How to make a $5.00 ball picker upper
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Topic: How to make a $5.00 ball picker upper
Posted By: RJTT
Subject: How to make a $5.00 ball picker upper
Date Posted: 09/30/2010 at 11:27pm
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I thought I would post a quick, easy and cheap ball picker upper that I made. You will need the following items. Fluorescent bulb light cover (4ft) Elastic hair braid band Scissors Exacto Knife Cut one end of the tube at a slight angle with the scissors. Then take your exacto knife with a sharp point and bore a hole on both sides of the tube. Make sure you DO NOT put the holes in the center of the tube. Put the holes close to one edge because if you don’t the balls cant pass past the hair band. Then tie a knot in one end of the hair band then thread it through to the other hole. Now tie a knot on the other end so it can not slip out. Their, you are done. The main thing I can stress is do not make the holes to big or get the holes in the wrong spot. The ball should be able to pass the band with ease. I havent counted how many this will hold but I would guess 20 or so. This is a great tool when doing service drills, multi ball, or using a robot. I bought the tube at Lowe’s hardware for less than $4.00 and the elastic hair bands I got at The Dollar Tree for $1.00 for 100 of them. Here is what the tubes look like.
http://www.tubeshield.co.uk/lightcover.html - http://www.tubeshield.co.uk/lightcover.html
   Post any questions if you like…. pic below added by fatt; the ones above got lost  ------------- Founding member and club director of: Davidson County Table Tennis Club, NC. www.davidsoncountytabletennisclub.com CLUB SPONSORS: Joola, Giant Dragon, Zero Pong, Newgy, mypingpongbuddy |
Replies:
Posted By: Reinecke
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 12:00am
That's a great idea, I have always liked sticking it to the man by creating my own cheaper versions of stuff TT companies expect us to by  ------------- Mizutani Jun ST Tenergy 64 Tenergy 64 
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Posted By: RJTT
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 12:11am
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I might try this design next. You could make this out of PVC pipe and small bungy cords. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmVLjabaQ1A&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmVLjabaQ1A&feature=related
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Posted By: RJTT
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 12:21am
What? You mean someone already came up with this design? Dang, now I cant make my millions off you EJ'S.....
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Reinecke wrote:Posted By: Egghead
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 1:59am
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ya, we have few these tubes in our club for students picking the balls.
------------- Aurora ST: Rhyzm / Talent OX |
Posted By: kenneyy88
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 2:25am
| I like the basket design better... with the rubberbands on the bottom. |
Posted By: razortt
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 1:02pm
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I have one that only cost $3 by using those mailer tube. Both ends comes with plastic cap and I just cut out one end and removed the other end. Works beautifully. ------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35627&title=feebacks-for-razortt-fastpaddlecom" rel="nofollow - Feedback fastpaddle.com |
Posted By: ckm423
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 1:41pm
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Good post, my club has been using that design for more than 2 years :) ------------- Yasaka Extra FH: DHS Neo Skyline 2 BH: Donic Acuda S2 2.0mm USATT:1876 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35482&title=ckm423-buy-sell-feedback - My Feedback! |
Posted By: stiltt
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 2:04pm
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That is so cool. with your permission I will add a link to this thread in the Cheapo club thread. Thanks again, fatt. ------------- /forum/topic91512_page1.html#1124698" rel="nofollow - sales - forum_posts.asp?TID=19315" rel="nofollow - feedback |
Posted By: bOOm_cORNr_sHOt
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 3:19pm
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Any links on how to make the basket version with rubber bands? ------------- Acoustic L-Sized FL Acuda S3 2.0 FH & BH |
Posted By: ohhgourami
Date Posted: 10/01/2010 at 4:33pm
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I think the net is the best. It's too slow to pick up individual balls, even with a tube.
------------- Custom Walnut 7-ply DHS H3 Provincial untuned 40° BTY T64 210g |
Posted By: RJTT
Date Posted: 10/03/2010 at 8:06pm
| Anyone make one yet? |
Posted By: joebulatao
Date Posted: 10/29/2010 at 3:42pm
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check out the World's Best Picker Upper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHKuK7lVsWc ------------- http://www.mypingpongbuddy.com - www.mypingpongbuddy.com |
Posted By: stiltt
Date Posted: 10/29/2010 at 4:35pm
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the picture above shows the previous model of Joe's. Watch the video for a while to see the new model :) ------------- /forum/topic91512_page1.html#1124698" rel="nofollow - sales - forum_posts.asp?TID=19315" rel="nofollow - feedback |
Posted By: Genesis
Date Posted: 10/29/2010 at 4:57pm
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awesome... i think i have some badminton rackets down my basement... will try making one. ------------- T05 | AMULTART.SI-TBZLC.ST-PHOTINO.ST | T05 The 'TRINITY' |
Posted By: Re1Mu2R3
Date Posted: 10/29/2010 at 5:34pm
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You could also use Pringles cans and rubber bands..
