- Dec 28, 2001
- 11,391
- 3
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So yes, I use a trackball. I must be one of the 3 in the world that uses one; anyhow, I'm not here to really debate whether I "should" use one or not, that's irrelevant.
What I'm interested in, however, is modifying the trackball I have now; the Trackman Marble - it's almost perfect - it has 4 buttons, is comfortable on the hands, responsive and has been working flawlessly for the last 5 years I've had it.
But there's one fatal flaw for this trackball; no mouse wheel.
I mean, what kind of wacko designer doesn't include a scroll-wheel with a mouse nowadays, right? Apparently trackballers don't get the same luxury.
To add insult to injury, trackballs are definitely a dying breed; it's not like I can just throw this one out and get another one that would fit what I'm looking for (like with computer mouse) - I defy you to find a trackball that's not thumb-controlled, ergonomic and has a mouse-wheel (anyways, I have this one already anyways, so . . ..).
So it comes down to this; I WANT TO ADD A SCROLLWHEEL TO THE TRACKBALL. Question is, how do I even get started on doing this?
Red box is (approximately) where I want to add the wheel. Taking apart the mouse, it looks fairly straightforward;
Question is, could I add just the mousewheel to this? If this helps any, the button layout on the trackball goes like:
- Button 1
- Button 2
- Button 4
- Button 5
Meaning that button3/the middle mouse button is not listed.
Or would I have to gut anther pointing device for this project? I have an MX310 mouse ready for sacrifice; or this is the very last drastic option, gut another trackball to fit (I like using the ball with my pointing finger, not my thumb).
Any ideas/suggestions to read up on how to do this? Or is this a lost cause?
What I'm interested in, however, is modifying the trackball I have now; the Trackman Marble - it's almost perfect - it has 4 buttons, is comfortable on the hands, responsive and has been working flawlessly for the last 5 years I've had it.
But there's one fatal flaw for this trackball; no mouse wheel.
I mean, what kind of wacko designer doesn't include a scroll-wheel with a mouse nowadays, right? Apparently trackballers don't get the same luxury.
To add insult to injury, trackballs are definitely a dying breed; it's not like I can just throw this one out and get another one that would fit what I'm looking for (like with computer mouse) - I defy you to find a trackball that's not thumb-controlled, ergonomic and has a mouse-wheel (anyways, I have this one already anyways, so . . ..).
So it comes down to this; I WANT TO ADD A SCROLLWHEEL TO THE TRACKBALL. Question is, how do I even get started on doing this?

Red box is (approximately) where I want to add the wheel. Taking apart the mouse, it looks fairly straightforward;
Question is, could I add just the mousewheel to this? If this helps any, the button layout on the trackball goes like:
- Button 1
- Button 2
- Button 4
- Button 5
Meaning that button3/the middle mouse button is not listed.
Or would I have to gut anther pointing device for this project? I have an MX310 mouse ready for sacrifice; or this is the very last drastic option, gut another trackball to fit (I like using the ball with my pointing finger, not my thumb).
Any ideas/suggestions to read up on how to do this? Or is this a lost cause?