# Potential mod planning and layout **URL:** \ **Category:** uConsole\ **Tags:** tinkering, hardware\ **Created:** [October 26, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750 "2024-10-26T22:26:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![INSMNYK](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/insmnyk/32/10339_2.png) [@INSMNYK](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/INSMNYK)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/1 "2024-10-26T22:26:11Z")
Can anyone, please, let me know the size of the space between the buttons (pict attached). I’m doing a little pre-planning on potential mods once my uConsole arrives. I already have the WiFi antenna to be mounted externally, I have a couple of usb sockets to mount between the speakers,etc. What I’m considering is a usb trackpad mounted in place of the trackball, but without a console in hand I can only guestimate what will fit. ![1000004631](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/8/804de7dc2349cbd10efc3529e81c17f7d6ffff91.png) ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 10:38pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/2 "2024-10-26T22:38:32Z")
![IMG_20241026_183344305](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/2/2a205139d918ad53a22ee56b2905039b8e97ce1b.jpeg) ![IMG_20241026_183316152](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/8/8481b3eb41c8f6d5b875a8390936e7855edfc8cf.jpeg) There is no room under the front plate though, it’s the: front plate, rubber membrane, keyboard PCB. ---
**Author:** ![INSMNYK](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/insmnyk/32/10339_2.png) [@INSMNYK](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/INSMNYK)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/3 "2024-10-26T23:45:29Z")
Thank You! I found a touchpad that is only 5.5 mm thick, I might (emphasis on might) be able to cut that section out and 3d print a slightly raised section similar to the area around the trackball. I can fit in a thin shim to lock a frame in. But, as stated, this is just planning and plotting stages. Nothing is getting set in stone till I have had it for a few months to see what I really need to change or just want to change. Well, except a paint job or vinyl wrap or something. ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/4 "2024-10-27T00:16:53Z")
Good Luck! I look forward to seeing a mod like this. ---
**Author:** ![tinspin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@tinspin](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/tinspin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 10:21am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/5 "2024-10-27T10:21:05Z")
What screen protector are you using? ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 10:31am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/6 "2024-10-27T10:31:14Z")
i’m using this one. [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1636557-REG/smallrig\_3274\_screen\_protector\_for\_bmpcc.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1636557-REG/smallrig_3274_screen_protector_for_bmpcc.html) ---
**Author:** ![tinspin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@tinspin](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/tinspin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 10:52am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/7 "2024-10-27T10:52:35Z")
So it’s a bit too narrow in height? I just cut a matte tablet screencover with scissors… ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 11:06am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/8 "2024-10-27T11:06:50Z")
The one I linked fit perfectly edge to edge like it was made for it. ---
**Author:** ![tinspin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@tinspin](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/tinspin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 11:12am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/9 "2024-10-27T11:12:49Z")
Just looked like the top had glare… I ordered anyways… going all in! XD ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/10 "2024-10-27T11:31:35Z")
It’s glass and beveled at the edge ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@Greg\_E](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Greg_E)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/11 "2024-10-27T15:19:06Z")
If you have a 3d printer, can’t you print the entire top case and modify the design to fit that track pad? I’d almost rather have an IBM style pointer nub than the ball. ---
**Author:** ![INSMNYK](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/insmnyk/32/10339_2.png) [@INSMNYK](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/INSMNYK)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/12 "2024-10-27T17:54:59Z")
Yes to the 3D printer, but at my skill level, a smaller frame bit is doable. The entire front case as a print would lose a lot of the quality and solid feel of the aluminium. Same with the back, I’m looking at adding a separate charging circuit for a different battery or possibly just a quick release cover to make the batteries easier to swap out. But replacing the entire back, probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@Greg\_E](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Greg_E)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/13 "2024-10-27T20:58:09Z")
Quick release cover for the batteries would be nice! ---
**Author:** ![INSMNYK](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/insmnyk/32/10339_2.png) [@INSMNYK](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/INSMNYK)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/potential-mod-planning-and-layout/14750/14 "2024-10-31T05:13:31Z")
Well the battery hatch is still promising. The trackpad, not so much. Those measurements eliminated my list. Even the smallest I can find is too tall to fit between the keyboard and screen. Hmmm, if I go to a Bluetooth trackpad, a small clip on holster for it would be fairly easy addition, without harming the function of the trackball. Not exactly what I want, but not a horrible option.