Gadgets that Work, and Gadgets that Don’t Work

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azbicyclis85376

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Has anyone purchased a Jim Rempe Training Ball? I have had one on my list of things I want to order from Mueller’s for several months, and was curious if any owner of the Jim Rempe Training Ball would recommend the item.

Think Pool is like fishing, as there is always a New Lures, or Fly Patterns that is going to work better. But many times the new item is not really any better than the old stand bys.

I personally must own about 5 or 6 Chalk holder, and finally found one that I really like as it is a Combination of a Chalk holder, and Tip Conditioner.

Feed back on the Jim Rempe Training Ball would be appreciated.
 

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azbicyclis85376 said:
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Feed back on the Jim Rempe Training Ball would be appreciated.
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I have one. It helps identify where the tip hits the cueball. But...but the so-called "instructions" are a joke. They are translated from a foreign language and basically tell you the rules of pool. I was hoping they included some training routines and how to best utilize the training ball. But they didn't so how to use it is up to you.

The other problem I have with it is that it is difficult to place it on the table in the exact manner time after time. If you don't do this, then your cuetip contact point (identified by your chalk mark) probably isn't exactly where you think it is. To rememdy this, I filed a little flat spot on the bottom of the cueball so it sits the same on the cloth everytime I set it up.

It definitely helped my miscue-on-draw problems that my eyeballs were causing.

One other advantage for beginners is it requires the shooter to chalk up on every shot, so as to identify the cuetip contact point after the shot.

There's another brand(s) of training ball, but I have no info on that/those. I don't think it could be any worse, as the main thing is to be able to identify your cuetip contact point.

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
I have one. It helps identify where the tip hits the cueball. But...but the so-called "instructions" are a joke. They are translated from a foreign language and basically tell you the rules of pool. I was hoping they included some training routines and how to best utilize the training ball. But they didn't so how to use it is up to you.

The other problem I have with it is that it is difficult to place it on the table in the exact manner time after time. If you don't do this, then your cuetip contact point (identified by your chalk mark) probably isn't exactly where you think it is. To rememdy this, I filed a little flat spot on the bottom of the cueball so it sits the same on the cloth everytime I set it up.

It definitely helped my miscue-on-draw problems that my eyeballs were causing.

One other advantage for beginners is it requires the shooter to chalk up on every shot, so as to identify the cuetip contact point after the shot.

There's another brand(s) of training ball, but I have no info on that/those. I don't think it could be any worse, as the main thing is to be able to identify your cuetip contact point.

Jeff Livingston
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Your product review is greatly appreciated, and than for sharing your personal experience. Hopefully other will add some input. ;)
 
chefjeff said:
I have one. It helps identify where the tip hits the cueball. But...but the so-called "instructions" are a joke. They are translated from a foreign language and basically tell you the rules of pool. I was hoping they included some training routines and how to best utilize the training ball. But they didn't so how to use it is up to you.

The other problem I have with it is that it is difficult to place it on the table in the exact manner time after time. If you don't do this, then your cuetip contact point (identified by your chalk mark) probably isn't exactly where you think it is. To rememdy this, I filed a little flat spot on the bottom of the cueball so it sits the same on the cloth everytime I set it up.

It definitely helped my miscue-on-draw problems that my eyeballs were causing.

One other advantage for beginners is it requires the shooter to chalk up on every shot, so as to identify the cuetip contact point after the shot.

There's another brand(s) of training ball, but I have no info on that/those. I don't think it could be any worse, as the main thing is to be able to identify your cuetip contact point.

Jeff Livingston
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What Jeff said is pretty much it. Although I think it also helps in a couple of other ways. It allows you to determine how far from center you can cue to get the english you're looking for on shots and how much spin it'll produce off the rails. I think what most will find is that you don't need anywhere near the amount of tip offset that is typically used which causes inaccuracy and missed shots. The other ball is the Elephant training ball but it's not marked in any kind of detail other than a red circle danger zone mark for miscuing. I think it's worth it.
 
One other thing I just thought of is, look for a training ball that has an arrow or line on the top of it that you can use to point it exactly along the cueball's path. I tried drawing one on the Rempe ball with a permanent marker, but it didn't stay. Maybe I'll try scratching--or sawing with a hack saw, maybe--a line into it.

If you find a good ball, let us know, would you?

