The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: t3design on March 03, 2010, 01:03:42 pm

Title: Replacement Balls for Trackballs
Post by: t3design on March 03, 2010, 01:03:42 pm
I bought a RGB trackball for my CP Cowboy Arcade Project (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90385.0) because I wanted my trackball to light up orange to match everything else. The problem with this is that when it is not lit it will be milky white which I really don't like. Also, I plan to light the controls for the game in use, so this impacts the look even when the cab is in play.

I started looking around for a replacement ball that was clear orange (so it would look good unlit and lit) and none of the arcade parts suppliers had anything. So I switched to looking for translucent 3" orange acrylic or polycarbonate balls and guess what I found....

Juggling balls!

There are lots of suppliers I am sure, but there are also lots of sizes. You need a 76mm acrylic ball. Like the orange one I just got in the mail!

(http://cowboyarcadeproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/orangeball.jpg)

Turns out that 76mm is almost exactly 3".

Here is the place I found mine:  Fire Mecca (https://www.firemecca.com/c-76-juggling.aspx).  I don't have any connection to this company at all, just bought from them and am very happy with the product and service.
Title: Re: Replacement Balls for Trackballs
Post by: RayB on March 03, 2010, 06:45:30 pm
Yup. We knew about this, but doesn't hurt to remind people.  ;)

Title: Re: Replacement Balls for Trackballs
Post by: DrumAnBass on March 03, 2010, 06:58:17 pm
Yup and 2 1/4" trackballs happen to be the same size as billiards balls. I used a nice clear sparkle cue ball - see:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=58850.msg580646#msg580646 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=58850.msg580646#msg580646)

Title: Re: Replacement Balls for Trackballs
Post by: t3design on March 03, 2010, 09:00:36 pm
So I'm a noob I guess. I was just so excited to find something that worked I wanted to share my joy with the world (or at least the really small and kind of geeky part the we inhabit).
Title: Re: Replacement Balls for Trackballs
Post by: DrumAnBass on March 04, 2010, 12:53:15 am
That orange ball is going to look sweet! Post some pix when you get it mounted and lit!