OT: Question for the engineers, craftsman, mechanics, contractors, subs, etc....

[MtNittany]

...you know, the people that matter. (I kid!)

This is a picture of a table skittles game, and I've built one for my patio pretty similar to this in a Weber kettle I found at the dumpster. My only roadblock is the swivel on the top of the pole. I have a sharpened dowel w/ a tack in it holding a fishing lure that swivels and attaches to the ball chain/ball. But it doesn't work. The ball chain wraps itself around the dowel instead of swiveling.

This rather expensive one seems to have a ball bearing casing attached to the pole w/ a ball chain attachment coming out of it (exactly what I need).

Any idea how this was put together?

 

[MtNittany]

Here's mine. I need a smaller ball. It's way too easy. Still have to get it perfect, then finish and varnish everything.

 

[STPGopherfan]

Here's mine. I need a smaller ball. It's way too easy. Still have to get it perfect, then finish and varnish everything.

Not my place, but could you jerry rig a ball bearing caster by mounting it on top and drilling a hole in the wheel to thread the "line" through? Should be able to remove the mounting plate axle, etc.

Caster Wheels with Ball Bearings

These casters all feature precision ball bearings in their wheels for smooth, quiet, and easy mobility.

www.nextdaycasters.com

Just an un-informed lurker providing unsolicited ideas...

 

[MtNittany]

Not my place, but could you jerry rig a ball bearing caster by mounting it on top and drilling a hole in the wheel to thread the "line" through? Should be able to remove the mounting plate axle, etc.

Caster Wheels with Ball Bearings

These casters all feature precision ball bearings in their wheels for smooth, quiet, and easy mobility.

www.nextdaycasters.com

Just an un-informed lurker providing unsolicited ideas...

More than I have at this point. I have a box of mismatched casters, and it never dawned on me. Thanks.

I do have a cool quirk I added. Each pin and it's corresponding position on the platform has a little magnet embedded, so it's easy to reset them. They actually wobble into place if you get them close.

 

[Nittering Nabob]

...you know, the people that matter. (I kid!)

This is a picture of a table skittles game, and I've built one for my patio pretty similar to this in a Weber kettle I found at the dumpster. My only roadblock is the swivel on the top of the pole. I have a sharpened dowel w/ a tack in it holding a fishing lure that swivels and attaches to the ball chain/ball. But it doesn't work. The ball chain wraps itself around the dowel instead of swiveling.

This rather expensive one seems to have a ball bearing casing attached to the pole w/ a ball chain attachment coming out of it (exactly what I need).

Any idea how this was put together?

A few thoughts:

1) Could you share a video showing the chain binding at the top so we can see where the excess friction is occurring. You said you tapered the dowel so that's unlikely to be the issue. Would adding a washer at the top of the dowel help keep the chain away from the dowel and thus inhibit binding?

2) Go to a crafts store and purchase a variety of wood balls. Once you choose the preferred size you might need to add some weight to it. To do so drill a hole in the bottom and add some of the below or take a sheet of lead and cut it into small pieces and jam it into the hole at the bottom of the ball.

Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity Weight System | e-Flite

The Liquid Gravity Weight System by Deluxe Materials from our collection of the best RC plane Field Equipment, will help your dreams take flight. Find the RC airplane parts and accessories you need at www.e-fliterc.com!

www.e-fliterc.com

Have you seen this guy's?

Craft a Family Table Skittles Game: Turn Tech-Free Family Time!

Colwin Way's table skittles project is perfect for tech-free family fun! Discover how to build and play this traditional game together. #FamilyTime

woodworkersinstitute.com

 

[MtNittany]

A few thoughts:

1) Could you share a video showing the chain binding at the top so we can see where the excess friction is occurring. You said you tapered the dowel so that's unlikely to be the issue. Would adding a washer at the top of the dowel help keep the chain away from the dowel and thus inhibit binding?

2) Go to a crafts store and purchase a variety of wood balls. Once you choose the preferred size you might need to add some weight to it. To do so drill a hole in the bottom and add some of the below of take a sheet of lead and cut it into small pieces and jam it into the hole at the bottom of the ball.

Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity Weight System | e-Flite

The Liquid Gravity Weight System by Deluxe Materials from our collection of the best RC plane Field Equipment, will help your dreams take flight. Find the RC airplane parts and accessories you need at www.e-fliterc.com!

www.e-fliterc.com

Have you seen this guy's?

Craft a Family Table Skittles Game: Turn Tech-Free Family Time!

Colwin Way's table skittles project is perfect for tech-free family fun! Discover how to build and play this traditional game together. #FamilyTime

woodworkersinstitute.com

It's the wood meeting the ball chain b/c the swivel doesn't really function. I added a simple plastic spacer you get w/ tv bracket kits. If I taper that to match the dowel, I think it will work. Still will work on a circular solution w/ the ball bearings though because it gets the chain out and away from the dowel. Also thinking of finding some sort of brass cone that I could use on the top that would reduce the friction.

 

[MtNittany]

A few thoughts:

1) Could you share a video showing the chain binding at the top so we can see where the excess friction is occurring. You said you tapered the dowel so that's unlikely to be the issue. Would adding a washer at the top of the dowel help keep the chain away from the dowel and thus inhibit binding?

