How To Make A Ball Machine!

Have you ever wondered about how I make my Ginormous and Wondrous Ball machines? Now you can design and build your own!

This instructable does not give steps on any particular ball machine, but rather how to build one in general.

Ball machines are the luxurious side to k'nex; these use thousands of pieces. If you do not have thousands of pieces, but rather have somewhere around 400, this is not for you. Sorry. You could always try, though.

These steps are essentially what I do when making my machines.

So, onwards!

Step 1: Preliminary Issues

First of all, if you're reading this, hopefully you have a very large reserve of K'nex. Depending on your size and Concept, you will need varying amounts. on AVERAGE, 2 feet or less is about 1,000 pieces, 3 feet or less 2,200, 4 feet is about 3,000 5 feet is about 4,000, 6 feet is 5,000, and 7 feet, like the -xXxXx-, would be about 8,000. After that, your ball machine will get skinner and there will be less and less pieces, up to a point.

Second is possibly the most important step, as it will save you countless hours. It will be painful, but, SORT THY PIECES! Yes, take apart ALL your models and get many, many bags (or Boxes). Sort them all!

What you Need to build a Ball Machine:
Patience
Skill
Leather Fingers
Thousands of pieces
Bags or Boxes
Lots of Spare Time
This Instructable!

And next, the building? Hecks no! You still have much to learn, young Skywalker! do NOT start building your first ball machine yet, or you might make a FATAL ERROR! (Like I did when building Project DESTINY)!!!


You should be done with your painful sorting after a few days, so then, again, onward ho!

Comments

[knexpert#10829476]

xXxXx is truly a classic machine!

[paperairplanecreator]

Wish i had as many knex as i do legos..

[knexman32]

darth can you please reply to me? is 4998 a good amount for making a ball machine?

[mystermysteryguy]

im starting my own but itsnot going well

[noooo1234]

Could you plaese post a video?

[mystermysteryguy]

u r right about that

[mystermysteryguy]

can u plese post more instructions.

[gunspyop2]

wow

[tjdtjd1]

One good idea i saw was Austron's wind powered ball machine, so a machine using different power other than motor

[angry sheep]

its to bad i do not have enough knex to make anything big.i had a new lift design to.

[brainiac120]

my knex were sorted b4 i even read this

[spazgadget]

Good for you.

[jmand]

wow youyve inspiredme im gonna make something like vendetta with out a chain or a motor and its gonna use a golfball haha

[tjdtjd1]

dude do you mean from the bottom up or from the top down?

[Orangeprofessor]

i think top to bottom

[jackj222]

this is accurate lol

[KnexFreak360]

You mention you need years of experience to build these, But you forgot one thing: Thousands of KNEX. LOL

[niels11]

(removed by author or community request)

[david757757]

bij de bart smid ofzo maar deze site is voor engelse dus je moet eigenlijk engels praten

[niels11]

weet ik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[k-n-e-x(leaved ibls)]

is this the big ball factory??

[vishalapr]

Just awsome.
I started making a paper ball machine which kinda looks like this but is much less complicated than yours.

[Jesus.]

what do you do if you do not have enough chain?, great 5* subed

[Hiyadudez]

Just make a ball machine that your chain can fit on.

[matthew9090]

have a look at the other instrcuctables it shows you how to do spiral lifts and mill lifts wich dont use a chain

[Hiyadudez]

You're a year and a half late.

[matthew9090]

my knex ball hasnt arrived yet so i have to use a ping pong ball witch is 2 light and it wont work

[k-n-e-x(leaved ibls)]

plz post XxXxX!!

[SnapFitPieces(:]

A machine where you have to flick a switch to an answer and if you get the correct answer to a question the ball wont crash...

[Michaelgoode]

He means from the bottom up :P

[knexboy12345]

sick, 5 i subbed to you

[rybubbles]

i always get screwed up on this

[MiniMario6499]

LOL Me too!!

[182515]

Same with me

[darth acexxacer]

A Machine infused with a Roller Coaster would be epic as soon as i get a good amount of roller coaster pieces i want to build a roller coaster that uses a ball instead of a train but then again it might not work...

