Is it worth it to rebuild my trackball?

[brandon]

ok.. so I have a used 3" Betson that needs bearings and rollers..  I found a seller that sells the kit for $27 shipped.  I also want to get a translucent ball.. and they cost what? 20-$30?   wouldnt I just be better off buying a brand new 3" Happs with a translucent ball for $65-$70?   It just seems like the Betson isnt worth fixing when new units arent that much...

[CheffoJeffo]

First thing I would ask is are you *sure* it needs rollers (and bearings) ? Most of the time I've found that a good cleaning and lubrication takes care of any problem.

[brandon]

First thing I would ask is are you *sure* it needs rollers (and bearings) ? Most of the time I've found that a good cleaning and lubrication takes care of any problem.

well.. I'll give it a shot.. Thing is.. I've only every owned used trackballs that I've ripped out of converted cabs.. just about forgot what a new one feels like!

[CheffoJeffo]

Thing is.. I've only every owned used trackballs that I've ripped out of converted cabs.. just about forgot what a new one feels like!

Ah ... I have a new one that I keep in a box on a shelf so that I can compare ... 

Almost every trackball that I have cleaned up worked fine but that almost all of those came from recent GT machines (the op is also the Happ distributor and just replaces them). All it takes is someone to spill a beverage on the CP and it gums up. A little clean and everything is nice. On older games, you may actually need a rebuild (I do have some Atari TBs that REALLY need new roller as the ball doesn't make contact anymore).

It may be worth it to buy new given that you want a new trackball.

[brandon]

well.. I've taken it a part once and it really did look pretty good compared to some others I'd seen.  Like the unit I took out of a Centipede that looked like it hadn't been service in 20 years.. roller just about worn in half! haha  THen there were those Pacman=>Coor's bowling conversion... ugh!   It wasnt until play Silver Strike Bowling recently that I wanted a trackball at all!    

anyways.. what should I oil it with?  3in1 or WD40?   If that doesnt work I think I'll just order rollers and bearings from GGG.. That way I can get a new ball and light kit and still come out for less than a new Happs.

[Ahigh]

I recently fixed up a trackball that was acting up.  The symptom was a jumping effect.  When moving, it woudl skip back visually.  First I replaced the sensor electronics, and nothing changed.  It turned out that the metal wheels were slightly warped (moved a micrometer left/right while spinning).

To straighten them out (which fixed the problem) I used needle nose pliers while rotating them, bent them back and forth until they were straight.

Just thought I'd add this to this thread as I was about ready to replace the whole trackball myself not knowing what the problem was.  I thought it might be the bearings seizing up or that it might be the electronics, but it was just the metal wheel not being true.

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- Ahigh

[SirPeale]

anyways.. what should I oil it with?  3in1 or WD40?   If that doesnt work I think I'll just order rollers and bearings from GGG.. That way I can get a new ball and light kit and still come out for less than a new Happs.

DEFINITELY 3 in 1.  WD40 will just gum it up after it dries. 

Check out Bob Roberts site on breaking in new bearings.  I do the same thing with used (though he says not to do it).  I believe it helps to loosen things up more to spin the used bearings.

If the shafts are too badly worn you definitely should rebuild.  The price you're being offered sounds a teensy bit high.  Check Bob's page and see how much he's offering it for.