Main > Main Forum

U-Trak review with pics and vids ***UPDATED WITH FINAL RESULTS***

Pages: << < (5/9) > >>

cmoses:


--- Quote from: AndyWarne on September 03, 2008, 11:14:56 am ---One last point, this also cropped up in another review. On the website we suggest that the pilot holes for the mounting are drilled right through the trackball holes rather than marking first. This way the accuracy is spot-on. But the earlier reviewer did not do this either, preferring to mark through the holes. Would welcome any comments on this. Maybe people just dont want to wield a large drill near to the trackball unit.
Andy


--- End quote ---

Andy,

I think most people would have some major concerns sticking a drill through the holes of their brand new trackball they just paid $89.00 plus for.  Then having to drill holes using the case as a guide would be pretty nerve racking for anyone let alone an amateur control panel builder.  The issue of damaging the trackball or one self being the biggest concerns.  Also I would think that it is difficult to judge the depth that you are drilling when doing so through the case of the trackball.  I presume that you only need to drill a hole deep enough to be able to "press" the expanding insert into. 

I don't know if a template is the answer as I think you can get pretty accurate by using a nail or punch to do the marking through the trackball case.  I would also think that if you removed the top of the trackball case and used it as a template then you could easily mark the holes with a pencil and drill them without anything blocking your view. 

These are just my thoughts and concerns, but I think they might apply to others.

pupu:

This review is exactly what i was looking for.  I am ordering one up next week, i have a minipac so should be good to go.  Luckily i have a mill at work, so i can cut out the thickness of the wood easily.

Very detailed write up, and it helped sell the product!!!!

u_rebelscum:

Nice review. :applaud:

I'm glad you showed with bezel & without.  (The pics of the bezel at ultimarc site, umm, aren't the best.)  The bezel isn't as ugly as I thought it would be, but I still prefer the look without: I like the ball to be the only bump out of the CP, but to each his own. :cheers:

Again, thanks for the review.

AndyWarne:


--- Quote from: blind_dado on September 03, 2008, 12:21:19 pm ---
On the inserts, did you do testing in a 1/2" panel? 




--- End quote ---
No we only tested in the thickness we specified ie 5/8 and 3/4. I suspect 1/2 would be OK with care, and as you mention, washers would be needed on the screws.

Point taken about drilling through the trackball, but the way I do it is, using a speed controlled drill of course, rather than just letting rip, slowly drill through the trackball to a depth of a couple of mm into the panel just to use as a pilot. But maybe marking is just as good.
Andy

shmokes:

Andy, you should just include a small brad point for marking.  I guess it would only add a few cents to the cost of the package.  Make it exactly big enough to just fit in the holes.  So long as someone marks with a good, sharp point, instead of with a pencil, the holes should turn out pretty well (though drilling through the trackball unit will make sure the drill stays level and makes proper 90 degree holes).  It's when people mark with a pencil that the drill ends up dancing across the surface some and makes a hole just off-mark.

Pages: << < (5/9) > >>

Go to full version