Really confused about 1st Trackball mount... (Electric Ice-T)

[pboreham]

Just doing a mounting test for a 3" Electric Ice-T trackball, before i do it for real on my CP.

I traced round the plastic template/spacer that comes with the kit and then drilled a 3" hole for the ball.

I then used a router with a flat-piece to router out the shape of the template (that kinda diamond shape) - went down about ~1/2".

Just tested the kit and the ball barely pokes through the wood and definately wouldnt show much through to the Lexan top.

Then did a search on here for mounting and it appears I have it all wrong?! 

So...

1) Should you actually router ALL the way through so you end up with a diamond shaped hole?

2) If so, do I do the same on the Lexan, or just a 3" hole for the ball to poke through?

3) Can I mount this without any mounting kit? I'm not that fussed about 100% nice looking - just clean and functional.

4) If I need a mounting kit - will this one work? http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html from Ultimarc (scroll down a bit!)

5) If I do need a mounting kit - how does that work? I assume you drill the 4 holes in the corner of the square to attach it to the wood, but how do you attach the 4 holes in the 'diamond' shape?

Sorry for all the q's - I'm on vacation this week and really hoped to tie all the CP stuff up - please help! 

Thanks, Paul.

[xmenxmen]

Yes, you have to cut the diamond shape out of the cp and let the whole thing flush with the  the cp if you are not using a mounting plate.  The lexan need a 3" hole (actually a little less than 3in to be perfect).   The mount plate will make the job a lot easier, so it's highly recommended.  But without it, there's still tons of way to mount it.

I would 1st cut the 3in hole using the template.  Then attach the lexan and template the 3 in hole.  Now, take the lexan off and expand the hole in the cp to the diamond shape or square (if using the mounting plate).  Doing it this way make it ever easy to align the lexan to the trackball.

[pboreham]

Thanks for the reply - think I get that!

So how would you hold it all in place if you arent using a mounting plate? Bolts through the Lexan?

[xmenxmen]

Most use L bracket and straight piece at the bottom of the trackball enclosure.  see pic...