Here's a tip on repairing your broken pickleballs from John Humphries:
I have been experimenting with ways of repairing the Cosom balls. I tried all the glues I could find but without success. I have found a method that works but it requires a little skill. I use a small soldering iron (5/16" body 3/16" tip) and strips of plastic removed from an old ball with a sharp utility knife. I melt a groove along the crack, place a strip of plastic (about 1/8" wide) along the grove overlapping at the ends. I then heat the strip with the soldering iron until it melts and fills the groove. Then I use the body of the iron to smooth the weld and finish it off with a file after the plastic has cooled. After several tries I have the skill to make a repair quite quickly. It seems worthwhile for us since the balls cost about $2 each in Canadian money. There is something to watch for: if you heat the plastic too much the ball begins to collapse and you must restore its shape. I use a 3/8" metal rod inserted through a hole on the opposite side of the ball. Since heating the plastic creates a noxious smell I only do the work in a well ventilated area. I am now able to make repairs that are stronger than the original ball.
...I would be interested to hear if anyone tries this method.
Emails can be sent to John Humphries jhumphr@shaw.caWhat Is Pickleball
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