On Jul 3, 10:08 pm, "dennis@home"
wrote:
"Matty F" wrote in message

...

OK I've decided to use billiard balls for my Newton's cradle.
But I would rather not drill into the balls or try to glue things on
them.
How can I hold the balls in position?
This very large version has some rings, which is what I am
considering:
http://i48.tinypic.com/1euurq.jpg

But people are likely to pull the balls out if they can, and I would
rather have a couple of large rings, one on each side, centered on the
point of impact. I'll have to tie them together somehow. Cable ties?
I'll probably use heavy monofilament nylon to hold the balls in line.
Unless someone thinks of something better.
I have to make this in the next few days!

A couple of large rings as you say, then just wire them together and twist
the wires.
Four wires spaced around the rings should be OK.
The supporting nylon can be attached to the top two wires and I am sure you
can twist a loop in the wires to attach them.

I can probably make the rings out of wire.

Why not get your angle grinder out and just mill a couple of notches in the
top, drill the bit that now sticks up and attach to that?

If the cradle doesn't work that well or management decides that they
are a danger to small kids, I'd like to sell the balls as billiard
balls again!