Working with SpaceBalls

Sizes Available

2011-08-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Currently Spaceballs are available in 4 sizes:

1/4"       260p        - Round, black in color and measures .26 inch or approx. 6.6 mm

3/16"     190p       - Round, black in color and measures .19 inch or approx. 4.8 mm

3/16"     210p       - Oval in shape, grey in color and measures 1/4" x 3/16"

5 mm      232p      - Round, white in color and measures 5.8 mm or .228 inch

Canada Post

2011-06-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Canada Post is back .... ?

Canada Post still on Strike .....

2011-06-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Canada Post is still On Strike ..... they have us between a rock and a hard spot ! I miss dropping off my packages at our local post office and chatting with the girls ! But what can we do ? Couriers are so costly !
Please note: our Online Store is set-up to ship by Canada Post and so it is probably best to call your orders in until things are sorted out ! Hopefully Canada Post will be back with us soon !

How did we do ?

2011-02-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your recent purchase.

We strives to achieve customer satisfaction.

Please let us know how we did ?

Thank you in advance for your time and input.

We value your opinion.

Leave your comment below

http://www.blackbridgeonline.com/feedback.html

2010-12-13T05:41:00.000-08:00

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas

and a prosperous New Year !

It's our "Blog" Sale .....

2010-11-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

... for the Months of November and December 2010

- place an order and take 10% off the cost of your Spaceballs !

- refer a friend and your friend will take 10% off their order
and you will take 10% off your next order !
(Your friend must place an order for you to receive your discount!)

Phone/Fax orders only

Quote: Blog Sale # BBON2010

Please note:

Current Retail Pricing applies.
Discount is on the cost of Spaceballs only.
No Discounts on Freight
Taxable where applicable.

What do you have to say ..... ?

2010-08-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

Comments from the WEB .…..

I have been searching the web, reading different
forums to find out what woodworkers are asking
and discussing when it comes to "Spaceballs". All the usual topics come up ....
panel rattle, panel movement, the size of
spaceball to use, panel pinning and if spaceballs
are indeed needed at all.

These are a few of the general questions/comments I came across.

Contributions from WOODWEB
http://www.woodweb.com/
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/How_to_Secure_Floating_Panels.html

Thank you to WOODWEB for allowing me to use segments of their forum postings.

Contributor:
We use a .188 Spaceball on our raised panel doors around
the center panel both at the top and bottom. My question
is how do keep the balls in place during the assembly? I have
even gone to adding a tiny spot of hot melt to hold these in place.

Contributor:
Spaceballs come in more than one diameter. Try the .26 balls
and your problem will be solved.

Contributor:
I use Spaceballs and think they work fine. My panels are 1/4
undersized all the way around.

BBO :
That spacing is for the 260p ( 1/4" groove )
Yes…. It sounds like the wrong size Spaceballs was being used.
Spaceballs come in different sizes.
The available sizes are
260p ( 1/4" groove )
use minimum 5/32" spacing per side
232p ( 5mm groove)
use minimum 3 mm spacing per side
190p ( 3/16" groove)
use minimum 3/32" spacing per side

Using the correct size of Spaceball for your dado,
install using the correct spacing allowances and
Spaceballs will save you time and frustration!

---------------------------------------
Contributor:
I’ve never used spaceballs and never had a problem with any
of my work. I glue the panel in the dead center at the bottom.
Just add a drop or two of glue to hold it in place.

Contributor:
The method you are using works well. I have done the same and
even pinned the center of the panels. I use space balls now
because they make the panel tight and rattle free. I even use
them on flat panel doors where wood movement is a non issue.
It makes the door sound nicer when it closes with those little
shock absorbers in the panel groove.

Contributor:
Spaceballs also save the time of centering raised panels. They
do it for you.

BBO :
Yes, there are many different ways to construct a panel door !
Using Spaceballs in your construction, centers your panels,
and panels are rattle free.
Yes, we agree they do sound strong and well built … good point !

--------------------------------------

Contributor:
The purpose of Spaceballs is to act as a spring to keep your
doors from cracking by centering them. The other advantage
is they keep the panels from rattling. Other products do not
spring back after being compressed for years. Foam does not
have enough spring in it to be effective year after year.
Many doors have been ruined and have had to be replaced, when
the oils or chemicals used in their makeup were squeezed out after
the doors expanded and stained the door panel.

BBO :
We have nothing to add, but remember to install Spaceballs
correctly ! Use the correct size of spaceball and check on
the proper spacing.

----------------------------------

Contributor:

I am constructing an end panel for a dresser using solid maple
boards glued up and installed vertically. The end panel will
be sandwiched between the front and back legs of the dresser
(20" in depth). I'm concerned about wood movement from front
to back (across the 20" dimension). Any recommendations for how to
join the panel to the front and rear legs? Dado with Spaceballs?

Contributor:
I'd put some mortised rails on the top and bottom. Make it a
floating panel. On the plus side, it would stiffen the whole
assembly.

Contributor:
Spaceballs don't work - they go flat like a tire.
Not to mention the fact they take up space in the
frame that would be otherwise available for expansion
of the panel. A better method is to center the panel
in the frame and pin it in place, two pins centered
top and bottom. This keeps the panel anchored in
place but allows for equal expansion and contraction
in the frame. It's cheaper, too.