Jeff Livingston
 
Just using a striped 10 ball (or other striped ball) will be just as effictive as the Rempe training ball. I purchased my own set of aramith balls with the dotted cue ball and it is very helpful. One of the most important aspects of playing pool is to play ALOT of productive pool and use the equipment you will use in competition. I think it is safe to say that 99% of all the top players (from pros to amatures) really don't and have never consumed their time with these gimmicks. Its not to say they are not good ideas or useful & helpful tools, but I think it gives away to the paralysis by analysis theory. Individual practice constructive practice will improve one's game. Just like a boxer, you have to do your road work!
 
My friend that owns the local hall here bought one. I have really played with it, but it seems like something worth trying out. Seems great for setting up various shots and using the guides to see what english does what depending on the shot.
 
I own a Jim Rempe cue ball.A few years back it definitley helped me learn about the effects of english for posistion play.If someones is new to pool they could use one for that and it would be an asset.

I use it today when I'm practising my nine ball break.The chalk mark imprint left on the ball lets me know whether I've hit center ball on my breakshots.A center ball hit on the cue ball and on the one ball imparts the most power on the rack in the breakshot, and also aids in stopping the cue ball near the center of the table.The Jim Rempe ball offers good feedback for that.RJ
 
does elephant balls still sell their training ball set? they had drills , etc. with the instructions, that were very good.
 
larrynj1 said:
does elephant balls still sell their training ball set? they had drills , etc. with the instructions, that were very good.
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Yeah, but elephant balls have long, thick, prickly hairs on them and if you mistakenly sit on one, guess what happens to you???
 
I use the Jim Rempe Cue Ball as well as the Elephant Training Ball throughout my Instructional course.

I highly recommend both of them!
Zim
 
Elephant’s Training Balls are still available

Elephant’s Training Balls are still available from many places. About $30.00. They look like a good training tool. :D
 

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drivermaker said:
Yeah, but elephant balls have long, thick, prickly hairs on them and if you mistakenly sit on one, guess what happens to you???
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He He He...

Thanks for the laugh as always Driver,

Jon
 
Laser Cue

Here's a gadget that's not worth much.

Saw in one of those ad inserts in this morning's newspaper an ad for a laser cue. Normal price was $69. On sale for $29. Relatively cheap (compared to other stuff I waste money on). It has a little laser light built into the fiberglass shaft just behind the ferrule. The tip is a screw-on gizmo with a hole through the center of the screw and the leather tip itself that the laser light beam shines through.

Thought it might be a good training tool to help me groove my stroke during those times when I know it's a bit wobbly. Also recalled seeing a post on this board a few months ago from someone who made one themselves by taping a laser light pen to a cue shaft.

Well...I went and bought one this morning. Brought it home, put the batteries in, tried it. Looked like it might work as advertised. However, I saw my first problem as soon as I chalked it up. The chalk plugged the hole in the tip. Okay...took a paperclip and cleaned out the hole. Figured I'd just hafta baby it a bit when I chalked up. Can't have everything. Not a deal-breaker. Next: used the nickel-radius tip shaper that came with it to shape the tip and found that the hole got plugged up again with leather shavings. Unscrewed the tip and unplugged the hole again. Screwed the tip back in and the laser brightness had reduced down to almost nothing. Fiddled with it a bit, replaced the batteries, no improvement. My guess is that it has so many cheap plastic and aluminum parts in the light/tip assembly that it just won't hold up to even minor maintenance. Disgusted, returned it. Declined the store's offer to replace it and got my money back instead.

Something to think about if you're tempted to buy one of these.
 
azbicyclis85376 said:
Elephant's Training Balls are still available from many places. About $30.00. They look like a good training tool. :D
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One advantage the the Elephant Balls over similar training aids is that the material they are made of is a little more porous so the spot where the tip hits the ball is more visible. Another is that the half-red half-black object ball can be lined up with its "border" directly along the line of the shot to show various effects such as thin-ball aiming systems and transferred english.
 
drivermaker said:
Yeah, but elephant balls have long, thick, prickly hairs on them and if you mistakenly sit on one, guess what happens to you???
Click to expand...

dm, my guess would be that they would make your ass itch.
 
Well I got a lot of good tips, like the one about using a Stripped Ball, Cue Ball with Dot, and the Jim Rempe Cue Ball that can be had for about $25.00. Did see the Elephant Training Ball Set in a local store, and thought the Instruction Booklet was good, with lots of Great Info. But the RED DOT, and RED CIRCLE on BLACK was tough to see for me as I am Partially Color Blind.

Thanks again for all those who responded with Tips, etc…. ;)
 
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