TrackBall Maintenance

[taternutz]

I am currently awaiting the arrival of a trackball ball and new rollers, and was wondering what I should use to keep them maintained and running smoothly. What should I use to keep the ball clean, and any good lubricant for the bearings. (I use pb blaster on everything will it work on the bearings).

Thanks,

[RayB]

manufacturer specs are to use 2 drops of 3-in-1 oil on the bearings.

That's all you need.

Helps to also give the bearings a high-speed spin with a dremel or drill. It pulverizes any rust particles.

[taternutz]

Thanks, Also how long should a set of rollers last you, the set I have all have a small groove in them. I bought the unit used of course, once they groove should they be replaced??? and should you use something to clean and polish the ball?

 

[Texasmame]

If you're happy with the ball's performance, no need to replace/do anything.

[CheffoJeffo]

If you're happy with the ball's performance, no need to replace/do anything.

Exactly ... do what RayB suggests and see how things feel to you.

I bought 6 used trackballs pulled from Golden Tee machines (the local op just pulls and replaces the whole unit).

I was planning to replace the rollers and bearings in all of them, but after a good cleaning, a spin of the bearings and some 3-in-1 oil, I found that 5 of the 6 roll like new (or better).

Best $50 I ever spent in this hobby.

Cheers.

[vizzinni]

Bob Roberts says (in a couple of pages) what RayB said above....  http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/moretb.html

[taternutz]

I figured once they were grooved they would not track properly as mine kept tracking at an angle, I assumed it was due to the grooves, or mybe it is because it is a wico piece of 

Thanks,

[Mario]

Bob Roberts says (in a couple of pages) what RayB said above....  http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/moretb.html

I found his advice helpful, but why would anyone use a reamer bit like that?!? One slip, and you could get a nasty injury. I found that the body of a dart (from an average dart board, with the tip and flights removed) fits in the bearing, has enough friction to cause the drill to spin it fast, and won't cause any harm if it slips in your fingers.

Mario

[shardian]

Bob Roberts says (in a couple of pages) what RayB said above....  http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/moretb.html

I found his advice helpful, but why would anyone use a reamer bit like that?!? One slip, and you could get a nasty injury. I found that the body of a dart (from an average dart board, with the tip and flights removed) fits in the bearing, has enough friction to cause the drill to spin it fast, and won't cause any harm if it slips in your fingers.

Mario

I used a wide phillips head bit. It worked great.

[RayB]

I found his advice helpful, but why would anyone use a reamer bit like that?!? One slip, and you could get a nasty injury.

That's why I use my mini Dremel. Much safer.

TaterNutz: The groove in the rollers is normal. You just can't avoid it over time, especially when a trackball gets daily PUBLIC use. Under home use, the groove probably won't increase much. You should post pics so we can see HOW worn it is. There's a point where the ball has room to skip above the rollers, and that's no good.

The diagonal movement you spoke of... you have to be careful that when you oil the bearings, you don't get oil on the rollers, or on the ball, or in the bearing's middle where the rollers fit in. The rollers need good grip in the bearings. The ball needs grip on the rollers. Any oil in these parts and you'll get slippage (which means the encoder wheel isn't turning)

[NickG]

Bob Roberts' guide suggest to not use the reamer bit on used bearings...BTW you could probably use a cone rubber polishing bit instead of a metal bit to spin up the bearings (to prevent scratches.  For added safety, you could use a vinyl padded clamp, gripper, jar opener, etc. instead of your fingers to hold the bearing.