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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: milhouse on March 04, 2005, 03:41:25 pm

Title: beginner question regarding trackball\hole saw
Post by: milhouse on March 04, 2005, 03:41:25 pm
I ordered a 2.25" trackball from Ultimarc and am making my first (of many, probably) trips to Home Depot. I did not get a mounting plate and I was planing on using thin metal to make my own.  Obviously I will need to have a round hole for it.  So do I need  a 2.25" hole saw? Or is that the diameter of the ball itself, making the hole size smaller?   I also know there is a small lip around the trackball that looks to be about a quarter of an inch wide.  Does that change the hole saw size? 

Sorry its a stupid question, but I couldn't find any answers searching the board (you'd be surprised how often hole saw and trackball are posted).

Also, just to be safe, a standard button hole saw size is 1 1/8", correct?

Thanks.
Title: Re: beginner question regarding trackball\hole saw
Post by: Thenasty on March 04, 2005, 03:54:22 pm
it will actually cut the hole around the LIP size. The 2.25 hole saw is just right for it.
Title: Re: beginner question regarding trackball\hole saw
Post by: alex627 on March 04, 2005, 07:22:38 pm
Dial saws are very nice. Less grabbing than a hole saw AND they are adjustable. Hole saws generally kinda suck. They get hot and grab. MDF is dense and gummy so the heat can be a problem. If your using plywood then hole saws are fine.
Title: Re: beginner question regarding trackball\hole saw
Post by: u_rebelscum on March 04, 2005, 07:47:59 pm
I ordered a 2.25" trackball from Ultimarc .... So do I need  a 2.25" hole saw?

2.25", yes. 

Hole saw, fostner, blade type all work, some better in different materials.  Since you're doing metal, I'd suggest a metal cutting hole saw.

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Or is that the diameter of the ball itself, 

Yes the ball is also 2.25".

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  making the hole size smaller?

umm, see your next question

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I also know there is a small lip around the trackball that looks to be about a quarter of an inch wide.  Does that change the hole saw size? 

yes.  The hole would be smaller, but the lip changes the hole size back to 2.25".  And yes, the lip totals ~1/4" (1/8" on each side).

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Sorry its a stupid question, 

Not a stupid question.  You knew enough to understand where all the factors came in, but not how they finally ended up.  Which is the perfect reason to ask, after searching of course.

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but I couldn't find any answers searching the board (you'd be surprised how often hole saw and trackball are posted).

Not really, not everyone searches like you did.  :)

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Also, just to be safe, a standard button hole saw size is 1 1/8", correct?

The standard is 1 1/8", yes.

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Thanks.

Welcome. :D
Title: Re: beginner question regarding trackball\hole saw
Post by: milhouse on March 04, 2005, 10:55:29 pm
Thanks guys