[GeekBeam]

have you seen my coater car for newer track instructable? if not then look here

[blak788450]

hey guys?

[Darth Trainman]

Yes, mon ami?

[The Jamalam]

your mixing of languages confuzzles me

[GeekBeam]

this mixing is of no moment to me for I am fluent in many a part of the english language; thou art confusticated in his use of many a language? He is merely doing this of his own accord; if thou can't understand thy language than never hope to master any other beyond thy own; in other words you need to learn you're language to it's fullest before you move on to others then you shall have many a great list of words to confusticate others with!!.......mua ha ha ha ha ha*cough*ha ha ha*hack, hack, hack*

[The Jamalam]

you need to learn you're language
HYPOCRITE :)

[GeekBeam]

dude i've learned different & older versions still used jeez i just confuse others all the time with how i talk regularly in real life it's really funny & yet saddening how i can't comunicate with others on a level equal to mine

[The Jamalam]

If you're picky about language, capitalise and punctuate your sentences. Lol.

[GeekBeam]

u spelled capitalize wrong & i'm just too lazy too punctuate my sentences. ok?

[The Jamalam]

Oh, I see. No, I spelled "Capitalise" right. It's just that you Americans can't spell things and have to do things phonetically to be able to read them, and butcher our good spellings to do so.
It's not a case of being lazy or not, it's a rule of the site.

[GeekBeam]

Oh ok then, sorry it's just that I learned to spell capitalise, capitalize, and anyways on the spellchecker, capitalise comes up as wrong. no offense ment, it's just american english.

[Hiyadudez]

Hey jamalam, ive put new elements on my elements guide, and most of them are my own design.

[coolsonic45]

this is what i was looking for thx i may be able to make my first ever ball machine with this help

[knex instructor]

what if u used a spinning spiral staircase next to a wall and it would be laike a ramp

[Orangeprofessor]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwoowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[Benex]

 please help me

[Orangeprofessor]

wow your desperate

[Orangeprofessor]

yo dude thanks for the tips

[knexpert#10829476]

I'm jealous,very jealous! And I thought my 15000 knex tub was a lot.!

[Orangeprofessor]

what the

[Hiyadudez]

Dude, you cant buy a tub of knex with 15000 pieces.

[knexpert#10829476]

Late Reply sorry. I got the knex from criegslist and there were only 7000 but I could put more in because its a big tote.

[Hiyadudez]

I see...

[TwistedParadox]

how do you fit 15000 knex into one tub?!

[Benex]

i have a problem connecting path/elements to the tower they never fit and if i do the 2 by 1 tower method when the track goes past the tower i struggle to support the track so it goes all floppy! plz help me

[Tom Buckey]

i dont do this step i just think of elements as i go along i find it easier but i will tryon my next machine

[Jaredaredred]

Ikr

[poo2thegeek]

 you could make a gun that fires the balls to the top of the tower....

[Jesus.]

my secret project peewee is 1x3

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

is it a ball machince?

[Jesus.]

yes it was.

[fishgish509]

WAS?

[GeekBeam]

he probly took it apart to build somin else

[Jesus.]

Close, but not right, I was to bored, so it died. =P

[GeekBeam]

eh i got close

[GeekBeam]

i've got an idea & i've modelled it out. to use tghe modern rollercoaster track pieces & make a car for it so it can carry balls(no not those ones)

[darth acexxacer]

in paragraph 2 sentence 2 word 7 do you mean THE

[Darth Trainman]

I mean thy.

[GeekBeam]

darths right it's an older version of the english word me/you it depends on hw you use it in this case he means sort you're pieces=sort thy pieces

[The_Lost_Carrot]

is it possible to use the micro chain instead?

[GeekBeam]

yes it is i did it once it worked out well cuz my grandparents keep getting me roller coasters & thoese have tiny chain pieces used for their lifts soi just scrounge up some of thoes pieces make a mini ball holder attach at certain points & youre done it's the same basic process as trainman's except instead of regular chain it' mini chain

[Wyle_E]

A machine with AND, OR and NOT elements. With enough of those, you could (in principle) build a computer.

