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There’s something about repetitive motion that’s just hypnotisingly relaxing. This DIY, laser-cut marble machine is a perfect example. Crank the handle and the tiny marbles bounce up their little escalator, swirl down their track and start all over again. I could watch this all day.
If that looks like exactly the kind of distracting toy you could use on your desk, you can buy a kit from Busted Bricks for £12.95. Some assembly is required, as is some glue, but when all is said and done you’ll have a fun repetitive task to take your mind off of all the non-fun ones you have to do. Or you could just watch this video on loop. That might work just as well. [Viral Viral Videos]
Turn a Couple Of Old Turntables Into a Mesmerising Spirograph Machine
This Beautifully Mesmerising Lego Turing Machine Recreates the Birth of the Modern Computer
The Red Marble
Not sure if my work desk has enough room for one of these even though it is pretty small. Instead of watching in a loop, it would be good if somebody made a .gif of the video. I think it would work rather well.
The noise will get to you after a while though, and the lack of lubricant/smooth surface means that it might jam after long period of usage.
The electric version, which is intended for continuous running, has sintered bronze bearings and a silver steel axle. BTW, it is not very noisy but the microphone in my camera makes it sound like it is.
What about the cams? I have had a few cam toys in the past, and quite often the cams come loose from the steel axle after a while.
Since all the cams are joined with fairly large diameter spacers there is a very large glue area connecting the cams to the axle. There is also very little load on the cams, it’s lifting 5mm steel balls, not bowling balls. My prototype electric version has run for a couple of hundred hours with no discernible wear.
Point taken. Thanks.