My Giant trackball

[Generic Eric]

Ok, so I bought one of those Candlepin/Duckpin bowling balls.  The way about the same as the atari football trackballs.  The ball is 4.5 inches.  What I want to know is what do you suggest making the enclosure out of?  Metal? If so what kind and how thick?  If I make the trackball enclosure out of metal, should I still have a trackball mounting plate?  

Is there anything else I need to consider?  Thanks in advance.

[MinerAl]

Are you building the mechanism yourself then?

[Generic Eric]

Well, I looked for it at happs, but it was too pricey.  

I don't know how much its gonna end up costing me in end, or if it would be cheaper just to buy it from happs.  But I think it can be done.  You have one, so you could probably tell me what I am getting into best

[MinerAl]

Cool!

The thing about the Happs/Atari giant track balls, is that the mechanism is designed for mounting under a metal CP.  If you were to mount one even under a 1/4" of plywood, you would be seriously reducing the surface of the ball you'd have to play with.

If you're going to design/manufacture your own, you could make the top of the mechanism 3/4" lower, so that the ball could be mounted in a regular wood CP.

I'll do some measuring when I get a chance (which may not be soon, unfortunately).  How much access do you have to a metal shop?

[Generic Eric]

Not much to be honest.  There is a Fab guy at work, and I know he has contraption to bend metal for making brackets and stuff.  But im not sure what else he has in there.  Measurements would be great, I only have the exploded view from the happs website.  No rush and I didn't mean to put you on the spot or anything.

I didn't realize that the cps were metal, so the hint you gave me is a great help.