Control Panel / mounting trackball

[ratzz]

Hi all,

Am I going mad, or am I building my control panel out of the wrong stock?

I'm using 3/4" MDF for my cabinet, and control panel but I really cant see how a trackball will fit through! There surely won't be enough clearance if it were mounted underneath, resulting in the top of the trackball not 'poking' through.

Can someone please explain what step I'm missing, or am I looking at the wrong thickness MDF for my control panel?

Thanks guys,
Ratzz 

[Green Giant]

I'm using 3/4" MDF for my cabinet, and control panel but I really cant see how a trackball will fit through! There surely won't be enough clearance if it were mounted underneath, resulting in the top of the trackball not 'poking' through.

Can someone please explain what step I'm missing, or am I looking at the wrong thickness MDF for my control panel?

Your wood is fine, but you will need to route out a space under the panel to get the trackball closer to the top. 

Did you get a mounting plate for your trackball?  If not you can still mount it, just a little harder.

[javeryh]

You need to make a pretty big hole and use a mounting plate.  Check out this thread for how your CP should look all cut out for a trackball:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55789.0;all

[ARTIFACT]

there are a few threads like that yes

get a metal mount plate for it and do the 2 router cuts (1 is inset 1/16" for the mounting plate, the other is a 5.6" square "cutout" hole thru for the trackball to reach the top mount plate.

see my project thread, page 4 I think, to have pictures of how it is put together.
I learned form reading the threads on BYOAC

[ratzz]

Thanks all.

I have yet to purchase my trackball, but I see what you mean.

My router skills are not great, so I may have to trust a steady hand and a chisel!

I've been looking at some of the CP threads, and the trackballs look GREAT - fitting nicely into their beveled slots. And I've seen the router template tutorials aswell. I've got to admit, my router skills aren't up to some of you guys so I'll have to see what happens when I get to that stage!

Thanks for the info, and links chaps --

Ratzz 

[javeryh]

Just go for it.  I never did any woodworking before I started building these things other than building lofts out of 2x4s in college dorm rooms.  Routers are easy to control and if you think about everything 10 different ways before making a cut you won't make any mistakes.   

[xmenxmen]

Then use a jig to cut it on another piece of wood.  Once you get a nice fit, use that as a template to cut it on the actual cp. 

BTW, what is up with today with all the talks about holes and sticks......