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Author Topic: Plugging a Ball Q's  (Read 863 times)

TheGom

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Plugging a Ball Q's
« on: January 14, 2008, 03:22:15 AM »
With all the crazy colors that balls come in, do most of you plug with a solid color or are there swirl colors now out there to try and make it some what close? Can plugging be done at home, or is it just best to be done via a Pro Shop? Last, do all plugged balls need the surface redone because of this?

Thanks

 

JohnP

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2008, 01:37:14 PM »
Color - I try to match the predominate color.  Or some customers like the looks of a clear plug.

At home?  Unless you're going to be doing a LOT of plug work it would be cost prohibitive.

Resurfacing?  A complete resurfacing is not necessary.  In the area of the plug work I start at around 180 grit and sand (using a CAB) up to the grit below the final grit I plan to use.  I sand the entire ball with that grit , two directions.  On the final grit I sand the entire ball, four directions.  Then if I apply polish, of course it is on the entire ball.  All sanding is done wet.  --  JohnP

TBS1

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2008, 04:13:40 PM »
There are pearl additives you can add to get the "crazy" swirls, not exactly perfect but with practice you can come pretty close.
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Xfest

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2008, 04:25:36 PM »
I am waiting for vise or somebody to come out with 1 inch or 31/32 slugs for finger holes.. Instead of voiding the warranty on the ball I just drill the holes to 1 1/4 and slug it with a thumb slug.. Cheaper and is much faster.
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hammermike2000

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2008, 04:35:19 PM »
They have those already...1 inch I believe.  They are called finger slugs.

On edit:  I forgot, they arent long enough to fill the entire depth of the finger holes, but you get the idea.
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Edited on 1/15/2008 5:36 PM

Smash49

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2008, 08:55:01 PM »
Plugging at home cannot be done properly.  Sure you can plug the holes but proper hole prepartation is a beast.  We drill the holes out one size larger so that there is no residue in the holes.  We also take the bevel out to give a clean angle surface.  This cannot be done at home.  You can plug at home but not near as nice with the tools.

Smash49
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TheGom

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2008, 09:18:13 PM »
Thanks all.......I'll leave it up to the pros

JohnP

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2008, 10:21:52 AM »
quote:
And what a full plug and redrill is like $25-30 at most shops..


Anyone that's doing a complete plug and redrill for that price is losing money unless they don't consider their time worth anything.  I'm not trying to start another "war with words" on pro shop pricing, just stating a fact.  --  JohnP

legend4life95

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Re: Plugging a Ball Q's
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2008, 01:24:36 PM »
I've never understood why most shops charge less to plug and redrill than they do to drill a blank?

I think 2 shops I visited nearby charged $35 to plug and redrill, but yet they charged $50 and the other $60 to drill a blank! I don't get it. I do all my own plugging and drilling and it is ALOT more time and work involved in plug and redrill. Not to mention the extra cost of resin, hardener, color, and dams.

I am with Johnp...these people are not making much of anything on a plug & redrill unless they charge at least $40-$50.

If I were drilling as a business and not just for myself, I would much rather charge $30 to drill a blank and $40+ to plug & redrill.


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