Woodworking Basics - Make a DIY Captive Mystery Golf Ball Cage

A video wood working demonstrating how to make a wooden mystery, captive golf ball gift. A very easy woodworking project for the golf lover! This also makes a great baby rattle for your future golfer...
Materials:
1.75" x 1.75" x 5" piece of wood (I used maple)
golf ball of your choice
1.25" drill bit
1" drum sanding attachment for your drill press
drill press
sand paper
mineral oil or finish of your choice (you'll want something very easy to apply and wipe off)
‪@industrialcomfort‬
www.etsy.com/s...

[@laurenbb78]

Or you can make it for your baby cousin with a bell instead of a golf ball … just an idea 😉

[@ashokmoghe8035]

That's awesome. My friend is golf fan - I am going to make one for him ! One question - does it have to be hardwood like Maple or will softwoods like Pine work too? Thanks in advance.

[@industrialcomfort]

Hi Ashok - great to hear! Yes, softwoods will work just as well. Thank you for watching!

[@ManhattanWoodProject]

Another Shopsmith user, awesome! :)

[@industrialcomfort]

LOL, indeed! If it wasn't for that machine I'm not sure I'd even be a woodworker...

[@mayha49]

Impressive!!

[@industrialcomfort]

Thanks for watching, Mayha99!

[@paulblair260]

Hey Todd! I’m definitely going to make this for some golf addicts in our family. You used maple. Would cherry or some woods like padauk or purpleheart be as “bendable” as the maple?

[@industrialcomfort]

Hi Paul - glad to hear it! Yes, any of those woods should work. With padauk or purpleheart you may want to soak a bit longer. Beware of the color shift on the purpleheart though. While it has never happened to me, because I seal the wood, it is known to change color to a relatively unattractive brown. Soaking may accelerate this process. If you're dead-set on using it then you may want to leave in direct sunlight for a few hours after you complete the project, and before treating the wood, which might restore the color. I have refreshed untreated purpleheart by letting it sit in the sun. Although I am not sure treating with mineral oil will be enough so perhaps walnut oil if you go that direction? I imagine anything else will be tough to get off the golf ball. I would opt for cherry as my first choice. Thanks for watching!

[@daveholte7658]

Just curious on what you suggest to possibly repair cracks that appear inside the cage with ball “After” the boiling water process? A spray or a filler? I want to keep cage a clear finish as I chip carved rosettes on each side. Thanks. Could believe all the cracking that appears after the drying starts. Great video

[@industrialcomfort]

Was the wood properly dried before you began the process? What type of wood did you use? The challenge with repairing cracks on the inside of the cage is not getting the ball covered in whatever filler you're going to use. I would probably try a wood filler because it's very easy to sand. I would then coat that with a mineral oit, walnut oil, or BLO-type finish that would be easy to get off the ball without messing up the finish of the wood.

[@daveholte7658]

@@industrialcomfort yes. The basswood I use for carving was quite dry. Usually I try to add moisture in a Zip Lock prior to carving as it makes for better and easier chips. I think I made a mistake by not adding moisture and sprayed a sealer which I always do before I draw out my rosettes and makes for easier leaf pencil clean up. At first the cafe was great but witnessing the cracks appearing hourly.., caused concern. I put a red pencil line of where they ended and looked again and the cracking went further So far nothing on the 4 outside area if the block where I chip carved.. I don’t think the cracks will disappear on this cage where I want to keep a natural color. However the cages I have done before I painted and some I applied a white Guesso ,, sort of a sealer before I painted. Have to explore on this one. Thanks for your reply

[@industrialcomfort]

@@daveholte7658 interesting. While not a softwood, have you tried using maple?

[@daveholte7658]

@@industrialcomfort that is a great option. Have not tried to Chip Carve Maple. But have Chip Carved Walnut which is absolutely beautiful,,, but really takes alot of work and a sharp edge with lots of stropping. I will see if I can get some 2” x 2” maple. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@industrialcomfort]

@@daveholte7658 yes walnut is an amazing choice!