From: Jan Lissens <jan.lissens@atek.be>
To: "'fnbunton@seidata.com'" <fnbunton@seidata.com>,
Subject: RE: action balloons
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 09:14:33 +0100

Having never seen this technique in action, I wouldn't know how it is done,
but based on what i know about mechanics, this is how I would make a
spinning balloon.

You need an axle inside a ring. The ring can be made out of balloons, the
axle is a piece of balloon straw. The ring must be attached to the base,
e.g. a hat. On top of the piece of balloon straw, put whatever you want to
see spinning. At the other end, below the ring, put e.g. a standalone tulip
to prevent the axle from getting away from the ring. 

There will probably be some friction between the balloon. A can of lubricant
will do the trick. I recommend teflon lubricant instead of oil (less messy).

A while ago, I used the same principles to make an all-balloon mechanical
structure (something basic, with a couple of years and and axles made out
out balloons instead of straws). It looks good, and the mechanical
pronciples are sound, but balloons, even inflated to the point of breaking,
aren't stiff enough, so while the gear transmission actually works in
principle, the balloons arent stiff enough to do so. I used carboard rings
to reinforce the gears, and a lot of lubricant. Messed up my carpet, but i
got it to work. Didn't look right, though...

Anyway, the above spinning contraption should work. I am sure that the
technique Jimmy witnesses is infinitely superior, and i would LOVE to know
how it is done, but since I don't, here's an alternative. I hope nobody's
offended by me actually sharing this, and not replying to the discussion
threads that haven been cropping up lately =);-)§.(sorry, bad joke, couldn't
help it).

I guess I should do some more research on how to come up with a really stiff
gear. Then maybe I could do a full scale working version of Big Ben (right
after I finish my 1:1 model of the Space Shuttle. Does anybody know of any
heat-resistent balloons?)

Jan The All-geared-up Trekkie Twister

-----Original Message-----
Sent: zaterdag 10 maart 2001 6:05
To: Balloon HQ
Subject: action balloonsoons


Jimmy made mention of a balloon sculpture that spun (I think?) and was
wondering who did those and would they please share? I have done a
search on BHQ and could not find any postings that listed balloons that
spun. 

Jimmy? How about it? Care to share who you saw doing the balloon that
spun down at T&Jam? Would they mind you giving the directions if they
aren't on the list? Your idea of a hat with birds "flying" around the
head sounds great ... but I haven't figured out how that can be done. I
can not picture in my mind how the balloon can "spin" on top. And I'm
sure I'm not the only one that can't figure it out.

Thanks.

Frank "Buff Phoon" Bunton