Cleaning Balls - Machine vs Hand

I clean my ball set by hand with 91% isopropyl alcohol. What benefit will Aramith Ball Cleaner provide?

Edit: Okay, I watched this video:


and ISO cleans the balls so well that there is a lot more friction between balls, which results in more throw when cutting balls in. Aramith Ball Cleaner makes the balls more slippery, so there is less throw.
 
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Bavafongoul said:
When else would you want to clean your gun(s) and for what other reasons?
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The point is I enjoy it.
Some don't enjoy it.
And some don't.

But to answer your question:
Any time one is taken out of long term storage.
Any time a modification is performed.
Any time one gets put across the block.
Any time a novice seeks advice on the subject.

Any time.
 
Bob Jewett said:
Not better.

I have seen old machines that did bad things to the balls. The pads hadn't been cleaned or something was broken or... And whatever cleaner or polish is added to the machine can build up over time.

As for the bother of cleaning by hand, you can do it while watching videos so it is not wasting time. For me, it's sort of a Zen thing. For the same reason, I like to replace my tips myself.
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You and me. I kind of like using plain old hand cleaner, works wonders on dirty pool balls. I can still do a knockout tip replacement using only simple hand tools. I used to put tips on for Dennis and he swore by them (while winning zillions!).

Dennis was good (and generous) to me and my wife Lenie. One time she was complaining about her old rice cooker and later that day we come home to find a new and much better rice cooker, courtesy of Dennis. When he found out our old blender had broken he went to the mall and came back with the most expensive high end blender I've ever seen. We are still using both of them to this day.
 
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7stud said:
I clean my ball set by hand with 91% isopropyl alcohol. What benefit will Aramith Ball Cleaner provide?

Edit: Okay, I watched this video:


and ISO cleans the balls so well that there is a lot more friction between balls, which results in more throw when cutting balls in. Aramith Ball Cleaner makes the balls more slippery, so there is less throw.
Click to expand...
Good video, and I think you answered your question. I don't think Aramith would release the exact ingredients, but I suspect their ball cleaner may contain a little synthetic sealant, as you don't want wax on billiard balls.
 
Black-Balled said:
But it's like a lay flat and press thing, not a wiping thing.. right?
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No. It's holding a ball in your hands and wiping it with good pressure with a wringed-out paper towel. Not laying anything flat against the table.

To be clear, I have nothing against motorized ball cleaners, but I don't use them. Over time, I have to think daily cleanings with a ball cleaner will produce more wear than doing it by hand. It's been the case when I use the House balls. Here are two sets of balls that I use, constantly. They're both almost 50 years old, one set of Centennials, and one Hyatt Vitalites. They've never seen a motorized ball cleaner. Now and then, an application of Aramith ball cleaner by hand, but over their lives, very few times. I prefer cleaning by hand rather than a fast-spinning ball cleaner with an abrasive pad. But, to each, his own.

You do remember, I do tips by hand too, that you can't tell from those from a lathe.

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I cleaned by hand for years but just recently started using a machine. The machine shines them really nice and cleans them ok but there are always a few balls that need touched up by hand
 
tim913 said:
I cleaned by hand for years but just recently started using a machine. The machine shines them really nice and cleans them ok but there are always a few balls that need touched up by hand
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I'm not surprised by that. Those abrasive ball cleaners, they look good at first glance. Then, you look at the flaws they leave.
 
jimmyco said:
The point is I enjoy it.
Some don't enjoy it.
And some don't.

But to answer your question:
Any time one is taken out of long term storage.
Any time a modification is performed.
Any time one gets put across the block.
Any time a novice seeks advice on the subject.

Any time.
Click to expand...
If you like doing it by hand that’s cool.. I got enough to do so I throw them in a bucket once a week while I’m wiping down the cloth. To each their own,
 
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