I have standard handballs/racquetballs that I use as final loads. But the problem is that sometimes because of the rubber exterior they get stuck in my pockets, or make a lot of noise when loaded. Is there any way to wrap them in felt or any other material?

I have also heard of wet felting, is that what I need to do?

Hey, Uriel:

A felt-wrapped racquetball...wouldn't that be a tennis ball?

Not to be a Smart A..lec, but maybe subbing an off-the-shelf product for one that's modified is the way to go? If do go with a felt wrap, consider the tennis ball and how it solves the "warp a plane surface into a curved surface" problem with two specially shaped pieces.

I have PF cups, and tennis balls don't fit. I got some dog tennis balls, and they fit but don't come out. So I figured the only way would be to use the racquetballs I have now and silence them.

Leland had the same thought I did. Look at a tennis ball and see how the felt is cut in order to adhere to the ball. Then cut your felt out using the tennis balls pattern as your guide. You may be able to find the pattern used on-line somewhere to save you some time.

Good luck.

Mark.

don't get hung up on "tennis balls" there a tons of products that will already fit your needs. not sure what size you need, but I found a 1.5" "felt ball".

I'm sure you will find what you want here....
http://www.uniquemagicballs.com/
James is a Café member and a great guy....
Bri

http://www.pjb.com.au/jug/leatherballs.html
This is a juggler site with patterns for the balls. You can use the pattern to cut bits to cover your raquetballs. They have several sizes and explain how to size up and down.

Have you considered this?

http://www.onlyhairloss.com/glh/

Or this?

http://www.chia.com/simpsons.html

Thanks kaytracy, but that seems like a lot of work especially for 3-4 balls.

I think I will just go with James Tong on this one.

I think that some times we think so far outside we cant even see the box. for my money I would keeplooking for a different type of ball here. if they are getting stuck in you pockets I would opt for a Hold out or dropper. try the leather juggling balls as they are smoth and they are filled with a loose filling that absorbs sound. if you cover your balls with felt then you run the risk of folks saying Why have you covered perfectly good balls in felt or even worse too cheap to get manufactured balls. so he made some in his living room.always look the part.

This is an old thread, but I have another solution for this old problem: flock your balls.

While developing my new C&B act, I found that the 2" cork balls I was using as loads made noise when rolling down the wire ball dispenser that is mounted under my table. Using the glue and flocking from Woodcraft, I flocked the balls in bright red (several other colors are also available). The balls are now much quieter rolling down the rack, and they look great! The flocking holds up to use much better than I expected it to do. After nearly a year of usage, they still look great!

The trick to it is to use a needle stuck into the ball, and a thread to suspend the ball, via the needle, from the ceiling for better coverage with the matching colored glue, eliminating runs as you go (apply with foam brush). Once fully coated, the double cardboard tube applicator blows the flocking onto the ball from all angles. Allow to set for 24 hours and your newly coated balls are ready to go! They load almost noiselessly in to the cups.