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Cutting trackball hole in plexi-glass?
Pixelhugger:
I agree, it's pretty simple really. The results I got are my favorite detail on the panel.
My plan of attack:
1. Clamped my 1/4" lexan to my 3/4" particle board
2. Drilled thru both pieces with a 3" hole saw in a drill press
3. Overheated the press and waited forever for it to come "back online" - next time I'd go slower :-X
4. With both pieces still clamped I ran a router along the inside of the hole using the particle board as a guide for the bearing. This gave me a beautiful (but frosty) rounded edge.
5. I then sanded it with 400 grit paper to make it super smooth (but still cloudy).
6. This is my favorite part- I buffed the sweet bejezzus out of it with a plexi polishing compound and a cloth polishing wheel in my drill. I was left mesmerized by the shiny glass like finish. See pics below. My only regret is leaving the carriage bolts visible *DOH*
GSXRMovistar:
Pixelhugger that trackball mounting looks really professional, very nice job. Do you have pics of the rest of your cab?
Pixelhugger:
Thanks for the compliment. The cabinet is still a work in progress. Very slow progress. Here's a pic of the rest of the control panel, though. When finished, the cabinet will be called "Mission Control" after a local childhood arcade. The control panel was stage 1, and was completed about a year ago :o Hopefully I'll be announcing the stage 2 soon.
Cue-Ball:
Beautiful work, Pixelhugger. Very clean, uncluttered design. I like!
Now get busy and finish the rest of the cabinet. ;)
hyiu:
wow !!!! :o :o :o
very very beautiful trackball...
very cool panel....
I hope mine turns out as well.... :P