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trackball mounting...

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severdhed:

hey guys, i am getting ready to build my new control panel, and adding a trackball.  i have a 3" wico trackball, which has a dead optic board, and a happ mounting plate.  i plan on building my panel out of 5/8" MDF, covered in 1/8" plexi.  i just did some practicing on a scrap of wood and plexi to get used to using my new router.  i'm just not sure how is the best way to mount the trackball. either way, i need to order a new trackball...i'm either going with the electric Ice-T from GGG, or the U-Trak from ultimarc.  i havent found any reviews of the electric ice-t though, so i am a little hesitant.  either way, i need to order some stuff from GGG, like some more happ buttons and an optiwiz. ( i need an inexpensive mouse interface that supports buttons, the utrak interface does not support buttons) here are the options that i see:

Using the electric ICE-T:

1. route out the mdf so that the mounting plate sits flush with the top of the wood, cut a 3" hole in the plexi.  (this is what i just tried...it works pretty well, and i managed to cut a pretty nice hole with the router...however i am afraid that i may pinch my fingers on the edge of the plexi)

2. mount the trackball plate on top of the plexi.  (this would feel nice to use, but i am afraid would look crappy)

3. use the plexi as a mounting plate, cut a 3" hole in it, and run 4 bolts down through the top...the trackball would not be mounted to the wood at all.    I did this before using a solid red substance that is similar to plexiglass and it seemed to work OK...i'm a little afraid of stability over the long run, plus there would be bolt heads on top of the panel.

4. get a new piece of MDF that is 3/4" thick, and just mount the trackball plate on top of it, not using plexi at all...then i would need to cover it with something like vinyl or something, plus i would have an exposed trackball plate

5. get a U-Trak trackball from ultimarc and use the trim ring, that should eliminate the pinching of the plexi, plus look OK.  i'd just have to route 1/8" off the back of the MDF to get it to sit flush..which isnt a big deal...the only problem is I have to place two orders from two different places, and pay shipping twice.

6: some other, not yet discovered option


so, what should I do?  (FYI...if i end up using plexi, i am not using a control panel overlay, i plan to paint the back side of the plexi black, so it is nice and plain and simple looking..so there is no artwork to worry about either way)

i am waiting for my income tax refund to buy the trackball, hopefully the W2s will come soon and i can get things filed quickly.  i'd like to get started building my panel, but i cant do alot until i decide on how i am going to mount the trackball..so please help me decide.

TelcoLou:

I'd go with the plexi-over-mounting plate; here's how mine turned out (pre-built from ArcadesRfun):



csa3d:

While semi-unconventional, here's how I mounted my E-Ice Trackball.

-csa

severdhed:


--- Quote from: csa3d on January 23, 2009, 10:14:52 pm ---While semi-unconventional, here's how I mounted my E-Ice Trackball.

-csa

--- End quote ---

very interesting....although i think i'd like to keep the plexiglass covering the panel, so i would have to modify your method slightly..but it is an option i didnt think of before..so thank you.

also..how do you like your electric ice trackball?  i searched the forums but couldnt find any kind of opinion on them. 


to everyone else...please keep the suggestions coming..i'd like as much advice as possible (examples are great also)

csa3d:


--- Quote from: severdhed on January 23, 2009, 10:33:38 pm ---also..how do you like your electric ice trackball?  i searched the forums but couldnt find any kind of opinion on them. 

--- End quote ---

My only gripe is that I wish it was better balanced inside.  Hard spins in the opposite direction of the main rollers tend to float the ball out of contact with the rollers.  I blame this on Betson and not GGG.  Not sure if its fixable w/ a heavier ball or not.

-csa

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