Re: The Quest For Movement

charlieb wrote:

So now I'm working on clusters of tear drops on
springy "rods" as dynamic "finials" for a lidded box.
Also want to try using them horizontally around
the sides of a bowl. With some delicate balance
adjustments may be able to mount them on an
upside down "socket" and balance it on the end
of a small ball topped finial. This springy thing
has possibilities.

Any ideas?

charlie b

What's one good idea worth to ya, Charlie? How about six?

;-)

Make a loose ball & socket. Give the matching faces of the ball & socket a hard finish of some sort (or make them from a very hard wood) so as to minimize friction. Attach several of these sproingy things to the finial upright resting in the socket. Make the weight of the sproingy be beneath the center of gravity for the ball so that it is self-righting. Total mass of the sproingy things must exceed total mass of the ball + finial upright. Should end up with the thin finial pointer dancing around, pointing skyward.

Bonus idea 1:
Mount the sproingy things so that they hit a drum head or xylophone when jostled. Make the wire part long enough to allow the hammer head to hit any of several notes. More complicated. But also more noticeable.

Bonus idea 2:
Mount the weights at a mid point of an arc of spring wire (metal guitar string?)resting just above the top of a hollow form. Use two or more arcs. Cross them through each other.

Bonus idea 3:
Same as #2 except the arcs reach from anchor points at the bottom & top so that the weight only reacts to lateral movement sufficiently to strike the sides.

Bonus idea 4:
Mount the sproingy things on the inside of a hollow form in a hidden location so that it tattles when it is moved. Hide the mounting holes with Inlace.
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Oh .. one more only slightly related to your original 'sproingy' premise: Turn a hollow form. Cut away 1/2-3/4 of the wood (use your imagination for the pattern). Insert radiometer or suspend sheets of gold leaf. Add lid with static finial. The radiometer will respond to light striking it; the gold leaf will respond to both VERY tiny wind currents and changing electrical charges. A speaker coil without a cone placed nearby might be enough to stir stuff up ... might not. Try the ionizer off one of those cheapy 'air purifiers'. Add an interior light so the show continues after dark.

No charge ... but I reserve the right to exercise these ideas, too.

Bill
--
http://nmwoodworks.com/cube


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