Trackball Questions - Please Read

[ripzone]

I want to do a control panel with 2 players 6 buttons each, 3" happ's trackball with 2 buttons, spinner with 2 buttons and a 4-way with 2 buttons! I plan to cover it with Lexan!

What's better: 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 lexan?

Should I buy a high-lip trackball or a normal trackball???

Thanks!  

[ashardin]

I've made a total of three panels, and have found the 1/4 lexan to be the *only* way to go, especially with what you are planning.  

My first panel used 1/8 lexan and I had to drill three lexan panels before it worked correctly.  The problem was that when I would drill out the 6 buttons that close together, the panel would lose strength and shatter (one time during drilling my last button, argh!).

I bumped up to 1/4 and it was so much stronger and easier to handle.  The only downside is it took longer to drill through, and, of course, was a little more expensive.  I also thought that it looked and felt much sturdier/stronger/better when I was done with it.  I also didn't have any fears of it cracking when people were really hammering the buttons playing a game, I was always worrying about that happening with the 1/8 lexan.

As far as the trackball, I used the normal but I'm sure it is just a personal preference

[ripzone]

So, you are happy with 1/4 lexan over a trackball.

I think you mounted the trackball in a mounting plate over the lexan.

I want to mount the trackball using a mounting plate but under lexan (flush) so the lip should be short!

Give me your opinion please

Sorry for my ---smurfing--- english!

[Lilwolf]

If you can afford a high-lip trackball, I would go for it... but they are VERY expensive.

remember that you can get bensen 2 1/4" ones for about 40 bucks and replace the ball with a real pool ball... Just to give yourself some perspective.  Sure they are smaller (centepede size) but for the price you can get multiples.

I went with a cheap 3" one from ebay myself

[ripzone]

The 3" high-lip ball is less expensive than a normal 3" happ's trackball.

[RandyT]

I've made a total of three panels, and have found the 1/4 lexan to be the *only* way to go, especially with what you are planning.  

My first panel used 1/8 lexan and I had to drill three lexan panels before it worked correctly.  The problem was that when I would drill out the 6 buttons that close together, the panel would lose strength and shatter (one time during drilling my last button, argh!).

I bumped up to 1/4 and it was so much stronger and easier to handle.  The only downside is it took longer to drill through, and, of course, was a little more expensive.  I also thought that it looked and felt much sturdier/stronger/better when I was done with it.  I also didn't have any fears of it cracking when people were really hammering the buttons playing a game, I was always worrying about that happening with the 1/8 lexan.

As far as the trackball, I used the normal but I'm sure it is just a personal preference

If you have a router, you can use thinner materials without the shattering problem.

The best approach is to make all the holes in your wood, mount the lexan over the panel, drill a hole large enough for the laminate-trimmer bit to pass through and then just clean it out with the router.

Keep good down pressure and watch for chatter though.

RandyT

[eightbit]

My first panel used 1/8 lexan and I had to drill three lexan panels before it worked correctly.  The problem was that when I would drill out the 6 buttons that close together, the panel would lose strength and shatter (one time during drilling my last button, argh!).

A good forstner bit would probably solve your problem, I used 1/8 and it turned out marvoulessly.

[ripzone]

with just a normal 3" trackball or with a high-lip, eightbit???

[eightbit]

with just a normal 3" trackball or with a high-lip, eightbit???

It wasn't for a trackball it was just for an overlay. I was responding to Ashardin who was having trouble drilling holes close together.

[u_rebelscum]

I want to do a control panel with 2 players 6 buttons each, 3" happ's trackball with 2 buttons, spinner with 2 buttons and a 4-way with 2 buttons! I plan to cover it with Lexan!

What's better: 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 lexan?

Should I buy a high-lip trackball or a normal trackball???

I'd go high lip & 1/8" or 1/4" lexan.  If you do 1/8" + the high lip, the lip should align with the top of the lexan if you mount the trackball under the lexan (& route out 1/16" of the wood for the mounting plate).  The 1/4" is stronger, but then I'd say mount the trackball on top of the lexan, which is not as pretty.  My $0.02.