Handheld Zamboni

The handheld Zamboni is constructed from a janitor's mop, the kind with a shaggy cloth bag that is held in place by a wire frame.

 

A Y-shapped hose connector is jammed into the hole on the top of the mop bag to direct water into each arm of the mop. Slits are cut into the bottom face of the bag so that the water can easily exit.

 

Connect a hose to the stalk of the Y connector and the handheld Zamboni is ready to go.

 

To use the Zamboni, start the water flowing, apply the mop head to the ice surface – and keep moving. Never stop moving the mop while it is in contact with the ice surface or it will freeze in place.

 

Here's the choreography:

 

- Put the mop head near, but not on, the ice surface.

- Start the water flow.

- While moving, apply the mop to the ice surface.

- When done but before stopping, lift the mop from the ice surface, stop, and cut the water flow.

 

It's easy to control the water flow. Simply squeeze a kink into the hose to stop the flow and release the kink to start it.

 

 

Photo courtesy of son, Max.

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