"Gold Crown" Ball Polisher

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A true custom. Priceless
Yup. My intent with this project was to build a unit that matched my "Gold Crown" room (GCI, custom light, GC Cue Rack) not how cost effective I could build one vs buying a Diamond. If that were the goal, I could have built one for $300-$350. When you factor everything in, if you are just wanting a Diamond unit and aren't interested in any custom aesthetics, the Diamond unit is a bargain at $600.
 

slach

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I built a big 16 ball machine based roughly on the Diamond design a few years ago. I had a lot of trouble finding an axel that would fit correctly through the pillow blocks/pulley before giving up and using one slightly undersized that fit a little off center and caused a little wobble. Did you have this problem? What did you use?

 

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I built a big 16 ball machine based roughly on the Diamond design a few years ago. I had a lot of trouble finding an axel that would fit correctly through the pillow blocks/pulley before giving up and using one slightly undersized that fit a little off center and caused a little wobble. Did you have this problem? What did you use?

Nice unit. I used a 1/2" stainless steel rod. I screwed a 5" pulley in the center of the underside of the platter which is what the rod attaches to.
 

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I built a big 16 ball machine based roughly on the Diamond design a few years ago. I had a lot of trouble finding an axel that would fit correctly through the pillow blocks/pulley before giving up and using one slightly undersized that fit a little off center and caused a little wobble. Did you have this problem? What did you use?

You could buy a 1/2" rod (assuming your bearings are 1/2" bore), take it to a machine shop and have them cut threads in the tip. The wobble will prematurely wear your bearings.
 

GoldCrown

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
Yup. My intent with this project was to build a unit that matched my "Gold Crown" room (GCI, custom light, GC Cue Rack) not how cost effective I could one
Hobbies cost more than they’re worth…. However there is nothing like spending money on them. Beats giving cash to a Doctor.
 

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I ran into a glitch. The microfiber cloth on the sprocket causes too much grab on the balls causing it to hop and eventually dislocate itself from the platter. As a result, I had to switch back to the carpet Diamond provided on the sprocket only; still running the pile carpet on the wall and the microfiber bonnet on the platter. It still cleans great with no haze, it just takes a little while longer to get there.

I think think the hop has everything to do with how thick the sprocket is. It's only 1.5" thick. I think if it were an inch taller it wouldn't be an issue. Just a theory.
 

stevelomako

Future currency
Silver Member
I ran into a glitch. The microfiber cloth on the sprocket causes too much grab on the balls causing it to hop and eventually dislocate itself from the platter. As a result, I had to switch back to the carpet Diamond provided on the sprocket only; still running the pile carpet on the wall and the microfiber bonnet on the platter. It still cleans great with no haze, it just takes a little while longer to get there.

I think think the hop has everything to do with how thick the sprocket is. It's only 1.5" thick. I think if it were an inch taller it wouldn't be an issue. Just a theory.
I noticed in your video that the balls really only rotate at 12 o’clock to 2 o’clock.

Why would they be doing this?
 

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I noticed in your video that the balls really only rotate at 12 o’clock to 2 o’clock.

Why would they be doing this?
I believe they are spiraling. Every milimeter of the ball is getting polished. In my bucket polisher they only spin on one axis and you have to give the bucket a shake a couple times to ensure the entire surface is being polished.
 

stevelomako

Future currency
Silver Member
I believe they are spiraling. Every milimeter of the ball is getting polished. In my bucket polisher they only spin on one axis and you have to give the bucket a shake a couple times to ensure the entire surface is being polished.

They are but watch the video you posted when it’s in slow motion you can tell they don’t rotate the whole time.

I kept my eye on one stripe the whole time and when it gets past 2 o’clock it kind of just stays put ( it moves around a little but not like it should) till it gets back to 12 o’clock.

I watched it quite a few times looking at different balls and it was the same.

I’m not trying to rain on your parade or anything. It’s just weird what it’s doing and I would never have thought anything except it was slow motion and it caught my eye.
 

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
They are but watch the video you posted when it’s in slow motion you can tell they don’t rotate the whole time.

I kept my eye on one stripe the whole time and when it gets past 2 o’clock it kind of just stays put ( it moves around a little but not like it should) till it gets back to 12 o’clock.

I watched it quite a few times looking at different balls and it was the same.

I’m not trying to rain on your parade or anything. It’s just weird what it’s doing and I would never have thought anything except it was slow motion and it caught my eye.
I’ve watched some of the slow motion videos online of the Diamond unit and it seems my machine is spiraling more. I know at full speed you can see the spiraling motion. Keep in mind, you’re only looking at a 15 second or so clip. I run the balls for 2-3 minutes and they come out very clean with no dead spots. Good enough for me!
 

stevelomako

Future currency
Silver Member
I’ve watched some of the slow motion videos online of the Diamond unit and it seems my machine is spiraling more. I know at full speed you can see the spiraling motion. Keep in mind, you’re only looking at a 15 second or so clip. I run the balls for 2-3 minutes and they come out very clean with no dead spots. Good enough for me!

That’s good. I wasn’t trying to downgrade anything, was just curious about why.

Listen, if it didn’t even work, it would look awesome by the table with balls in it.

And you’re not even done yet. 👍🏻
 

rexus31

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
That’s good. I wasn’t trying to downgrade anything, was just curious about why.

Listen, if it didn’t even work, it would look awesome by the table with balls in it.

And you’re not even done yet. 👍🏻
Haha! Thanks, man!
 

realkingcobra

Well-known member
Silver Member
I noticed in your video that the balls really only rotate at 12 o’clock to 2 o’clock.

Why would they be doing this?
Once the excess cleaner rubs off the balls pick up more friction, which is what gives the balls the traction to spiral while they're spinning.
 

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Way more than $20/hr. Minimum, I figure my overtime rate. It's different when it's a challenge or a labor of love but from an economic standpoint, I figure $40/hr. So If I spend $400 on parts and materials I better have less than 10 hours in it. Shit...I just realized how much labor I have in my light. It looks good but I better not think about it.
I’m very expensive…..😁
 

realkingcobra

Well-known member
Silver Member
Now just so all you people are aware, as I've said in the past, I like helping people out if possible, all depends on the person's approach to me as to how I take the request for help.

Now even though rexus31 was building a Diamond ball polisher in his own creation, when he called me to ask questions, I took no offense to his idea of copying my invention, why would I, I considered it a compliment to my accomplishments. My only thing was, he had to make it work right or it would be a waste of time, so he was a sponge for knowledge, and that he got. We've had many conversations now, and when I get over to his side of the mountains I'll even be working with him to get his GC4 set up, and dialed in right, pockets and all, but he's doing most of the work, while I drink coffee, because that's what HE wants, and again I have no objections to working with Charles to get him the best he can have.

So, the bottom line here is, if you grab my tail, step on me, kick me, you're going to get a snake bite from the other end, the business end! But if you're nice, and charm me, well then, I guess you can consider yourself a good snake charmer, and you won't get bitten😅🤣😂
 
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