The following are
instructions for
Chakotay's Competition Flyball Box (v2.03)
Updated March 22, 1998
DESCRIPTION:
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Chakotay's
Competition
Flyball Box
v 2.03
|
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Chakotay's Competition Flyball Box (v2.03) is a
wedge type Flyball Box with a 60 degree front pedal. The front
face of the box is the pedal and the ball is ejected 15 1/2"
off of the ground. The hammer/trigger mechanism will launch a
tennis ball 25"-36". The spring tension on the hammer
is adjustable. The pedal on this box is covered with padding made
of industrial Welcome Mat rubber-backed carpeting, glued to the
pedal. The Box dimensions are: 24" wide x 30"
long x 17 7/8" high.
These plans are offered as Shareware. If you
use the plans, build a box and like it, then send me $15.
Don't want to build a box yourself? Check out Chakotay's Flyball Box page
and purchase one of your choice!
For more information, email me, Keith Yockey,
at:
Yockmister@worldnet.att.net
Box Instructions:
Materials List:
WHERE TO BUY:
Cabinet Latch
Pad Material
Tools Required:
Instructions for assembly:
Layout work
See attached drawing (Figure 1) for
suggested cut pattern. Save the scrap plywood. |
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Attach the pedal to the
bottom
Make the fir strips
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Make the sides of the box
Make the ball hole in the
pedal
Mount the PVC pipe
Making the hammer assy.
Put on the top plate
Attach the top plate with
screws. Trim to make sure the height does not go over 18".
NOTE: Some box builders have found that by making this board
extra wide, it provides a nice carrying handle.
Mounting the bumper springs
Make the trigger
The Shadoe Trigger
As an option, and one I highly
recommend, you can put a screw in the end of the trigger so that
the screw is the part that pushes on the elbow catch. This makes
for an easy adjustment of the firing point. (Thanks to Don Ferguson
and his dog, Shadoe, for the tip.)
The final touches
Drill several 3/4 holes above
the PVC pipe and below the top plate to make a carrying handle.
This also provides a hole to tie down the pedal while in transit.
If you don't have enough room to drill these holes, you may want
to consider adding a carrying handle to the back of the pedal
support plate. You also might want to drill four holes in the
bottom plate on the corners for holding the box down when using
outdoors.
Test the box with your dog,
adjust, trim, or modify as needed. For a more sturdy box,
disassemble and glue the box together.
In the fully extended position,
the hammer should have a light tension on the spring. Be sure to
lock down the (2) 1/4 20 nuts. It will only take a few hits from
a dog and the spring assembly will loosen and you will lose power
from the hammer. If you dog misses the ball and it goes back into
the hole, then this is the problem. Test the box to make sure the
free flight is 24"-28" from the front edge of the box.
One team reported that it is hard
to get the trigger spring to go through the 3/4 hole in the back
pedal plate. It may be necessary to remove the hammer and
assemble the spring and threaded rod to the hammer, then attach
the hammer to the box.
An alternative to using
threaded rod is to use 1/4-20 eyebolts instead. You might need to
use a longer cornerbrace, or shim up the one you have to make up
for the extra length in this linkage.
Another method for attaching
the spring to the hammer is to attach an eye screw in place of
the wood extension in the above drawing. Care must be used when
using this method, as the plywood has a tendency to split on the
glue line. If you drill a large pilot hole before attaching the
screw, the plywood should hold up very well.
Prime and Paint. Enjoy!
Chakotay's Home Spot
Flyball
equipment page
Chakotay's
Flyball Box Page
v.1.9 9720091002
v1.7 9710041345
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