Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Generic Eric on May 19, 2003, 10:56:24 pm
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Ok, so I bought one of those Candlepin/Duckpin bowling balls. The way about the same as the atari football trackballs. The ball is 4.5 inches. What I want to know is what do you suggest making the enclosure out of? Metal? If so what kind and how thick? If I make the trackball enclosure out of metal, should I still have a trackball mounting plate?
Is there anything else I need to consider? Thanks in advance.
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Are you building the mechanism yourself then?
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Well, I looked for it at happs, but it was too pricey.
I don't know how much its gonna end up costing me in end, or if it would be cheaper just to buy it from happs. But I think it can be done. You have one, so you could probably tell me what I am getting into best
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Cool!
The thing about the Happs/Atari giant track balls, is that the mechanism is designed for mounting under a metal CP. If you were to mount one even under a 1/4" of plywood, you would be seriously reducing the surface of the ball you'd have to play with.
If you're going to design/manufacture your own, you could make the top of the mechanism 3/4" lower, so that the ball could be mounted in a regular wood CP.
I'll do some measuring when I get a chance (which may not be soon, unfortunately). How much access do you have to a metal shop?
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Not much to be honest. There is a Fab guy at work, and I know he has contraption to bend metal for making brackets and stuff. But im not sure what else he has in there. Measurements would be great, I only have the exploded view from the happs website. No rush and I didn't mean to put you on the spot or anything.
I didn't realize that the cps were metal, so the hint you gave me is a great help.