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| Dariusz:
Hi, I've got a question on how the Happ Plate 3" Trackball should be installed? (the plave is abouit 1.5-2mm thick). 1. Should it be installed with the plate on top of the control panel (ie. The top of the plate will be 1.5-2mm above the control panel)? OR 2. Should the top of the plate be flush with the control panel (ie. The top of the plate is levell with the control panel)? Option 1 is easy to install, but option two requires presision. If option 2 is the correct option, how do you go about making the cut-out for the plate in the control panel. Thanks in advance for all responses. Kind Regards, Dariusz |
| teef two:
It's going to be down to personal preference and/or skill level. You could mount it flush with the topside by using a router to make the recess. I'd suggest practising on some scrap. Covering the plate after that with an overlay and some plexi would make it invisible. |
| Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: teef two on June 18, 2003, 09:36:04 am ---It's going to be down to personal preference and/or skill level. You could mount it flush with the topside by using a router to make the recess. I'd suggest practising on some scrap. Covering the plate after that with an overlay and some plexi would make it invisible. --- End quote --- Plexi over the top of the plate is not a good idea. It will work, but defeats the purpose of the plate. Otherwise, yes, route it out to recess it, or mount it above the panel. |
| u_rebelscum:
I recessed (vb?) my plates. If you do, here's how I suggest it. (Uses a router) Mark, on the CP, the cutout "football" and the four corner bolts that hold the plate to the CP. Cutout the football with a jigsaw/router/ziproto/whatever, and keep the "football". Drill the four holes for the corner bolts and drop the plate onto the top of the CP, using the bolts to line it up correctly. Trace the outline of the plate onto the CP. Pull the plate back off the CP and set the router bit depth to that of the plate by: sitting the plate on a flat surface and the router on the plate, unlock the plunge router, drop/push the body of the router down so the bit rests on the flat surface; and lock the router in place. Put the football back in to help keep the router level. Route the CP, but leave the middle of the football un-routed. Straight edges are nice to keep the edges straight, but if you don't mind or are going to cover it with artwork/laminate, you can fill any extra routed space around the plate with bondo or other wood filler. <edited- replaced dangerous "loose bit" words with "unlock plunge router" wording> --- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on June 18, 2003, 09:54:14 am --- --- Quote from: teef two on June 18, 2003, 09:36:04 am ---It's going to be down to personal preference and/or skill level. You could mount it flush with the topside by using a router to make the recess. I'd suggest practising on some scrap. Covering the plate after that with an overlay and some plexi would make it invisible. --- End quote --- Plexi over the top of the plate is not a good idea. It will work, but defeats the purpose of the plate. Otherwise, yes, route it out to recess it, or mount it above the panel. --- End quote --- Why would covering the plate with plexi defeat "the purpose of the plate"? Especially if you got happs cheaper plain zinc model instead of the black textured one, and cover the plate with artwork anyway? :P ;) |
| Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: u_rebelscum on June 18, 2003, 11:10:25 pm ---Why would covering the plate with plexi defeat "the purpose of the plate"? Especially if you got happs cheaper plain zinc model instead of the black textured one, and cover the plate with artwork anyway? :P ;) --- End quote --- I should have clarified that, not that it can't be done, just that it's not the best idea. This is mainly from info I gained from exchanging E-mails with Bob Roberts. The plate has three purposes: 1) Simplifies installation 2) Allows the trackball to be mounted high on the panel, so you have maximum trackball surface area for playing games. 3) Provides a clean interface between the trackball and the panel, so you have a place to rest your palm and so you don't have to worry about pinching your hand between the panel edge and the TB. Mounting the plate above plexi is fine. Mounting the plate below plexi has the following problems: 1) The overall height of the trackball above the panel is reduced by the thickness of the plexi. 2) The hole in the plexi really should be radiused (smaller on top and larger on the bottom surface) to account for the curvature of the T-ball. 3) If item 2) is done improprerly (or not at all), there is a greater chance of catching your fingers against the lip of the plexi as you spin the T-ball. That's what I was meaning! |
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