Contributor:
Spaceballs are supposed to flatten as the panel expands.
Then when the panel shrinks, they expand. Most of the
space they take up should be empty, anyway, to allow
for panel movement. They do an excellent job of eliminating
rattle. The time it takes to center and pin a panel more
than offsets the cost of the Spaceballs.

Contributor:
I understand how Spaceballs are supposed to work. I had
occasion to pull a number of panels apart that had been
in the field for a bit of time, and the Spaceballs had
turned to pancakes and stayed that way. I find it quicker/
easier to shoot two pins in the back of the frame than
stuff it with little balls. I would not argue any
significant difference in time either way. A proper fit
between panel and groove will take care of rattle.

Contributor:
I pin 'em at center, top and bottom, from the back.
More than one way to skin a cat.

BBO :
Sounds good until one of the pins comes through the
front of your door and it does happen !

Contributor:
We use Space Balls exclusively and have for a number of
years. If anyone takes a door apart and finds that the
balls have flattened that would be an indication to me
that more balls should have been used. It would be like
putting two tons of cargo in a one ton capacity truck
and complaining of poor suspension. I have never had a
call back for a panel that was not held in place. From
our perspective Space Balls perform as advertised.

BBO :
Amen !

2010-06-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Panel Rattle

SpaceBalls also eliminate annoying panel rattle.
Panel rattle occurs when a door panel shrinks
due to low humidity conditions. This small amount
of shrinkage allows the panel to move in the door
frame, causing a rattle sound. This rattle can
be heard as doors are closed. When SpaceBalls
are incorporated in the door frames, panels are
cushioned and always supported, avoiding panel
rattle.

2010-05-31T11:05:00.001-07:00

Who's Building What ?

It is always interesting to see what fellow Woodworkers are up
to. Mike had placed a link to our website when he was using
SpaceBalls in one of his projects.

This mission style dresser is beautiful!
Check out his website for his plans and building description.

Thanks Mike, for letting us show off your project !

http://www.mike-land.com/Woodworking/Mission_Dresser/mission_dresser.html

2010-05-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

The EZBall Insertion Gun
This handy little insertion gun can be a real helper in your workshop, quickly inserting SpaceBalls into the dado of your stiles and rails !
All you need is compressed air !

Add the EZBall Hanger/Stand
with built-in air feed nipple
and your insertion tool is
always at the ready !

2010-05-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Customer Feedback:

"Thank you for your attention to the order… I buy lots of
items online, and this is the best feedback I have ever
received on an order."

Shawn Cosman, Salmon Arm, BC

Shipping
Ah .... Shipping .... one of the things that adds
to your cost and it never seems to go down !
Rates seem to constantly go up and sometimes the
delivery service isn't so great !

At Black Bridge, we try to ship same day as we
receive your order, but depending on the order time,
same day delivery may not occur !

Orders are shipped with a tracking number,
whenever possible and we try to follow the progress
of your order to ensure a timely delivery.

Shipping for Phone/Fax orders, coming directly to our
sales desk, are checked for rates by Post and UPS (our
regular carrier). Purolator or Dicom are available. We
try to find the best rate and advise you if there is
a better rate with one or the other. COD's always
increase the cost, as each carrier wants a collection
fee. This collection fee differs with each carrier ranging
from $7 to $10. Larger orders are shipped with insurance
coverage, in case the shipment goes missing !

With our PayPal Online Store ... shipping is by Post
or UPS ! To keep your cost down, shipping is calculated
using a percentage of the product value. We have done
the research and have got it as close as we can. Freight
costs are then calculated with Post/UPS Online Calculators,
the best value shipping (cost/time) is what we use.

2010-05-04T08:27:00.000-07:00

General Information and Installation

SpaceBalls are used in the manufacture of solid wood panel doors.
They easily install into the stiles and rails, with a friction fit,
insuring that they will not fall out during assembly. Once in place
standard door construction is continued.

SpaceBalls keep the door panel centered. No more problems with
unsightly reveal lines if the panel moves during the finishing process.

SpaceBalls will compress and expand. They are made of a rubber material that has a memory, returning to it's original round shape.

SpaceBalls will float and center door panels during seasonal humidity changes.

Insertion Procedure:

For 1/4" SpaceBalls ( Most commonly used )

SpaceBalls need a minimum spacing of 5/32” per side. If you cut
your stiles and crossers, as you would normally do for your panel
doors......then cut your panels 5/32" smaller on all sides, this
will leave the minimum space for proper installation and the SpaceBalls
will be able to expand and contract as needed.

Please Note: If you are using a curved bottom dado slot this spacing
must be increased to a minimum of 7/32 ” on all sides

We recommend 2 balls per side ( possibly 3 if the door is very tall
or wide). The SpaceBalls will be compressed when the door is assembled
and will expand and compress with the movement of the wood.

It is advisable to keep the humidity content of the wood under
consideration when constructing your doors.

Flat Bottom Dado:

Example :if the Rail measures 10 1/2”

the panel should be 10 3/16”

Curved Bottom Dado:

Example: if the Rail measures 9"

the panel should be 8 9/16”

2010-05-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

May 4/2010

Welcome to our blog!
Our intent is to be able to give advice, collect your comments
and feedback, answer questions and offer general information about SpaceBalls. Feel free to email your comments...good and bad !
With your permission, we will share your thoughts and try to
help with any problems or share advise and tips from you.

Thanks for visiting and hope to hear from you .

spaceballs@blackbridgeonline.com