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

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AlanB