RBS info is Moving: to my webpage

There is just too many limitations to a blog: Rolling Ball Sculptures

Blender 3D

Now I want to learn to use Blender 3D, an open source (free) program to make a RBS track with all of the possible effects, lifters, and other choices in an RBS. Then I will have videos and pictures of each item in the track. I will publish both the results and the source files - so others can use them.

More RBS on youtube

There are so many on youtube, it is hard to find different ones that you already seen. Here are a few RBS, that I stumbled upon:

• phoebus666able Harlequin Marble Machine
• carin_vancouver Hand Crank Crane magnetic
• specallez Miniature USB powered marble machine
• MosuWet Several parts: Ferris arm, Tri-Wheel - 1/2 wheel w/ track
• bakerTime361
• dc9apu Several RBS
• aerovuelolibre
• R107150 Metal tracks - unique arm lift
• Student - Metal
• Wooden w/ Wheel lift - check out the tracks
• Unique Combo of Wood, Metal, Plastic Tubing
• More Rube Goldberg than RBS? String, solenoids, ...
• Bamboo skewers RBS
• A very old RBS/RG - First pump?
• 684mrwright A very beautiful wooden RBS - Mike's Marble Machine - 4way gate, unique spiral

Another Modular RBS with a unique lifter.

You Tube video

• Lift: Elevator - one side moves, one side "locks"
• down side is modular - but has no base!
• Hand Crank
• Modular #2 has wheel
• Gates
• clear plastic funnel

Many types of RBS effects in a tiny package

You tube aletof

• Lift: magnetic wheel
• Lift: Double holes in wheel
• Lift: Steps - 4 stage
• Effect: funnel
• Effect: Plinko - 2 out
• Effect: Hand crank - wooden
• Effect: 2x switch back - Vertical
• Effect: gate
• Effect: zig zag
• Effect: sprial
• Effect: wave

More unusual ball lifters

This youtube video is a collection of different lifters for the modular wooden RBS. The "Mine Elevator" is the most unusual version at 00:32!

The wheel version is also different at 0:00 using discs with a single cut out!

An upside down spiral ball lift!

On youtube, a spoof video of RBS, BUT.... it also shows a spiral lift with

• the motor at the top
• the vertical rails entwined with the spiral (2 inside, 2 outside)
• and no support at the top
• the bottom spiral support is the spiral itself.

Rolling Ball Sculpture

I love rolling ball sculptures. I found out that they come in all sizes, not just the big ones I've seen in museums. Tiny desktop, large desktop, wall hanging, large free standing, and enormous Museum types. There are several places on the web that tell how to make them, but none of them have all of the info in one place.

• Track Materials:
  • wire: Steel (must be painted), Stainless Steel, Copper, Clothes Hanger, Ceiling Hanger
  • plastic tubing - lots of support - either insert wire or support often
  • wood - extra beauty possible
  • plastic - 1/2 pvc pipe, flexible tubes,
  • legos/kenix - structure and track in one kit.
  • sheet metal - can be heavy
  • pipes - for bolwing balls
  • paper - limited life time.
  • cardboard - limited life time.
• Balls:
  • glass (marbles)
  • metal(bearings)
  • plastic
  • pool, mini-pool
  • ping-pong
  • golf
  • bowling
  • tennis
• Gates - allows balls to be diverted to different tracks.
• flip-flop - switches back and forth between two tracks
• circle - switches between multiple tracks
• plinko - switches between multiple tracks randomly
• Multiple - one builder even has a 24 output gate
• Collectors - combine tracks into one track.
• Tilts - takes multiple balls before they all dump into next track or teeter totters for single balls.
• Spirals - Balls spin around until they reach the bottom - funnels, single wire, dual wire
• Arm swings - catches a ball in an arm, they rotates it onto the next track.
• Newton effects - uses the conservation of momentum, to stop a incoming ball and release a previous ball or reverse the direction.
• Musical - xylophones, chimes, bell, electronics
• Decorative - spinners, objects, logos, paintings
• Lifts - to get the ball from the bottom to the top:
• Power sources: motors, people, water, air, weights (wind-up)
• Spiral screw (Archimedes?)
• chain / arm
• ball pump
• wheel: hole, notch, spiral
• "mine" elevator
• pin
• offset bucket
• track effects:
• curve - 90°, 180°, 360°, are the most common
• drop - small drop from track to track
• fall - large drop onto a drum and then bouce back into a "funnel" or cup.
• waves - S curves either vertical or horizontal
• loop-d-loop
• Dip - a ball enters a track with a dip, at the bottom of the dip there is an exit, but the ball cannot leave the track until its energy is dissipated enough for it to fall out

How-to-RBS Websites:

• Juergen's Rolling Ball Page - Detailed, Engineering, Whys - German Only- Last Update: Aug 2004
• The Rolling Ball Web David M. MacMillan - Last Update: July 2001
• How To Make A Rolling Ball Sculpture - pro builder - good tips. mcwgough - Austrialia - Last Update: Sept 2010
• Eddie's Mind Eddie Boes - Last Update: June 2008
• Matthias's Marble Machines (Matthias Wandel)- Last Update: May 2010 Plans for Sale
• RBS Guy Blog - A beginner's Blog - Last Update: Nov 25, 2007
• Chaney Productions w/computers! Dentist!- Last Update: April 2011
• Rolling Ball Sculptures Matthew Gaulden - pro - Last Update: April 2011
• How to make the spiral wire!scrollylolly - Last Update: Jan 2009

Other Websites:

• Links to RBS
• Yahoo Group - Rolling Ball Sculptures

Artists Websites:

• Gravitram Shab Levy - 1973 1st RBS!
• Pierre Olivier
• Créations Didier Legros
• Ben Jackson
• Tom Harold - A beginner's Blog
• Rolling Ball Sculptures by Charlie Francus
• Stephen Jendro

You Tube Channels:

• xeniaguy2 The most unique machines! 1st RBS - 1947!
• denha Desktop collection
• hobiadami Simulations
• Cesardeb1

Lost Movie

I remember an old movie (B&W?). A man ironing (Mr. Belvedere?-Clifton Webb?), is watching a game show and says he can do better. So he goes on the show dressed as an Encyclopedia, which means the host can ask any question. Each week the prize doubles if the answer is correct. The contestant can then chose to come back and do double or nothing. The week before he would end up owning the TV station, he secretly agrees to lose, for a new car and money? So the host asks for his wallet and then what is his Social Security number? He "loses"

Anyone know what the name of this movie is?

FOUND IT: Champagne for Caesar 1950. The character of Beauregard Bottomley reminds me of Mr Belvedere.