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Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

General discussions or ideas about hardware.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 25 Jul 2024 11:40 Is there any way that you can put the resin into a syringe and inject it from the base of the mould so that you don't risk getting the filler hole blocked by a bubble?
Oddly when I just used resin it came out fine, however I think the addition of the iron powder has clearly changed the viscosity leading to the bubble.

Injecting the material is something I'm seriously considering for the next run.

I've also just ordered a new seamless 20mm mould and I found some 20mm seamless black rubber balls on AliExpress that I thought I'd try too.
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HigashiJun
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by HigashiJun »

Next try should be good.

8-)
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: 25 Jul 2024 12:19 Next try should be good.

8-)
Fingers crossed
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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alexh
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by alexh »

I wonder if something as simple as putting the mold on your mobile phone when it is on vibrate would be enough to get the air bubbles to the top or if you will need a more powerful vibrator (oo'er)
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

alexh wrote: 25 Jul 2024 16:18 I wonder if something as simple as putting the mold on your mobile phone when it is on vibrate would be enough to get the air bubbles to the top or if you will need a more powerful vibrator (oo'er)
That's another thought I'd had too, can I use something to help vibrate out the bubbles, and I have a stack of old mobiles :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, I thought this was it:

IMG20240802141333.jpg

They are hard black seamless, so smooth, rubber balls, 20mm. They fit perfectly, trouble is, they jam up. I have tried cleaning them, but they just won't play nicely.

Dammit...
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by stephen_usher »

Probably too grippy.

Spray one with gloss paint? Or maybe satin actually.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 02 Aug 2024 14:32 Probably too grippy.

Spray one with gloss paint? Or maybe satin actually.
It is indeed too grippy, just considering my options.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
peters
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by peters »

Would a nylon ball bearing be too light ?

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p6120 ... _info.html
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

peters wrote: 02 Aug 2024 16:06 Would a nylon ball bearing be too light ?

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p6120 ... _info.html
I'll check the weight, I have an idea where it's supposed to be, but I have tried a Delrin ball and that was too light.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...

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