mounting a trackball in wood. pictures and links wanted

[krick]

Before I plop down some cash on a pair of trackballs, I want to be sure I understand how exactly they mount and if they will fit into my control panel.

My panel is 3/4 MDF.  I plan to cover the top with partsexpress textured vinyl.  I don't plan to use plexi.  I don't know if the textured vinyl will go over the trackball mounting plate (if one is used).  It all depends on what you guys tell me.

Can anyone post some good pictures and/or links showing your trackball installation and mounting?

Any tips/tricks/advice will be appreciated.

[Zakk]

Here's one of the installs I did using a proper mounting plate.  Now if you used the one that has the bolts already welded to the plate (or weld some on), then it would be even easier.  Just route, mount, fill sand and prime, then apply your overlay material.  Hope this helps!


http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Deano/deano.htm

[krick]

Here's one of the installs I did using a proper mounting plate.  Now if you used the one that has the bolts already welded to the plate (or weld some on), then it would be even easier.  Just route, mount, fill sand and prime, then apply your overlay material.  Hope this helps!

http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Deano/deano.htm

So you're recommending that I use a mounting plate and recess it into the cpanel surface.  Very nice.

I've also seen people mount them above the surface.  Since I'm going with a black overlay material, this wouldn't look bad either.  However I don't know if the "lip" on the plate would be annoying or not.  This is a shot from Slik Stik...




BTW, I have the same exact cabinet as your "Beast" project...
http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Beast/beast.htm

My cab...
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/mame/gigawing.jpg

[kahlid74]

http://www.gamersanon.com/arcade/main/controlpanel/

I did the sitting on tap method and it doesn't get annoying at all.  Works perfectly.

[maraxle]

Here's one of the installs I did using a proper mounting plate.  Now if you used the one that has the bolts already welded to the plate (or weld some on), then it would be even easier.  Just route, mount, fill sand and prime, then apply your overlay material.  Hope this helps!


http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Deano/deano.htm

That cabinet looks suspiciously like my Aqua Jack cabinet that I MAMEd.  The shape of the cabinet looks almost identical.  The control panel pulls out like a drawer, right?  Here's a link to my Converted Aqua Jack MAME Cabinet.

[vputz]

I had already laminated my CP and then remembered about the trackball mounting plate--so it wound up on top instead of flush-routed (I was skeered of damaging the lamination; first time using a router).

I mounted it on top.  You lose "cool points" for it not being flush, but it works just fine and the slightly raised mounting plate has not interfered with gameplay AT ALL.

-->VPutz

[fredster]

When I mount them in Golden Tee's I take the plate, route down about 1/16+  until it's flush.  I take a drill and put in the mounting holes for the track ball plate.

After that, I rough drill with a 1" or better spade drill.  I take a jigsaw and cut out a big hole for the track ball all the way through.  It doesn't have to be pretty, it's just clearance.  

Then I put on the mounting plate. Then I usually don't fill around it (with wood putty or anything.  I cover the plate with a CP overlay.  Shelf paper, mylar, or whatever.  I then take a piece of plexi and a drimmel tool with a cutter and a drum sander and cut out around it.

Using the holes in the cp a guide, I bolt the plexi on the cp and rough drill the button holes and the plate.  Then I cut the holes to size with the drimmel cutter and drum sander.  If the plexi is thick around the track ball, I cut a chamfer (bevel) 360