Custom Happ Trackball?

[hypersurfer]

Does anyone have a source?  I'm going with a Silver Surfer/Galactus theme on my cabinet.

Would love to have an Earth or Moon trackball on here.

Thanks.

[Brutick]

Shoot a PM to rablack97. He has contacts with external suppliers which have made clear trackballs in the past.

Worth a shot at least

[Slippyblade]

Oh.  I love the idea of Galactus grabbing the Earth like that!

[DeLuSioNal29]

How about this?  Kinda looks like a planet.

http://www.twistedquarter.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_118&products_id=482

DeLuSioNaL29

[hypersurfer]

Thanks, DeLuSioNaL29.  That TwisterQuarter version was the one that gave me the original idea.  That is definitely an option.  I'll PM rablack97.

Thanks, everyone.

[Xiaou2]

http://www.thespacestore.com/speamapas.html

 Search " Earth Paperweight "

 And a lot of stuff will pop up.

 The only other options, are probably a lot more costly, difficult, and wont hold up to the abuses of typical trackball play / and hand oils / grime.

[hypersurfer]

paperweight search is yielding some good results. Had never thought of that. Thanks for the idea, Xiaou2!

This one is tempting:  http://www.amazon.com/Andromedome-Paperweight-Earth-Andromeda-Diameter/dp/B001CRIYZI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393521767&sr=8-3&keywords=earth+paperweight

Just need to ensure its completely round and not flat on the bottom which is what I'm expecting from the 2nd photo.

[melvinbates]

I'm afraid that the andromedome is a dome shaped paperweight and not a globe.  A quick look on google images shows a few with a better side view.  (Must say I was excited by the idea of using it as a trackball as that would look awesome)

[pbj]

I always thought a juggling ball would work well but I cheap out and never replace them.

[DeLuSioNal29]

How about this?
http://www.thespacestore.com/spcreapam.html

[hypersurfer]

Here's my next brainstorm:

Get this set of marbles: http://www.amazon.com/SHASTA-Earth-Mars-Moon-marbles/dp/B0066AOIHO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393532232&sr=8-3&keywords=earth+moon+marble

Get a box of clear epoxy: http://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-8-Ounce-Casting-Craft/dp/B000XAR0DM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393532720&sr=8-2&keywords=clear+epoxy

Use original Happ trackball as a mold.

Insert said marbles into goo and wait to harden and hope it turns out like this:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131493.0.html

Major concerns:  only one shot to get it right. getting mold perfectly smooth, lack of control where Earth and moon wind up in the casting.

Hmmmmm

[pbj]

DO IT

[TKW4rr10r]

How about this?
http://www.thespacestore.com/spcreapam.html

Damn that's a contender right there. My concern would be the wear on the clear coating. This is an incredible idea.

[yotsuya]

Damn that's a contender right there. My concern would be the wear on the clear coating. This is an incredible idea.

From the site:

This paperweight features Mother Earth in all her glory. Approximately 3 inches in diameter, this crystal earth has amazing topographical detail. Click on the image for a larger picture. The wooden stand is not included - the sphere will stand alone.
 

This probably means that there is just enough cut off the bottom/the bottom is flat enough so that the paperweight is not a perfect sphere, I'm guessing.

[TKW4rr10r]

Now I couldn't find any "globes", but found something else interesting:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Giant-Natural-Sodalite-Quartz-Ball-3-03-Inch-Crystal-Sphere-Orb-Healing-Free-Shipping/425216560.html

Look further down the page and you can see some pretty cool pics, some look "earth or terrain planet like".

Just spit-balling. Have no idea how this would work in a trackball environment. It weighs in at 1.3lbs, so not nearly as heavy as some of the other materials I've seen. Could work....

[TKW4rr10r]

Another link to check out:


http://www.shop.saimport.com/Striped-Agate-Sphere-863.htm;jsessionid=0DEABBA08DCBEF49C07DBE466570ED9E.m1plqscsfapp01

I'm getting a star wars-y vibe off this one.

[KIguy]

First, I just wanted to say your CPO graphic is freaking AWESOME!

Second, I am not "in the know" as far as custom trackballs go but I would like to point out that making a custom trackball with the epoxy method might be problematic. Due to the (most likely) different densities of the balls and epoxy, you're likely to end up with "heavy" spots in the sphere that cause it to be off-balance and not spin straight. Just a cautionary FYI

Either way, good luck and please post what you end up buying/making, I am anxious to see how the finished product looks

[hypersurfer]

Thanks, TKW4rr10r.  That may be the safest route to go.

I'm tracking a few options on ebay right now.  Most of the size I need are in China with a two month shipping estimate.

Google image search for examples for those curious: https://www.google.com/search?q=sodalite+sphere&safe=off&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=qOMQU-6fHIzfkQea7YCgDg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=815

I'll keep this post updated.

Thanks again everyone.

[ChanceKJ]

Just wanted to add that i picked up a Clear contact juggling ball for my build at jugglegear.com and they have a bunch of cool options. UV Responsive ones, Steel, crystal clear, etc. The people that run the shop are LEGIT. I had a chance to meet them in person (Calgary Based) and get a look at their operation and i was quite impressed.

[RandyT]

Juggling balls are made from acrylic, and are considerably lighter and less scratch/chip resistant than what actual trackballs are made from.  The lighter balls will also affect the spin duration and feel, so that's something to keep in mind when shopping.

[yotsuya]

Thinking about it, what Randy says makes sense. I guess Chance gets to be the guinea pig.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Hey ChanceKJ, what size did you end up getting for the 3" replacement?  They have a few different options on that site in mm.

Also, do they carry anything for 2 1/4" trackball replacements?

DeLuSioNaL29

[PL1]

Hey ChanceKJ, what size did you end up getting for the 3" replacement?  They have a few different options on that site in mm.

Also, do they carry anything for 2 1/4" trackball replacements?

DeLuSioNaL29

76mm balls are about 3" (76.2mm) so either this one (non UV) or this one. (clear under normal light, "Mountain Dew" under UV)

For a 2-1/4" replacement, you would need a 57.15mm -- the closest they have is 65mm. (2.5591")


Scott
     * This post brought to you by one of those interactive websites that convert inches to mm and vice-versa.

[ChanceKJ]

So far so good. I've learnt that contact jugglers are pretty anal about making sure the ball is as clear as it can be. So scratch wise after playing with it in the enclosure I havnt had any issues. I'll keep my eye on the ball... So to speak.

Scott's right it was the 76mm. I didn't have a scale to weigh it but it feels extremely close. And size is an exact match according to my caliper.

[yotsuya]

So far so good. I've learnt that contact jugglers are pretty anal about making sure the ball is as clear as it can be. So scratch wise after playing with it in the enclosure I havnt had any issues. I'll keep my eye on the ball... So to speak.

Scott's right it was the 76mm. I didn't have a scale to weigh it but it feels extremely close. And size is an exact match according to my caliper.

Test it on a game like Missile Command and see how much spin you get after you release the ball. A game like Centipede is much more precise than Missile Command, especially if you do the "toxic cloud" strategy.