Desktop #28 Finger actuated rolling ball sculpture-1" marbles

[snakes4apples]

wow thats amazing, it'd be fun to try and build

[wwwKx]

where do you find the material to build? How can you assembling?

(Sorry for the english, but i'm italian :D)

[motleymdg]

I use 1/8" stainless steel wire for the tracks etc, and 1/4" stainless steel rod for the frame. I weld it together with a TIG welder. ALL welded. 1" glass marbles.

[OregonDARRYL]

I don't want to give you all my ideas, but what about having the balls end up in a rack that could be taken out and "poured" back into the top "holding pen"?

[motleymdg]

Consulting fees.... : )

That's a great idea as well. A removable tray would be a cool idea, and save time reloading the thing, handful by handful. I will think about this one some more, and if I use it, I will be sure to give you your props....

[OregonDARRYL]

Hey buddy, that's pretty nice... how about a release mechanism that releases one ball everytime one gets to the bottom. Then you could rack-up a bunch at the top and it would last a very long time before "reloading".

[motleymdg]

I've seen that used before, and I thought it was a great idea. The only resistance I have to it is that the ball has to drop a bit (say over 2" or more) to activate the next marble. That would increase the height of the sculpture. Great idea though!

[MEGAFATBOY]

How long did this take you?

[motleymdg]

This desktop took me a little more than two days to build. 16+ hours. Desktops that are less complicated, say with one less track, take a little more than one day (10+ hrs).