CP Control Mounting Question

[CMIVXX]

Ok, I just have a simple question.  I've been researching my cab for quite a while now trying to come up with some good CP ideas as well as a determination of whether I should go for a TV monitor or a Computer monitor, but more on that later.

My question is that I've seen a lot of people who leave the trackball mounting plate as well as the stick plates visible on the top of the CP, and a few others that did not.  I'm assuming those that did not have countersunk the plates?  Or am I missing something in the middle here?  Is there any kind of stick or ball that takes better to being countersunk?

I want to design some graphics to go over the topand then cover the top of that in plexi.  I obviously don't want it to be too thick as the ball wouldn't be usable, but I'm curious as to the implications of doing this.

Thanks!

[Tahnok]

Yes, you have to counter sink the plates with a router. There is no difference (exept you might want to use the Happ high lip ball instead). Either way I think they look good though.

[paigeoliver]

A lot of people DON'T countersink the trackball plates because it is a bunch of work, and most operators didn't do it either.

[CMIVXX]

Yeah, I understand the hardship of it, but my father-in-law is a heavy mechanical woodworker that I'm sure would just love the challenge..    May as well have him help with the hard stuff right?  

I'll post some pics when I start moving along.

Thanks guys!

[DougHillman]

A lot of people DON'T countersink the trackball plates because it is a bunch of work, and most operators didn't do it either.

A bunch of work?  Not unless you don't already own a router and have to include the time it takes to earn the money for one, then go to the store and buy one, learn to use it, and then finally route out the space for the plate.

If you already own a router and the proper bit (which pretty much anyone who owns a router will have) it's nothing.  Took me about a total of 2 minutes to trace the plates onto the CP, set the depth and route out the spaces for two trackballs.  (Now getting both balls working with MAME Analog+ is a whole different story.  The second one is still just decoration at the moment.)




Doug

[Dekelia]

... exept you might want to use the Happ high lip ball instead...

What exactly is this and how do I specify I want it when ordering (do they call it "high lip")?

I am planning on countersinking the mounting plate and putting laminate over it.  Do I need to make sure I get a special trackball?  I hadn't heard of that before.
 

[u_rebelscum]

... exept you might want to use the Happ high lip ball instead...

What exactly is this and how do I specify I want it when ordering (do they call it "high lip")?

I am planning on countersinking the mounting plate and putting laminate over it.  Do I need to make sure I get a special trackball?  I hadn't heard of that before.

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56010011.htm

The high lip has a 1/8" taller lip than the original 1/16" (for a total of 3/16").  AKA Golden Tee TB, because the GT CPs changed from 1/16" metal to 3/16" at some version.  The same amount of ball shows above the top of the lip.

The mounting plate is 1/16" thick, so if you're going to add any thickness over your CP, it's a good idea to get the high lip version.