2) Go to a crafts store and purchase a variety of wood balls. Once you choose the preferred size you might need to add some weight to it. To do so drill a hole in the bottom and add some of the below of take a sheet of lead and cut it into small pieces and jam it into the hole at the bottom of the ball.

Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity Weight System | e-Flite

The Liquid Gravity Weight System by Deluxe Materials from our collection of the best RC plane Field Equipment, will help your dreams take flight. Find the RC airplane parts and accessories you need at www.e-fliterc.com!

www.e-fliterc.com

Have you seen this guy's?

Craft a Family Table Skittles Game: Turn Tech-Free Family Time!

Colwin Way's table skittles project is perfect for tech-free family fun! Discover how to build and play this traditional game together. #FamilyTime

woodworkersinstitute.com

I did look at that in the past. Mine's an outdoor game - his is more refined. Also I don't like the round platform. The way I did it, 8 of the pins are on the very edge of the platform, which means less knocked down pins laying on the platform that you have to remove before your next shot. The round ones there seem to be pins all over.

 

[Nittering Nabob]

I did look at that in the past. Mine's an outdoor game - his is more refined. Also I don't like the round platform. The way I did it, 8 of the pins are on the very edge of the platform, which means less knocked down pins laying on the platform that you have to remove before your next shot. The round ones there seem to be pins all over.

I posted it only so that you could see how he tapered/rounded his dowel rod.

The below would allow you to get separation of the chain from the top of the dowel.



If you mounted the two hole bracket between a set of cylindrical bearings, that should work.

 

[MtNittany]

Not seeing images, though I want to. The dowel on mine is tapered about the same, but larger. Also his looks to be waxed and w/ a much lighter weight chain. Mine isn't even fine sanded yet.

I still think a metal cone of some sort that can butt seamlessly into the 1" dowel is the solution for now. Eventually, I'll have a 2 piece pool cue screw seam in the pole so it can all store in the Weber under the lid.

BTW - the magnets are a game changer and I've never seen any other builder mention them. If anyone wants to make something like this, don't do it w/out the magnets.

 

[Nittering Nabob]

Not seeing images, though I want to. The dowel on mine is tapered about the same, but larger. Also his looks to be waxed and w/ a much lighter weight chain. Mine isn't even fine sanded yet.

I still think a metal cone of some sort that can butt seamlessly into the 1" dowel is the solution for now. Eventually, I'll have a 2 piece pool cue screw seam in the pole so it can all store in the Weber under the lid.

BTW - the magnets are a game changer and I've never seen any other builder mention them. If anyone wants to make something like this, don't do it w/out the magnets.

I changed them from links to image prints. Let me know if you still can't see them.

 

[VicVaselino]

I invented a perpetual motion machine, but it shot so far into the future that in came back around and hit me in the ***.

 

[MtNittany]

Update:

Smaller ball works great and the plastic spacer and some WD40 work great on top of the pole. I have a design that works, now it just needs some finish work. The magnets work great - so easy to reset the pins. It's a blast to play. I just need to make some rules and scoring.

 

[MtNittany]

Original problem solved w/ a flag pole ring w/ bearings. Works fantastic. I'll try to get some pics of the game as it is now. It's really fun to play between shots of playing pool. You can beat your pal at 2 games at one time.

 

[MtNittany]

 

[STPGopherfan]

You are officially in charge of the new product development team!

Looks awesome! Enjoy!

 

[MtNittany]

You are officially in charge of the new product development team!

Looks awesome! Enjoy!

Probably $35 invested. Happy with it.

 

[STPGopherfan]

Probably $35 invested. Happy with it.

Awesome and inexpensive! Again, great job!

 

[LionJim]

Awesome and inexpensive! Again, great job!

I love a thread with a happy ending.

 

[MtNittany]

So, I'm redoing my grill skittles game. The old one sat out in the weather too much as the pole was one piece. Gonna have a 2 piece pole (like a pool cue) that will fit into the Weber and allow it to be covered when not in use. Or, obviously just taken inside if your Weber is in active use.

Also I've constructed a new base for the skittles which will house the bottom magnets in between 2 layers of 3mm plexiglass. This is an 8"x8"x3/4" piece of composite protected w/ decoupage glue and logo-ed w/ an old piece of wallpaper.



The magnets in the skittle pins themselves are still an issue. In the past I've just superglued them in (they're around 3mm), but they don't stay put. I see these magnets on amazon and like the idea of screwing the magnets into the pins, but don't think they'll work.

What's going to happen when these 2 magnets meet and connect? I think the one would slide to a side of the other (the one w/ the hole in the middle of it and a screw) - in other words they wouldn't self center. Am I wrong Jim?

I'll keep you updated. Actually have an attorney working on a patent and a big Gator booster semi-interested in exploring production.

 

[BobPSU92]

Subs? Hoagies. For f*ck’s sake.

 

[MtNittany]

Subs? Hoagies. For f*ck’s sake.

You keep your scones out of my business venture Bob!

 

[MtNittany]

I've also been told that if I drill the hole in the bottom of the skittle pin larger than the magnet itself and fill it w/ baking soda, the superglue would work better. Also thinking of just using a bigger, stronger magnet and covering the bottom of the pins w/ plexiglass via epoxy.