Make a metal ball hook swivel

[ukspeedbag]

Having had several people ask how I made the metal ball hook swivel, I decided to post a break down with images.

I started with 2 Everlast swivels, a plastic ball hook and a chain link and stripped them down. (pics #1-2)

I used a 22mm diameter metal ball. These can be purchased from internet sites or in my case, I used vehicle suspension ball joint. The ball will need drilling and tapped out to suit the 'S' hook thread. The thread size is 1.25mm pitch, but this wasn't available to me, so I compromised with a UNC 1/4-20. (pic #3)

I used a cone drill to open the hole up in the chain link lower housing, drilling from the inside to out. Then I cleaned and polished using Emery cloth and wet n dry. (pic #4-5)

I applied a drop of loctite/thread lock to the 'S' hook thread (pic #6)


The ball was dropped into the lower housing and the 'S' hook was screwed in. (pic #7)

I put another drop of loctite onto the lower housing threads. (pic #8)

Both the lower and upper housing were put together. (pic #9)

[paranday]

Useful post. Seems there are a number of experimenters out there, great to see your particular success documented.

[ukspeedbag]

Useful post. Seems there are a number of experimenters out there, great to see your particular success documented.

Paranday, I made a video with me explaining the process. Sam and I were having a bit of a laugh because each time I finished and played it back I never liked it, something to do with my Liverpool accent, so I would have to start again. After about 1 1/2 hrs and a dozen videos later. I was satisfied, then the video came to an end............you could see I was wearing pyjama bottoms!:D:D:D

[dax_q]

Very nice. I am impressed and a little jealous of the skills

[Tim]

That's cool. The Everlast metal ball hook lives on ...

[Dutchman]

Well, it's like we've said around here. There is nothing inheirently wrong with the design. It was the materials used in the later production that caused the problems.

[sparrky37]

What type of vehicle? upper or lower Ball joint? I have a brand new Chain link and want to convert.
By the My last name is Gulley which is English it means people by the sea. NJL SJNE CRUCE (nothing without the cross). I'll have to send a pic of my family crest tattoo.

[ukspeedbag]

What type of vehicle? upper or lower Ball joint? I have a brand new Chain link and want to convert.
By the My last name is Gulley which is English it means people by the sea. NJL SJNE CRUCE (nothing without the cross). I'll have to send a pic of my family crest tattoo.

Jaguar S type upper ball joint. I would guess any motor vehicle would have a similar size 22mm.Just make sure you don't open the hole up too big in the swivel housing. Visit your local scrap yard or pay a visit to your local garage, I'm sure they will have an old wishbone or something lying about.;)

[novaspeedbagger]

Paranday, I made a video with me explaining the process. Sam and I were having a bit of a laugh because each time I finished and played it back I never liked it, something to do with my Liverpool accent, so I would have to start again. After about 1 1/2 hrs and a dozen videos later. I was satisfied, then the video came to an end............you could see I was wearing pyjama bottoms!:D:D:D

Great pics of the swivel creation! Is there a link to view the process in the video format as you mentioned above?

[ukspeedbag]

Great pics of the swivel creation! Is there a link to view the process in the video format as you mentioned above?

The video was way to long mate, it would have taken hours to upload to YouTube. I think I deleted it in the end. If I can help you in anyway, just give me a shout.;)

[slowhand]

Any suggestions on getting the drill bit? I see it as a non-stepped, tapered bit, possibly a size 9, is that correct? Great project, though I can't seem to find the bit or the ball yet.

[baggins]

@ Ukspeedbag

I have read your DIY ball hook swivel with great interest. It made me want to try something similar out as well. I am a former machinist, and could get access to some usefull tools i.e a lathe.