------------- How to play Table Tennis: #1. Be Chinese (Ethnicity) #2. Be Chinese(Citizenship) #3. BE CHINESE(In Heart, Mind and Spirit) #4: Get a Chinese Coach #5. Get a Chinese Forehand Rubber (Black) |
Posted By: stiltt
Date Posted: 10/30/2010 at 1:29am
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Hey guys and gals I just thought about a better ball picker. Since squat training is so important one could incorporate training in ball picking by getting down with a straight torso to work out squat exercices: http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/squats.jpg - http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/squats.jpg With a free hand and a bucket it's even cheaper and it's so much better for your game. That was the joke of the day thank you  .------------- /forum/topic91512_page1.html#1124698" rel="nofollow - sales - forum_posts.asp?TID=19315" rel="nofollow - feedback |
Posted By: ZeDuBreju
Date Posted: 11/22/2010 at 7:11pm
| Hi! I´m brazilian and I've made one picker upper by using pvc tubes and a net that seems a basketball net. |
Posted By: ZeDuBreju
Date Posted: 11/22/2010 at 7:14pm
| Hi! This design is mine. I've made it by using pvc tubes. The net I've myself made the net too, it's easy, if you want me to teach you... |
Posted By: Erikson45
Date Posted: 11/22/2010 at 10:50pm
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I remember that in many small clubs in China, they use old plastic cans (orange juice gallons), attach them to wooden sticks, cut out the bottom, and strap bungee/elastic cord throughout the bottom so when they press down, the balls are forced into the can but are not able to fall out. ------------- Rutis FH: H3 BH: T64 |
Posted By: joebulatao
Date Posted: 11/22/2010 at 10:57pm
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A commercial version of The World's Best Picker Upper will be available at the Nationals in Las Vegas. Be the first in your city (or State) to own one. ------------- http://www.mypingpongbuddy.com - www.mypingpongbuddy.com |
Posted By: RJTT
Date Posted: 11/22/2010 at 11:08pm
Price?? ------------- Founding member and club director of: Davidson County Table Tennis Club, NC. www.davidsoncountytabletennisclub.com CLUB SPONSORS: Joola, Giant Dragon, Zero Pong, Newgy, mypingpongbuddy |
Posted By: joebulatao
Date Posted: 11/22/2010 at 11:56pm
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I will answer all your questions if you send them to my email address. [email protected] Thanks for asking RJTT ------------- http://www.mypingpongbuddy.com - www.mypingpongbuddy.com |
Posted By: joebulatao
Date Posted: 12/21/2010 at 12:17am
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check out the World's Best Picker Upper ------------- http://www.mypingpongbuddy.com - www.mypingpongbuddy.com |
Posted By: jt99sf
Date Posted: 12/21/2010 at 12:23am
Hey Joe, it was nice meeting you at the Nationals.
John ------------- Photino/Super Viscaria : H3 (FH)/Dr N pips(BH)林德成 HardBat:Hock 3-Ply /Dr Evil |
Posted By: joebulatao
Date Posted: 12/21/2010 at 12:53am
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Yes John, it is nice to see you at the Nationals.We might meet again at the Open if you are going. Say hi to Al for me if you see him. joe ------------- http://www.mypingpongbuddy.com - www.mypingpongbuddy.com |
Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 01/22/2013 at 12:59am
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The idea for the pingpongbuddy is really cool! however, it's kind of pricey to me. I saw one in a commercial that I think might have been a promo for a cell phone, where a chinese player was using all kinds of different things to play, and ended up putting the phone together while playing. They had an empty Water Jug with rubber bands across the bottom and could pick up a bunch of balls at once. Anyone have a link to that video? |
Posted By: metalone
Date Posted: 01/22/2013 at 1:40am
This might not be the best, but it is my design. I made it with a removeable handle, which also rotates almost 180 degrees. After picking up the balls, it can be placed on the table for service or you can pour the balls into a basket or robot feeder.
