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Launch Ball Preparation

Launch Ball Safety Holding Tool

Tennis Balls are a bit light for Towing lines, and a good way of attaching the line to the ball is needed. Below is the procedure we use to add an attachment loop and some weight to a Tennis Ball for Launching Service. The Loop Kits are available on the Ordering Page, or the loop materials can be obtained from a well stocked fishing store.

Preparation

Materials

tennis balls

nylon covered stainless steel fishing leader wire (in ball loop kit)

leader crimp sleeves (in ball loop kit)

sand

Tools

utility knife with sharp blade

safety holder (2.5" long piece of 2.5" PVC schedule 40 pipe)(shown above)(available on ordering page)

leather sewing awl

wire cutter

ruler

wire crimper, automotive type

curved tip hemostats

quick clamp

small postal scale

small plastic or paper cup

small funnel

hot melt glue gun and glue

safety glasses

Safe work area

Work hazards

utility knife

sharp needle

hot glue gun

Process

cut the loop wire into 6" lengths

restrain ball safely (use a safety holder or hand-hold)

Slit the Ball about 1-1/4" with utility knife

make a hole 1/4" off to one side of the center of the slit using the leather sewing awl needle

insert the wire in this hole about 1-1/2"

make the second hole on the other side of the slit, also 1/4" from the slit center

insert the other end of the wire in the second hole about 1-1/2"

clamp the ball with a quick clamp on opposite sides beyond the ends of the slit to force the slit open slightly

fish out the ends of the wire, a curved hemostat works well for this

slide the crimp tube over the wires and match up the ends

locate the tube at the ends of the wires and crimp onto the wires

put tube and wires back inside ball

measure sand, 2 ounces

put sand in ball (small funnel works well)

remove clamp

glue the slit closed with hot-melt glue

AlanB

Page History :: 2007-10-16 16:27:45 :: Owner: AlanB :: Search:

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