[GeekBeam]

technicly you could but i wouldn't build it with regular knex i'd build it out of mini k'nex so it wouldn't be the size of the one used in the apollo missions or would it be about the same size? well either way id still build it with mini knex

[tjdtjd1]

nice idea, but it is probably be impossible, because a ball comes in one element and comes out through another (i think)

[Connorrocker]

 GREAT ideas! Ill use them for mine!

[knexstalker]

Just for the first ball tower your making can you make it small?

[coolknexcreations]

you can do whatever you want.

[NickAwesome]

Is there any way to make loops without tubing?

[then]

do you have any flexible rods?

[tjdtjd1]

i doubt it, but you could try

[Conduit M.O.W]

I'm making my own ball machine and i'm going to post it.ive never made my own instructable before wich is why this instructable helped me a looooooooooooooot! Its coming along really good.

[possum888]

You sir, are a genius!

[erikos kostarikos]

well i like the machines but the stuff from: guru level-6-7 years ball machines experience bla bla bla thats not interesting. all you need is TONS of knex and you need to know all the ways to connect knex.

[Darth Trainman]

Untrue, bud. It takes practice to make these machines. Besides, you don't need a ton of k'nex unless you want to make a huge machine. Unless you're referring to building from direct instructions... in which case yes.

[erikos kostarikos]

well maybe you're right, because i dont know if it is true.
i dont kniow that because i never built a ball machine.
i think i will make a ball machine soon and then i will see if you need tons of knex and a lil bit experience.
(well, not to say:wow look at me i'm good, but i'm building very long with knex so i think that i got enough experience =P)

[awsomeknexbuilder]

how do you get the ball to go up?

[Seleziona]

I have buuilt a ball tower before too, not my own, But the KNEX BIG AIR BALL TOWER! I got the knex Big Air Ball Tower at a garage sale for $5. but when i opened it at home... It didn't have the air motor thing! Wasn't really fun because i kept having to put the balls at the top every time.

[The_Lost_Carrot]

one other thing how is project nano very highly advanced??

[The_Lost_Carrot]

6-7 years of experience!! all you really need is tonnes of pieces, skill and to have built quite a few ball machines in the past.

[knexpert#10829476]

Organize them in seperate bags and well put em in.Simple if you have a really big tote.

[magicmike5462]

dont you mean from the top down (not up)

[cool!]

Muahahaha Sorry my little bro is in the way.

[Darth Trainman]

... I resign my Crown to you, sir. Forever.

[Jesus.]

no chaos is still better

[TwistedParadox]

You must be joking

[cool!]

Muahahaha

[TwistedParadox]

Trainman is gonna have to come up with something major to beat you. Are you going to put up a video of it working?

[cool!]

Thanks! Your machine rocks!

[geodez]

NOOOO you are still the best think of the vivisector AWESOME!!!

[DJ Radio]

the vivisector isnt a ball machine.

[geodez]

i know that, he built the vivisector which is awesome, i said that because darth trainman said he would resign his crown to cool, how do we know that contraption even does anything? it could be just a giant block of pieces with motors and chains thrown in.

[DJ Radio]

his crown is for ball machines, not guns. He can probably tell if it works or doesnt.

[kurtcobain132]

are they all the pieces that were from xXxXx?

[AngelCutums]

I have around 2,000 pieces, but only enough blue rods to make about 1 to 2 (at very most) tower. What elements work at such low heights?

[Tom Buckey]

where can u get more chain links tubing and those special yellow (5-slot) connecters from besides ebay thats in England

[Owenmon]

You can get all of them with the Original K'nex Coaster. Witch you can find on ebay for about 40 - 60 $.

[TwistedParadox]

Just got one, w00t!

[builder968]

knex.com

[Tom Buckey]

THTS IN AMERICA I HAVE TO GET IT SHIPPED OVER with costs more and the uk 1 dosnt do spare parts

[builder968]

you could have told me that you lived in the UK.

[mtm101097]

He said in England..........

