank you for having me!

I'm very, very interested in building my own project diva F controller.

However, due to the retarded scratch notes, building this, and finding parts for it, has become something of a chore. I'm unable to purchase parts currently, I'm not quite ready to start building nor do i have the knowhow or even the money, however, I am interested in finding everything I need so I can begin the prototyping process in order to have a working product.

Someone has been able to create one, his name being blackraen, but he used the PCB from the project diva mini controller in order to construct his. Realistically, I don't have the funds to do that. I can't afford to buy a $150 USD controller to just tear it apart and put my own buttons in it, god forbid I screw up and end up damaging the PCB from solder connections. But what I do have is the access to quality supplies on the cheap, and the will to learn and build a beautiful quality stick to play this game at a high level.

I just need to know if someone has been able to build a controller WITHOUT pulling apart a $150 controller. If I have to, ill pull apart a DS3. I just would like to talk to someone who's tried, succeeded, anything.

Shoryuken has nothing on this, but what I do know, is 8 button D-PAD setups is possible

It's that goddamned analog stick driving me nuts. It's driving me goddamned nuts.

With the DS3 pcb, it's possible to have the analog sticks, but I just don't know if it's feasible, or if there's an easier way.

Spoiler

 

INCREDIBLY helpful. I cannot believe how helpful you guys have been, I did not think ONCE of using the arduino as a PCB!

I have easy access to those too, I work at a radioshack (It's a pieces/parts store here in the states), that I can get all this stuff right here at home! Importing the arcade buttons, no problem, the buttons are not expensive at all, but if this is how someone has done it, I know for a fact it will work. Thank you thank you thank you

I can now rest easy knowing that this is entirely possible, last night, my searches came up null and void and literally frustrated me to the point of anger. But now that I woke up to this glorious posting, I am very happy.

As far as working with cyberkevin goes, i'm sure he would be helpful,I don't speak french. does cyberkevin speak english to the point of communication? Google translate is rude, I don't care if foreigners use it for me (I'm an english major, lol), but I don't like using it for foreigners.

 

upon reading a terribly translated version of that site you linked me to, it seems that you can use L,R for the scratch notes eliminating all headache. Thank you, you guys couldn't have been helpful enough.