Won't come apart...

[user]

Both my powerballs have slowed down considerably and are getting noisy - the Neon almost won't start up any more. I'd like to take them apart to see if I can clean them up inside, but I just can't get either to come apart. Granted...I'm using a hand clamp/vice instead of a table top style, but I just can't get the halves to pop apart. (and yes... I've removed the screws and tried rotating around the axis 90 degrees from the screw positions!) Any suggestions???

Jeff

[user]

Hi Jeff. The two halves of your powerball have been snapped together using considerable force and precision and therefore are very difficult to separate without using a device which can generate similar 'squeezing' force.

We have had some customers find success with hand clamps but in reality, most fail and will end up either seeking out a proper bench vice or sending back the balls to us to repair under the lifetime free warranty we offer.

In other cases, and you might be surprised at me suggesting this, some customers have managed to open their Powerball by placing it on a hard, but carpeted surface, on its circumference, with both screws removed and one of the empty [screw] holes actually touching the ground. They will then place a thick hard cover book over the little guy (or a small piece of wood) and stamp down hard! Bizarre as it sounds, we have tried it and it works extremely well!

Just be sure to keep the grip band on as otherwise, the two halves will fly across the room 'on impact' - it won't have any damaging effect on the balls components as these really are made from incredibly flexible and high quality materials.

You may wish to try this Jeff, or you may wish to seek out a proper vice - either way, you'll be covered inthe event you wish to send it back to us again in the future. Regards Paul