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Otherwise known as VDG Spheres, these custom built, large hollow metal spheres are fabricated to close tolerances especially for Van De Graaff generators from 2mm type 304L stainless steel with a special rolled edge or "collared" hole,  as first requested by Prof. J. Dirckx of the University of Antwerp.

The parent metal surface is 2B which is an internationally recognised finish applied at the mill. It is very smooth, with a low luster "moderately reflective" appearance. The welds are ground flush and finished with a 180 grit abrasive. The finished sphere is thus quite smooth and ready for use or can be mirror polished if preferred.
Sizes can be anything from 450mm (18 in.) up to 3500mm (11 ft. 6in.) with any hole size. The hole however, can only be "collared" from 250mm (10in.) minimum. Anything smaller, we will allow a smoothed, cut-edged hole instead.

Some links to related VDG websites-

www.amasci.com/emotor/vdg.html	An informative "Science Hobbyist" site maintained by Bill Beatty  (who may need a haircut )
www.mos.org/sln/toe/toe.html	Theater of Electricity 1995 Museum of Science, Boston
www.howstuffworks.com/vdg.htm	Howstuffworks "How Van de Graaff Generators Work"
www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/myvdg.html	A double Van de Graaff Generator
http://www.resonanceresearch.com/		Resonance Research Corp offer working models       for museums and educational displays. Check out these pictures from their website !