Removing cover from golf ball(s).

[R-OLDS]

Just wondering how many different methods people use to remove the cover from golf balls. I probably carve 50 or so balls a year. About 2 yrs ago I started removing them by cutting the ball in half then prying out the core and CA gluing it back together. One guy told me he uses a torch to soften it up then cuts it off using a knife, another uses boiling water to soften the cover.

[BobT]

I make the cut on my wood lathe with a skew tool. Pops off with a flat blade screwdriver after that.

[Dagwood]

i place the ball in pvc pipe where the ball fits 1/2 way down into pipe to establish a line around the ball. then wood burn the line around the ball. a small screwdriver to pop it off after its burned. this was a friends original idea which i have began to use

[Dave Richardson]

Ive used a chainsaw, 6lb sledge, stick of dynamite and ran over it with my truck, tee up whats left and hit is as far as I can with a 9 iron, and go buy a basswood egg.
Dave

[oregoncarver]

I draw the line around the ball with it set down in a pvc pipe. I then have drilled holes on the edges of two boards so the ball sticks up above the edge a little over 1/2 way. Clamp it in a vise and thake a cut off blade in the foredom and follow the line as far as possible, rotate the ball 1/2 way and finsih cutting. Pop the top off using a small screwdriver and carve away. You do need to clean the blade of the plastice after a few balls. I then cut a hole in the top of the part I took off and use it as the display for the carving.

[Robert Cahill]

I draw a line around it and then cut to the core with a Dremal tool and pop it off with a screwdriver. Will probably experiment with some ideas from this post.

[ka0fan]

I use a pvc pipe cutter and work my way around the ball. It works fairly well I read about it somewhere and already the cutter.

[R-OLDS]

I tried the torch, and didn't like it as the ball Quickly turned brown! I also tried the boiling water with better results than the torch.. I have seen the PVC pipe cutter EXTENSIVELY modified to cut half way around the ball. I have used a toilet paper cardboard core as a template for marking the center line on the cover.

Hitting the ball with a 9 iron, nope I prefer a PW as I play a little par-3 most every day in the winter months, that's just because I use it most (hitting greens, chipping).

[TexasSteve]

I have only carved two golf balls, however, I used my tool that stamps the initials on a golf ball to hold it, then used my bandsaw to cut around it. A screwdriver popped the side I wanted off with no problems.

Here is a picture of the tool, You can get them at walmart for about $10

[Big Barn]

Originally Posted by TexasSteve

I have only carved two golf balls, however, I used my tool that stamps the initials on a golf ball to hold it, then used my bandsaw to cut around it. A screwdriver popped the side I wanted off with no problems.

Here is a picture of the tool, You can get them at walmart for about $10

I wonder if you could use a nut cracker tool for walnuts or one of those mason jar wrenchs (maybe too big) ?