Novelty Rolling Ball Clock

A novelty ball clock I have owned for around 20 years. I first saw it on the Saturday morning kids show Tiswas, with Chris Tarrant and Sally James. It fascinated me and I had to have one, a few years later I got one.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Novelty
• Rolling
• Ball
• Clock
• Curiosity
• Time
• Lapse

[AntiRafi]

rolling ball clock is my graduation project..someone help me!..

[Trekmad1967]

What does your project involve? Do you have to build one or something?

[Audinos]

These are still made, but they have a battery movement instead of the synchronous AC motor. Instead of rotating constantly at 60 RPM, a quartz movement gives a signal to the arm motor and it makes one revolution in about 10 seconds. Eventually, the arm's cam switch wears out and the arm spins constantly until the batteries die. The older clocks were much better.

[Yournottoosmart]

@zstarch probably not... Besides, who cares about the neighbors.. Or maybe they'll help you build it. :-P Always wishful thinking.

[2011Scarecrow]

i could sit and watch those things all day

[lbmusictchr]

I recall seeing on TV, 30 years ago, that someone in Great Britain DID build one out of timbers & bowling balls. "I say, time for tea." (rumble rumble rumble...)

[codeman017]

my cousin gave me the old one, but i think the motor is broke, its plugged in and nothing... so any ideas anyone?

[Bennoisky]

I got exactly the same clock

[TommyWylie]

Hi, I hope you don't mind me posting this query here... I am desperately looking for a replacement motor for my ball clock. It is an original 240v synchronous motor, which failed tonight for no apparent reason. I have a feeling they were/are available from somewhere in Germany, but I have no contact info.

[rafterscott]

My father had one of these when I was a kid. Mom hated the noise it made going from 12:59 to 1, especially 1am.

[awefliuhkjsd]

@Jasandjord626 hahaha it's cool i do that all the time :3

[steveduysen]

OMG! I have one of these somewhere. I remember having to put it together and using a white wax crayon to rub so the numbers show up. Although, I only have the basic silver ball bearings to tell the time..... I really hated 1am when all the balls reset.

[RabidRaccoonUK]

I used to have an exact one of these which lasted for about 10 years, then the motor broke. I later moved house and when I unpacked it several parts had snapped even though I packed it really well. :-(