My Homemade Ball Cleaner

I built three of these for 15 balls with the harbor freight buffer. The two newest buffers burned out in less than two minutes. Seems the platten was too big. From my experience the better way to go is with the buffer on top of the balls. Cheaper, and you can use the buffer for other things.

Yours is a nice rig and should last a long time as the platten is not too big.

The other idea I have seen and now think is worthwhile is to have dividers to seperate the balls. Seems I have to clean, let sit until there is a haze on the balls and then polish. Because my buffer (on the only good one) is on the bottom I can hold a towel on top to get a shine. But this could be easily done with a change of bonnets on an above the balls cleaner / polisher.
 
BRKNRUN said:
I use a variation of skins set up.

I use the 5 gallon bucket with the carpet glued to the side. The Harbour Freight "round handle" is only $20 in my neck of the woods and fits into the 5 gallons perfect.

The only thing I did was cut some air holes in the bottome of the bucket and mount the polisher off the bottom via a cut up tupperware bowl ...just to raise up the fan and not burn up the motor.

I did not use the cross bar. I left that off and can do all 15 balls at the same time....

When I am done I can pull the polisher and use it on my car if I want.

I already had the 5 gallon bucket the extra strip of carpet and a tupperware bowl....(did not tell the wife)

The only purchase was the polisher and a can of 3M spray glue.

Works fantastic with either the Aramath ball cleaner solution or just a couple sprays of windex.
Click to expand...

So you just set the polisher on top of the tupperware bowl which was turned upside down? Are these random orbital polishers?

Mine works fine but..... well .... it's just not cool.
 
UPDATE:
The bottom piece of the pad, the hard plastic where the nut holds it down broke... so I have to reinforce it with light sheet metal but the motor is working fine and still strong. I also made latches to open and close the top for ease.

The downside about this is you have to replace the buffer pad that came with the buffer every time after you haven't used it for a period of time.

I have taken it to my college, Slick Willies, and some Asian pool halls and let them try it out on 2 racks of balls and had many many positive feedbacks and was willing to pay me to do this for a reasonable cost. This time I will probably make it in 3/4" MDF than 1/2" for durability. Maybe I can put this in the market if demanding rise.

OR - You could build it yourself from my first post.

If anybody wants one and I'm not harsh on the price.
I'm 25yrs old and still in college. So making this, I will ask for time.

My asking price is TBA (not including shipping)
Includeds:
- Materials (I will list out all the price so you won't get ripped when someone orders one)
- Labor - 75% of material cost, sounds reasonable? heheh don't bash me :)
- Box will be carpeted black like speaker boxes ($40-45)

This should not even go close to $300 cause I wouldnt buy it for $300 LOL
I'm trying to keep it at or under $250 as possible depending on Material cost and shipping. Cheaper the better.

I like to keep everyone happy for what I accomplished and what I do to get this far. I'm always looking for better ways to improve each invention and cost.

Viet.
 
Last edited:
JoeW said:
I built three of these for 15 balls with the harbor freight buffer. The two newest buffers burned out in less than two minutes. Seems the platten was too big. From my experience the better way to go is with the buffer on top of the balls. Cheaper, and you can use the buffer for other things.
Click to expand...

Mueller sell a three ball polisher along that line, JoeW. I use the buffer on top like you mentioned. plus, I keep six sets of balls polished and ready to change out if they are needed. I rotate the ball sets so they (possibly) wear out evenly. Yes, I do suffer from OCD.....:(

..............j

the harbor freight buffers are guaranteed, but that's only good if you live near one of their retail stores. warranty is a pain in time wasted if you have to buy mail-order.
 
Ball cleaner

Any chance of getting your pictures back on this one??

I wanted to show a guy but there is not much to show anymore.
 
The ball cleaner is getting refixed for better performance. This time it won't be a buffer but a motor.
 
skins said:
very nice job but i think for what you were using to make it, it might be a little over kill. here are pics of the same buffer using a 5 gallon bucket, some carpet, spray glue, a carpet covered wood divider, and some tie straps. total time 1.5 hours and has worked great through much use. some other things you'll want to know are that when this buffer is turned upside down the motor screws can and do start to release themselves as well the spade connectors that connect the motor to the power need to be cut off and the wire striped back and soldered to they're respective copper terminals or you'll risk them shaking off or breaking do to the vibration. just some experienced advise......

cleaner3.jpg


cleaner2.jpg


cleaner1.jpg
Click to expand...
This is a great idea.

James
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top