Rolling Ball Sculpture kinetic art #56 kinematic marble run

This marble run rolling ball sculpture is 4'w x 3'h. There are three separate tracks. Marbles are 1 inch, and is lifted to the top with a helical lift. All track is made with 1/8" stainless steel, TIG welded. Watch the Loop d' loop at the start of the video.
Any size and complexity can be done.

Almost perpetual motion...just add a little electricity...and let gravity do the rest.


http://mgaulden.blogspot.com/
Or see more at my website
http://www.rollingballsculpture.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• rolling
• ball
• sculpture
• kinetic
• art
• mechanical
• machine
• marbles
• roller
• coaster
• run
• toy

[cardshark525]

I am in the planning and design phase of making one of these myself.... Just a small... 2'x2' table top one. Question is... Do you think I could use a cold weld glue like JB WELD, or perhaps soldering it to hold it together? I know welding would be ideal but I'm not about to spend $200 on a welder.

[motleymdg]

@cardshark525 JB weld would be hard to use because you have to wait for it to harden. I would go with brass or copper wire and solder that. Try for silver solder, and avoid the leaded type. Use a propane torch for easy heat-up. Get your supplies from a welding supply place. Also look for "Swirling Brain" here on youtube...he uses solder quite nicely.

[NigelLoller]

Hi....fantastic track...Do you start with a plan or the frame and sort of invent it as you go?

[motleymdg]

@NigelLoller I start with the frame and let it build as I go... Usually there is too much going on to really draw it all out to begin with.

[stickbBOB]

where the hell do you get the parts for this? ITS FRICKIN AWESOME!!!!!!

[motleymdg]

I make these from scratch. I start with 12ft pieces of wire. Then cut and bend and weld until it's done!

[ossidrammen]

This is really nice! How does the elevator work?

[ioaytyay]

This is really fantastic.

I agree that a closer view would be nice.

There was (is?) a bigger, louder version of this at the Museum of Science in Boston.

[AQWDracobane1021]

@mippy202 Haha, that's genius! You'd check on them like 6 hours later and they're eyes would still be zooming around, lol!

[InternetzSpaceshipz]

Nice 240p for showing off your art and all.

[joey5605]

i wish more people would do this instead of wasting their time, nice work :)

[mippy202]

Forget putting stuffed animals on the walls in a nursery; put one of these and ur kid would be amused for hours!

[TreVox]

I seriously need to get this, where?

[terransage]

Incredibly cool and beautiful--hypnotic to watch. I make mine out of paper, but I like the flow of yours better.

[shashoni109]

@ossidrammen Small electric motor.