Machine Politics vs Beaver Boys, May 2011. Photo by Bruce Carver
Based on sound science and extensive market research, TPL has developed a modular hybrid mallet head consisting of 2 HDPE plugs inserted into an ABS base pipe. The plugs are machined from solid PE rod to have a press fit into the end of the mallet. Putting the plugs in the end of the ABS allows a player to wear the plug down instead of the base pipe, thus extending the life of the mallet. The ABS pipe is then drilled along the edge where small countersunk screws hold the plugs from popping out. The screws are placed in such a way that the plug itself can be rotated to extend the wear of the individual PE plug. The plugs weigh 31 grams each, and the ABS section weighs 71 grams. This puts the head at 133 grams, without drilling out the ABS base pipe or the PE caps. A sample (worn) 6" yellow HDPE head drilled out weighs 119 grams, so if the ABS base pipe were to be drilled out it could get into the 115-125 gram range depending on how much you relieve it. We haven't drilled out the prototype head yet, and it has already received positive marks in focus group testing. We are considering further reducing the weight of the plugs, but for beta testing the weight is commendable.
The design of the plugs themselves allows them to be machined or injection molded. Demand itself will determine if we will mold them or not. Obviously, molding will substantially reduce the per-unit cost, but economies of scale will dictate our ability to pursue this track.
Let's go over some of the basics again...
1. First and foremost, the PE plugs give you a flat surface to hit the ball, substantially increasing power transfer. Your shots will be noticeably faster and more accurate.
2. Replaceable plugs allow a mallet to be assembled to a base pipe for continual use of a mallet (the plugs take the wear, not the base pipe)
3. Modular design allows use of one or both caps. You may leave one end of your mallet uncapped for ball-joint carry or for retrieval of a ball stuck in corners/against boards.
4. Set screws allow rotation of the plugs in order to extend the life of the plug/mallet.
5. The PE plug material combined with the weight of the (drilled out) ABS pipe give you the weight of a (drilled out) HDPE head. (Based on 6" length)
Now here are some pictures of the real thing:
Yes, but by the same token, the HDPE will last longer because of its wear resistance. I think it makes a lot of sense to make the more permanent body out of more expensive, lighter ABS, and then replaceable plugs out of cheap, long-lasting HDPE. Sign me up for beta testing!
Jesse
Collar City Bike Polo
Troy, NY
Exactly...the point of PE ends is to have a better wearing material on the end.
This guy should be on the sales team.
PE wears better, and makes more sense, because it's more impact resistant. The front of ABS mallets chip a bit, and the PE only wears away...never chips. As far as machining goes, PE, ABS, or Delrin are all "easy" to machine.
I see what you are going for and it sounds reasonable enough, but if you can easily replace the ends then why care if they chip more easily? The ends can wear and chip and then easily be replaced while the benefit to the player is a rocket of a shot and an ABS mallet that will actually last.
I think you have a great product here, but I don't think you should overlook ABS as a cap material. This is almost the perfect platform to build a long lasting ABS mallet. I suggest you have a set of ABS caps machined and just try them out. If you can't tell, I'm a bit of a fan of the way ABS plays.
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia
From my very limited experience I've found ABS to be more Scrape resistant and PE to be more impact resistant.
The PE is dense as shit. The ABS is light, less dense, and more brittle.
I use something similar and you get a totally different transfer of power with PE over ABS. Just feels different.
---
Minneapolis Bike Polo information list
A Blog about bikes
We are thinking of adding a separate ABS line of these. If we make some, you will be first on the list.
I like it. It's elegantly simple and still robust. My only criticism is the choice of HDPE for the plugs. ABS is more expensive, but it is lighter, harder(faster shots), and easier to machine.
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia
Were are you getting your ABS @? ABS is far cheaper than the PE stuff from everything I have found. Part #8705K18 from Mcmaster.com is $7.56 per ft. The four feet of it I got this summer after shipping came to over $40! I bought two 10 foot sections of the black ABS from Grainger last week for a little over $20 for twenty feet of pipe. The ABS is way lighter though. A completed 40" long mallet I made weighs 250grams total with the abs head (6" long).
