Okay, so I got tired of my bowling ball getting all grimy and losing its hook. Wiping it down just wasn't cutting it anymore. I thought, hey, why not try building a machine to do the job? Seemed like a fun little project.

Getting Started - The Idea and Parts

First thing, I needed a plan. Nothing fancy, just an idea in my head. I pictured a container, something to spin the ball, and brushes to scrub it clean. So, I started rummaging through my garage and made a trip to the hardware store.

Here's what I gathered:

• A sturdy plastic bucket, big enough to hold the ball and some cleaning solution.
• An old motor I had lying around. It wasn't super powerful, but I figured it might work.
• Some different kinds of brushes. I grabbed a few dish brushes and some stiffer ones.
• Plywood for a base, to keep things stable.
• Basic stuff: wires, a switch, screws, bolts, and some sealant.

Putting It All Together

Alright, building time. I started by cutting the plywood to make a solid base. Then I mounted the bucket onto the base, making sure it was centered and wouldn't tip over easily.

Next up was the motor. This was a bit tricky. I had to figure out how to attach it so it could spin something inside the bucket to turn the ball. I ended up mounting it on the side and rigging up a small platform inside connected to the motor shaft. The idea was the ball would sit on this spinning platform.

Then came the brushes. I attached several brushes to the inside walls of the bucket. Had to play around with the positioning so they'd make good contact with the ball once it was spinning. I used some strong sealant around the screws inside the bucket to stop any leaks.

Wiring was pretty straightforward. Connected the motor to the switch, and the switch to a power cord. Just basic stuff, making sure all connections were secure and insulated.

First Try - Uh Oh

Moment of truth. I put my bowling ball inside, added a bit of water and cleaner, and flipped the switch. Well, it sort of worked. The motor hummed, the platform spun... but really slowly. The ball just kind of wobbled around in there. The brushes weren't really scrubbing much, more like gently tickling the ball. Plus, the whole thing vibrated quite a bit.

Making Adjustments

Okay, back to the drawing board. The motor was definitely too weak. I swapped it out for a slightly beefier one I found online. This one had more torque.

I also realized the spinning platform needed more grip. I glued a piece of rubber mat onto it. For the vibration, I added some rubber feet to the bottom of the plywood base and made sure the bucket was bolted down extra tight.

The brushes needed rethinking too. I repositioned them and added a couple more, making sure they pressed against where the ball would sit more firmly. Some were angled differently to get better coverage.

Second Test - Much Better!

Okay, round two. Put the ball back in, added the cleaner, held my breath, and flipped the switch. Success! The new motor spun the ball at a good speed. The rubber mat kept it from slipping. The brushes were making solid contact, scrubbing away nicely. You could actually see the grime coming off in the water. And the vibration was way down, just a low hum.

Final Thoughts

So, yeah, it took some trial and error, but I got my own bowling ball cleaning machine working. It’s not professional grade, sure, but it does the job. I just pop the ball in, let it run for a few minutes, wipe it dry, and it feels way better on the lanes. Pretty satisfying building something yourself that actually works and solves a problem you have. Definitely beats scrubbing by hand.