Bowling Ball Razor

[Krodor]

I was going to just extend the thread of "Krodor's Rescales", but I thought this one deserved it's own thread, just for fun. When done, I'll stick it at the end of that thread to keep things tidy.

Many months ago (was it "Contest II: make scales out of random weird things?"), I asked about anyone making use of the urethane in bowling balls, based on a question from a guy a work. At the time, I asked my dad for any leftovers he might have, since he's a bowler and had gone through many balls. He was able to find one, but shipping costs would have been prohibitive.

A few months ago on vacation, the delivery was made.

A few days ago, the start of the cuts happened. I don't have a blade nor a design in mind yet, I just wanna see what the inside really looks like.

So I sliced of a small chunk to check the interior and have started on the first real cut:

the inside really does have the swirly to it -- I hope it will shine up nicely.

BTW, I'm just slicing away on it with a handsaw. There are faster ways to do it (bandsaw), but I like the sweat and effort of a good old handsaw.

I have no doubt that this will be a long term project, but I thought I'd put a stake in the ground for now.

Cheers,
Krodor

 

[DunEdinRanger]

You know it is bad when you think, "I wonder how many fountain pens could be made from that..."

 

[Dusty1]

Wow, nice idea. I had no idea it would be that easy to cut, I guess it is nothing more than a very dense plastic. Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[fast14riot]

Hey take the hemisphere left over and make a cheap ball vise! Get a $15 drill press vise and mount it to the flat section and an old lawnmower tire to set it in, BAM! You got a jewelers type ball vise!


-Xander

 

[Kentos]

It's funny, but I was thinking "how many pipe stems you could make from that?"

 

[hokahay]

I was thinking this guy's got balls coming up with this project. He's going to have to be on the ball to make it work.

 

[fast14riot]

Man, seems like I missed out on all the cool build contests! I have some carbon fiber scraps off of an upper atmospheric weapon I worked on a while back that I'm going to use on another razor soon. How often are these contests?


-Xander

 

[Rekonball]

That's really going to affect your game.

 

[Legion]

subscribed!

 

[Trenton]

How thick is your urethane, I had the same idea a while back but it was only about a 1/2" thick on the ball I had, for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to get enough material in a straight line to make scales. I was thinking trying to flatten a piece, but figured it would just want to curve back.

 

[Khay]

I have some carbon fiber scraps off of an upper atmospheric weapon I worked on a while back

Now you got me curious...an upper atmospheric weapon ?

 

[SliceOfLife]

He could tell you but then he'd have to kill you.

 

[Legion]

Man, seems like I missed out on all the cool build contests! I have some carbon fiber scraps off of an upper atmospheric weapon I worked on a while back that I'm going to use on another razor soon. How often are these contests?


-Xander

Depends on whether anyone is bribing me to win one. I'm not typing out a whole bunch of rules and stuff if there is nothing in it for me.

Just kidding!

Which reminds me, has Ladykate got his CT yet?? Marcus!! I know where you live!!

 

[fast14riot]

Now you got me curious...an upper atmospheric weapon ?

Yep. I was a Metrologist in another life. Gov't contracting took a nose dive and now I get to play with puppies and doggies and bunnies all day!

It is some rediculously strong laminate, .070" thick and with 250lbs on a 12" span it deflected ~.35". I made a razor and brush holder with some of it a while back.


-Xander

 

[Krodor]

How thick is your urethane...

great question, I had to work with my dad on this one. Looks like a blue version of this:

nice pic in here:
http://www.lanemastersbowling.com/m...ends_WorldClass/Leg_WorldClassReady_Flyer.pdf

given that, it looks like it is colored throughout. I'm just not sure where the core is or whether "cover" and "particle" are similar. I think he told me once how to figure it out...I probably should ask again before I go to far.

 

[fast14riot]

Its easy to figure out. Drill a hole slowly and wait for different colored swarf to come out or a change in resistance.


-Xander

 

[Doc226]

Gotta see the end result-very cool

 

[Khay]

It is some rediculously strong laminate, .070" thick and with 250lbs on a 12" span it deflected ~.35". I made a razor and brush holder with some of it a while back.

-Xander

Pics or it didn't happen

 

[Trudo1]

You can buy any pearl colors you want for scales but why not a bowling ball. I'll be back I'm headed to the bowling ally.

 

[ladykate]

That's really going to affect your game.

It wouldn't affect mine.

Neat idea. Bowling balls are cheap at garage sales.