Seemed like a simple idea: a vertical circular track which balls can roll in. Then again, ideas are usually simpler when you leave them ideas; when you try to make them reality they usually get complex and messy (think communism).
First off, building the thing. The frame was straight forward enough, but the PVC track (headaches). To bend it, I needed to heat it up to about 300 degrees. So of course, I took apart the toaster oven. This way I could feed the track through it. My wife was once again thrilled by my ingenious use of her kitchen appliances. Once complete and after about fifty hours of labor, I walked up with my silicone ball and big moment, it didn't work at all.
After several rebuilds, I eventually switched to acrylics, which slide more than roll, but they started doing what I wanted them to. Now picture this: multiple heavy 3-inch acrylic balls whizzing around in a single track very very quickly, and I need to put my fingers in between them to make the catches. The learning curve was really unforgiving, to say the least!
Visit www.innovativejuggler.com for more info.
See you next week,
Greg Kennedy