Nine ball in the corner pocket......

[Eric]

Even though this started as a yo-yo thing, some of you may remember that at Worlds 2009 in the Iron Mod contest the "secret ingredient" (a part or type of material that the contestants must incorporate into their yo-yo creations) was Pool/Billiard Balls. The Pool Balls were provided by Hans and Benny from YoYoFactory, and Hans showed up with a partially finished top in three sections: Maple crown, Pool Ball center section, and a Maple tip section. During the contest there was a wood lathe which wasn't being used, so I finished the top for him: http://images42.fotki.com/v1379/photos/2/35562/9155827/DSC01051-vi.jpg
I returned home with a bunch of Pool Balls and various parts thereof with the idea of using them in tops at some later date. Well, yesterday it was cold and raining in the morning and I was bored. So I went down into the shop but I couldn't get inspired.........then I spotted the Pool Balls.....

Pool Ball Top #2 - Maple burl crown and tip section, YYF aluminum fixed tip:


Pool Ball Top #3 - Mostly Pool Ball with a Delrin tip section and a Guilia bearing tip:


Pool Ball #4 - Tulipwood Crown, Pool Ball section, Tulipwoos section, Delrin tip section, Guilia bearing tip (if you look closely at this one, you'll see that the grain in the 2 Tulipwood sections is aligned):


Group shot:


Number 2 has serious balance issues, the Maple burl has huge weight variance, but #3 and #4 play superbly. Thanks again to Maurizio and Neff for creating the Guilia tip assembly. I find it so versatile that it has inspired to make lots of tops lately.....

[the Earl of Whirl]

That is so cool and fun. I love pool balls and I love the way you used them in those top creations! Great work, Eric.

[RunBMC]

Those are some pretty tips, too.

[ta0]

I had seen Ben's pool top at worlds but I am still speechless at this group.

From #3 (15) I gather that pool balls are solid color throughout, the "stripes" in three layers? Is the number circle a plug? How much did you hollow that one?

Now you need to set up one of them spinning on a pool table close to a pocket and record a video while you hit it inside with the cue ball. I recommend you use #2 (7) and replace the tip with the rounded Throwback plastic tip If you prefer you can send it to me and I'll record it for you

EDIT: You may need to get a mini pool ball (like for a children set) so you can end up with with a top that has the widest part (and if possible the center of mass) at the same height as the center of the a regular pool ball. That way it will just slide on the table when hit. You obviously need a low friction round tip. If you are up for the challenge , a ball pen bearing tip.

[Neff]

Must. Get. Billiard Balls!!!

Love the 15 ball especially. I want do to one with the stripe at a diagonal...

[Dick Stohr]

Those are beautiful, very, very beautiful.

[MarkHayward]

Yeah, really nice work Eric. 15 is my favorite too. It's clearly a pool ball, but has been altered enough to make it something totally new and beautiful.

[johnm]

Great mixing of materials!
Makes me think about a hybrid toy by making the ball upper removable from the cone base for a spintop-kendama.

[MatiasStuntMan]

Wow Eric, these are really beautiful!!!

[jim in paris]

beautiful !!

you're amazingly creative on rainy days !! and very productive too!

now you need a table

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XniwhFoH9Sk


jim

[agentsac]

they look amazing! i remember this from worlds '09. the balls smelled great on the lathe.

[topper777]

if you ever decide to part with number 4 , the 9 ball top, let me know. they are all so magnificent

[Eric]

I just bought some of these:

[the Earl of Whirl]

Oh my! My imagination is running wild......and I will bet it is nothing like Eric's imagination!!!

[Bandigaro]

my favourite is #9

Oh my! My imagination is running wild......and I will bet it is nothing like Eric's imagination!!!

can't wait!!