Author Topic: How to make HUGE frozen marbles (Read 1178 times)

Matthew · « **on:** December 08, 2014, 01:20:35 PM »

Something fun to do for our northern friends!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2014, 02:55:24 PM »

Now that's a doggone good idea.

ggreg · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2014, 02:57:13 PM »

That's a great idea. Brilliant for a place like Minnesota where it remains below 32F for several months.

You could use these to mark a boundary or a snow covered drive way.

How much does food colouring cost? To get a hue like that I suspect you have to use a lot of it.

How about cracking an old ink jet cartridge and putting the sponge inside the balloon? Then filling with water. I have dozens of those.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2014, 03:00:36 PM »

I'm thinking different sizes for ice ball wars and so forth. Or decorating igloos.

I really hope we have a ton of snow this year.

JezusDeKoning · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2014, 03:19:18 PM »

Ironically, I'm in Minnesota and it's supposed to be well above 32F for a good week. If it holds up, we might have a brown Christmas. No frozen balloons for me :p

Stubborn · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2014, 04:12:20 PM »

Quote from: Elizabeth

Now that's a doggone good idea.

Heck ya it is!
Wish we would have thought of it when we were kids!

ggreg · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2014, 05:46:32 PM »

You could make a stained glass igloo.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2014, 06:33:49 PM »

Quote from: ggreg

You could make a stained glass igloo.

Stroke of genius straight up.

ggreg · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2014, 03:00:52 AM »

What you would need is 20 strong rectangle containers which you tilted at 5 degrees for the first layer, then tilt more and more to get the curve of the walls. If you build it in sub zero temperatures the blocks should melt at the bond and refreeze fairly rapidly.

The last few blocks need to be hand shaped to finish the arch off well, and it needs to be accurate as this is where the igloo gets its strength.

On the other hand I wonder if you could not get a weather balloon or arch shaped inflatable and spray a mist of water on it which would build up layer upon layer of ice put some fibers in there for extra strength. Deflate the infallible and drag it through the door.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2014, 08:22:31 AM »

One can even make a frozen rosary!

Ladislaus · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2014, 08:56:19 AM »

How's this working for you down in Texas, Matthew?

nipr · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2014, 02:14:19 AM »

Southerners fry marbles (no fat; just marbles) in a cast iron skillet until they crack inside. They're beautiful!! They hold their shape.

Don't know what marbles are made of these days. You might want to wear goggles just in case. I did this 50 years ago!