Groups »
Forums »
Answers »

Featured Groups

  • Bare Conductive
  • Drawing and Art
  • Sustainability
  • 123D
  • Fenix Intl, Ready Set Off The Grid
  • Kollabora
  • 123D

COMMUNITY : FORUMS : KNEX


Knex Ball Machine - Off the Wall

Hey!

Here's the most recent project of mine. Its a ball machine build entirely in my bathroom. It was a fun challenge and produced a very unique ball machine I think. Nothing too fantastic in terms of elements or anything. The triple loop, chain slide, the geared ferris wheel and perhaps the double helix thingys are the only things worth really noting.

Anyway, hope you folks like it. Sorry about the photos being so dark, its hard to get good lighting in a small room with no windows.

Enjoy!

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnc-BIQzoWo

Update:
Total piece count: 8891.
That makes Sproutless the winner with a guess of 18,500. Congrats!

P1090336.JPG
P1090337.JPG
P1090338.JPG
P1090339.JPG
P1090340.JPG
P1090341.JPG
P1090342.JPG
P1090343.JPG
P1090344.JPG
P1090345.JPG
P1090346.JPG
P1090347.JPG
P1090348.JPG
P1090352.JPG
P1090353.JPG
P1090354.JPG
P1090355.JPG
sort by: active | newest | oldest
41
knexinventer says: Jul 24, 2011. 11:08 AM
5*
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jul 28, 2011. 7:39 PM
:-D
41
knexinventer says: Jul 24, 2011. 11:07 AM
tht is cool but why did you build it in the bathroom?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jul 24, 2011. 9:46 PM
As a unique challenge.

And thanks :-)
41
knexinventer says: Jul 25, 2011. 5:24 PM
your welcome:)
2
DB2016 says: Jul 19, 2011. 1:32 PM
Any mention of the toilet would be FAR too easy, so...

How long does it take for the ball to travel all the way around?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jul 22, 2011. 7:02 PM
It changes quite a lot for the different paths, the longest one... Perhaps 20 seconds?
2
DB2016 says: Jul 23, 2011. 7:03 AM
Wow.

That's very impressive, if I tried that my dad would axe it all down and tell me to clean up the mess haha. Very cool!
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jul 23, 2011. 11:59 AM
Thankfully my parents are fairly tolerant :-)

Thanks!
2
DB2016 says: Jul 23, 2011. 1:23 PM
No problem. Will you post?

Just kidding. That is sick man, can't wait to see what's next.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jul 24, 2011. 9:52 PM
Cheers :-D
18
knexsuperbuilderfreak says: Apr 26, 2011. 3:29 PM
I was wanting to make something like this to but i was affraid id loose parts...
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: May 1, 2011. 11:50 AM
few green rods went down the bath drain, but I think those were the only losses :-)
14
KnexFreek says: Apr 27, 2011. 7:46 PM
Does it get in the way at all?? Also i like how you built this with intent on challenging yourself, not to just post a giant mega thingy to post.

I LIKE IT!!! XD

-Kevin
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: May 1, 2011. 11:40 AM
Just a bit, its not a huge deal. Thanks very much friend!
16
username252 says: Apr 26, 2011. 5:36 PM
So how do you shower without wetting the knex?

Nice job though, and it bring small entertainment to anyone that's using the bathroom.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: May 1, 2011. 11:39 AM
I use the shower in the other bathroom :-)
21
Tornado96 says: Jan 26, 2011. 1:54 AM
How did I not notice this??? I remember seeing i on youtube a while ago. Great ball machine dude. How did you convince your parents to let you do that? :-P
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Feb 4, 2011. 5:46 PM
Thanks! My parents were all for it actually :-)
21
Tornado96 says: Feb 4, 2011. 6:58 PM
Lol If only...
19
Shadowman39 says: Feb 4, 2011. 7:07 PM
Quit complaining, you have a huge patio to build in. :-P
21
Tornado96 says: Feb 5, 2011. 4:06 PM
Good point >:-D
19
Shadowman39 says: Feb 5, 2011. 6:01 PM
...which gets so hot that it warps your Knex. :-)
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Feb 9, 2011. 8:44 PM
I take it you folks know each other...?
19
Shadowman39 says: Feb 10, 2011. 1:04 PM
Yes, haha.
4
Randomguy65 says: Feb 12, 2011. 9:42 AM
Wait, you seriously know Tornado? Like you've met him in person?
19
Shadowman39 says: Feb 12, 2011. 2:40 PM
No, we know each other via Skype.
14
KnexFreek says: Apr 27, 2011. 7:55 PM
Yo, Lets skype sometime. kevinc9933
19
Shadowman39 says: Apr 28, 2011. 2:26 PM
Funny that you say this, because I added you a few days ago. :-P You just haven't come online yet.
18
patriots8888 says: Feb 28, 2011. 1:46 PM
whats the lift called?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Mar 5, 2011. 3:38 PM
Called? Its just an ordinary chain link lift.
18
patriots8888 says: Mar 5, 2011. 6:54 PM
sorry im not very good at knex and i might want to build that lift
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Mar 9, 2011. 4:33 PM
I like to call it Larry, but it goes by a pile of names. I'm sure there's an instructable on how to make it someplace.
4
Randomguy65 says: Feb 12, 2011. 9:43 AM
Nice! I LOVE the element on the lower right. :-)
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Feb 27, 2011. 12:29 PM
Thanks! It works well, I like it too.
The_Lost_Carrot says: Jan 24, 2011. 1:29 PM
lol i fell for the mirror trick i actually thought it went further back!
17
nutsandbolts_64 says: Jan 24, 2011. 5:09 AM
wow
bnsfwarbonnet says: Jan 20, 2011. 2:30 PM
i like your ball machine esecially the mirror effect. That was funny when all your pieces was in the tub. Also I just finished my first ball machine.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 23, 2011. 6:44 PM
Thanks and congrats!
19
Shadowman39 says: Jan 14, 2011. 9:45 AM
I love it! :-) The micro loops are my favorite part.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:17 PM
Thanks! I liked them too. Kinda ripped them off one of your older ball machines I think :-p
19
Shadowman39 says: Jan 15, 2011. 5:47 PM
Haha, that would be Wipe Out. :-P Do the Knex pieces get wet in the shower?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 18, 2011. 5:46 PM
Thats the one :-)

