Finding a creative use for old ball bearings.

[mart]

Last week while out & about, I spotted all these ball bearings scattered on a side road, close to the junction with a main road. (For local forum members they were off Sheffield Rd, Templeborough).

I was actually out cycling, and they did seem a bit hazardous. I picked them up-all 55 of them (about 20mm dia), and put them in the saddle bag. Not because of the potential hazard, but because I'm a bit of a magpie. I see things and think to myself, "that will come in handy", even though I have no immediate use in mind.

I continued on my way and began thinking of what creative use I could put them to.

I thought about them squirrel assault courses where one action triggers another. A steel ball rolls down or a weight drops and triggers another part of the course.

I am sure there are members on here who are much more creative than me.

Has anyone made something using ball bearings?

 

[RonA]

I used an old clutch release ball bearing to reduce friction on a screw operated engine crane I made, I’ve posted pictures of it before.
RonA

 

[winchman]

Cannon balls for a model cannon

 

[Cobbler]

Catapult ammo

 

[Robotstar5]

Pivot bearing for weather vanes

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

The ball in a Big mouse trap game.

 

[Brummie]

A Newton's cradle or bagatelle game

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Catapult ammo

At 20mm? You could kill someone at 1000 paces

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

At 20mm? You could kill someone at 1000 paces

And?

The properly deserved it, just think Norbert.

 

[anjum]

Always wanted to make a rolling ball structure, well since I saw Fracture,
See
http://www.rollingballsculpture.com.au/

 

[GW8IZR]

Catapult ammo

Ideal squirrel size

 

[Ruffian]

20mm would take down a deer not a squirrel!

It''s bigger than a 12bore lead slug!

 

[GW8IZR]

20mm would take down a deer not a squirrel!

It''s bigger than a 12bore lead slug!

as I said .. ideal

 

[rory1]

Tack the balls tegether in certain sequences To make a Ball bearing pyramid puzzle.

There always used to be one in the brew room of a drydock I worked in

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Always wanted to make a rolling ball structure, well since I saw Fracture,
See
http://www.rollingballsculpture.com.au/

Did you check the prices on that site?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

just think Norbert.

In spite of myself, I'm starting to feel sympathy for poor Norbert.

 

[mart]

Catapult ammo

I know exactly what you mean. Imagine being hit on the back of the napper with one of them at short range!

I recall using marbles in a catapult as a kid.

 

[mart]

Always wanted to make a rolling ball structure, well since I saw Fracture,
See
http://www.rollingballsculpture.com.au/

Looking at them sculptures Amjum got me thinking about perpetual motion. Where are we up to with that? Has any boffin achieved it yet. Worthy of the No ball prize?

 

[AndersK]

Forming tools

Some bearing content in this:

 

[mart]

Very nice Anders.