Input needed on 2mm vs 1mm thick ball

Merl · #1 25-03-2023, 05:47 PM

https://www.swellwake.com/products/big-buoy-ball

Decent starting size and the vinyl is thick (but not too thick, if it can be inflated by mouth). If it really is 2mm all over, how do you think it would do with adding plasticizer or just heat stretching? Rigging a handle would be simple...it could make for a good hopper. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

frenchy · #2 25-03-2023, 07:24 PM

Plasticizer depends on the type of material. Works on CanDo but not Gymnic for example. If you get one, let us know about the bounce. What is the plug type?

Merl · #3 25-03-2023, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by frenchy

Plasticizer depends on the type of material. Works on CanDo but not Gymnic for example. If you get one, let us know about the bounce. What is the plug type?

Regular plug in a good spot. Not dead on the bottom.

Assuming it took plasticizer OK, would the thickness pose a problem?

Merl · #4 26-03-2023, 02:17 PM

Impressive.

https://www.tiktok.com/@swellwakesur...y7OxciX2A&_r=1

frenchy · #5 27-03-2023, 10:25 AM

I’m not sure if thickness would be a problem. I would worry about weak spots getting too weak by the plasticizer. I’d really like to know if you could overinflate by a few inches, leave in the sun, then take out some air after a week or two to soften it. Maybe soak it hot water in a bathtub then inflate?

Merl · #6 27-03-2023, 11:23 AM

You're right, Sun's vinyl is about this thick as these, which is why the HH is such a tank, but some of them had weak spots the plasticizer blew out.

Soaking in the sun is not possible here so I'll have to use the bathtub, after getting an idea on how this vinyl behaves. Looks very rubbery in that Jeep clip but it's probably underinflated.

Merl · #7 30-03-2023, 10:46 PM

The bouy is here. Excellent quality. The material is thicker than any hopper but not as thick and heavy as real orange bouys. It is somewhat stretchy and will bounce but currently sits at 18" or so. It's fairly tight so I will leave it for a few days to see what happens. I seriously doubt there's any weak spots to worry about but it would take a very long time for a half gallon of plasticizer, inside and out, to soak into this stuff to make any difference.

frenchy · #8 31-03-2023, 09:34 AM

Great! Can’t wait to hear how it stretches.

Whale Rider · #9 05-04-2023, 09:17 PM

I have a 1mm horse and it can support me easily (73kg) but its is a not so flexible vinyl sheet anymore although its the same material just thicker...

So before use make sure you can life with the added stiffness....

frenchy · #10 22-04-2023, 11:08 AM

Any update on the Swell buoy? Have you added any air or is it still around 18”?