For a while now I have been thinking about building another Ball Clock. It seems that I have the time and can certainly use the mental escape that a project like this would afford. Last year had far too much drama for me so this should occupy my mind away from the maddening crowd.
I wanted it to be very different from the one I built 35 years ago and to use different methods to function.
While pursuing a local antique mall, something I enjoy, well except maybe when I see the toys I had as a kid, I came across a glass dome with a walnut base. It looked like the kind that you could use to display a large butterfly or small taxidermy critter.
I took it off the shelf and checked it out and then for the rest of the time at the antique mall, my mind was trying to envision what the clock could look like. The other consideration was if I could accomplish the project in such a confined space.
I weighed the pros:
- The dome would provide a shield from dust and air contamination. Something that has caused continual maintenance with the wall version.
- The dome would keep fingers out of the clock.
- The dome would create a great display piece and finished look with the wood base.
& Cons:
- The dome would limit the amount of drop I would have for the balls to do their work.
- All operations would have to occur in inside the dome and within a 11.5″ diameter area.
- Can I even do it?
Looking at 70 and realizing that it may be later than you think, when would I do it?
“The problem is, we think we have time.” Buddha
I decided to get the Glass Dome and give it a shot.
Since I have this blog, it may be a great way to log the progress and challenges.