Main > Main Forum

Mounting a trackball on a wood panel? (versus mounting a joystick)

Pages: (1/3) > >>

sofakng:

Ok, I'm getting ready to start mounting my joysticks, buttons, spinner, and trackball to my control panel.

As for the control panel, I'm going to be using overlay artwork and then plexiglass so I need everything on top to be completely flush.

I'm pretty sure I've gotten everything straightened out with mounting the joysticks.  I will be using #10 T-Nuts on the top with bolts from the bottom.  The joystick mounting base will be recessed into the bottom of the panel (to give the joystick more height on the top).

Now, for the trackball, what do I need to mount it?  I'm using a Happs Controls 3" Golden Tee trackball.  I've also ordered the mounting plate for it.

Do I even need the mounting plate?

What kind of tools will I need to mount this?

What kind of nuts and bolts will I need?


simplygriff:

I haven't mounted mine yet but the Happ Trackball mounting plate comes with all the nuts and bolts you need to mount it.  As far as I can tell all you will need to do is drill the holes for it.  To get it flush though you will have to rout out a 1/8" deep area as big as the mounting plate around the Trackball hole.  At least this is how I think it will work.  I have my TB and Plate but Haven't hooked anything up yet nor have I started the removable panel I'm going to mount them in.

mahuti:

Yeah, that's the way it works. Rout out the hole for the mounting plate.

If you don't have an actual router, you can get a router attachment & bit for a dremel for about $40.

An actual router is about $60+.  The average would be around $90 for a decent home model.

FractalWalk:

You'll need to drill the four corner holes for the mounting plate studs and then also entirely cut out a large square area to allow the TB to mount to the plate.  Then to make it flush, route out a large square area the size of the mounting plate.

Blue = routed area
Green = stud holes
Red =  cut-out area


sofakng:


--- Quote from: mahuti on June 16, 2004, 04:54:55 pm ---Yeah, that's the way it works. Rout out the hole for the mounting plate.

If you don't have an actual router, you can get a router attachment & bit for a dremel for about $40.

An actual router is about $60+.  The average would be around $90 for a decent home model.

--- End quote ---

Thanks for the replies everybody!

My father actually has a couple of routers.  What router bit would I need to cut the recess?

Also, will the mounting plate studs be long enough to go through the length of the wood?  I'm going to be using 5/8" MDF.

Lastly, will the trackball be too low since I'm using 1/8" Plexiglass on top of my overlay? (which is on top of the wood)  Can I do anything about that?


Pages: (1/3) > >>

Go to full version