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fixing up old trackball

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severdhed:
hey guys, since i have two cabinets now, i can't help but want to have a trackball in both of them, since one has a horizontal monitor and one has a vertical.  i have a Utrak currently installed in my vertical cab, and i love it.  i had planned to eventually purchase another one for in my showcase cabinet, but not for a while since the cost is high. (not just the utrak, but trackballs in general).  well, looking through my basement, i found my old 3" Wico trackball, that i thought quit working.  just for S&G i decided to hook it up and try it...and it works.  it doesn't feel super smooth like my utrak though.  i did replace the rollers and bearings in it, but i think they need lubricated or something.  also the ball is a little rough looking. 

i dont want to spend a bunch of money, since i dont really have it to spend right now.  here are the questions i have:

1. what kind of lubricant should i use on the bearings?  what do i do, put them in a ziplock back and soak them for a while?

2. is there a cheap way to make this ball look better?  i thought i remember someone mentioning using toothpaste or something common like that.  do i just polish it with a rag, or a dremmel or something else?

3. i am installing this in a 5/8" MDF panel, covered with 1/8" plexi.  i have a mounting plate, which i plan on routing out the top of the mdf to make the plate sit flush, then covering it all in plexi.  the problem is the lip on this trackball is so low, that the plexi will stick up higher than the lip on the trackball, will this cause pinching when rolling my hands across?  my utrak mounts perfectly flush and feels great, but i hate to spend the money for a new trackball when i have this one that works fine.


BadMouth:
Look up pool ball polisher on youtube.  The basic idea is to put an automotive buffer or drill attachment (if you already have one) in the bottom of a bucket and let the ball roll around on it while it's spinning.

Xiaou2:

 Most bearings use lubricant which is too thick, causing the trackball to be
too hard to move.

 The best thing Ive found to remove the original lube, is Radioshacks "electronics cleaner".
Spray it on one bearing side, allow it to sink in for a few seconds, then free spin it
between your fingers for 60 seconds.  Flip the bearing over, repeat.  Repeat both sides
one last time.  Bearing should spin 10x as long.

 Electronics Cleaner loosens & eats crud, then evaporates into thin air.  Its quite
awesome... but a little expensive.  Wont need much though... and can be used
for all kinds of other cleaning needs. (eating marker, soil, sticker residue, etc)


 If you feel you need to add lubricant, you can try to allow some light oil, such as
"3-in-1 Oil" to soak in.

 Soaking bearings can easily get fragments of dirt trapped inside the bearings.
Best to do each one separately.

Turnarcades:
I've heard of people supposedly using pool balls as trackballs - try this for a unique look.

Radford119:
1. White Lithium grease for the bearings. It's light weight and usually comes in a spray can.
2. Try a Magic Eraser or any type of granular abrasive cleaner (Comet) with bleach will probably make it look brand new.
3. Maybe bevel or file the edges of your plexi so your edges aren't so harsh.

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