Ball Clock Review - Video Podcast

A demonstration and review of the "Time Machine," formerly known as the "Electric Wonder Ball Clock." The clock which is mostly featured in this video is the newest model, but I also show off an original Arrow Ball Clock from the late 1970s!

[@audinos4827]

The 1970's version had an AC clock motor that constantly rotated the arm at 1 RPM. The flaw on this battery model is the cam which operates the switch to stop the arm after each revolution. It's made of the same soft plastic as the rest of the clock and the lobe that contacts the switch eventually wears down, causing the arm to rotate continuously until the batteries die.

[@globaljg]

Great review - Thanks! I had one of the original (1 minute rotation) clocks back in the 70s as well. It worked for several of my childhood years... Somehow I learned to live with the noise. :-)

[@chockychocky]

I had one of these for Christmas last year: it was fascinating! A problem however: after a couple of months the clock went wrong, and I took it back for exchange. Another clock - ok for a couple of months, and then the same problem. I think the cogs in the movement had sheared or something - it would have been much better if they'd been made of metal not cheap plastic. A super clock though - totally mesmering to watch, especially at 1 o'clock when all the rails empty at once!

[@dvlkcc]

Excellent video on this awesome clock! I just picked one up two days ago and love it.

[@TheHenryFilms]

Well I once saw in a store a wood one that showed days of the week, weeks, months, and the year, also the it rotated every ten seconds so there was more info there.

[@rricci]

The video was very informative (especially the part where you showed what would happen if all the balls dropped at the same time). A good subtitle would be "Everything you wanted to know about Ball Clocks but were afraid to ask"

[@BillLykken]

I had one of these when I was a kid. Loved it.

[@annbrown2978]

I have an original 1970's one which still has the box & instructions. We have it running all the time - you do get used to the clatter it makes.

[@aziraphale30]

Wow. My dad received one of these for either Christmas or his birthday some time back in the late 70s. It would run for about two or three days straight without problem. However, after that, it would get out of alignment and dump all the bearings all over the place (good thing for the cover). My dad and I would realign it and shim it here and there and glue it and try to reinforce it. It would last another couple of days and KER-POW ! ! bearings all over the place. We eventually gave up on it.

[@alexanderip1003]

I would make a version not only include seconds, minutes and hours, but Days (of week and Month) and also the months every 3 months it changes colour (according to season)

[@HunkyDork]

I have one of these from the seventies and the motor's cogs wore down so it cannot bring the ball to the top anymore. I know that because I tore the motor apart like you're not supposed to do. I'd like to get another motor for it or even get a new clock but what I saw so far on Google is way overpriced. Thank's for the video. HunkyDork

[@dfcvda]

wish I knew where to purchase new bearings or atleast the size of them

[@Ponz67]

Is the newest version still running strong? cool clock

[@AmrasFelagund]

My dad got me one as a college graduation gift. It cost $4.

[@nikebhatia]

Where can I buy this today.

[@TheDct88]

i have one of these but dont use it (its so noisy especially at night)
also what does 11:38 have to do with star wars?

[@GoodTimekeeper]

One of George Lucas' early movies (before Star Wars) was called THX1138, and that number appears like an "easter egg" in a bunch of Lucasfilm material from that point onward.

[@TheDct88]

thanks

[@sophiafernandes9235]

como faço pra comprar um desse e qual o valor

[@jefthereaper]

lol, i got this moddle of clock to for my 8th birthday, thats 12 years ago now but i stopped using it very early, the thing sucked empty batteries like crazy and shamefully it could not be put into a direct electricity source, (well my model cant at least)

[@kseshadow99]

ElmertheClep do you know where to find a replacement motor?

[@vikkicarpenter5550]

how many balls does it have, and what size,?

[@denelson83]

Better yet, make it WWVB-controlled! :p ;)

[@jefthereaper]

lol 4 months? mine were empty in 4 days,

[@atikin17]

is sound the machine makes loud,,, is it annoying

[@theiceman259]

that isnt an accurate representation of an atom