Bowling ball Urethane brush

Had a bowling ball sitting around from the thrift store (thought i could get some material out of it for scales but it didn't work) and figured out a way to make brush handles from it.

The plastic shell is only about a half inch thick so i started by taking "plugs" out of it with a hole saw.
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They are then popped out with a screw driver and sanded flat on both sides.Here they are stacked and glued with CA.
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Some turning action and the final product.
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You rolled a "strike" with that one Vern.
A very ingenious idea that turned out beautifully.

Pete <:-}

Beautiful handle! It turned out great.
Just need a bowling pin or something engraved in it now. ;)
BTW, how were you originally going to make the scales? Were you thinking the ball was same material all the way through, or the shell material just couldn't be flattened?

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Originally Posted by JP5

Beautiful handle! It turned out great.
Just need a bowling pin or something engraved in it now. ;)
BTW, how were you originally going to make the scales? Were you thinking the ball was same material all the way through, or the shell material just couldn't be flattened?

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Thanks, yeah i thought i could cut a piece out and flatten it by heating it with a torch. I suppose a oven might have worked better but it just cracked when i tried flattening it.:shrug:

Wow, it must be really rigid if you can't flatten it using a torch. What grit did you sand them before gluing? Same as wood?

I think it was around 150 grit.

That's a really neat brush, beautiful! This place cracks me up because you never know what you're going to see, somebody can make a brush or scales out of just about anything, stuff I'd never dream of. Makes me see the world a little different, looking at things like "could that be a brush handle? do I see scales there?" :rofl2: Really cool idea, made my day seeing the circles cut out of an old bowling ball like that.

Thanks. I know what you mean. When you have "razor on the brain" your always looking for that next item to re-purpose into something shave related.

Boy! If there was a prize, you would be the winner! :tu

Wait! The prize is that nice brush. Very clever.
Enjoy!

A sweet looking brush that should be practically indestructible. Great idea and execution.

Nicely done! I'll be visiting a few thrift shops soon, I'll keep an eye out for some bowling balls.

Super cool repurposing of that ball.
Very nice resulting pattern to the brush!
Well done sir thanks for sharing the project.
:tu

Way to go. That really turned out awesome:tu

Who would have thought that a bowling ball would produce something such as this? That's amazing!!!

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Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Who would have thought that a bowling ball would produce something such as this? That's amazing!!!

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You could make an infinitely adjustable vice with an extra bowling ball!.....Just saying. :D

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Or a three razor holder.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

You could make an infinitely adjustable vice with an extra bowling ball!.....Just saying. :D

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Wow Sharptonn - That caught me off guard. So how does the vice attach to the bowling ball? I have a 16lb ball just sitting in my garage and wants to be used.

I have no idea. It belongs to an inventive friend. I figure some wall/concrete anchors?
Looks like some epoxy there. An air filter, some tape, garden hose for the base?
I want one! :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu7v...&feature=share

If I am correct, that is our own Rezdog drawing to scrim some scales on that bowling ball vise!
In fact, I see MY razor in the purple container there as well!
That vise would be handy for lots of things!

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

That vise would be handy for lots of things!

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We got to kinda keep the bowling ball thing quiet or we will see them for sale at Harbor Freight next year.

Pete <:-}:rofl2:

Yer right as-usual, Pete.
Besides, I have hijacked another thread! :beer1:

Very cool brush and idea. Can't believe how well it worked out! Way to go Tintin.

I love everything about this!

Very cool, Vern.

Hmm...couldn't get it to flatten, eh.!? How thick of a piece did you try it on.? It is a type of epoxy, so it may not soften.

Thanks Mike. IIRC it was a piece about 2 x 6 x 1/2 or so. I'm over that failure now since i've found another use for it! Unfortunately now that i want to make more brushes of different colors i can't find any bowling balls :shrug:

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Originally Posted by tintin

...snip...I'm over that failure now since i've found another use for it! Unfortunately now that i want to make more brushes of different colors i can't find any bowling balls :shrug:

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Spring will see them as folks bowl during the colder months.
Hey folks, don't forget "Salvation Army Stores" and church supported stores to fund their good works. we have three different ones here in a small city.

JMO,YMMV
~Richard

I could look in my local stores, but it probably wouldn't be worth it to you after $hipping.

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Originally Posted by JP5

I could look in my local stores, but it probably wouldn't be worth it to you after $hipping.

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Yeah, they tend to be on the heavy side. I'm sure one will show up eventually. Gives me something to tell the wife when she says "what are you looking for now?"