Flush Mounting Betson Universal/X Gaming/Electric ICE GGG Trackballs (No MPlate)

[Epyx]

All these trackballs are essentially Betson Universal clones. Their design allows for flush mounting with a few modifications and the right bolts.  

You may have a better way but here is how I did it. Thanks to Franco B for the inspiration via his JLW/JLF top mounting procedure (which worked fantastic btw!).

Step 1:

Ensure trackball is centered. Best way to measure this is by placing the trackball upside down and resting the flat portion on your CP to see if it provides you with enough distance from buttons and comfortable hand rolling.

Step 2:

These trackballs are 3" trackballs but require a 2 7/8" hole saw bit.



Step 3:

Once the hole is cut I place the trackball in from underneath and line up the base and then trace it for the routing.



Step 4:

You want to use a straight bit and route down to within 1/4" of the top of the CP.  Remember when routing by hand go clockwise around the perimeter or counterclockwise when within the frame (coin door etc).  If you are not sure of doing it by hand along your pencil lines use straight edges clamped to your board to keep the router in bounds.  My first pass is usually within the pencil mark so I can work into a tight fit. A snug fit will balance the load on your bolts.



Step 5:

I then mount the trackball and screw through the trackballs existing  bolt holes so the holes are bang on.



Step 6:

For flush mounting I used these hex bolts (3 1/2") from Home Depot or other hardware stores as they are perfect length...have a nice flat head and a nice diameter to spread out their surface area.

[Epyx]

Step 7:

Put the bolt through the top of the CP and trace with pencil around the head



Step 8:

Turn off your router and plunge the depth to match the head of the hex bolt.  Should be just over 1/16". This will leave you with plenty of material thickness (just under 1/4") given the wide surface area of the hex bolts.  Route out the circle you traced and repeat for each bolt hole.



You can now cover with artwork/plexi or laminate for a nice flush finish.

Here is mine with laminate:

[jmike]

 
      Great tutorial.  I'm kicking myself because I have the same (Betson) trackball and I used a mounting plate. I got it flushed with the CP but this would have been a lot easier.

Any ideas where I can get new rollers for a 3" inch trackball? I tried GGG but they've been out of stock for ever.

 

[Epyx]

There's always the next project

As for rollers, you bet:

Ebay Link

Twisted Quarter

[jmike]

   Thank you. I was about to pay $50 for another trackball from x-arcade.

About the next project(s)  currently working on a bar top, fight stick, and will soon start planning a 2 player fight stick.

 

[Epyx]

Np 

Fun projects for sure...gl!

[SammyWI]

Nice write up.  Thanks.  I like the low head bolts you found.  I've get an Xgaming Trackball that I'm going to be putting in a CP, so I'll be using this soon.

[Epyx]

Ya the Xgaming trackball is probably the only thing from XGaming I would recommend...its a quality trackball which is comfortable and comes with USB/3 button support right out of the box.

Gl and message me if you have any questions!

[csa3d]

The bolt idea is a bit cleaner of an idea.  I did the same thing a while back for my Galaxian and it worked out pretty well.  Be certain before routing that you know which end is supposed to face up IE: roller bearings to face the bottom of the panel.

Pictures of how I did it here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59170.msg744611#msg744611

[Epyx]

@csa3d

I like the screw approach as well. My only concern would be splitting MDF as it sometimes splits when screwed from the side but coupled with glue or straps etc would work just fine even if this were to happen.

[spystyle]

Super