I do have a question however. Instead of making an extra link where the bag attaches, could´nt one make only one link/metal rod, direkt from the metal ball to some form of attachement system, so that the bag can move without so many links to go through? I realise that there is much more work in this, and may be difficult to make, without the right tools, but I can imagine that this would make the bag move more like it is "supposed" to. What I mean in other words, is that maybe only two places the bag can turn, is perhaps better than three.
But then again, if this does´nt have anything to say, it will be a waste of time and money. I was just a bit curious:)

[paranday]

...I do have a question however. Instead of making an extra link where the bag attaches, could´nt one make only one link/metal rod, direkt from the metal ball to some form of attachement system, so that the bag can move without so many links to go through? I realise that there is much more work in this, and may be difficult to make, without the right tools, but I can imagine that this would make the bag move more like it is "supposed" to. What I mean in other words, is that maybe only two places the bag can turn, is perhaps better than three.
But then again, if this does´nt have anything to say, it will be a waste of time and money. I was just a bit curious:)

There are some of us who've been thinking that this extra link should go missing. The ball pretty much moves in every direction on its own, so why is this link there other than because of tradition? If you try this modification let us know how it works out.

There are a number of swivel experiments in progress by forum members. I believe the ball hook (and other types) will be perfected by speed baggers who live and breath speed bag.

[ukspeedbag]

I might be wrong but, I think by removing the link and just having a ball and hook, it would slow things down considerably. Correct me if I'm wrong but, when the bag is hit the link swings and the ball kind of follows. :confused:

[baggins]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think there is some math an engineer could occupie himself with for some hours. Me? I like to try things. I let you know when my experiment is bagged ;-)

[ukspeedbag]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think there is some math an engineer could occupie himself with for some hours. Me? I like to try things. I let you know when my experiment is bagged ;-)

I look forward to seeing it in action. It's always good to experiment. ;)

[paranday]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think there is some math an engineer could occupie himself with for some hours. Me? I like to try things. I let you know when my experiment is bagged ;-)

Was looking at novaspeedbaggers recent video, and noticed something unique about ball hook swivels -- the final pivot point of the bag is a moving target. It's always shifting from side to side. The final pivot is off the eye hook, the primary pivot is off the ball. Maybe this feature of a "compound pivot point" is part of what gives the ball hook its unique feel. All other swivels that I'm aware of pivot from the center of the platform, always.

See attached photo -- the ball pivot is maxed out against the side of the swivel housing, yet the bag is nowhere near the board.

Swivels. I dream about them...

[baggins]

^ I see your point. A long connecter rod will make the bag
Flex in its loop attachment, just like an extra link will. To the drawingboard
:)

[baggins]

But if one could make a housing, which were imbedded in the platform, the higher placed centre of rotation will allow the use of a linkless connecterrod. Especially if one could combine this construction with a larger ball contributing to greater range of motion. I'll have to look more into this....

[PIEFURZ]

I think the issue is a one of physics, if only I would have learned it. I'm interested in things like this but as we see it can get deep. It kind of reminds me of standing up in a swing and pumping to go higher then jumping out. It's a wonder we survive childhood. The swing would have chains or rods about a foot long with eyes to link them together. They wouldn't have a long single rod from the swivel point to the seat. I think the ride on something like this would be weird. It may be that swivels need links to keep them swinging smoother. Or maybe it is that the bag is hit around and the links just keep it at the given distance from the board so the links have to be flexible enough in all directions to follow the bag. Also the bag is subject turning so something like a fixed rope without a turning point at the board would twist up. A short chain or rope may sound like it would work except for the twisting probability. I'm thinking levitation or magnetic field to keep the bag moving under the board.

[paranday]

...Also the bag is subject turning so something like a fixed rope without a turning point at the board would twist up. A short chain or rope may sound like it would work except for the twisting probability.

You can tie a speed bag to a fixed (non-movable) eyebolt, and it sort of works as a swivel, at least for front to back punching, but, as you say, it does get twisted up. Using a lightweight ball bearing to make the eyebolt spin freely works really well to eliminate twisting.


I'm thinking levitation or magnetic field to keep the bag moving under the board.

A maglev speed bag. Now that would be cool.