4. Final assembly
In this section, you'll go over how to put the two halves of the enclosure together.
- #1 Phillips head screwdriver
- 2.5mm Allen key or screwdriver
- 2x M3x12mm flat-countersunk machine screws
- 2x M3x6mm socket cap machine screws
- 4x friction pads
- 1x snooker ball
To put the Top on:
- Align the USB-B connector with the Top.
- Put your thumb on the primary buttons and your index and middle finger on the secondary buttons, and depress the buttons gently. (They should click.)
- Pull the Top (it will bend slightly) until the peg from the scroll wheel enters its sheath in the Top.
- Press the Top into the Base with gentle but firm pressure until the two are seated together entirely.
- Here's a video showing the above steps.
To remove:
- Put your thumb on the primary buttons and your index and middle finger on the secondary buttons, and depress the buttons gently. (They should click.)
- Lift the rear end of the Top until the scroll wheel peg slips out of its sheath in the Top.
- Pull the Top off.
- Here's a video showing the above steps.
Two of the holes are for the countersunk screws, and two are for the socket cap screws. It should be pretty evident which of these is which.
Depending on slight size variations, you might need to push the ball in with some force, but it shouldn't require a large amount of force.
Plug the trackball into your computer. The buttons should be clicking, and if you move the ball, it should move the cursor.
If the buttons are stuck, take the top off and adjust the primary and secondary buttons by rotating them slightly in their bases and trying again.
The bearings are a bit scratchy when they're new. To prevent them from jumping around during initial use, spin the ball with some Latin dance vigour for about three minutes. That should be enough to break them in.
Congrats, you finished building the Ploopy Trackball!
It's done! Love it, use it, but don't you dare abuse it!