Something experimental - A5000 mouse ball replacement.

[rubber_jonnie]

I have to confess that the one thing that has sort of beaten me recently was the mouse ball for my Archimedes A5000 cheese wedge mouse.

Why did it beat me? Well finding a genuine 20mm mouse ball has been problematic, most seem to be around 22mm, and therefore none of the spare mice I have can offer a suitable replacement for the original that had simply crumbled:

A5000_Ball.jpeg

I was able to obtain both a 20mm Delrin ball and steel ball bearing, however the Delrin ball is just too light. Whilst the steel ball bearing does work, it will only do so on certain surfaces and the whole experience is rather scratchy and it makes the mouse really quite heavy.

So I've decided I'll try and recreate the original epoxy ball. I've not done any casting like this for a very long time TBH, but the materials are cheap so I think it's definitely worth a go.

Here's what I have so far:

PXL_20230314_130609403.jpg

So I have some clear epoxy 2 part resin, a silicone cube to make my mould in, and the 20mm steel ball to use as a blank for the mould. I'm just waiting on some RTV silicone to cast the mould with using the silicone cube and steel ball.

How's it going to turn out? Frankly I have no idea whatsoever, but I figure it's worth a go and even if it doesn't work 1st time, it'll hopefully point me in the right direction and I can make it work.

I'll post more here as I get round to it.

[derkom]

How's it going to turn out? Frankly I have no idea whatsoever

That right there is enough reason to try! :lol:

[rubber_jonnie]

How's it going to turn out? Frankly I have no idea whatsoever

That right there is enough reason to try! :lol:

And try I will!!!

[alexh]

There are other 20mm bearings other than stainless steel.

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/produ ... t_inc=true

[mrbombermillzy]

Maybe this might work? :shrug:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174652530650 ... R6qH0trcYQ

Balls.png

[Badwolf]

A5000_Ball.jpeg

images.jpeg

I love boiled sweets on a long journey, me.

BW

[rubber_jonnie]

There are other 20mm bearings other than stainless steel.

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/produ ... t_inc=true

I know, I already have a Delrin ball, but it's super light and doesn't work.

[rubber_jonnie]

Maybe this might work? :shrug:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174652530650 ... R6qH0trcYQ

Balls.png

Nice find, cheap enough for me to order a couple see how they do. I'm still going to try and cast an epoxy one though.

[rubber_jonnie]

A5000_Ball.jpeg

images.jpeg

I love boiled sweets on a long journey, me.

BW

MMMMMM, Butterscotch...

[stephen_usher]

I guess you could try repeatedly dipping a steel ball in latex and then vulcanising it. I seem to remember that is how many of the original mouse balls were made.