McMaster part #1839T23 (ABS) is $10.32 per foot. Mcmaster part #8705K18 (HDPE) is $7.56 per foot. They have the same dimensions. I don't know what you got from Grainger. I never order from them. Also, keep checking prices because raw material costs are coming down these days.
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia
2" diameter ABS can be had in any Minneapolis hardware store for about 75 cents per foot, or $7.50/10ft. I think it is of the foam core variety for those who know the different types. It wears down quickly but doesn't chip or crack.
Boston/MPLS
http://legitbikepolo.com
1. All ABS sold as plumbing (drain, waste, vent or DWV) in the USA is Cellular Core. It will, in fact, chip, crack, shatter, and otherwise catastrophically fail. The product will say "Cellular Core" in the stamp along it's length.
2. The ABS sold in Canada can be cellular core or Solid Wall. Solid wall is what you want. It's what my mallet heads are made of, and I'm sure it's what the TPL ones are made of.
3. These things are measured differently depending on their use. The 2" TUBE that you order from McMaster is measured by it's outside diameter, 2 inches. The 2" PIPE that you get at the hardware store is measured by it's inside diameter, so the mallet head actually measures 2 3/8 inches across.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Okay I see, the stuff I got is the cellular core stuff. The example above from TPL is also cellular core as it says right on the mallet head. This is the stuff I got from Grainger. It doesn't list cellular core or not, but it is. This pipe stuff is confusing and expensive.
Your stuff from Grainger is cellular core. The ASTM standards will let you know.
The TPL head is cellular core, but it is also very well supported at the edge by the fitted cap, and it doesn't have a bunch of holes drilled into it. I would recommend they use solid wall if they can get it, but if the thing is surviving it's court tests, that's all that matters.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
it's = it is (contraction)
its = belonging to it (possession)
yay i'm back in the game!
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
Nice.
Thank you Martin. It has (would that be it's or its?) been a lifetime struggle with this grammatical issue for me.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
it's a tough one for most people as possession is usually indicated by a 's. english can be a frustrating language! um, oh yeah, polo. let's see...uh, i'm playing cyberpolo right now and i just singlehandedly beat 300 wolves. don't ask...
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i think that martin and ben should have to send each others post to one another for editing.
each others' posts (again, possession).
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Ben and Martin approving each other's posts - perfect. (or is that eachothers' post's's, Martin?) I'm also sitting here giggling to myself about the idea of duct taping Martin and Pieter to each other at the next tournament they attend together. They'd have to stay like that until they admit their love for each other. Then they will trade visors and mallet-tattoos.
Yes, we're using cellular core; it's what we can get 'round here. Worth noting: costs for pipe or tube are not comparable to rod (solid bar stock) which is what we're machining the caps from. Ideally, we would make the caps from Delrin (the most abrasion resistant, and substantially the more expensive), but the ODs of available stock do not coincide.
The company I work at have been able to get 4" squares of white delrin 1-1/2" thick, but we have to special order it. It is used to make a wear part in a machine we have and it is very expensive, but it is available if you want to pay the money.
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia
http://www.cncplastics.com/acetals.htm Here's a Mid Atlantic plastic supplier who accepts credit card orders over the phone (according to the website, I haven't dealt with them personally) and stock Acetal rod in 2 3/8" and 2 1/2" sizes. If you are using 2" schedule 40 ABS pipe, the outside diameter should be about 2 3/8.
P.S. to you and anyone else searching. "Delrin" is a brand name for a kind of plastic called an "acetal" it comes in copolymers and homopolymers. I don't know what that means chemically, but generic acetal is usually cheaper than delrin.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
This is a great idea. I like how the caps could be molded or machined, depending on demand. Have you been able to calculate a retail price?
A couple of (meant to be constructive) criticisms:
1. Look at a well used mallet, the eroded area is longer than your cap is thick. The pipe will eventually degrade, although certainly more slowly than either a piece of pipe or one of my mallets would.
