sculpted golf ball

[ovrcafnatd]

We want to sculpt a golf ball for the top of a PVC post/cap.
We're thinking of getting a pvc Ball Cap
and then taking
abracadabra's 'Magic smooth' or 'Magic Sculpt'
to use to form around the ball in order to get the dimples

www.abracadabrasigns.com

does anybody have any experience using these products?

We purchased them at the Sign show in AC this past year, but
haven't even used them.

I thought this stuff was pretty amazing from the display I'd seen at the
show, but I have NO idea which one I should even use for this process
the sculpt or the smooth? or both?

and what do you think would make a good tool to press into
the product to make consistant dimples?
A ball bearing or something?

any ideas or suggestions
or anybody have any experience with these products
and can tell us anything we would need to know....any problems
that came up while using it etc.

:peace!:

[dswanson]

we use both smooth and sculpt. easy to work with but expensive. build up your object with stryofoam, scrap hdu, anything and then coat it with sculpt. we use magic smooth more as a adhesive and for putting a textured finish on dimensional letters (even over gemini).

we have sculpted many golf balls of many different sizes, we even made a mold of a actual golf ball for a few hundred signs that were embelished with a half of a golf ball. depending on what size the ball is going to be would determine what you use to make the dimples, it is very important to plan out your dot pattern so that it does not look like a mistake, about the easiest way we have done one offs is to take a piece of string, dental floss, whatever, and make lines in the magic sculpt and then at equal intervals push in your dimples.

[Pat Whatley]

Ahem....laugh if you will but...

Go to Wal-Mart, buy a 6" styrofoam ball and a salt shaker with a metal dome top (2 for $2). Using an adequate heat source (I used a propane torch) heat the little metal lid and press it into the foam ball. It will melt the styrofoam just enough to make a perfect dome impression like a golf ball dimple. heat and repeat.

Coat with Magic Smooth (or fiberglass or frosted mini wheats) for strength.

You can stop laughing anytime, neccesity is the mother of invention.

[Shovelhead]

it's a brilliant idea....although I believe a salt shaker would yield dimples that are not
anatomically correct for a 6" sphere.

:signs101:

[neato]

Or...

They make those 'Giant' plastic Golf sets for kids. I've seen them in the toy section at WalMart or Target (Yes, I like the toy section!)

Bet you could use the ball from that, paint it white, and put a coating on top...

[ovrcafnatd]

it is very important to plan out your dot pattern so that it does not look like a mistake, about the easiest way we have done one offs is to take a piece of string, dental floss, whatever, and make lines in the magic sculpt and then at equal intervals push in your dimples.

oooh very good idea!
I would assume that I would just need to sand off those lines (or dremel etc.)
after the ball is cured right. Yah, this could work.
Thanks


Ahem....laugh if you will but...

Go to Wal-Mart, buy a 6" styrofoam ball and a salt shaker with a metal dome top (2 for $2). Using an adequate heat source (I used a propane torch) heat the little metal lid and press it into the foam ball. It will melt the styrofoam just enough to make a perfect dome impression like a golf ball dimple. heat and repeat.

Coat with Magic Smooth (or fiberglass or frosted mini wheats) for strength.

You can stop laughing anytime, neccesity is the mother of invention.

nope not laughing either,,,,well at everything else except the mini wheats thing ;)
We thought (well I did ;) I'm taking credit when credit is due..and that so rarely happend) about the styrofoam ball thing, but then decided it would just be easier to get the cap with the ball already on it so we don't have
to worry about attaching anything to a pvc cap.
BUT
ooh I guess I could use the smooth to attach it!

orr
I could just head out to the toy store and see what I find Neato
but I'm afraid it would be hollow maybe

ugh I think I'm more confused on what to use now
rather than how to use it
but at least I'm excited for this little detail to be added to our
project which hasn't happened in quite a while :Cool 2:

thanks

[Pat Whatley]

Or...take the easy way out and buy one that's already made. I knew I'd seen these things on a golf course before.

3" or 5" diameter, PVC, already with a spike for installation

$12

http://www.reliablegolf.com/teeaccessories.cfm

[imaSIGNr]

Pat's idea sounds best, but if I were to make one I think I'd just use HDU, layout the correct pattern for the dimples and then use a rotary domed shape drill attachment( grinder ) to do the dimples

[Stan B]

ovrcafnatd, thanks for THE GREAT LINK

[ovrcafnatd]

our golf ball looks more like the surface of the moon - a bit lumpy:Big Laugh
yahhhhh not so good for a sign that people will be viewing close up.

went and bought a styro ball to coat with the resin
OMG trying to get that smooth and even in the heat -
not funny!

I'm going to let it cure and paint it, but ehhhh
think I may just be purchasing one of those ready made that Pat posted.
Thanks Pat!

At least I got my hands dirty with the magic stuff and now
know how it works, but I won't be trying anything round again
anytime soon.
Unless I use HDU like Imsignr (forgot name hope that's close) suggests.

I'd post a picture of my masterpiece, but really I'm just too lazy
right about now :Sleeping:

thank you for the tips and ideas everyone

and glad you could get some use from that link StanB
;)

[ovrcafnatd]

my moon masterpiece

:Big Laugh :Big Laugh
OY

sooooo
yah
we'll be buying those pre-made

[neato]

That looks great Leigh!

[Jillbeans]

Looks real workable to me too Leigh.
Remember you can charge more for "custom" stuff.
Last year I had a piece of HDU or beaver board from glants (or something like that)
I used the handle end of a screwdriver that my son ground the tip from. It worked OK but the uniformity was a bit of a headache.
But this was for a flat golf ball, not a 3D one.
I use EZ Scuplt at times but I don't think I'd recommend it for making a faux golf ball.
Love....Jill

[ovrcafnatd]

well thanks Neato and Jill, but trust me
guys it's just not doable up close ;)...
because Jill that uniformity you wrote about
Yahhhh that went out the window REAL quick.

you should try the magic sculpt Jill - seems to be
some pretty amazing stuff really!
pricey, but neat
I can see where we could start up-selling dimesional signage
a lot easier having these products on hand.