Make a "starfish" out of carpet. Simple and easy
My home-made ball polisher.
- Thread starter mattman
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Make a "starfish" out of carpet. Simple and easy
I didn't worry about it until now. Thanks.
The balls look nice after the polishing, but you think they are scratching one another and will create serious damage over time?
What about using a hole saw to cut a hole for each ball in a lid that fits the 5-gallon bucket? Maybe line the holes with felt?
My $.02 worth of neighborly forum member advice...
Undoubtedly, you are creating a significant increase in ball wear using a cleaning / polishing machine like this that doesn't prevent near nonstop collision and contact while spinning. Not scratches - but wearing them down - as in overall diameter and the surface itself - much like a tire wears down by driving on them. Sure, it's going to be on the minuscule level, but WHY would you intentionally do that when all you need to do is build some sort of "starfish" separator out of carpet like Nick B mentioned and that the Diamond machine uses? A simple enhancement to make after you've taken this much time and money to build something for a special purpose - and over the many decade lifespan of modern billiard balls, you'd be saving undue wear and the things that accompany that wearing of the surface.
After all, it's a labor of love isn't It? So add a little more care and attention and see how you are rewarded
K.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Undoubtedly, you are creating a significant increase in ball wear using a cleaning / polishing machine like this that doesn't prevent near nonstop collision and contact while spinning. Not scratches - but wearing them down - as in overall diameter and the surface itself - much like a tire wears down by driving on them. Sure, it's going to be on the minuscule level, but WHY would you intentionally do that when all you need to do is build some sort of "starfish" separator out of carpet like Nick B mentioned and that the Diamond machine uses? A simple enhancement to make after you've taken this much time and money to build something for a special purpose - and over the many decade lifespan of modern billiard balls, you'd be saving undue wear and the things that accompany that wearing of the surface.
After all, it's a labor of love isn't It? So add a little more care and attention and see how you are rewarded
K.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
karppa68
Registered
I've made a couple of these. I think I spent less than 5$ as I already had the drill for work. :thumbup:
Polishing pad and glueable furniture felt and some plastic container. Works a charm
In the other one I have microfibre cloth when I want that really finished polish. Pretty easy to change felt when needed...
Polishing pad and glueable furniture felt and some plastic container. Works a charm
In the other one I have microfibre cloth when I want that really finished polish. Pretty easy to change felt when needed...
If you create some form of seperation wouldn't there then be a large contact area
between the ball and seperation where there is friction/wear aswell? ball-to-ball
contact point with be much smaller but with more force psi. Not sure which would
cause more wear on the balls
between the ball and seperation where there is friction/wear aswell? ball-to-ball
contact point with be much smaller but with more force psi. Not sure which would
cause more wear on the balls
Searched this whole thread. Everyone who makes a bucket polisher puts the polisher on the bottom facing up.
I cut a piece of carpet in a circle put that on the bottom w carpet around the inside wall.
Throw 8 balls in, spray a few sprays, place polisher down on balls and turn on.
This way I can still use the polisher on my vehicle.
I can apply pressure on a side to assure good rotation of the balls.
I came to the conclusion carpet probably isn't the best for the balls, too abrasive.
So I pulled the carpet. Wrapped the bottom piece of carpet w microfiber towel. Put microfiber around the inside walls. I used four pieces and folded the last couple inches back under itself to help in good ball rotation.
Yeah, the balls bump each other and leave some marks but that's pretty minor. They play and look great.
I saved several hundred dollars? I'll take it.
If I was that concerned about those few marks I'd build one where the balls are seperated, and yes I'm confident I could do it w out them "yo-yo ing"
I cut a piece of carpet in a circle put that on the bottom w carpet around the inside wall.
Throw 8 balls in, spray a few sprays, place polisher down on balls and turn on.
This way I can still use the polisher on my vehicle.
I can apply pressure on a side to assure good rotation of the balls.
I came to the conclusion carpet probably isn't the best for the balls, too abrasive.
So I pulled the carpet. Wrapped the bottom piece of carpet w microfiber towel. Put microfiber around the inside walls. I used four pieces and folded the last couple inches back under itself to help in good ball rotation.
Yeah, the balls bump each other and leave some marks but that's pretty minor. They play and look great.
I saved several hundred dollars? I'll take it.
