Trackball mounting question

[lowlytech]

I have a 3" happ trackball.  I have gotten to the point where I need to layout my control panels and because I planned for removable panels I have ran into a space issue where the very top mount hole will be flush or ever so slightly over the top edge of my 5/8 MDF control panel board.  I was thinking my two options are to not use this top mount point but I didn't know what consequences would occur from only having 3 bolts, or I could buy the 2 1/4 trackball and try to sell this 3" one I currently have.  Any thoughts would be appreciated on this matter.  Since I opted for swapable panels and rotating monitor, this cabinet has given me a run for my money, especially for my first build.

Thanks..

[severdhed]

I don't know if I fully understand the dilemma.  As for the trackball, I played centipede for the first time the other day on an original cabinet with a brand new 2¼" trackball, and I found it to be way harder to control than with the 3" trackballs in my cabinets. I'd keep the 3"one of you can find a way to mount it. Maybe a picture would help

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[lowlytech]

Thanks for the info on the smaller trackball not being a good go.  I think I can move the trackball down, I just will have to cut out part of the MDF that is acting as the control panel "lock".  How close to the edge of MDF can you go before having a catastrophic blowout?  I think I can get it moved down where I am 1/2 inch from the top edge.

 I am not well suited to engineer things, so for the removable panels I came up with a channel idea to keep the panel from moving.  It really is restrictive however on space.  It seems this entire project has been one compromise after another, but I guess that is to be expected if you want only one cabinet to do everything.    Here are some pics to help visualize my issue. 

[severdhed]

wow, that is close to the edge.    how are you planning on fastening it?  (mounting plate? bolted through the panel?  T-nuts?  threaded inserts?)  If it is going to be that close, i can only assume you aren't using a mounting plate, which means you must be planning on routing out an area on the back of the panel to bring the trackball up to the surface of the panel....that will make the wood incredibly thin. an ultimarc Utrak would mount without a plate and without routing the wood, but honestly i like the feel of the happ trackball over the utrak.

[lowlytech]

I figured I would use bolts to mount it unless you recommend a better way.   I haven't had a chance today to make any progress on the arcade, so hopefully in a few days I can sit back down with this and figure out if I have more questions about how to proceed.

Thanks again..