Troutsqueezer's Rolling Ball Sculpture

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Who's Troutsqueezer you ask? Someone who just fell off the turnip truck with a new welder. Danger Will Robinson!What's a Rolling Ball Sculpture? Imagine a roller coaster for steel balls, or just look at the pics. I started building this contraption with my only experience at welding being the 20 or so coupons I welded together the day before. I blew a few holes in the tube frame but quickly learned how to weld them shut and at the same time learned the power of the flap disk.  Welding 1/8th inch rod end-to-end and keeping it smooth also proved quite a challenge for a rank amateur.  There are two tracks, each leading through different track elements, such as chimes, spirals, track switcher, etc. I'll have the video posted in YouTube soon. I stole the motor and gears from a Homedic back massager that quit working. The motors were still good so I put them to use in the Archimedes spiral ball lift. The top of the Archimedes screw lift is an eyebolt with some washers welded on it. The swirly thingie came from my wife's plant hanger. Actually, almost every part on this thing came from something laying around the yard or the shed. I got my money's worth out of that ol back massager. There's two good, powerful dc motors in there that would have cost me just as much to buy separately. As soon as the massager broke, I went out and bought another one. In fact, I'm getting a back massage as I write this! oooh.... If you don't own one of these things, I highly recommend it. -dennis -- Beekeeper with a Welder --
Reply:FantasticI Iike the small size
Reply:That is a truley great project!  A piece of art!Do I see a lizard climbing up the side of the structure????-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Great Job, for a first time welding project....I'm even more impressed. Can't wait to see the video.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Good to see more RBS enthusiasts  Attached Images
Reply:That's outstanding! Both sculptures!You could license the use of these for commercials or movie headers.Blackbird
Reply:Thanks for the compliments folks. I know some like to see the actual welds up close (of course!) I'll add some more pics soon.>Do I see a lizard climbing up the side of the structure????Yep. Stole that from my wife's garden. It's a gecko. After seeing it she had to admit it was cuter there than where she had it. I'll take a closeup. >Good to see more RBS enthusiastsI knew there were couple of enthusiasts on here. You sure can make those tight turns! I'm not that good yet. Reminds me of this one I spotted, I think it was on a German site:-dennis -- Beekeeper with a Welder --
Reply:Originally Posted by TroutsqueezerI knew there were couple of enthusiasts on here. You sure can make those tight turns! I'm not that good yet. Reminds me of this one I spotted, I think it was on a German site:
Reply:The largest rolling ball sculpture I've ever seen I believe was at West Edmonton Mall in...well, Edmonton.  It was years ago though. Good work!
Reply:Now those are pretty cool. I have never seen one before. When are you going to put a video up?
Reply:Originally Posted by Tamper84Now those are pretty cool. I have never seen one before. When are you going to put a video up?
Reply:Pretty neat"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I will have to add that damn thing to my "to do list for class". Very nice
Reply:thats pretty dam sweet ....you should sell it on ebay. or go to flea markets ....maybe id buy one
Reply:Thanks Guys. Here is a link to the YouTube video I uploaded. Not sure why it did not upload in the 16:9 format that I created it in so the aspect ratio is a little off. No big deal. I tried to put some drama into the video. Hope you like it. Please excuse the less-than-stellar welding, my next one will be better, I promise. I dunno....something about watching rolling balls just fascinates me....oh, maybe it's because I"M A GUY.-dennis-dennis -- Beekeeper with a Welder --
Reply:That's a long ride to the top.  Very cool. Great job on the video as well.Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Reply:thats bad a$$, I like the screw, this thing reminds me of a game I use to have when I was little, called mouse trap good job   how much $ ? or how much for you to make another one?
Reply:Thats Neat. How many hours do you have into this thing?
Reply:Do you guys plan this all out for months, or just go after it like SWells?Pretty amazing either way.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:I like the little steps on the back side - haven't seen that before - good job!Fire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:>how much $ ? or how much for you to make another one?That's a hard one to gauge. Like most things homemade, I'm sure I wouldn't get back what I put into it as far as time spent. It took me 1-2 hours most week nights over a three month period. Some of that time was spent figuring out the intricacies of my new Millermatic180 and of welding in general and also learning how to braze copper onto steel. A few months back I went to the Sausalito Fine Arts show to meet  Jeffery Zachmann (http://www.zachmann.com)  who makes a living  selling these things. His designs are somewhat elegant. Given the simplicity of some of his sculptures I was surprised to see that he was getting well over $3k for the smaller ones.>Do you guys plan this all out for months, or just go after it like SWells?Speaking for myself, I started with a plan but threw it out the window when paper hit reality.  So it was more like put in the first track and turn, think about the next turn, and so on down to the bottom, testing each section as I went. I'll tell you this, next thing on my list to buy is a darn auto-darkening helmet. -dennis -- Beekeeper with a Welder --
Reply:Originally Posted by Troutsqueezer>A few months back I went to the Sausalito Fine Arts show to meet  Jeffery Zachmann (http://www.zachmann.com)  who makes a living  selling these things.
Reply:What kind of material is used on the rails?  That is way cool.My first thought is a wind vane as the power source for the ball elevator. The wind doesnt blow that much here though.
Reply:Very Cool, I need more patience to try that.My hats off to the builders,great videos too.pro-level dumpster diver                                     Hobart 125EZ
Reply:>What kind of material is used on the rails?1/8th inch mild steel rod with 3/16th inch supports.Some use stainless, especially for those sculptures which are destined for museums, lobbies, etc. I'll get around to using SS but I'll need to get another CO2 tank for my MIG first. And SS ain't too cheap so I'm not rushing into it.>I need more patience to try that.stevinator, I've seen your thread on that tractor. Something tells me you've got the patience. There is a guy around these parts who buys old Kubota tractors and restores them to almost brand new condition, paying attention to the slightest detail, then resells them. I've always I wanted to do that and just may get the chance when my neighbor gets tired of his and passes it on to me.-dennis -- Beekeeper with a Welder --I know what you mean about the time into it. If I was a rich guy I'd blow the money on it for sure. nice work man