Re-tipping and ball polishers

jumunjo · Sep 19, 2017

Hi all,

I am looking to draw on the collective wisdom of my fellow members.

I own a pool hall in the U.K and all looking for 2 items to complement our services to our customers.

Firstly am looking for a re tipping set up that does just that. Not ferrules/pins/wraps etc. Just tips. As long as it's a small (ish) set up, preferably portable and can provide a professional finish. Suggestions please. (Ps, I once owned a unique travel companion but wasn't to impressed with the accuracy in the travel of the tool post)

Secondly, am looking for a ball polisher, but can't justify why a decent one costs several hundred dollars when the parts don't even cost a 100! Any suggestions (please, not the bucket polisher!)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help.

J.

Texas Carom Club · Sep 19, 2017

Well the polisher I would suggest is like the diamond one, which rotates on multiple axis's
But costs hundred's less, however shipping across the pond will suck!

It's made here in the us , I own one, does a perfect job polishing my Carom balls

jumunjo · Sep 19, 2017

Thanks for the reply, last quote I got for the diamond in U.K. Was $995!!

mattb · Sep 19, 2017

Ball polisher

I would suggest looking into making a ball polisher. Several members here, including myself, have made one using an orbital automotive polisher and a 5 gallon bucket. Do a search and see if you can't locate the threads from a few years back.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=71033&highlight=Ball+polisher

Found the thread for you.

Black-Balled · Sep 19, 2017

I have nothing to add that addresses your query...but we'd love to see your room and perhaps get a bit of a story too, about its history and current life?

We do like pool up in hrrrre.

strmanglr scott · Sep 19, 2017

Build a polisher, there's many ways to do it.

buckets · Sep 19, 2017

Re-tipping by hand is pretty easy. The only specialized tool you might want is a circular tip sander. Other than that you just need a razor blade, some glue, sand paper/tip tool.

mchnhed · Sep 19, 2017

buckets said:
Re-tipping by hand is pretty easy. The only specialized tool you might want is a circular tip sander. Other than that you just need a razor blade, some glue, sand paper/tip tool.

Don't forget he needs a can of elbow grease also.

Kickin' Chicken · Sep 19, 2017

I've heard a lot of good things about the Willard tipper machines. This would be a great alternative to getting a larger machine. You can find these from time to time used but in great shape. You can place a "wanted" ad in the wanted/for sale forum to see if any are avail.

As for polishers, I have the diamond which is prob the best but yes, $995 to the UK is very high. I know in many threads people have been very pleased with two products that have been used in commercial settings, one is the Ballstar and the other is by Bludworth. Def less expensive than Diamond and both should do a very nice job.

GL and as BB said, would love to see pics of your room and some background. :smile:

best,
brian kc

Texas Carom Club · Sep 19, 2017

jumunjo said:
Thanks for the reply, last quote I got for the diamond in U.K. Was $995!!

well the polisher i have, only costs 275, plus shipipng

Kickin' Chicken · Sep 19, 2017

beneath_the_sur said:
well the polisher i have, only costs 275, plus shipipng

Are you reluctant to disclose what the brand name is?

Texas Carom Club · Sep 19, 2017

Kickin' Chicken said:
Are you reluctant to disclose what the brand name is?

Not at all, not so much a brand as a person I've sent several people to him and they love it too

He's on here although I don't know his screen name
But he's on Facebook , name is Robert ingold

buckets · Sep 19, 2017

mchnhed said:
Don't forget he needs a can of elbow grease also.

and maybe he should steal a house cue to practice on :grin:

trentfromtoledo · Sep 19, 2017

jumunjo said:
I own a pool hall in the U.K and all looking for 2 items to complement our services to our customers.

For a pool room the dual platter Diamond Ball Polisher is the route to go. It does a full rack at a time, does not take for ever and it performs like it should. Getting people to clean the balls is hard enough, give them a good machine to use and the balls most likely will get cleaned more.

Trent from Toledo.

ctyhntr · Sep 19, 2017

Forum search is your friend. Here is a past thread comparing Ballstar, Bludworth and Diamond.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3736324

Bludworth seems to be the common choice for poolhalls in my area.
http://www.bludworthballcleaner.com/

Celophanewrap · Sep 19, 2017

Kickin' Chicken said:
I've heard a lot of good things about the Willard tipper machines. This would be a great alternative to getting a larger machine. You can find these from time to time used but in great shape. You can place a "wanted" ad in the wanted/for sale forum to see if any are avail.

A more cost effective measure to the Willard Tipper (which is an excellent choice, btw) is
the Porper Big Shaver. Like the Willard machine it takes a bit of practice but once you develop
a routine, a system so to speak it's reasonably easy to use and convenient.
There are also (or have been) on eBay the tipper contraptions from Asia. They appear to
be plastic and look like they're not very well made but they seem to do the job. They almost look
like a grenade. So there are several choices

mikemosconi · Sep 19, 2017

trentfromtoledo said:
For a pool room the dual platter Diamond Ball Polisher is the route to go. It does a full rack at a time, does not take for ever and it performs like it should. Getting people to clean the balls is hard enough, give them a good machine to use and the balls most likely will get cleaned more.

Trent from Toledo.

Could not agree more- you invested in a business and you should invest in the best business tools - cleaning balls with a bucket contraption as some suggested is not the way to go for any serious business person.

jumunjo · Sep 19, 2017

Thanks for the replies, appreciated.

jumunjo · Sep 19, 2017

mattb said:
I would suggest looking into making a ball polisher. Several members here, including myself, have made one using an orbital automotive polisher and a 5 gallon bucket. Do a search and see if you can't locate the threads from a few years back.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=71033&highlight=Ball+polisher

Found the thread for you.

Thanks for the link but am looking for something more substantial.

mvp · Sep 19, 2017

Like above mentioned, the dual Diamond polisher on a rolling cart! Extension cord wraps on one side while cleaning supplies on bottom shelf. Such as a small vacuume, ball cleaners etc. wheel it table to table! .

Re-tipping and ball polishers

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