Trackball Mount from Happs

[lordsub]

I just received my order from happs...(about 6 days later than bobroberts) i ordered the 3" trackball and 3" mount kit.  First off, the bolts with the kit are way too short and when i measure the plate and compare to what they have on the Happs site, it is not even the same size.  It appears that they gave me the HighBall mount kit.  Am I mistaken?  Can i still use this, or should i just forget about it and have happs fix the problem.

Thanks.

[OSCAR]

So the plate you received measures 7.5" x 7.5"?  Other than the overall plate size and outer stud locations, I believe the trackball studs are the same length as the standard plate.

Bob Roberts also complains about the new plates because the studs are short, see here:  http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/tbplate.html

[lordsub]

Yes its 7.5 X 7.5   The holes still line up though.  And yes the bolts are too short. they dont even reach without the control panel in the way.

[OSCAR]

Here is a pic of a 3" trackball plate I have.  This is the standard 6.5" x 6.5" plate.  The studs are 1" long (Bob Roberts site says 7/8", but Happ may have revised their plate due to complaints).  The included bolts are #6 x 2 1/4" long.  Again, Bob Roberts' page says to order 1 3/4", so I'm guessing there must have been a revision to the mounting plate sometime between when Bob put up his page and I received my plate.  BTW, the plate I have here is about 6 months old.  If there is anything else you would like me to check on my plate or hardware, just let me know.

[u_rebelscum]

Yes its 7.5 X 7.5   The holes still line up though.  And yes the bolts are too short. they dont even reach without the control panel in the way.

Control panel in the way?  How will it get in the way (lexan maybe)?

I got the 6"x6" mounting plate w/ almost too short bolts.  With them, the 3" high lip TB, and the high lip spacer, the bolts just barely were long enough (~ 1/16"-1/8" screwed in).  I bought longer bolts, but the local Ace & HD stores only had standard (no Phillips head) bolts. [frown]  *shrug*  I'm using the stadard slot bolts, but would have preferred it if Happs' bolts were just 1/4" longer.

If the 7.5"x7.5" plate isn't too big and ugly on your CP, why not just use it?  On the other hand, if it is too big/ugly, return it.  But the bolts you get won't be any longer than the ones you have now.

[lordsub]

my bolts are 1 3/4"  However, the inner studs on the mount that that go through the trackball and what the bolts are supposed to thread into are only 1/2" long

The outer studs on on the plate that the nuts go around and what secures the mount to the control panel are 1" long.  But this isnt the problem.  The inner studs seem the be the problem

[slug54]

My bolts were also way to short when I received mine.
I just went to ace hardware and bought some longer carriage bolts and painted them black.

                                      Slug54

[ripzone]

Question: Does the happ mount kit comes with the necessary hardware (srews, nuts, washers) ??

Question 2: I will mount the plate flush because I plan to have an overlay over the plate (don't know if will put lexan) and I don't want to see the plate.
I don't know if the black wrinkle will affect the overlay?

[rampy]

Question: Does the happ mount kit comes with the necessary hardware (srews, nuts, washers) ??

Question 2: I will mount the plate flush because I plan to have an overlay over the plate (don't know if will put lexan) and I don't want to see the plate.
I don't know if the black wrinkle will affect the overlay?

q1 the happ kits are notorious for NOT coming with hardware (not that they forget to pack it, jsut that it's not included automatically/at all), that's one reason it's nice to order from bobroberts...

q2 (note: I don't have an overlay/lexan so ymmv) I imagine it would depend on how well you mounted the plate flush (i.e. recessed)... and how thick/stiff your overlay artwork would be... although even then i'd wonder if some of the wrinkle would show up - but maybe it would be "OK" if you used a thick enough ovelay artwork stuff (maybe someone else wants to chime in on that point)

rampy

[ripzone]

But in the Happ's website it says: http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/55110100.htm

Metal Mounting plate to adapt trackball to wood or metal control panels
Available for 1-1/2", 2-1/4", 3" and 3" High Ball Trackballs
Durable Black River powder coated finish or Clear zinc finish available
Innovative method of securing trackball to plate to allow for now external hardware along top surface of mounting plate
Includes all necessary washers and nuts to assemble
Trackball sold separately

[BASSOFeeSH]

Slightly off-topic, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread.

Are the trackballs inside a happ's 2 1/4 trackball interchangable with billiard balls?  I thought I read that somewhere.  Also, do the Atari 2 1/4 trackballs that therealbobroberts sells work in the happs unit?

[rampy]

Slightly off-topic, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread.

Are the trackballs inside a happ's 2 1/4 trackball interchangable with billiard balls?  I thought I read that somewhere.  Also, do the Atari 2 1/4 trackballs that therealbobroberts sells work in the happs unit?

Ripzone - I stand corrected - but for most of happs stuff "*usually* you are on your own - if you buy the one that uses carriage bols through the top it doesn't come with the hardware, fyi...  sorry if I confused the issue

BassO  -- the trackballs in 2 1/4" tballs are interchangeable with pool balls although I believe the cue ball is slightly larger/smaller so anything except the cue ball should work.  People do this because the billiard balls are denser/heavier and give more momentum when rolling (plus it looks cool to have an 8 ball or what have you in that slot)

rampy-

[lordsub]

Well, I contacted Happs about the problem and they apologized and are sending me out a new one for free and i can keep the old one too.  Kind of upset that they didnt get it right the first time, but at least they are taking care of it.

[BASSOFeeSH]

BassO  -- the trackballs in 2 1/4" tballs are interchangeable with pool balls although I believe the cue ball is slightly larger/smaller so anything except the cue ball should work.  People do this because the billiard balls are denser/heavier and give more momentum when rolling (plus it looks cool to have an 8 ball or what have you in that slot)

rampy-

Thanks.  A quick search on google for "custom billiard ball" turned up pages of places selling interesting & customized billiard balls.  This includes both standard 2 3/8 cue balls and 2 1/4 sized ones.

Some of the coolest ones I saw would print your actual logo on a cue ball.  Even saw some glow in the dark ones.

[ripzone]

Sorry, but in the Happ trackball plate site it says hardware sold separatly!  

And in same page they sell the necessary hardware.

If you read the faqs you know it.

I had the same problems with my joysticks.

Now I'm making a new order but I will buy my bolts/washers/nuts from Happ's aswell.

Sorry for my stupid English. Im Portuguese!

[ripzone]

Sorry, but in the Happ trackball plate site it says hardware sold separatly!  

And in same page they sell the necessary hardware.

If you read the faqs you know it.

I had the same problems with my joysticks.

Now I'm making a new order but I will buy my bolts/washers/nuts from Happ's aswell.

Sorry for my stupid English. Im Portuguese!