I never actually showered in that tub, we have a nicer shower that we use instead.
19
Shadowman39 says: Jan 19, 2011. 2:36 PM
Oh, cool. I guess it would get wet though.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 23, 2011. 6:43 PM
Yep. Not sure if that does them any harm though.
5
webby427 says: Jan 21, 2011. 11:05 AM
Nice music, and AMAZING ball machine.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 23, 2011. 6:32 PM
:-)

Thanks.
11
instruct39 says: Jan 16, 2011. 10:32 AM
looks great!, do you actually use that shower with it in there?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 18, 2011. 5:46 PM
Nah, our other bathroom has a much nicer shower anyways, so we just use that.
11
instruct39 says: Jan 19, 2011. 4:43 PM
haha! i figured that anyways, its the same way at my house, except the shower we dont use doesnt have knex in it :P
10
knex_builder_freak says: Jan 15, 2011. 4:41 PM
Wow!!! Wonderful work!
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 18, 2011. 5:46 PM
Thanks!
31
The Jamalam says: Jan 17, 2011. 9:33 AM
Wasn't that a bit awkward when you actually wanted to use that room for its intended purpose?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 18, 2011. 5:45 PM
Not at all. Very entertaining actually.
6
Kairah says: Jan 17, 2011. 2:03 AM
Are you going to count all pieces? Or is 8891 the final count?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 18, 2011. 5:45 PM
8891 is the final.
28
shadowninja31 says: Jan 13, 2011. 7:43 PM
Interesting. Nice though. How did you get your parents permission on that?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:16 PM
Thanks :-) Parents were rather into it actually.
28
shadowninja31 says: Jan 17, 2011. 8:30 AM
Really? Thats kinda funny. I really like it.
24
ajleece says: Jan 14, 2011. 12:49 PM
*bows*

*pleads for your peices*
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:18 PM
:-p

Look on craigslist. Tons of cheap Knex on there.
24
ajleece says: Jan 15, 2011. 6:52 PM
And then add about a billion dollars for shipping, remember? =p
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 16, 2011. 1:24 PM
Nah, just go pick it up yourself!
24
ajleece says: Jan 16, 2011. 4:42 PM
1k flight fares? Hmm.. I think i'll pass.
13
Owenmon says: Jan 14, 2011. 10:54 AM
hopw come you've just posted it on instructables now? i've already watched it like 5 times lol
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:18 PM
Because I forgot.
13
Owenmon says: Jan 15, 2011. 5:54 PM
coool
2
sprout_less says: Jan 15, 2011. 6:32 AM
18,500
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:22 PM
You win!
30
DJ Radio says: Jan 14, 2011. 7:46 PM
Is it hard to use the toilet or take a shower with that in your bathroom?
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:18 PM
You can use them all, the shower gets some of the pieces wet though.
19
TheDunkis says: Jan 14, 2011. 7:05 AM
Now you gotta build one that goes around the entire house. I'm sure you could find your way into the news or a record book or something for such a feat.
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:17 PM
Give me about a million pieces (literally) and I'll make it happen :-)
14
H1T4TCH1 says: Jan 14, 2011. 6:21 AM
Supercool!
22
I_am_Canadian (author) says: Jan 15, 2011. 3:16 PM
Thanks!
47
KnexFreak360 says: Jan 15, 2011. 9:34 AM
26,986
12
MegaMetal8 says: Jan 15, 2011. 12:15 AM
35,001
41
knexinventer says: Jan 14, 2011. 3:16 PM
oh my god
16
~KGB~ says: Jan 14, 2011. 9:02 AM
36077
5
RNB says: Jan 13, 2011. 10:19 PM
25143 pieces
sukinmaru says: Jan 13, 2011. 10:12 PM
Lol it goes in the shower.
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!