Main > Main Forum
Rebuilding trackballs
u_rebelscum:
--- Quote from: shardian on November 03, 2006, 04:04:52 pm ---Where would you get a cue-ball of non-regulation size anyways??? Reg. is 2-1/4"
--- End quote ---
Probably a cue ball for coin operated pool tables. The way the table "knows" to return a cue ball scrach but not the numbered balls is for the ball to be different size (usually). Most often the ball is bigger (2-7/16" or 2-3/8"), but there are smaller ones too (2-3/16"). (IIRC, sometimes the coin cue ball weighs differently instead of size, but this is rare AFAIK.)
I've seen these coin cue balls at sports stores.
shardian:
Here is a quick article that explains coin-op cue balls.
it will be bigger than a regulation, not smaller.
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcueball.html
Jess--:
--- Quote ---it will be bigger than a regulation, not smaller
--- End quote ---
unless its a UK cue ball, 95% are smaller here
_) (V) (-):
I have no idea where my balls have been but I do know 'Shardian's shimming suggestion' (patent pending) has been most helpful.
I cut the clear tubing off the rollers and used pieces of it to raise the bearings up in their seats, then took a small grinder and removed a bit from each of the spots on the top cover part that was intended to hold them into place. After a few trys I got everything to fit together again and the slop has been reduced to about 1/16". I'd say about 70% better. This I can live with, Thanks for the tip!
Also worked up a mouse hack and used it as a testing rig to go through all the rest of these. Most are actually working fine. Found a couple that appear to have flakey sensors or diodes but overall I'd say I have enough parts to get 4 out of 7 up and running.
Now I need to score some trackball mounting plates. Anyone have a few they'd care to sell or trade?
shardian:
Glad to be of service.