The big ball that did, after all, (so far).

21 years ago

This plan is a bit risky, but I'm going to try my best to make it work.

I'm hanging the ball on a steel rod (not the one in the picture, heavier)

by a point (top of the rod) and an inverted galvanized fence cap

that's embedded in concrete and mesh inside the ball, opposite the hole.

There should be almost zero friction and the ball should spin at a light touch.

Almost all the weight is below the point of suspension, keeping sideways wobble

to a minimum.

Right now I'm trying to put wings on it.

Like I said, I'm not sure it's going to work, but I AM having fun!

My dog, however, is bored stiff.

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (9)

rickharmer
21 years ago
Let me be the first to say"Cool!"So,questions:
How big is it?
What did you do the surface with?
Will this be a futuristic dog house?
Good work.Keep it up.
Chewers from an impressed here!
dellare
21 years ago
Hi...like I said before...you are very, very clever. Your poor pooch on the other hand does not look impressed. Adele
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linnea2
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanx Rick and Dellare, it's the one that flopped, 32" or so, vinyl patching cement
over chicken wire for "scratch coat", then more of the same over strategically
placed wire lath.

I seriously considered y'all's intriguing recipes, but felt better using a familiar
product for now, being short of time for material hunting/experiments.

My dog pukes in a car, he'd be very uncomfortable suspended in a wind-spinner,
if that's what it turns out to be, 5' above ground.
He's a bit of an Eyore with 3" legs.
Something else, now that you mention it, may decide to move in.

I'll keep you posted, though it may take a while, my company is going into its season.
ltd123
21 years ago
Forget your real work! We want to see the winged ball spin! This is such a great idea. I wonder if water routed up the pole so it would cascade over the ball would make a neat moving fountain......

Laura - who is looking for new ideas for sphere decorating!!
linnea2
Original Author
21 years ago
You know one thing I love about this forum?
It never occurs to anyone to ask: "WHY"! Why would anyone want to put a
concrete ball on an iron pipe? Everybody knows what that BECAUSE is.

Laura, I feel more and more the same way, but I shouldn't really complain;
-this IS 80% of our annual gross, right now. It's the Bacon
(and the concrete, and the time) and, my life didn't just get washed away
by a hurricane. I still complain :o)

I do have an idle well...know what you mean, it's been stewing, over a year..
Like I just mentioned to Carol in another thread, the CONTEXT is a lovely subject!
linnea2
Original Author
21 years ago
Or winged sphere?
Kinda looks like Piglet.

Here is a link that might be useful:
billie_ann
21 years ago
You can use tulle stretched and glued on a light weight metal frame to make wings. I took a class a few years ago on making slab rocks and that's what we used. Billie
gottatufa
21 years ago
That is one of the funkiest things I have seen yet! Been studying your stand....is it one of those clothes stands? I may have one of those kicking around, I believe...I just love your project, and it is inspiring me, which is such a dangerous thing!

Jo
kms4me
21 years ago
Like the others who have posted, I think your project is intriguing and inspiring. Maybe if you mounted it on a fire hydrant, your dog would show more interest.

Kate