Mouse balls?

[MannyE]

Has anyone ever taken apart a computer mouse and noticed that the old style track balls are very dense and heavy? I'm thinking they might be good for making an isolation stand using two pieces of marble or cast concrete or something. They are also of a size that has a little bit more appeal visually than say, racquetballs or tennis balls...

or maybe just in a shallow cupped foot type of thing...

Has anyone ever tried this?

 

[tomf63]

There a bit small huh? (insert pun)

The tennis ball feet "up grade" I did to my 1510 was one of the best bangs for the $$$ spent.

 

[Pio1980]

1" bouncy balls are ca $2.50/doz on the 'net, I use those in bottle caps.

 

[MannyE]

haha.. I figured there would be some mirth and I was not disappointed.

Well, they are small but throw one on the floor and see how dead they are. They seem to be made of "black hole" (oh boy...). They have a lot of heft.

I think two pieces of 1/4 inch plywood one on top of the other with the top piece cut out to hold the balls in place (like the superball platform) might be the ticket.. ROBIN...TO THE THRIFT SHOP!

I'll take a little ride and find some old mice among the floppy drives at the local thrift store and get to work.

 

[Chip Chester]

Old-school handballs are dense and not too bouncy... and potentially just as funny.

Chip

 

[jsisk]

I believe mouse balls are rubber coated steel ball bearings - thus the heavy weight.

 

[odelj48]

I thought you meant "rodent testicles"

 

[jsisk]

I thought you meant "rodent testicles"

Not sure they would support a marble turntable base.

If they have hair on 'em, you might be able to make a stylus brush.

 

[MannyE]

I thought you meant "rodent testicles"

Yes. Yes I did.

 

[nelsress]

I was going to suggest moth balls but it's so difficult to get their tiny legs apart.

 

[gadget73]

dunno, I found a luna moth in the warehouse today. Those are sizable critters.

 

[MannyE]

Sigh.

 

[odelj48]

Yes. Yes I did.

Did it work?

 

[nelsress]

On a more serious note, I have no experience with mouse balls (the computer type or otherwise) or isolation platforms so regretfully I can't help you out. I'd be interested in hearing about your results though if you try it. Good luck!

 

[MannyE]

I will try it as soon as I find, ahem, two more mouse balls. Pics will be taken once I get the little buggers to sit still. NOW YOU GOT ME DOING IT!!

 

[Splatter Pak]

I use Sorbothane under the feet of my turntable. Unlike a ball, they tend to stay in place.

 

[njcanuck]

Hardest part is shaving the little hairs off them. It's easier if they're not sweaty.

 

[jleon92f]

Has anyone ever taken apart a computer mouse and noticed that the old style track balls are very dense and heavy? I'm thinking they might be good for making an isolation stand using two pieces of marble or cast concrete or something. They are also of a size that has a little bit more appeal visually than say, racquetballs or tennis balls...

or maybe just in a shallow cupped foot type of thing...

Has anyone ever tried this?

What did the Mouse do when you removed his balls...LOL

 

[transmaster]

Here are some shock mounts that would work. They a milspec designed mostly for radios used in a mobile setting. They are cheap and, depending on which model, can each support from 4 to 50 pounds.

https://www.fairradio.com/catalog.php?mode=search&keywords=vibration&submit.x=22&submit.y=9

 

[MannyE]

What did the Mouse do when you removed his balls...LOL

He suddenly had a desire to go buy a Bose Wave Radio. Haha.