Imperial Trackball mounting question

[mclaught]

Hello all, newbie here, thanks for all of the great info. I've checked the 67 page faq and done other searches, but I haven't found an exact answer to this. I just purchased the imperial 3" trackball from ebay, it came in a box with no instructions. Question one, does anyone know which wires correspond to what mouse button? Question two, how do you mount this thing. It's absolutely huge. Mine came with no mounting plate, I guess my plan is to cut a hole out of the wood in the exact shape of the trackball base, lay the base flush with the wood and secure it with bolts through the plexiglass. That doesn't sound very sturdy to me though and I fear it will crack the plastic eventually. Anybody care to comment on if that will work or not, or please post other alternatives. I have read that the happs mounting plate will work, but I don't see how you can get the ball up high enough unless you cut a huge hole in the board and mount it flush. I sthat how you have to mount it with the happs? Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Superdude]

I used a mounting plate from happs. It was alot easier to install.

[rampy]

which 3" imperial trackball did you get off ebay?  The arcade one (with the molex connector) or the one with the ps/2 PC interface built in?

I believe if it's the latter, most people use trial and error to determine which button is which the "left click" one...   if it's the former I could look at mine or find an ancient post describing the color coding a bit...

good luck,

rampy

[mclaught]

sorry, I should have clarified, it's the ps2 version. I'm not above trial and error, it just seems like there's an awful lot of that going on over here lately. I guess I'll try the happs mount. Thanks.

[mpm32]

I have the same trackball.   I cut out a hole the exact football shape as the housing. (Make sure you cut it out with the trackball orieinted in the right direction.)  Take the housing apart.  I used 1/2" birch ply with 1/4" lexan.  Press the upper part of the housing into the hole you cut into the plywood. (hopefully it will be a press fit).  Screw thru the housing into the four sides of the plywood.  Like this;
  ___________
_|                    |_
  |                    |


the screws are the short horizontal lines.  Then place your lexan over the panel and use a pattern cutting bit with a bottom bearing to cut out the hole for the ball.  The bearing will follow the lip of the housing.  Round over the edge of this hole in the lexan.  Place artwork between the ply and lexan to cover the housing.  No bolts needed or shown.  There is a lip that protrudes from the housing around the ball.  I used a router to shave this down flush with the housing.  It makes the ball sit a little bit higher and it's flat for the artwork or whatever you'll use to cover the ply.  Works very well,  it's been beat upon for weeks and is holding up fine.

[mclaught]

mpm, thanks for that reply, that is exactly what I was looking for. I will give it a try.