2. The feedback I got for my ABS heads was that although the shot was nice and hard, there were a few people who were put off by the stiffness of the shuffle surface. They preferred PE for that. So, maybe you should consider making a PE pipe/PE cap head, or a PE pipe/ABS cap head.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Initially we are going to offer a (1) set (of 2) plugs for $15 plus shipping. This is sort of an introductory price, and is subject to change.
1. I agree...the base pipe will not last forever. But it will last A LOT longer than a standard mallet lasts.
2. A PE pipe would make the mallet a lot heavier, that's why I didn't consider that. I don't think ABS wears well, or is that great of a head material. The only reason we are using ABS id because of it's weight. If we could get carbon fiber that would be better. ABS is easily found these days, therefore the lightest and cheapest base material.
I think you should sell the whole set-up. It would just be too difficult for everyone to get the exact ABS tube that your caps are machined to. Also to drill the countersinks after the fact would be tricky without a drill press.
Aside from normal manufacturing tolerances within a run of pipe, there are going to be other factors that determine the Inside Diameter. For instance, if it's sold as "tube" or "pipe". Tube has a Outside Diameter and a wall thickness that determines its I.D. Pipe is measured from by its I.D. and a ratio of some kind determines its wall thickness. (Schedule)
I think it's a good product, don't get me wrong.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
3d cad model for the plugs - nice - for people who take bike polo toooooo seriously.
Are you machining these yourself?
ride or die
No, I work at a small manufacturing company, and the toolmaker (Thanks, John!) is helping us out with these.
Saw these in action yesterday at The Pit (the world's most famous polo arena)... they're really cool, great idea, good technology.
I probably won't be using one myself, since a) i'm a purist, b) i fear change, and c) i like having an open end because i like to lift the ball. not ball-joint. don't confuse those.
also, i hit the ball hard enough already. i don't need help.
I am in no means trying to convince you Adam, but you can't deny the power and more importantly, the accuracy, in shots and passes that you get with the closed head.
i hear you, mark. i think these things are really cool, and you're right about the advantages you're citing...
but for me personally, and my game, i don't find it necessary. just ask paul about the accuracy of my passes.
Saw these in action yesterday at The Pit (the world's most famous polo arena)... they're really cool, great idea, good technology.
I probably won't be using one myself, since a) i'm a purist, b) i fear change, and c) i like having an open end because i like to lift the ball. not ball-joint. don't confuse those.
also, i hit the ball hard enough already. i don't need help.
wait till you see the 818 Yetiman-Joker Concept IV in action dog.
i gotta tell you, mate, you're not scaring me with this.
you keep thinking of new funny mallet designs, i'll keep practicing. see you on the court.
i gotta tell you, mate, you're not scaring me with this.
you keep thinking of new funny mallet designs, i'll keep practicing. see you on the court.
you just don't listen, do you? i didn't think up this mallet design. it was a gift.
i play polo, two times per week, every week. and, for the record, my team is currently in a solid second place in the London league after two months of league play.
Ah, but the Menace plays 7 times a week, is 1st place in the NYC league ALL BY HIMSELF (he refuses to play with anyone who doesn't understand his secret hand signals, set plays, and russo-german metric hockey lingo so he's got no teammates), and he doesn't even play with a mallet at all, just a worn down little nub of a mallet head, clutched in his right hand (usually all bloody from scraping against the concrete when he takes slap-shots). And dude is fuelled solely by maple syrup, nerds, and fig newtons. Watch your back.
So I guess youd veto my model rocket engine propelled mallet red menace? ;)
you can use whatever the fuck you want, i'm going to continue building my mallets out tried and true materials to my specific preferred dimensions.
also, having a rocket shot is great but simply hitting it hard doesn't make it go in the net. stickhandling and passing to generate good clear looks at the net will get your team more goals, so for me personally i'd rather just build more mallets and replace them with a bit more difficulty and effort while maintaining my ability to stickhandle, pass, and receive passes, instead of sacrificing that in order to hit harder shots.
i found what works for me after years of practicing... i might get one of these for any Hardest Shot competitions that people are planning, though.
