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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Rando on June 13, 2011, 12:30:00 am

Title: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: Rando on June 13, 2011, 12:30:00 am

 :lol

Trackball!
Working on creating my CP tonight, got my trackball mounting plate in place and screwed it in, but the trackball sags probably a 1/4 inch or so when resting.  Figuring I missed a step somewhere, but not sure what it is.  Cut hole, drilled holes for mounting plate, bolted mounting plate into place, inserted ball mechanism, inserted long screws, screwed as far as I could, but still some slack.

Picks below, first shows the sag, second is from underneath showing how it looks when I hold it tight, last is showing how it looks when left to sag.

what am I missing?

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: EwJ on June 13, 2011, 12:44:03 am

Maybe your long screws (bolts/machine screws?) are too long?
Or there is something in the ends of the part you screw into that they are bottoming out on.

Judging from your 2nd pic, you could use some washers under the screw heads to keep them from entering the trackball housing and you're golden.

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: dfmaverick on June 13, 2011, 12:45:55 am

Descending balls are very normal during infancy. No need to fear.

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: dfmaverick on June 13, 2011, 12:51:35 am

Can't tell from the pics, and I'm sure it isn't, but is there wood between the trackball and mounting plate on one side keeping the trackball from being 100% tight to the plate? (Right side)

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: Blanka on June 13, 2011, 04:45:17 am

I mount this type of ball completely different myself. I don't like mounting plates or bolts on top of the panel. My solution is: make a hole in the wood like you do, cut a 46mm hole in the CP (I make this out of 3mm aluminium), and bend a omega-profile from metal to press 2 of the plastic screw cylinders against the CP. Since the 3mm aluminium is stiff enough, and the buttons hold the CP and the wood together, this is very solid, and very nice looking.

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: Blanka on June 13, 2011, 04:49:54 am

(http://www.picamatic.com/show/2011/06/13/12/49/7624243_bigthumb.JPG) (http://www.picamatic.com/view/7624243_DSC00230/)
I made a quick sketch  :D

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: Rando on June 13, 2011, 08:55:35 am

Thanks all,
And especially for the custom pic Blanka! ;)

I figured I could add some washers to keep the screws extended, but didn't think that I SHOULD be doing that, so asked in case I was doing something blatantly wrong.  To answer the other questions:
- Screws are going as far as they can, and they cam with the ball, so ASSUME that they would be right size?  ???
- Ball CAN be flush to the topmount IF I hold it up with my finger
- Doesn't appear to be catching or against the wood, I left a little room around with my "precision" jig-sawing. ;)

I'll add some washers and wire tonight! (Hopefully)

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: boardjunkie on June 15, 2011, 01:42:03 pm

This tends to happen when the weather gets warm  :laugh2:

Title: Re: Help, my ball is sagging!!!
Post by: Rando on June 15, 2011, 01:47:02 pm

Quote from: boardjunkie on June 15, 2011, 01:42:03 pm

This tends to happen when the weather gets warm  :laugh2:

Thanks BJ! ;)

Update to say that I added some washers and my ball is now tightly hung!