Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: javeryh on January 13, 2006, 09:32:26 pm

Title: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: javeryh on January 13, 2006, 09:32:26 pm: I think they are the same diameter (2-1/4"). Have any of you used them before? Are they accurate?
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: Hoopz on January 13, 2006, 09:56:33 pm: Mine work very well. There is virtually no difference between the two. I have used 4 different ones in my trackball without any problems.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: BASSOFeeSH on January 13, 2006, 11:09:49 pm: I used to have a list of sites that sold either unique or customizable billard balls. Unfortunately I lost them all. >:(
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: javeryh on January 13, 2006, 11:27:44 pm: I'm thinking about one of these (the NY Giants one):

(http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9576/pool1mg.th.png) (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pool1mg.png)

to match my color scheme:

(http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2843/cp3frontshot0sc.th.jpg) (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cp3frontshot0sc.jpg)

Will it work?
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: Ken Layton on January 14, 2006, 12:42:12 am: Actually the trackball assemblies manufactured by Happ, Imperial, Wico, and even the old Atari ones do indeed use a 2-1/4" cue ball.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: AlexC on January 14, 2006, 09:35:51 am: Of course one of these would be nice also :

ebay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FANTASY-VIXENS-Billiard-Pool-Ball-Set-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ7211078199QQcategoryZ75193QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

But not kid friendly :P ...
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: Tahnok on January 14, 2006, 06:10:19 pm: I've also heard that contact juggling balls work well, but never actually seen them used. Has anyone ever used these? They are available in a ton of cool materials, including completely clear.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: bb040 on January 14, 2006, 08:51:15 pm: you might try this place......http://www.seriousjuggling.com/Balls_Acrylic.htm
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: Tahnok on January 14, 2006, 10:55:43 pm: Quote from: bb040 on January 14, 2006, 08:51:15 pm
you might try this place......http://www.seriousjuggling.com/Balls_Acrylic.htm
Yup, those are what I was talking about. But has anyone actually have experience with them?

Edit: Also, that site doesn't carry 2.25", only 3" for bigger trackballs.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: quarterback on January 14, 2006, 11:13:32 pm: Here are the poolball/juggling links I've bookmarked for potential trackball replacements:

http://www.paramountindustriesinc.com/prod_5bllrd_5bal.asp
http://www.extremespin.com/?cat=juggling&sub=Acrylic-Balls
http://www.shrunkenheads.com/Products/cart/?catID=1&SubCatID=13&itemID=18
http://www.tryouttoys.com/toy_acrylic.html
http://www.insidepool.com/
Flame Foundry and Forge (http://www.ffandf.com/~alawac/cgi-bin/cart.cgi/scan/st=db/co=yes/sf=category/se=Forge/op=eq/sf=prod_group/se=Crystal%20Balls/op=eq.html?mv_pc=sep)
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: missioncontrol on January 14, 2006, 11:32:25 pm: It wirks better than the oversized dice I was plaing on using ;D
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: erictrumpet on January 15, 2006, 05:04:34 pm: Quote from: quarterback on January 14, 2006, 11:13:32 pm
http://www.shrunkenheads.com/Products/cart/?catID=1&SubCatID=13&itemID=18

Wow I frickin LOVE the eyeball one! Anyone using this? Is it neat, or gross and/or weird?

(http://www.shrunkenheads.com/Products/images/nonKnobs/18.jpg)

Eric.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: ften on January 15, 2006, 06:22:27 pm: I've been using a custom black cue ball for a while now, and it works fine. Got it off EBay in a set with a white 8 ball.

-FTen
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: G@M3FR3@K on January 15, 2006, 08:58:47 pm: Quote from: erictrumpet on January 15, 2006, 05:04:34 pm
Quote from: quarterback on January 14, 2006, 11:13:32 pm
http://www.shrunkenheads.com/Products/cart/?catID=1&SubCatID=13&itemID=18

Wow I frickin LOVE the eyeball one! Anyone using this? Is it neat, or gross and/or weird?

(http://www.shrunkenheads.com/Products/images/nonKnobs/18.jpg)

Eric.

May not work, since it's sold as a Shift Knob, and it most likely already includes a threaded hole. ;)
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: erictrumpet on January 15, 2006, 10:12:21 pm: Quote from: G@M3FR3@K on January 15, 2006, 08:58:47 pm
May not work, since it's sold as a Shift Knob, and it most likely already includes a threaded hole. ;)

Yeah but I bet you could contact that company and ask for one without a mounting hole.

My guess though, is that any ball with a design painted on it would look scuffed and crappy after 2 games of Centipede anyway.

Eric.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: hypernova on January 16, 2006, 07:11:19 pm: Quote from: AlexC on January 14, 2006, 09:35:51 am
Of course one of these would be nice also :

ebay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FANTASY-VIXENS-Billiard-Pool-Ball-Set-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ7211078199QQcategoryZ75193QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

But not kid friendly :P ...

THESE BALLS ARE A MUST ! ! ! !....THESE BALLS MAKE GREAT GIFTS ALSO ! Get these balls while my supplies last.....Email me if you are interested in other types of Balls.

snicker snicker...
nobody can read that description with a straight face!
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: hnugz on January 16, 2006, 07:35:13 pm: It looks like you can customize a ball here:
http://billiardgate.com/shop/us/ (http://billiardgate.com/shop/us/)
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: javeryh on January 27, 2006, 03:22:30 pm: Quote from: hnugz on January 16, 2006, 07:35:13 pm
It looks like you can customize a ball here:
http://billiardgate.com/shop/us/ (http://billiardgate.com/shop/us/)

Do you think this would be possible to have customized for a trackball (billiard ball)?

(http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1457/sw025rt.th.jpg) (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sw025rt.jpg)

I'm doing a Star Wars themed cab and this would absolutely kick ass.
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: Tahnok on January 27, 2006, 05:27:44 pm: ...The large chunk out of the side might make it roll slightly irregularly...
Title: Re: How does a Billiard Ball work instead of a Trackball?
Post by: lovespicyfood on January 27, 2006, 07:58:06 pm: Quote from: tahnok100 on January 27, 2006, 05:27:44 pm
...The large chunk out of the side might make it roll slightly irregularly...

Now that gave me a good laugh! Thanks! ;D