So I guess youd veto my model rocket engine propelled mallet red menace? ;)
addressing the problem of wear: once the bottom starts to wear to the point where the abs is affected would it not be prudent to rotate the cap? assuming you have drilled four equally spaced holes, you could use the caps four times longer than a conventional head. i mean, wear usually only affects the bottom.
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
To me, it would seem like keeping the caps rotated would prevent wear of the abs.
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia
Exactly right Martin. You don't really have to drill the PE material. If you use a small countersunk wood screw, it will drill and tap itself, actually giving it a stronger hold.
The bottom of the mallet won't last forever anyway, what with shuffling and all.
If you price these similar to the pologuard you should be able to more product nicely.
That said, WANT.
this is pretty awesome, i was all about big open ends until i took home on for luckys mallets midwest champs for some reason i just couldnt play with it but it was the only mallet i had besides this old beat up thing i got from chitown ben almost a year ago started using that and my shot blew up , its one for the smaller head diamiters no ball joint type of thing but i miss the lifting the ball as adam has said so this is best of both worlds, i would love a set of these let me know the info kreminator@hotmail.com
Keep in mind that you can play one open end with these heads. Giving you an open BJ/lifting side, and a closed shooting side.
i still get mine in l.a. yes?
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I would love to purchase one in LA from you as well. Will you be bringing some for Purchasing.
Leon
Seattle Bike Polo
All of the TPL plugs from the inaugural batch are, sadly, spoken for. We appreciate your patience as we tool up to accommodate the unforseen popularity of this product. Look for more to be available in quantity after the first of the year.
Bring a bunch to L.A. if you can.
I would if I could, but we are out for the time being. Like Montana said, hopefully we can get things up and running after the new year.
This is pretty nice. I Love that a move to engineered quipment is being led by people who play the game. I do have to say though that in my experience, the ski-pole shafts are what degrade (i.e., break, bend) long before my mallet heads ever wear down. I have seen a couple of designs out there focusing on mallet heads and I, again, applaud those working on that aspect. I would, however like to see someone with those talents apply them to a modular shaft/head system that doesn't involve drilling.
All that said, I agree with Menace (did i just say that?), that I am still enamored with making my own mallets. My wife, on the other hand, would love for me to be able to make mallets without leaving metal and plastic shavings all over the place.
EDIT: I'll leve my original comments up rather than delete them but after I hit "post" I realized just how "thread-stealing" and self-centered my comments could be read as. Capriotti-This modular head is FANTASTIC!!! keep working on it and hopefully you'll get more constructive feedback than i am giving you.
Beleive me, a more durable shaft design is paramount on the action items list for technicians here at Total Polo Laboratories. That said, we have decided to begin our endeavor with smaller scale, more attainable goals. We have a very promising design for a modular fastening system for the TPL mallet head which does not affect the integrity of the shaft (read: no drilling) which I developed when we were considering using carbon fiber ski poles. The basic design for an ideal shaft component is really a no-brainer, most of us can agree on the perameters; there just doesn't seem to be anything in a raw state that suits our needs. I've spoken to some people in the tubing industry about this, and the initial costs are prohibitive. We would need to agree to a buy-in of hundreds, if not thousands of shafts before the per-unit cost was reasonable for the average player. If only there were a credible international governing body for our sport to help us negotiate such a transaction...
I agree with you, Dave. I have a thread out there with my shaft design. Extruding aluminum is no joke, and until there is a proper amount of people ready to put up some loot to get the tooling make, it seems like we have to wait.
You can still make your own mallets with these plugs, except you aren't done until set screw the plugs in.
keep up the good work, TPL. although he feigns disinterest, I know Menace is interested in leaving one side open for a BJ.
(and as long as people abbreviate it like that, i'm going to force that joke)
dang things spoken for was trying to ask to nab one for an after bday on wednesday but cant wait to see it in action!
Not to derail the thread, but I am wondering how often people are having to replace mallet heads either PE or ABS. I have been using a PE mallet head since this summer once a week. The head barely looks used. I just got some ABS stuff and I know that won't wear as well, but I am wondering how long might it might last.
