Installing a 2 ¼” trackball into a metal control panel

[Malarrya2]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to the Arcade/MAME restoration world and was hoping someone can clear up something that I can’t seem to find a solid answer to.

I want to install a 2 ¼” trackball into a metal control panel. The panel was taken from a Night Slashers game for which image can be found here:
http://gamesdbase.com/Media/SYSTEM/Arcade/Cabinet/big/Night_Slashers_-_1994_-_Data_East.jpg

I want to put the trackball in-between the two joysticks so here is my question:

On  a Centipede game it seems there is only a small hole with 4 bolts surrounding the hole.
Do I need to simply cut a 2 ¼” hole then drill 4 smaller holes for the bolts or do I need some sort of mounting plate and a giant gaping hole to install the trackball?

If I need a mounting plate why aren't the metal panel and bolt holes good enough to hold the trackball?

Thanks for any response you can provide.

Sincerely,
Larry

[Malarrya2]

Well I found out the answer to my question by messaging Andy at Ultimarc.com. He writes:

The 2 ¼ inch trackball is suited to installation in a metal panel. You would need to drill the 2 ¼ inch hole and the 4 mounting holes. No mounting plate would be needed if using a metal panel.

Thanks, Andy!

[McHale]

I have a Happ 3" installed in an Asteroids CP.  Same thing.  Simple hole cut and 4 hole drilled.  When cutting holes, the trick is to cut slow and keep the hole saw oiled PLENTY while cutting it.  But it IS do-able.  And he was correct.  NO mounting plate necessary.

[mgb]

I have my 2-1/4" trackball the same way. It's in a metal cp between the two joysticks. Mounting was easy with just the hole and the 4 mounting holes for the carriage bolts. Nice and clean.