Modding the Pickleball Tutor Spin
This describes the modifications I made to the Pickleball Tutor Spin. I have typically modified most ball machines I have used. IMPORTANT: These changes will NULLIFY any warranty that you have on the machine. Please make changes AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Using the Pickleball321 Donut
This is an insert developed by us (patent pending) that goes into the carousal. It stops one or more balls from entering the launcher allowing the frequency of the balls to be 1-2-3-pause or 1-2-pause-pause. This is great if you want to use the ball machine to practice a baseline-approach-volley sequence and have time to run to the baseline to start over or limit the chances of partners hitting each other!
Adding wheels
Adding wheels to the machine allows it to be easily moved form one location on the court to another when in use as opposed to the wheels for transportation. The handle can be purchased at any hardware store. You can contact us fro more information. BE CAREFUL. The screws should not go into the black plastic bottom or it will crack it.
Using a small table to simulate normal shots.
One of the problems is that the ball machine launches the ball from a few inches off the ground. This obviously does not simulate a variety of shots well. So to simulate typical ground or dink shots I put the machine on a 13” table and a kitchen carousal to make aiming the balls simpler!
THE DIADEM™ BALLS ARE BY FAR THE BEST BALLS TO USE IN THE BALL MACHINE.
Using a cool table to simulate volleys.
One of the problems is that the ball machine launches the ball from a few inches off the ground. This obviously does not simulate a variety of shots well. So to simulate volley shots I put the machine on a cool table using the Diadem™ Ball hopper stand and a top made from 24” x 24” PLA 1/2” plastic with holes in the correct location. The hopper makes it easy to move around the court without any marks! This is the PERFECT height to speed up your net game!
WE SELL THE HOPPER AND THE BALLS. THE DIADEM™ BALLS ARE BY FAR THE BEST BALLS TO USE IN THE BALL MACHINE.
An easier carrying handle
This handle makes it easy to carry the ball machine if you have balls in the hopper or it is sitting on its feet! The handle can be purchased at any hardware store.
Adding a remote!
I did not want to pay $200 for a remote. So I added a simple one off Amazon. This is great for STOPPING the carousal, but has been less effective at starting it (because the carousal does a quick voltage surge to get started). But it has been useful to turn the carousal on/off quickly and not the machine. This does require cutting wires and opening up the machine!