I think the PE head inserts are a great idea. The head takes way more abuse than any other part of the mallet. With replaceable (or rotatable) ends life should be prolonged. When the TPL ends become available again I would be down to order up a pair to try.
i play two to three times a week and have noticed that the thin-walled red hdpe actually held up longer than the abs i was originally using. the hdpe "hairs" away, whereas the abs "chips" away (at times). i rocked the hdpe head for three months before i had to change it. the abs i changed once every two months. that's a 50% increase in head life! word!
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
last year i predicted that the move to capped ends for superior shooting would eliminate the ball-joint question from the game. vindication!
looks great mark. personally, i like that the caps are sold separately from the mallet head. that means i get to custom up my own head still, and it gives the polo-istas something to do on those long winter nights. as you said, it doesn't require a press or even a drill for that matter.
For everyone who has been here from the beginning, we have all seen the evolution of our sport. This is a great innovative step for our game. TPL, you guys have a great design and you can put me on the list for one.
Ever since the capped end came back from the Naccc Chicago i've been experimenting with many ways of making one myself. Like Menace and Dave stated, i enjoy toiling in my shop(kitchen)Geppettoing my own mallets. I'm a hands on guy to begin with and get great satisfaction from making anything. Each one of my mallets has it's own character that i know,work, and play with on the court. Some make it into a regular rotation for months, others get shelved after it's first game. I enjoy scavenging for ski poles (i've got a nice collection) and mallet head materials are abundant and affordable in Ottawa. I also consider my mallet a weapon that i wield against my enemy and my mallet making a skill that i've honed over the years. A skill i don't want my enemies to have. So i don't post my mallets in the "show your mallet thread" but since the evolution has come around to the masses i'll show my capped design. It doesn't compare to the TPL design but it works and has stood up to the test.
I now regularly (pre-snow) use a capped/open end head that i've had great success with, the shooting is bang on and the scoop is great. I have also made the double cap, but is a little too hefty for my liking.
The end caps are hole sawed from HDPE, 1/4" thick to fit the id of a 2" ABS. 1/16" drilled in 6 locations around the end of the mallet and into the cap edge. A spoke is screwed in almost all the way, cut and then hammered in the rest of the way. Any sharp edges are filed off. So for all the DIY folk, have yourself a go at it and for the rest of you...buy TPL.
Double capped and BJ/cap
I also consider my mallet a weapon that i wield against my enemy and my mallet making a skill that i've honed over the years. A skill i don't want my enemies to have. So i don't post my mallets in the "show your mallet thread" but since the evolution has come around to the masses i'll show my capped design.
This is my mallet.
There are many like it, but this one is MINE.
My mallet is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
My mallet without me is useless. Without my mallet, I am useless.
I must swing my mallet true.
I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to beat me.
I must shoot past him before he shoots past me. I will...
My mallet and myself know that what counts in bike polo is not the balls we shoot,
the noise of our crashes, nor the broken spokes we make.
We know it is the hits that count. We will hit...
My mallet is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a brother.
I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories,
its head, and its shaft.
I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage.
I will keep my mallet clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. We will...
Before God I swear this creed.
My mallet and myself are the defenders of my city.
We are the masters of our enemy.
We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until there is no enemy, but PEACE.
seems like you left the double capped one on my porch. will be here for when you come for the time share ange!
HUA
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
Contact us at totalpololabs(at)gmail(dot)com if you are interested in ordering. For this initial order we will stick to $15 for a set of plugs, but we have not determined the cost of the entire assembled mallet head.
Now we are going to offer an 8mm and 9.5mm thick plug. The thickness that I'm referring to is hitting material that is sticking out of the base tube. The 8mm version is 26 grams and the 9.5mm version is 31 grams. We at TPL recommend the 9.5mm plug, because we think it fully takes advantage of the design (it wears longer).
We are taking orders at this time with the intention of figuring out the quantity desired. I'm estimating that we can start shipping them in a month or so, depending on the demand.
Be sure to include:
- Your name
- Your address
- Whether you want the 8mm or the 9.5mm plugs
- Whether you want just the plugs or an assembled mallet head
- The length of your typical mallet head (if you want the assembly)
Mark, nice work. I can't wait to try it out.
