Q&A for How to Make a Disco Ball with CDs

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Would super glue work?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Super glue would totally work! Simply apply a small amount to the back of a CD tile and stick it to the Styrofoam ball.

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Question

How do I make it look real?

Community Answer

Cut as evenly as you can, but do not cut yourself! It doesn't have to look like a hunky, expensive one from the '70s -- it's just for fun. No one will judge you.

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Question

Can I use a glue stick for this project?

Community Answer

A glue stick would not have enough stickiness to hold the CD pieces on the ball, so it is better to use a liquid glue or permanent glue.

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Question

How many CDs are needed?

Community Answer

It depends on the size of the ball you want to make. The shiny part of a standard CD has an area of about 100 square centimeters. The surface area of a ball is equal to (12.56 X radius X radius). The radius is how far it is from the center of your ball to the edge so just measure how far across the ball is and divide by 2 to get the radius (most hobby stores that sell Styrofoam balls will probably know how big they are though so just ask). So if your ball is 10 cm across your formula would be: (12.56 X 5 X 5) or 314 square centimeters. So for a 10 cm ball you would need four standard CDs.

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Question

How can I make it move without using a toy motor?

Community Answer

Tie it to the bottom middle part of a ceiling fan, if the middle part spins, and then set the fan to a low speed. It'll spin the ball on its own. Alternatively, just spin it with your hands from time to time.

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Question

Do you need colored lights for the disco ball to work?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Do I need to dip the CDs in hot water?

Community Answer

It is not entirely necessary. It just makes the CDs easier to cut. I would recommend dipping them in hot water.

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Question

Can I use Uhu gum for pasting the CD pieces onto the ball?

Community Answer

It depends on how sticky it is and how much you use. A hot glue gun would probably be better.

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Question

How would I reflect the color onto the ceiling?

Community Answer

Place your light source above the disco ball so that the color reflects on the ceiling.

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Question

Will my disco ball made with CDs be waterproof if I use hot glue?

Community Answer

Yes, hot glue is waterproof after it is dried. Just don't immerse it in water; rain is fine, flooding is not.

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