Need trackball mounting alternatives

[TheManuel]

I'm about to receive a Beston/Imperial 3" trackball.  I was seduced by the low price of the refurbished one but wasn't counting on the need for a mounting plate.

Now, Bob Roberts, has them for $12 + $6 shipping = $18.  Ouch!

I'm I out of luck or are there other alternatives?
I'm thinking cutting a 3" hole in a steel plate is probably not an easy task.

Any recommendations?

[CanStick]

Check out this thread:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=7542;start=msg54260#msg54260

It is the method I am going to be using to mount one in my cab...

Hope this helps!
Terry.

[JesterDEV]

I just cut the football (shap of the trackball case) into the MDF and drilled a 3" hole into my lexan. I mounted it directly to the lexan. Lexan is very strong, and might even work like this just fine.. But I decided to put a block of wook under the case just in case.  

Ofcouse this only works if you have artwork, or have painted your lexan. Otherwise it would really nasty.

[TheManuel]

Check out this thread:

It is the method I am going to be using to mount one in my cab...

Hope this helps!
Terry.

That's pretty clever.  Do check JesterDEV's suggestion too, tough.  It is even simpler.  I only hope the lexan holds.

[TheManuel]

Lexan is very strong, and might even work like this just fine.. But I decided to put a block of wook under the case just in case.  

You mean to support the weight of the trackball?
Fortunately, as opposed to a joystick, the trackball is not subjected to violent lateral movements, so that seems like it could work.
I think I'm going to try that.

[CanStick]

I am actually going to use a combination of the two....I am going to screw it into the wood, and also drill a 3" hole in the lexan and bolt it there as well.  In fact, I may not even bolt it to the lexan so that I have a  clean, "boltless" installation!

[JesterDEV]

You mean to support the weight of the trackball?
Fortunately, as opposed to a joystick, the trackball is not subjected to violent lateral movements, so that seems like it could work.
I think I'm going to try that.

Yes thats what I ment. I put a block of wooD(not wook) under the trackball so support the weight. The lexan could hold it just fine without the block, but when friends come over things get a bit crazy.  

It's never let me down.

[AlanS17]

Lexan is very strong, and might even work like this just fine.. But I decided to put a block of wook under the case just in case.  

You mean to support the weight of the trackball?
Fortunately, as opposed to a joystick, the trackball is not subjected to violent lateral movements, so that seems like it could work.
I think I'm going to try that.

You've never played Golden Tee, have you?

[u_rebelscum]

Lexan is very strong, and might even work like this just fine.. But I decided to put a block of wook under the case just in case.  

You mean to support the weight of the trackball?
Fortunately, as opposed to a joystick, the trackball is not subjected to violent lateral movements, so that seems like it could work.
I think I'm going to try that.

You've never played Golden Tee, have you?

I agree, TB's can get a lot of (mostly vertical) pounding.

[mpm32]

I was going to link you to my method but someone already did.  I have beat the crap put of that trackball mounted the way I described.  Hasn't moved a millimeter.  The key is to be sure that your football shaped hole is sized right.  I made mine so that it's a press fit.  If there was even a little movement between the edge of the wood and the TB housing, I think it would work itself loose.  Note that I also used 1/2" ply for the CP.  I think my method would work in MDF but, I haven't tried it.

Here's a pic of my panel;

[mpm32]

And here is the debut of my home built Cab - Metal Mame.  Note the metalic theme.  I was waiting on some better pics but anyway here it is. I think I will be getting those new SS sticks.

[mpm32]

That's me pointing.  "if I wiggle that joystick just the right way, someone will bring me another beer"

[AlanS17]

That's me pointing.  "if I wiggle that joystick just the right way, someone will bring me another beer"

Awesome! Where can I but one of those joysticks? (And who pays for the beer?)

[TheManuel]

That's me pointing.  "if I wiggle that joystick just the right way, someone will bring me another beer"

That's a handy feature to have.  I see you're working on a Rolling Rock there.  For a moment I thought it was a Heineken.

In my case, The panel is 1/2" MDF and I plan to use 1/8" lexan.  It will be a tough call.  Maybe I'll try a combination of your method and JesterDev's as CanStick suggested.

[rampy]

That's me pointing.  "if I wiggle that joystick just the right way, someone will bring me another beer"

I thought that was the "joystick I broke my knuckle on while playing golden tee"

=P

The cab looks very cool.. more pics and post it in the project annoucements (if it isn't already)

Rampy

[mpm32]

Not a big golden tee fan so that wasn't a consideration, well, I thought about it but I'd rather have the wico 4-way in there.  I'll post more pics when I get them in the project announcements.  For it's official coming out.