9" sphere (3)

Re: 9" sphere (3)

Julian

You could glue up segments to make any size sphere and turn it on your lathe.

Re: 9" sphere (3)

Leo Van Der Loo

What about bowling balls, if you can get them, they are bigger.

Re: 9" sphere (3)

Dick Coers

I'd try Walmart for spherical stainless mixing bowls. Cut off the flange and have a welder weld them together.

I'll check out, but flat bottom might stop me

Bowling balls

Gary Smyth

I thought about them, and even have more than enough, but a regulation ball is 16 pounds. Hanging nearly fifty pounds off an eye hook with a wrought iron "L" bracket attached to "barn siding" over time. is a bit worrisome.

Julian, Not my skill set for such a true sphere.

Re: 9" sphere (3)

Jim Barbour

Try here: https://www.customturnings.com/wooden-balls-and-dowels/large-wooden-balls.html The 9" are nearly $100 each so they are NOT cheap.

What you need is someone who spins metal. Here is one possibility: https://www.wenzelmetalspinning.com/metal-spinning.html There are lots of others - google "metal spinning".

Re: 9" sphere (3)

john lucas

I definitely thought about metal spinning. I have the tools and possibly the skills but simply don't know where to get the metal. I was learning and researching metal spinning before my cancer and marriage and all that got put on the back burner. All is better now and I plan to start re learning the art. Spinning a half sphere is easy. I don't know how to spin the joint because I don't know how to spend recesses and be able to get the from off the pattern.

Re: 9" sphere (3)

Hugh

What about a big glass Christmas ornament ball? Paint it the color you want.

Next thought is about the same, but using a 9" play ball.......rubber or plastic?

What about getting a 9" rubber ball....put a little paper mache over it.....smooth it out....then put a coat of fiberglass over the top....paint the color you want.

How about hollowing out a bowling ball. Make a donut jig to hold it while hollowing. That would lighten it a lot.

You could always use gilding on the outside of some ball to make it look like metal.

Hugh

Additional

Gary Smyth

There are such things as landscape gazing balls (glass 12" diameter), about $70 w stand),and a newer item LED lighted swimming pool floating plastic balls ($60 ea.), I even checked with submersible vehicles -- they have Lexan observation windows and they sell for over $1000. Outdoor furniture plus has 10" stainless sphere (perfect, except) $69 each

I'll check out spinning and other sources mentioned here. I may get lucky. Stores like Wal-Mart, or Target may have something in toys I can coat/cover.

Thanks for the help but don't stop if you have other thoughts. I'll check each one. Trying to get below $20 ea. I know there is a way if I see something I can adapt.

$20 each? Might have mentioned that earlier

Dick Coers

Better go plastic! Won't last long outside.

Re: Additional

Dick Strauss

How about styrofoam? You can get 8" for a few $ each.

Re: $20 each? Might have mentioned that earlier

mikeee12345

I have made several hundred wood spheres over past few years used as molds for the pyro industry. The smaller spheres I make out of solid laminated pine wood, the larger ones I usually make in two halves and hollow the pieces and put them together prior to final turning of the outer radius. A sphere is fairly easy to turn if your lathe centers are accurate and aligned. The basic turning method is locating (3) axis centers on the wood billet prior to turning. As you rough the billet on the lathe you rotate between the different axis centers to balance the piece and fine tune the roundness of the sphere. When you alternate between the axis centers you can observe the hallow effect of the wood portion that needs to be removed while the piece is rotating between centers. As you turn the sphere to the desired circumference you usually need to drill your centers deeper as you go along to prevent losing each of the reference points for each set of center points. On the larger wood billets I usually cut the billet into an octagonal shape on a table saw to remove the bulk of the wood needing to be removed in the roughing process. Setting the table saw blade at 45 degrees and cutting all of the corners off of the piece leaves you with an octagonal shape that gets you close to a round shape and minimizes the roughing effort on the lathe. You can also make a radius template to check the shape of your turning to help determine the roundness of the piece as you are turning. You can also use a cloth measuring tape to measure the outer circumference of the sphere as you are turning between the centers and determine how accurate the roundness of the sphere is. There are several video's on YouTube that demonstrate this tried and true method used on a wood lathe.

Had no idea where to start, or price.

Gary Smyth

Didn't mean to mislead. Post ideas and search suggestions have provided costs from $1k to $59 each. Sizes suggested at this post range from 7" to 12", I'm becoming flexible. I think I can get price each lower through internet search, boat yards, lawn & garden suppliers, cannonball andirons, going out of business Toys' R Us, flea markets, lamp parts, pool suppliers end of season, Christmas ornaments, buying multiple items, etc. I have time, just need to know where else to explore.

I can find 6"(one 7") As shown in pics. With help here getting closer to larger each search.

I'll try that.  Source to your knowldge?

Gary Smyth

Might work coated and fake gold leaf applied.

Works --TA-Daaa!

Gary Smyth

Thanks to all, and especially Dick. Craft store has "heavy" foam spheres, $17.00 each. Solid, 8.7" diameter, 10" $18.00. Also has fake gold leaf and spray gold paint. Now what remains is once assembled to test in wind and weather. Viewing up three stories they should pass scrutiny.

Re: Works --TA-Daaa!

Dick Coers

Be aware of your coating thickness. Some foams break down quickly when exposed to UV light.

Re: Bowling balls

William Duffield

The maximum weight of a regulation ball is 16 lb., but there are lots of balls filled with cork that are much lighter, because not all bowlers can control a 16 lb. ball.

Re: Had no idea where to start, or price.

mikeee12345

The first wind storm or hail storm may create an interesting modern art piece out of the finished product. Some of the foam projects require a layer of latex paint as a sealer over the surface of the foam item before you apply any other chemicals or finishes to the foam material. Many solvents will readily attack the common foam products that are sold in hobby shops. (Styrofoam)

Any item exposed to the elements will be exposed to some harsh conditions on a regular basis depending on your geographical location. You will need a durable finish that can stand up to the elements and the item will need to be tough enough to withstand wind loading and occasional impacts from nature and debris carried by the wind. A weather vane is a good example of an item that gets subjected to the elements, these are usually constructed of steel, copper or aluminum and some of the older ones had heavy glass or ceramic balls for ornamental decoration.

Air-Crete which is concrete mixed/whipped with air can make a lite weight object and quite durable to the elements. You can also paint and finish the item easily and it is tough as concrete for most applications.

Re: Additional

Bob_Macgregor

If you could find a smooth-surface plastic children's ball the right diameter, you could fill it with expanding foam to help it hold its shape, then paint it the right color.