If I was that concerned about those few marks I'd build one where the balls are seperated, and yes I'm confident I could do it w out them "yo-yo ing"
My thoughts.
I really see no reason to pay 500 bucks for a ball cleaner/polisher. I will continue to do mine by hand, or I will make one for myself before I pay that much. I am not a cheap skate, but I am reasonable with finances.
Eventually some one will come up with a good ball cleaner/polisher for under $250.00.
I wish I could, but I couldn't think of a yellow sticky or a bungee cord!
I really see no reason to pay 500 bucks for a ball cleaner/polisher. I will continue to do mine by hand, or I will make one for myself before I pay that much. I am not a cheap skate, but I am reasonable with finances.
Eventually some one will come up with a good ball cleaner/polisher for under $250.00.
I wish I could, but I couldn't think of a yellow sticky or a bungee cord!
so let me understand this.. balls that smash into each other on a pool table over and over again our suddenly going to be damaged by spinning against each other for a few minutes in a ball cleaner? lol ok.. Well I've had the same set of pool balls for probably 12 or 13 years with no damage from almost daily play and a weekly cleaning. I think if I have to get new balls soon I got my monies worth. lol Here's my .02 cents if you don't buy a cheap set of aramith balls you have nothing to worry about.
My $.02 worth of neighborly forum member advice...
Undoubtedly, you are creating a significant increase in ball wear using a cleaning / polishing machine like this that doesn't prevent near nonstop collision and contact while spinning. Not scratches - but wearing them down - as in overall diameter and the surface itself - much like a tire wears down by driving on them. Sure, it's going to be on the minuscule level, but WHY would you intentionally do that when all you need to do is build some sort of "starfish" separator out of carpet like Nick B mentioned and that the Diamond machine uses? A simple enhancement to make after you've taken this much time and money to build something for a special purpose - and over the many decade lifespan of modern billiard balls, you'd be saving undue wear and the things that accompany that wearing of the surface.
After all, it's a labor of love isn't It? So add a little more care and attention and see how you are rewarded
K.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
But but but, your one ball is probably 125 milligrams lighter than 12 years ago! The outrage!
My reasoning for spending $500.00 on a Diamond polisher was that I have 3 sets of relatively new balls I rotate thru that have a total outlay of over $900.00. Why take a chance at damaging 1 of the balls and need to buy another set for possibly $400.00 when I can can buy a tool specifically made for the job at hand. I didnt win the lottery and wasnt born into a wealthy family, I work hard for what I earn but I also earn enough of it that I can treat myself to something occasionally. I also probably have a different take on quality tools and equipment than most people since they are part of my livelihood. Nothing is more frustrating than buying equipment that does not work as advertised or even work at all in some cases because I tried to save a buck or $2.
I get that. I like buying quality. When you buy the best, not only do you enjoy having the best, but you can usually eventually sell it for at least half of what you paid.
I've made a couple of these. I think I spent less than 5$ as I already had the drill for work. :thumbup:
Polishing pad and glueable furniture felt and some plastic container. Works a charm
In the other one I have microfibre cloth when I want that really finished polish. Pretty easy to change felt when needed...
unmmmmmm, no.2 questions
1.) What damage do you think a bucket polisher is going to do to the balls?
2.) Don't they sell individual balls for those sets?
I personally made one with 16 individual holes with felt lining and 2 polishers side by side with each doing 8 balls on a 5 minute switch.
Does an amazing job. I put one drop of aramith cleaner on them. I watch them get hazy and then all shiny before the timer trips. I take them out, give them one last wipe down with a soft cloth and they are good to go.
I personally spent around $125 to build it. I didn't do it to save money, I did it just to do it as I enjoy doing those kinds of things sometime.
I dont know that the bucket polishers will do any damage to the balls. When I saw some of them running on youtube I did not like the way some balls would spin at high RPMs when in contact with other balls, it probably wont hurt, I just did not want to find out. As far as individual balls, maybe you can get them, I never checked, but if you start buying individual replacement balls you really wont have matching sets anymore.
Im sure I could have built a very nice polisher, I was planing on it but I just dont have the time. The way it works out I am better off doing what I get paid to do then buying a top of the line ball polisher. If I decide I dont need my polisher anymore I am guessing I could sell it for $300-$350 pretty quick, so essentially its like I am leasing it.