We knocked another 5 grams off of each of the models.
9.5mm - 26 grams
8mm - 21 grams
I talked to a lot of people in LA and Madison that were into these. If you want a pair, send an e-mail to totalpololabs(at)gmail(dot)com and provide the information that I ask for a few posts above.
Messmann's 10th anniv. mallets now for only $10 FOR LIFE. FREE REPLACEMENT. SIDELINE READY!
Messmann
bikepologuru
seattlebikepolo
since 1998
the good ole polo mallet. hockey tape, abs, ski pole, 1/8 threaded bolt w/ locknut!
Messmann
bikepologuru
seattlebikepolo
since 1998
on second thought i think i'm okay...
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
1/8 was the deal breaker right.
Martin needs 1/4 or it'll bend from a mean look
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/
.
yeh Martin is rough on his stuff. He need to pray to the polo goddess " Finessa" a little more.
Messmann
bikepologuru
seattlebikepolo
since 1998
so what's the word on these? they in production yet?
Got the material on Friday...should start production by the end of the week.
nice. how are we supposed to get you guys money?
I will send out a mass e-mail to everyone with my paypal. Probably Thursday.
Mark, come to florida and I will trade you a t shirt and a six pack for a complete head and one set of spare caps. Mallets will eventually break and or deteriorate t shirts last forever.
Don't bring cake to a donut fight.
yo mark, i am ready for shipment. and yes, i miss your shit on the now defunked rules thread, but not as much as i miss your shit at the bar. i'm going to try and convert my team over so i'm looking for bulk pricing.
Email me at totalpololabs(at)gmail(dot)com. We'll talk about it.
Wait...I'll talk to you about it on Saturday.
Production for the first batch begins tomorrow. We plan on making 12 sets. They are going according to how you ordered (first come first sent). I'm asking everyone to pay now. The second batch will get made next week, and sent the day after.
If you wanted a set and never got on the list, e-mail me at totalpololabs(at)gmail(dot)com. You will be put on the list. GET IT ON THIS SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS DEAL WON'T LAST LONG...SO E-MAIL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please e-mail me at the total polo labs account. It makes it much easier for me to keep track of this shit. Or you could just click on my name and e-mail my regular account, like a lot of people have done. I hate you.
If you didn't get an e-mail, and you ordered one...please e-mail me right away.
i have seen more subtle "email the money to me in nigeria" scams. you think you'll ever see your caps? this deal won't last long, that's for sure.
Shit. I already gave him my money. What should i do? Do Paypal give refunds?
Golden Polo
don't worry pay pal is insured up to two thousand dollars so unless you have bought over 135 i think you are okay.
But my aunt was a rich African princess. All I need to sell is like 40 sets of caps and send that money over there, and I get my inheritance. HELP TODAY!!!
these come with a tournament-championship-or-your-money-back guarantee, correct?
6 sets were made (half of the expected amount), and they will go out on Monday. More will be made next week. Look at that design on the inside...so high-tech and symmetrical.
I Had a chance to play two games with one of Mark's mallets today. Initially, I wasnt anticipating anything special. The first game i played, i didnt get to take a real shot with them. I dont use the ball joint but for some reason it still felt different when stickhandling. The second game, however, i was a little more used to the capped ends and I got to take a couple of shots with it. In the end, I would definitely give TPL money for these. I think I could get used to whatever (subtle) differences there are with stickhandling, etc. and fall in love with these things. Good Job TPL!!!
Come on people that already ordered, and got the e-mail to pay. I'm sending the initial sets out now, and more will be ready to ship this week.
Yesterday I shipped to Matt (Ann Arbor), Angelo, Ryan (p-cola), Brad (Urban Velo), and Baines. Let me know what happens people.
I included six #4x1/2" screws in the package to be used as your set screws.
Can't wait to get mine in the post. Hopefully Canada post don't loose the fuckers.
Golden Polo
You did it Gussy!!! Looks good!!!
I like the heads a lot. It seems that slower and more calculated shots don't really sacrifice power. It seems because there is more weight further from the center of the head makes controlling the mallet a bit different, but as dave said, nothing that can't be adjusted to.
