Sort & Reset Balls In 30 Seconds Plus Other Tips
This topic has been addressed in the “Make It” section under the header of “Challenge #3: Ball sorting/reset system?”
I feel it is more appropriate in this, the “Other Stuff” section.
The tool needed to handle the balls easily is a simple scoop.
It can be made in minutes with thin cardboard such as from a cereal box.
A better choice might be from a playing card or paperback book cover.
I used a 2 inch strip from the back cover of the Turing Tumble book that is included with the game.
Cut along solid lines.
Crease and fold on dotted lines. (Note: the width of the bottom of the scoop is 3/8 inch.)
Use staple, paperclip, tape, or glue to hold it in place.
There is room for 10 balls. If you want more, extend the length.
I find little use for more than 10 balls and prefer the shorter scoop.
I suggest placing the TT game in the box lid to keep errant marbles from escaping.
Place a magazine under the back of the box so the marbles roll to the front. (Be aware that changing the angle of the board may change the ball action.)
Another suggestion from the other page on the subject is to place a bath towel under the game to trap wild balls.
To sort colors from bottom ramp, pick out the blue balls individually with the scoop and, when collected, pour them on the upper ramp.
The remaining red balls can now be scooped en masse and poured.
When using the scoop to pick balls out of a line, lift upwards and perhaps tilt slightly.
When scooping multiple balls from a row, try to scoop downwards to minimize the tendency of the balls to fall or pile up. (Take smaller bites if that is a problem.)
When dumping a load of balls in the upper ramp put the tip of the scoop near the bottom and pull back as the balls roll out. (If they are dumped higher up, they may discharge too rapidly and bounce.)
I suggest, placing a sliver of tape (or magic marker) on the edge of the upper ramps at the ten ball mark to allow easy counting. (If you need them, mark the 5 and 15 positions as well.)