3" Diameter White High Lip Trackball

[Kane]

If I bought one of these can I mount it in 3/4" wood or do does it need to be mounted in a thin metal?

[Brax]

thin metal.
it's called a trackball mounting plate. Then you mount that to your 3/4" wood.

[TazMan]

Are you referring to the Happ 3" Diameter High-Ball Trackball?

If so, I have on mounted in my cabinet (5/8" plywood) - I also bought the mounting kit (plate and screws).

[eightbit]

If I bought one of these can I mount it in 3/4" wood or do does it need to be mounted in a thin metal?

Mines not a high lip and I didn't use a mounting plate at all.

I cut a hole to exactly fit the TB housing. Then I dissasembled the trackball and lined up the trackball housing to be flush with the CP and screwed into the side of the plywood from inside the trackball. I then covered the CP in vinyl and reassembled the trackball.

[Kane]

Thanks guys, that's all I need to know. I wasn't sure if it would work in 3/4" wood.

[dac]

TazMan,
nice picts of the cp,
3/4" wood, how much(deep) did you route out for the mounting kit?  and does anyone have a template of the football shape anywhere?
Thanks

Dac

[TazMan]

TazMan,
nice picts of the cp,
3/4" wood, how much(deep) did you route out for the mounting kit?  and does anyone have a template of the football shape anywhere?

Thanks Dac.
I used 5/8" plywood and if memory serves correct, I routed 1/16" of an inch for the mounting plate - don't quote me on that, I just measured the depth by setting the plate on the router and adjusting the bit to match - traced the outline of the plate and routed away.  As far as the football shape goes - again, I laid the football on the cp and traced around it - not right on the edges, just roughly followed the shape and then broke out the jig saw.

[u_rebelscum]

If I bought one of these can I mount it in 3/4" wood or do does it need to be mounted in a thin metal?

The happs high lip model can be mounted on 1/16" (with spacer) or 3/16" (without spacer) thick panels.  3/16" thick wood is not strong enough.  So metal like everyone said before.  I think the happs high ball model is the same, but I know the old style only mounted on 1/16".  Of the other trackballs I tried, the wico 3" is 1/16" only, the betson/imperial 3" is 1/16" & 3/16" like the high lip.

The happ mounting plates are 1/16" thick and very easy to use.  TazMan routed ~1/16", but the black texture on top probably made him adjust the bit a fraction deeper.  I routed exactly 1/16", and the textured plate looks like it is still "puffing out" a little.  I suggest doing it like TazMan did.

[Brax]

I routed exactly 1/16", and the textured plate looks like it is still "puffing out" a little.

Here's a fast little router tip to adjust your cutting depth to EXACTLY the thickness of the material.

-Put the mounting plate on a flat table.
-Put your router face on the mounting plate but have the bit hanging off the edge of the mounting plate.
-Lower the bit until it hits the table. That's it. Your depth is set.

Now when you cut your countersink for the mounting plate the depth will be PERFECT.

[u_rebelscum]

I routed exactly 1/16", and the textured plate looks like it is still "puffing out" a little.

Here's a fast little router tip to adjust your cutting depth to EXACTLY the thickness of the material.

-Put the mounting plate on a flat table.
-Put your router face on the mounting plate but have the bit hanging off the edge of the mounting plate.
-Lower the bit until it hits the table. That's it. Your depth is set.

Now when you cut your countersink for the mounting plate the depth will be PERFECT.

Yes, much better way.

My plain, unpainted, zinc mounting plate is exactly 1/16", and fits the routed hole prefectly.  I think I measured like you discribed with the zinc plate and assumed it would be fine with the textured plate.

BTW, if I do it again, I'd use a plain zinc plate, route the correct way as you discribed, and cover the cp with a printed vinyl sheet (thus no need to spend $1 more for the textured plate).