Ball Puzzle Maker Links by George Bell

Sources of wood balls

Date Added Made by Size/Link Cost each Comment
2/29/2020 Casey's Wood Products 5/8"=15.875 mm 4.5 cents I've used these in several exchange puzzles.
2/29/2020 Casey's Wood Products 3/4"=19.05 mm 5.9 cents 3/4" is very close to 19 mm. Used for Triple Chocolate Box. Considerable variation in diameter.
2/29/2020 Casey's Wood Products 7/8"=22.225 mm 8.8 cents
2/29/2020 Casey's Wood Products 1"=25.4 mm 10.4 cents Considerable variation in diameter.

Ball connectors

These models are not visible from my shop. The only way to get to them is using the links below.

Date Added Image Link Colors
2/28/2020 90 connectors for 5/8 inch balls Many
2/28/2020 40 connectors for 1 inch balls Many
10/21/2022 40 connectors for 3/4 inch balls White
11/9/2022 print it yourself connector for 3/4 inch balls Any

Ponoko base plates

I do not think it is possible to order something from my Ponoko site. To order these you need to download the svg (Inkscape) file and then upload to Ponoko in your account.

Date Added Image Ball Size Material Size Description File (use "Save Link As")
3/2/2020 5/8" P2 at least 3mm thick 25 square Tetra4 bases, size is 75 mm square.

Download file and upload to Ponoko.

 Tetra4Base3inx3inP2V0.svg
3/2/2020 5/8" P1 at least 3mm thick Templates for gluing.

Download file and upload to Ponoko.

 GluingTemplates0.svg
3/2/2020 5/8" P1 at least 3mm thick Templates for gluing.

Download file and upload to Ponoko.

 GluingTemplates1.svg
3/8/2020 1" P2 at least 3mm thick 7 Tetra4 bases, 2 Square4 bases.

Download file and upload to Ponoko.

 OneInch7Tetra2SquareP2.svg
3/8/2020 1" P2 at least 3mm thick 9 Tetra4 bases.

Download file and upload to Ponoko.

 OneInch9TetraP2.svg

Base Plate Minimum Thickness

Material thicknesses vary by as much as +/- 20%. This can be a problem if the base plate is too thin. A piece of "3mm" acrylic that is only 80% may be only 2.4 mm thick!

The base plates above use a particular hole size. This hole size is good down to a certain minimum base thickness. If the base plate is thinner than this the balls will rest on the table under the plate, and the pieces are not automatically centered. Many people might not even notice this, but I have noticed it. 

tmin = 0.5*(d - sqrt(d^2 - h^2))

Ball diameter (d) Hole diameter (h) Minimum thickness (tmin)
5/8" 15.875 mm 11 mm 2.22 mm
1" 25.4 mm 14 mm 2.11 mm

Boxes for holding puzzles

Date Added What? Made by Size/Link Cost Comments or exchange puzzle(s)
2/29/2020 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 3"x3"x1" [VB297] $20.28 for 50 Pyradox (2018), Progressive Pyramid (2019)
2/29/2020 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 3"x3"x2" [VB298] $22.47 for 50 Frankenstar
2/29/2020 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 2"x2"x2" [PLB104] $9.03 for 25 Screwy Octahedron (2010), Flippe Ball (2021)
2/29/2020 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 2"x2"x3" [PLB139] $11.41 for 25 Orchid Pennyhedron (2014), Melting F (2020)
2/29/2020 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 5"x5"x5/8" [FB11] $11.74 for 25 Lomino Cube 4 (2012)
4/9/2021 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 1.5"x1.5"x1.5" [PLB103] $7.05 for 25 Flippe Tops (2020)
11/30/2023 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 2.5"x2.5"x2.5" [PLB302] $14.65 for 25
6/17/2021 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 3"x3"x3" [PLB58] $16.57 for 25 Another Broken Burr, Four Screwy Triangles
11/30/2023 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 3.5"x3.5"x3.5" [PLB105] $22.77 for 25
11/30/2023 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 4"x4"x4" [FPLB56] $23.79 for 25 Rosebush
11/30/2023 Clear box (flexible) ClearBags 4"x4"x1" [VB301] $37.71 for 50
6/17/2021 Clear box (flexible) Mose Cafolo (China) 2.5" cube (63.5 mm) $18 for 50 Marcus' Tetrahedron, boxes are of low quality, lid and bottom identical
6/17/2021 Clear box (flexible) BENECREAT 60 mm cube (2.4") $16 for 60 Screwy Octahedron (20 mm spheres)
4/9/2021 Clear box (rigid) BCW Supplies 43.5 mm cube (golf ball case) $7 for 6 Octetra (2013), Melting F (2020)
2/29/2020 Clear box (rigid) BallQube 73 mm cube (baseball case) $35.88 for 12 Melting F large (2020)

Miscellaneous items

Date Added What? Made by Size/Link Cost Comments or exchange puzzle(s)
2/29/2020 Glue for connectors Titebond Titebond Multi-Surface Glue $8 for 8 oz Probably any wood glue is OK, but I use this
1/15/2021 Steel connecting pins McMaster Carr 1/16" diameter, 1/4" length $9.01 for 100 Flippe Tops & Exploding Ball Puzzles
1/15/2021 Steel connecting pins McMaster Carr 1/16" diameter, 3/8" length $9.67 for 100 Flippe Tops & Exploding Ball Puzzles

Last change 4/21/23

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