  ------------- Gave up listing, too many changes. Blade - Yes BH - Rubber Red FH - Rubber Black |
Posted By: metalone
Date Posted: 01/22/2013 at 2:03am
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The pingpongbuddy is definately cool, but you can't serve directly out of the pouch and it can't stand up without leaning it on a wall or support. I actually completed a few designs before settling on the final design, I did make a very high end one, but it is too heavy and I haven't had the time to modify the design. The high end version was designed from the ground up, no existing boxes were used and balls can be picked up on two of the vertical surfaces (ends) and on the bottom - balls against a wall. ------------- Gave up listing, too many changes. Blade - Yes BH - Rubber Red FH - Rubber Black |
Posted By: j-bo
Date Posted: 01/22/2013 at 9:53am
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I was interested in the mypingpongbuddy.. until I saw the price. Hope he is selling them by the truckload, but for me, the price is crazy when there are so many ez ways to design and build one for much less. Looks like that will be my weekend project soon. |
Posted By: joebulatao
Date Posted: 01/22/2013 at 10:23am
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Hey, I want to thank all you guys for talking MyPingPongBuddy on MyTT. I just had 5 sales yesterday from buyers who came across your discusssions about MPPB here at MyTT!! Muchas Gracias!! This shows that you have a lot of tt fans out there reading your blogs. Adios Amigos!! ------------- http://www.mypingpongbuddy.com - www.mypingpongbuddy.com |
Posted By: hookumsnivy
Date Posted: 01/23/2013 at 3:17pm
Looks like they improved on the design of mypingpongbuddy I wonder if the maker of mypingpongbuddy has a patent. As much as I like the mypingpongbuddy, it definitely has some flaws: 1. The neck is fragile - the angle could have been done w/ pvc connectors. When 1 broke, I saw someone fix it like that and it was much more stable. 2. Not being able to collapse into itself to save some space. 3. Corners would be easier with a square or rectangular shape (90 degree angle) It looks like killerspin thought of those 2 of the 3 problems.
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Posted By: j-bo
Date Posted: 01/23/2013 at 4:58pm
I don't think mppb has any patent. Not that it matters. I can see Chinese knockoffs coming sometime in the near future of the killerspin model. And once other retailers get the killerspin, we'll see what the discount pricing will be. |
Posted By: tt4me
Date Posted: 02/03/2013 at 11:13pm
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This is a review. I saw this thread a few weeks ago while I was still lurking and liked the design of the mppb. Since I am no longer just lurking I thought I would post this review. I bought 3 mppb for $105. I thought it was a good design. I know I needed a way of picking up TT balls the is faster then the Newgy Pong Pals. I bought one for my coach because one of his net broke and one for the club. I haven't been to the club for a week to deliver the club mppb but the coach and and I have really liked ours. Basically mppb is a badminton racquet that has its handle bent at about 45 degrees and attached to PVC piping. The net that collects and hold the balls is attached to the badminton racquet with fishing line. Fishing line is strung across the badminton racquet at intervals and tension so that the fishing line will allow the balls to be picked up but not fall out. My concern is how will the fishing line hold up but then again it is only fishing line. It should be easy to repair if the fishing line that keep the balls in and also attaches the net to the badminton racquet should break. The PVC handle is long. Long enough to easily reach under tables to get to balls. The only problem is that one ball in the corner needs to be first rolled out then then captured but over all I find that I can pick up balls more quickly with the mppb. So far I would say that mppb is a good design and works as shown in the videos above. ------------- Samsonov Alpha+H3 Neo+802 1.5mm, the Ball Whacker is revived!<br />Samsonov Alpha+H3 Neo+802-40 1.8mm my back up<br />BCX5+H3+802-1 1.8mm New but promising.<br /> |
Posted By: suds79
Date Posted: 02/10/2014 at 11:50am
Did this member or has anyone else tried making this? So far in this thread we've talked about the problem of a round headed for balls in the corner. Looks like the MPPB design is the best (although still round head) but some say has flimsy neck. And the Killerspin model is nice as well but more expensive. Still $45 for the mppb. Does that mean the guy in the video above has the best design? Similar in concept to mppb. Much cheaper (PVC is cheap). Has anybody tried making this? Would bungy cords last longer than fishing line?
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Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 10/14/2016 at 2:26pm
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Bumping this thread. Anybody else have some DIY designs they've tried since? Looking to make something, but having trouble deciding which sort of design to try.
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Posted By: GMan4911
Date Posted: 10/14/2016 at 5:04pm
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Haven't tried making one but if you want a cheap DIY design, all you need are - plastic gallon milk container or empty 2 or 3 liter soda bottle. I've seen designs using gallon size buckets but they seem a bit unwieldy. - broom stick - fish line - duct tape or screws/nuts Cut the top off the container to allow emptying collected balls. Cut the bottom off the container between 30-45 deg angle to allow collecting balls under the table. Drill holes around the perimeter of the bottom of the container and attach fish line from one hole to the other. The fish line should be spaced slightly smaller than the diameter of a TT ball. The flexibility of the fish line will allow you to push down to pop the balls into the container. When you're done stringing, it should resemble a tennis racket. Attach the broomstick to the container using the duct tape or screws/nuts and you're done. ------------- OSP Ultimate II, FH/ITC Powercell Ultra 48 Max BH/ITC Powercell Ultra 48 Max ITC Challenge Speed, FH/ITC Powercell Ultra 48 Max BH/Powercell Ultra 48 Max |
Posted By: Teutonic
Date Posted: 04/26/2021 at 4:53am
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Brilliant idea, you may also have a look to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHoXv5tzzr8&t=78s" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHoXv5tzzr8&t=78s ------------- Teutonic |