5 gallon bucket ball washers - insturctions?
- Thread starter cbi1000
- Start date
polisher
I just searched you tube to find out most of the instructions. I got a home depot bucket (3 bucks), a scrap piece of commercial carpet tile (free) and then I used the orange 10 inch polisher from Harbor freight (19.99). I wrapped the carpet and just used tape on the top and bottom of the carpet to hold it tightly to the sides of the bucket. I cut the appropriate holes in the sides of the bucket for ventilation, handle and cord and then I just used zip ties to hold the polisher in the center of the bucket. I also have found that Chem Pak cleaner works well. It is a purple color. I just pour a small amount once I start spinning the balls in the polisher and then 5 minutes later they look like a brand new set.
I just searched you tube to find out most of the instructions. I got a home depot bucket (3 bucks), a scrap piece of commercial carpet tile (free) and then I used the orange 10 inch polisher from Harbor freight (19.99). I wrapped the carpet and just used tape on the top and bottom of the carpet to hold it tightly to the sides of the bucket. I cut the appropriate holes in the sides of the bucket for ventilation, handle and cord and then I just used zip ties to hold the polisher in the center of the bucket. I also have found that Chem Pak cleaner works well. It is a purple color. I just pour a small amount once I start spinning the balls in the polisher and then 5 minutes later they look like a brand new set.
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5 gallon paint bucket
Orbital polisher from Harbor Freight
Carpet scrap
Terry cloth towel
Make sure you get a polisher that will fit in the bucket. Some have handles that are too big. Set the polisher upside down in the bucket. Decide where you want to cut air vent holes and the cord egress hole. Cut the holes.
Mark the height of the polishing pad in the bucket. Add 1/2 inch and draw a line. Mount the carpet scrap at that line. You can glue it in, or use Velcro tape so it can be washed or replaced.
This bucket will polish 8 balls at a time and makes some racket.
Optional step
To keep the balls from grinding together during polishing, I created an 8 segment divider.
I cut an old terry cloth towel into 4 strips that were 4 inches longer than the width of the bucket, and about 8 inches wide.
I folded these strips in half lengthwise so they were 4 inches wide. I sewed the four strips together at the center to form an 8-legged divider. (I used a tent awl from Harbor Freight for the sewing. Going through 8 layers of cloth is too much for a sewing machine.)
Then I cut slits in the bucket and carpet to slide the towel legs through. This creates a separate pie-wedge compartment for each ball.
I will post pics later.
Orbital polisher from Harbor Freight
Carpet scrap
Terry cloth towel
Make sure you get a polisher that will fit in the bucket. Some have handles that are too big. Set the polisher upside down in the bucket. Decide where you want to cut air vent holes and the cord egress hole. Cut the holes.
Mark the height of the polishing pad in the bucket. Add 1/2 inch and draw a line. Mount the carpet scrap at that line. You can glue it in, or use Velcro tape so it can be washed or replaced.
This bucket will polish 8 balls at a time and makes some racket.
Optional step
To keep the balls from grinding together during polishing, I created an 8 segment divider.
I cut an old terry cloth towel into 4 strips that were 4 inches longer than the width of the bucket, and about 8 inches wide.
I folded these strips in half lengthwise so they were 4 inches wide. I sewed the four strips together at the center to form an 8-legged divider. (I used a tent awl from Harbor Freight for the sewing. Going through 8 layers of cloth is too much for a sewing machine.)
Then I cut slits in the bucket and carpet to slide the towel legs through. This creates a separate pie-wedge compartment for each ball.
I will post pics later.
My homemade bucket polisher is pretty much as the others described, except I added a variable speed control in the electrical path. I find I get the most ball rotation at different speeds depending on how many balls are in the polisher. Full speed on the polisher has never resulted in best ball rotation.
All you need is a light dimmer, electrical box and wire caps; all available at your hardware store for about $10 total.
BTW, I used a Roybi car polisher. It had a "round" handle that fit inside the bucket. Many other brands have non-round handles that won't fit.
All you need is a light dimmer, electrical box and wire caps; all available at your hardware store for about $10 total.
BTW, I used a Roybi car polisher. It had a "round" handle that fit inside the bucket. Many other brands have non-round handles that won't fit.
nice..that's taking it to the next level there lol I built one. super easy and works fantastic
For the truly lazy mans ball cleaner, buy this bucket line it with some scrap carpet. Throw the balls in, and simply buff them yourself with one of these things
You're done building it in about 3 minutes. :grin:
You're done building it in about 3 minutes. :grin:
I mix the Aramith cleaner with water at a 5-1 ratio (water - cleaner) in a spray bottle. Then I lightly mist the balls as they start to spin. I found the key is to not over spray and spin them for about 3 minutes.
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I bought one of these from a regular here on az. It was a good job and it didnt cost very much, maybe 100 delivered?
Then my buddy who owned a pool room here in miami that closed sold me one of his ballstars and now that bucket sits in my garage unused. If anyone is in south florida that wants to come and get it, they could have it for real cheap.
Then my buddy who owned a pool room here in miami that closed sold me one of his ballstars and now that bucket sits in my garage unused. If anyone is in south florida that wants to come and get it, they could have it for real cheap.
I've tried many different products and this works the best for me - hands down.
Mill Wax for pinball machines.
Mill Wax for pinball machines.
i use the same type of polisher. i also use the aramith cleaner, but not diluted. i just put a drop on each ball and turn it on. a few minutes later new balls, but it's important to buff them out with a microfiber cloth. I made mittens out of a microfiber towel which makes buffing them out easier on the hands.
For the really bad marks like on a cueball I have one of those small foam buffing wheels that come with the headlight kits. I put it in my drill press so i can hold the ball with both hands. I use a little novus scratch remover and it will remove just about any mark.
For the really bad marks like on a cueball I have one of those small foam buffing wheels that come with the headlight kits. I put it in my drill press so i can hold the ball with both hands. I use a little novus scratch remover and it will remove just about any mark.
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mkirkpatrick
Registered
This is what I use http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=4616
couple sprays and works great.
couple sprays and works great.