Author Topic: Cheap homemade ball rack (Read 17851 times)

leftyinsnellville · « **on:** February 21, 2009, 02:45:57 AM »

Needed a ball rack big enough to hold 70 balls but didn't have much to spend. After wandering around Home Depot for a bit decided to build one out of PVC because it was a lot cheaper than lumber. Worked out pretty good. Take a look.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/sapower41/Rack1.jpg

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/sapower41/Rack2.jpg

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/sapower41/Rack3.jpg
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BeansProShop · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:27:17 AM »

Use toilet flanges for the feet..

I have some racks made with PVC.

I used big pipe for the legs and a hole saw to fit the smaller pipe through. I needed them to look nice for the shop.

Beans
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leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:14:43 AM »

quote:
Did you use sheet metal screws to secure the wood stiffeners to the PVC? And did you glue the PVC at the joints? -- JohnP

No, I used sheet rock screws. I drilled a guide hole first so as not to split the wood and to make sure everything lined up correctly. If you don't have a wall you can secure the rack to, you'll have to make some side braces or the rack will be a little unstable.

I have purple primer and PVC cement, but after I took some joints apart I opted to skip the glue (the intial spacing between the racks was a little long). Those joints are really hard to get apart once pounded together with a rubber mallet.

Edited on 2/22/2009 6:49 AM

n00dlejester · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:56:46 AM »

I...I think I see a Rival on there!

Very nice job though! I may be hitting you up for ingredients for this recipe...I need something more space saver-ish for my gear than the floor. lol
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johns811 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2009, 06:41:22 AM »

That is a lot of bowling balls. If anybody is interested I made a wood rack that holds 20 balls for less then $20. I have the plans so PM me with your email and I can send them to you.

dougb · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:29:55 AM »

I wish I had enough equipment to justify building one of these!
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Rival · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:01:48 AM »

The important question is, do you need a stepping stool to get the balls of the top rack? Because I'm 6 foot 1, and looking at that, it would seem as if it would take my tippy toes, and a whole lot of effort to pull one down. =P

Maybe it just looks bigger than it really is?
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bowlerdawg · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:34:40 AM »

It looks nice, but I would worry about making such a long run of the stuff.

If it were me I would have shortened the runs so they would be more rigid, or I would have incorporated a reinforcement halfway through the run

I would worry they would separate, and have 3 or 4 break loose causing a chain reaction

pvc comes in handy for all types of projects
good job

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leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:08:31 PM »

quote:
The important question is, do you need a stepping stool to get the balls of the top rack? Because I'm 6 foot 1, and looking at that, it would seem as if it would take my tippy toes, and a whole lot of effort to pull one down. =P

Maybe it just looks bigger than it really is?

Just looks bigger. I'm 5' 10" and I have no problem getting the balls off the top rack.

leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:14:19 PM »

quote:
It looks nice, but I would worry about making such a long run of the stuff.

If it were me I would have shortened the runs so they would be more rigid, or I would have incorporated a reinforcement halfway through the run

I would worry they would separate, and have 3 or 4 break loose causing a chain reaction

pvc comes in handy for all types of projects
good job

Thanks.

As for the center brace, if I were to build it again I'd put two supports in the center instead of one. Would have only cost about $20 more, though I'm confident it'll hold as it is. There's a little wiggle when I shake it, but it holds strong with no creaking or swaying. I do set the balls on gently instead of just tossing them on there though.

leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #25 on:** February 23, 2009, 11:26:02 AM »

quote:
I...I think I see a Rival on there!

Yup! 3rd rack up from bottom, fourth ball from the right.

scooter19530 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2009, 08:56:42 AM »

thanks for the idea, i'm making a 14 ball holder today, cost about $22.00 with all the parts. i'm only using 1" pipe but using a broom handle in all the pipes for support (thanks azguy). good idea on tapping the pipes in place instead of using glue. the whole thing should weigh about 10-15 lbs. so it'll be easy to move if i need to.

ImBackInTheGame · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:25:21 AM »

Wow, thats a lot of bowling balls!

I'm concerned with the load on that PVC though. What type of PVC is it? Schedule 40, class 160, 200, 315? PVC over time can get brittle if exposed to any type of UV rays. I realize it seems to be in your garage and out of direct sunlight so perhaps it's not an issue. Also, skipping the glue and primer kind of scares me. You have a lot of weight sitting on there and if something gives way, there could be some serious damage done to something or even worse, someone.

It is impressive looking all loaded up though.

qstick777 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:51:44 AM »

Looks nice. I thought about using PVC but wasn't sure how it would hold up. It's been a year since I've had to buy any plumbing, but I think the last time I checked it was more expensive than 2x3 or 2x4.
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idriveahonda · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:09:23 AM »

quote:
thanks for the idea, i'm making a 14 ball holder today, cost about $22.00 with all the parts. i'm only using 1" pipe but using a broom handle in all the pipes for support (thanks azguy). good idea on tapping the pipes in place instead of using glue. the whole thing should weigh about 10-15 lbs. so it'll be easy to move if i need to.

Can you pm or email me exactly how you plan to do this? I think I want to make one with PVC...only holding about the same balls as you...maybe 15.

My all wood one isn't as stable as I like, and it is heavy as hell.

Author Topic: Cheap homemade ball rack (Read 17851 times)

leftyinsnellville

Cheap homemade ball rack

BeansProShop

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack

leftyinsnellville

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack

n00dlejester

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack

johns811

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack

dougb

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack

Rival

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bowlerdawg

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack

leftyinsnellville

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leftyinsnellville

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leftyinsnellville

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scooter19530

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ImBackInTheGame

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qstick777

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idriveahonda

Re: Cheap homemade ball rack