I've been playing with different ways to make a static
turning actually have some movement - Super Egg
shape, ball and socket swiveled finials and other
ball and socket swivel joint applications. Stumbled
on another possibility. I needed a small diameter,
inconspicous way to connect a counter weight to
a ball and socket swivel finial. Hit a nearby hobby
shop - mainly RC cars and planes, looking for some
1/16th inch steel rod. Found springy "rods" down
to 0.015". Got some 0.020 and 0.025" 3 foot lengths
(60-70 cents each) but didn't have any twist drills
that small. for another $13.95 I got a set of 10 that
go down to the 0.020" size. Was amazed to find
that my tail stock jacobs chuck actually closes down
that fine. Made some "tear drop" shapes maybe 3/8"
diameter at their fattest and drilled into both the
rounded end and the pointy end, inserted the "rod" and
watched them bounce.

So now I'm working on clusters of tear drops on
springy "rods" as dynamic "finials" for a lidded box.
Also want to try using them horizontally around
the sides of a bowl. With some delicate balance
adjustments may be able to mount them on an
upside down "socket" and balance it on the end
of a small ball topped finial. This springy thing
has possibilities.

Any ideas?

charlie b