Can't get it open 2

[user]

I tried with a small bench vice but it won't pop, how come? I Removed the screws,speedmeter and put the belt back so that it wouldnt damage. It looked more like it could scatter around the place any moment.

Maikel Tˆnissen

[user]

Hello Maikel.

Interesting results you guys are getting with those vises! I went out and personally split open one of the little guys after reading the posts above and in truth am surprised to hear of the difficulties you have been experiencing. He came apart in about 4 seconds and without any difficulty.

Here are a couple of quick pointers once again:

1. The quickest way is to lift the band slightly at exactly the points where there is no text - that is, at the junction of where the front and back text meets on both sides - there is just black space at these 2 points. (I'll get working on some images of this as soon as possible and add them to the site shortly to explain this better).

This will expose the 2 tiny screws on each side without you having to go to the bother to take the band off completely (to look for them in the first place!).

Now, take the Powerball and put him into the vise with the jaws of the vise resting against these 'blank' areas on the band (where you have just removed the screws from).

Put the ball down into the vise so that the 'equator' of the ball (for want of a better word!) is sitting snugly in the middle of the jaw surface. Gently close the vise to a point where the ball is now firmly supported. At this point, depending on what kind of a vise you have (ours is an old one and well worn!) it will literally take just an extra 1/2 turn to maybe a full turn if the vise gearing is different to ours, and you will hear that 'pop' we are referring to!

In truth, if your vise is really different to ours, it doesn't matter, just turn the handle until you hear the 'pop' (if you break it then we will replace the broken part, so don't worry!). The material in your Powerball is extremely strong and will flex considerably before it breaks so don't worry about causing harm - you won't unless you are deliberatly setting out to crush the little guy in there!

Anyway, once you hear the pop, take him out and you will now be able to manually separate the 2 halves. If you are still not able to do this then take the ball, put it back in but this time turn it 90 degrees and give only a gentle turn to the handle (perhaps 1/4 to a 1/2 turn) to bring it that 'final bit' where you will see the two halves physically come apart in the vise...and that's it!

Do the work required and when ready simply press the two halves together with your hands - it will 'snap' back together and your work is done! Again, we will try to add images on the site shortly, but you really should to see the state of our vise - it has come from the 'dark ages' almost and if it can get the ball apart then any vise in the world should be able to do this simple task!

Hope this helps and with kindest regards Rory

[user]

I just did it! It is a bit scary at first. I removed the ruber belt and undid the two screws. When I put it in the vice with the rubber belt back on it wouldn't budge. I was afraid i would crack the case. I removed the belt and used a handkerchief to protect the plastic from scratching. That did it! I guess the force is transferred to the casing more direct without the rubber band. I heard the pop and the casing opened like an oyster on one side only. I couldn't open it further by hand. So I turned the sphere q quarter turn in the vice and squeezed gently. I continued this process and the oyster opened wider and wider until I could seperate the halves. I cleaned the inside "ledge of the two halves and the white "saturn" ring. Putting it back together again is simple. Put the two halves on top of each other aligning the screw holes. Then squeezed very hard together. Possibly with the help of your knees and the two halves snap in place.

Herman de Jongste

[user]

I don't have a vice, so I just took the screws out, removed the rubber grip, and laid the Powerball on its side on the floor and put the corner of the coffee table on it, then leant on the coffee table. Took a lot of force, but it pops open easily. (Have had to open it a few times to clean it, especially after friends have used it and made a right mess, letting it knocking and grate like they did!!!)

They say the Powerballs are tough, and they're right.

Tim