I build rolling ball sculptures. In principal, they are easy, just build a track for your ball to roll on. In truth, there are many things you need to know. Here I will talk about things of interest related to my work such as challenges, every day stuff and breakthroughs.
Here's what my track clamps look like after a few years of hard everyday use. Look lower into my blog for a picture of these same clamps all sparkly and new. They still work like new, though.
Track on, clamps, track on.
Responding to "Tom's" comment. I use the "lift start" or "scratch start" since my foot-pedal is out of commission. Because if this, the arc wanders around and will end up on the clamp as I pull it away, leaving a bit of scorched track clamp behind.
Track 3 is half completed. I will b adding two spirals onto this track next.
Here's the chain installed onto the frame. Now onto getting the ball in and off of the lift. After that, track splitters, then loop d loop.
Untrimmed pickup hooks and the chain ready to get hooks welded on to pick up the marbles.
Bent up this spiral... And it was too shallow to work well. If the ball got stopped, it would not go again by itself. Now it will end up parted out for support rods. It might make a nice campfire cooking grill... Or use the imagination.
All finished. 23" high, 22" wide, 19" deep. First time making vertical zig-zag and a jump! Two firsts in one. Ill update post when I get a video up on youtube.
This is one of my favorites already. A nice shape with nice curvy, hilly main track. The collector spiral is better than my usual small "in track" spiral.
Finger operated! Choose to let one go or all of them.
My first time making this element. I really like it. This is in place of a tall skinny spiral.
Tracks 1 and 2 finished. Now to track 3. Will just be only track, but will have lots of dips and wavy tracks. Should be fun bendng the hills and corners and watching them being shaped into life.
