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Rebuilding trackballs

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u_rebelscum:

--- Quote from: shardian on November 03, 2006, 04:04:52 pm ---Where would you get a cue-ball of non-regulation size anyways??? Reg. is 2-1/4"

--- End quote ---

Probably a cue ball for coin operated pool tables.  The way the table "knows" to return a cue ball scrach but not the numbered balls is for the ball to be different size (usually).  Most often the ball is bigger (2-7/16" or 2-3/8"), but there are smaller ones too (2-3/16").  (IIRC, sometimes the coin cue ball weighs differently instead of size, but this is rare AFAIK.)

I've seen these coin cue balls at sports stores.

shardian:
Here is a quick article that explains coin-op cue balls.

it will be bigger than a regulation, not smaller.
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcueball.html

Jess--:

--- Quote ---it will be bigger than a regulation, not smaller
--- End quote ---

unless its a UK cue ball, 95% are smaller here

_) (V) (-):
I have no idea where my balls have been but I do know 'Shardian's shimming suggestion' (patent pending) has been most helpful.

I cut the clear tubing off the rollers and used pieces of it to raise the bearings up in their seats, then took a small grinder and removed a bit from each of the spots on the top cover part that was intended to hold them into place. After a few trys I got everything to fit together again and the slop has been reduced to about 1/16". I'd say about 70% better. This I can live with, Thanks for the tip!

Also worked up a mouse hack and used it as a testing rig to go through all the rest of these. Most are actually working fine. Found a couple that appear to have flakey sensors or diodes but overall I'd say I have enough parts to get 4 out of 7 up and running. 

Now I need to score some trackball mounting plates. Anyone have a few they'd care to sell or trade?

shardian:
Glad to be of service.

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