BOOM!
Jonny, does this length look about right?
Chicago, Seattle, and Adam (east van) yours will be sent out today.
Leon - I only had 1 screw left when I went to package yours. I included it in there so you can get an idea of what you need, but if I were you I would head out to the hardware store and get some #4x1/2" wood screws so when the caps arrive you are ready. Sorry, sir.
Anyone get theirs yet?
No mail today. It's President's Day.
Any idea when mine will be sent?
Golden Polo
Luke and DC are next on the list. Hopefully they will be made and shipped by the end of the week.
So a lot of mallets were left behind and also i was given pipe from different folk but these caps dont seem to fit any of them. ?. they look just as awesome as they were when we hung out in december. just a bit confused on the size i guess.
found these today and bought out they store's inventory. they fit perfectly in 2" I.D. ABS. And They're pre-wiffled!
what are they?
brand, generic name? PE? or does that say PVC on the left?
--
urbanbicyclist.org
yeah let us know. i'd buy some!!
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
Made by Oatey, They make them in PVC and ABS. They use the same mold for both and what you see embossed on it says somethign to the effectt of White = PVC / Black = ABS. I would assume they would just pop out if you just popped it in, but you should have a stonger bond if you use the appropriate ABS Cement (also made by Oatey) which should permanently bond the two peices into one.
Description: 2" ABS snap-in drain
Prod # : 43560
UPC : 038753-435602
I'll be trying these out for the first time this weekend. If all goes well, I am buying every single one I can find.
im perty sure someone had these in a mallet during the sespi and they popped out real quick.
Some New Orleans kids had 'em. They did pop out of those mallets, but none of their heads were ABS (one was clear lexan or polycarbonate), so the ABS cement wouldn't have worked anyway.
I saw those at the SESPI and it rocked my little world. Plans are already in the works to have the HDPE caps injection molded with the waffling. ABS mallets will probably just switch to using those instead of the caps I have machined now.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
put some little screws in it to keep it in place. sheesh...
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
ABS cement. Its like welding plastic. They will not pop out once they're cemented in.
accidental dup
Who is tooling your injection molded parts? The company I work for does injection molding, and it still would cost a ton.
There's a guy in St Louis who will make aluminum molds. They won't last as long, are more susceptible to damage from poor ejection, and don't hold heat as well. But, depending on the design, one could cost hundreds instead of ten thousands.
We were just introduced, I haven't had the real number crunching meeting with him yet.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
You heard it here first folks.....St. Cago will beat TPL to be the first to injection mold parts for bicycle polo!
Something tells me I should start advertising my products in your thread(s).
ARE YOU KIDDING???????? IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE YOU ARE.
And to think...I was going to ship yours out tomorrow.
Ha! Sorry about that, mate. Feel free to take over my threads anytime.
And I'm only just starting to look into it. I want to know exactly how much it would cost, so I can be ready if the day ever comes when I sell enough heads that the cost of the mold and the parts is lest than the cost of machining them individually from sheet stock. You may yet beat me to it.
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-now
You can find those at Home Depot.I tried them for a while. They dont last. The material is not durable. You would be happier spending $ and waiting for the Polo Lab plugs.
Ask for inserts for deck drains.
they're cheap but not very durable.
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I got mine! Woot. Woot.
i've been lucky to have been testing tpl caps since decemeber. these things are the shit for many reasons. they are the future like a hover board (secret: paul brought one of these to the pit tonight. a hover board i mean. seriously.). i've got mark making me caps in all different sizes. you should too. he loves that.
i love these things.
martin, i love you too. don't forget to visit me in april in seattle for your birthday.
will it be a blumpkin birthday for me?!?!?!?! (said in a high pitched girlie voice)
TOP CENTER 4-EVA
sorry, I know that it's an old topic, but do somebody know 8 or 9.5mm thickness is a full thickness or just th outer ring?
I like it. It's elegantly simple and still robust. My only criticism is the choice of HDPE for the plugs. ABS is more expensive, but it is lighter, harder(faster shots), and easier to machine.
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia
Seth Higbee
Hastings/Ionia