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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Sig00 on June 13, 2015, 01:59:33 am

Title: What trackball does the tankstick use?
Post by: Sig00 on June 13, 2015, 01:59:33 am
Hey guys, I'm building my first cabinet and I'm looking at which trackballs to use.

I want to get one that's mounted from beneath the panel so that only the ball part protrudes, the square part will not cover the artwork. The tankstick does this, so does anyone know which trackball they use or which trackball I can easily do this with?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: What trackball does the tankstick use?
Post by: Slippyblade on June 13, 2015, 02:38:49 am
Here ya go.

http://shop.xgaming.com/collections/arcade-parts/products/x-arcade-trackball-assembly-usb (http://shop.xgaming.com/collections/arcade-parts/products/x-arcade-trackball-assembly-usb)
Title: Re: What trackball does the tankstick use?
Post by: RetroGreg on June 13, 2015, 03:01:15 am
The x-arcade looks like it's a copy of a Betson trackball and I think they undermount them. You can use a Happ with the mounting plate if you route out the top of the panel for the plate. Just make sure to use Bondo or putty and sand it smooth before putting the artwork on top.
Title: Re: What trackball does the tankstick use?
Post by: mgb on June 13, 2015, 09:52:15 am
The Betson style trackball will work fine, as will the Happ style. The problem is if you're mounting it in wood, the trackball will sit too low.

Couple of options to consider:

Use the square mounting plate but route out the control panel top so that the mounting plate sits flush with the cp. you can then bondo it to make perfect for art going over it, or if you're using non adhesive artwork and plexi, just cover right over. don't forget to bevel in plexi around the ball.

get a trackball from Ultimarc: http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=10 (http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=10)
this trackball will undermount in wood and still sit at right height.

if you're using a wood cp, consider covering the whole cp in metal. you can then cut out the wood below for trackball mounting and you get one nice smooth cp top that adhesive artwork will adhere nicely too