Stupid Simple Yard Art

[Hotfoot]

As the rings rotate, they create an optical illusion of trolling around the bottom ring (all bicycle rims). The Bowling Ball "Planet" looks pretty cool in there, and the entire things definitely has an Outer Space feel to it! Right now I tacked some garden trowel "blades" to the wheel, but they distract from the effect. A small sewing machine motor (comes with speed control...I have a few of them) will do better, then I'll remove the blades. I have a fan blowing on it in my yard,,and have had two cars stop to gawk already this morning...(although they keep an eye out for "What's Next?" here).
No magic formula on the rings, but the site I studied suggested 5 degrees for the first, 7 degrees for the second.
Wish I had a video camera...maybe I'll try to figure out that on my cell phone (which i use to take all my pictures, anyways).

[usmcpop]

Here's a video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...38584940&hl=en

[landman76]

Looks cool!

Video link didn't work tho...

[usmcpop]

Link works for me ...??? Try this:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...03348838584940

[old blue]

Link worked for me. The dialog is pretty funny.

[landman76]

Yep, works...actually the first one did this time too...musta been a fluke on my end

[SpyGuy]

Too cool! I gotta build one for myself now ... As long as you have the center bearings well greased, that thing will spin like a top.

A suggestion for the "fan blades"? Instead of tacking them to the outside edge of the rim, what about tacking them like 45* down from the INSIDE of the rim? That way, they could still catch the air for turning it, and it won't interfere with the clean outside lines. Plus, it would kinda look like a turbofan from a flying saucer or something.

[JimYo]

Looks great, and Spyguy has a good idea,,
Jim

[imwelding]

Really cool design Hotfoot!!! Especially like the recycled bowling ball. When I first saw it, it reminded me of the awesome windcatchers on the movie "Twister", (was that some of your work??).......your creativity is inspiring...im

[Hotfoot]

Spy: Is this about what you were describing?...or do the blades cant out??

[SpyGuy]

Yeah, kinda like that. I think it should work okay, and still catch enough air to turn your whirlygig. Angle them a bit so the air wouldn't be hitting just a flat surface, it would be pushing down (or up) against the blades, like an inverted windmill.

Now it's got that "flying saucer" look ... right in tune with your original space theme.

[Hotfoot]

The best effect is obtained by the bottom piece appearing stationary, so I'll be doing another using a motor, stationary rim, rotating disc "table top". I have a nice chrome 3 foot tube loop (from a clothing display rack), and will scrounge up another. When the rims have no markings like the bicycle spoke holes, the eye is fooled more convincingly.

[SpyGuy]

Welllll ................... spot-weld the holes?

I still like it, great idea.

[Hotfoot]

You can see my video of it in action now. I started a new post under "Metal Art/Sculpture" category, so check it out!

Took me a lot of head scratchin' to figure out how to get my cell phone video over to the computer, then how to export it to the forum....I still can't email it..but baby Steps first for this old, slow mind!

[FormerTankSarge]

Very cool, I just saw an add on craigslist for several bowling ***** for $5, hmmmm