[builder968]

oh whoops didnt notice.

[TwistedParadox]

Permission to say "fail" in large capital letters?

[naruto the ninja13]

permisson granted

[TwistedParadox]

You aren't builder968

[builder968]

I am. Permission GRANTED.

[TwistedParadox]

FAIL =)

[The Jamalam]

he did lol he said in england in the first comment

[ajleece]

but a roller coaster set

[KEYBOARDISBROKEN]

how about one for rubber band balls?

[grevious]

umm.. leather fingers..? because ur pushing together finger gets sore? i know mine does, my thumb, all the skin is peeling and cracked D=

[KEYBOARDISBROKEN]

ounch -k'nexer's finger tip: dont touch or think of touching any chilli peppers or citrus fruit

[grevious]

chaos looks like it's about to collapse on the left there : /

[knexpert#10829476]

Thats my problem make the elements and then the supports which screws me up miserably.

[jessiedle]

*looks at CHAOS* HOLY CRAP. The best I've ever made is a Ferris Wheel. And my little sister broke it. :)

[builder968]

CHAOS ROCKS!!!!!

[Hiyadudez]

Can i just ask, what is better: Guru or Master Level?

[coolknexcreations]

Isn't this the xXxXx?

[Tom Buckey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Y1k7d9vPk&feature=channel_page

hey guys look at tht ball machine ^{its awsome you will all love it !!}

[knexstalker]

This bit yakes a while but it is worth it

[gywy]

Hey trainman, i like ur ball machine, i have made nano and my own is coming on youtube soon, ill call it Tyscho

[then]

Mi first ball machine, I dont know what to call it, but it uses about 4000 pieces. I'll post a video of it on youtube soon, a fair enough way to spend spring break.

[then]

thanks trainman, for posting this instructable...

[Mr. Stealth]

I'm guessing the picture is blurry because the tower was too tall and it was swaying in the wind.

[Darth Trainman]

Naw, my camera sucked and I had an unsteady hand.

[Mr. Stealth]

I was kidding, but great job. Five stars!

[Mr. Stealth]

Just the sight of the pictures made me laugh.

[The Jamalam]

they should make a knex theme park like legoland, and have rides made out of huge knex! They could have huge ball machines with people strapped inside the transparent balls lol

[Darth Trainman]

The coasters are actually a good idea, but damn, those ball machines would hurt. Also, with ball machines this size, the best success rate possible is like 80%.

[The Jamalam]

I suppose, but it would be fun lol.

[Dr.Bill]

I found these in massachucetts one time. They used steel, pool balls, and bowling balls. Then I went to China and saw another one built by the same guy. There was one out in Guam used a bowling ball and had a small trampoline the ball would bounce, it was so cool. I found out there were 6 Kenetic Art machines spread out all over the world by the Same Artist. And, since then I saw one on some tv movie made out of brass, really beautiful, that told the time. I think you might have a saleable item there guy. They sell for many thousands of buckolas.

[The Jamalam]

i have a new lift model! I'll post it separately

[ThomasRex]

he has to have more pieces than that in the picture cause i have like 5 time that amount

[Tom Buckey]

same here thanks for the help and btw when u say project nano it highly advanced is that a joke????:S

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

this is a great job thanks for the help

[seansippo]

sorry for double posting but i forgot one little thing. that biggest ball machine, can i get an idea as to how many pieces it has? im planning to get the 6' tall ferris wheel because it looks difficult and it will get me over 8000 more pieces.

[Darth Trainman]

it's around 8100 pieces.

[halo-knex-gr8]

hey guys, can someone plz post an instructable on how to make one of those tornado things with the tubing that goes around and around and around getting smaller and smaller until it stops and the ball falls down. im makin my own tower and i want to know. ill try to find a vid or sometin wit it.

[halo-knex-gr8]

aha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwVXfueSqW4

go to 1:10 on the vid

[seansippo]

im confused with that video as to what those red ones are along with a few other things about it. i want to make one of those, a little bigger than in the video, but still what i want to make.

[cubemaster53]

i'll make one

[seansippo]

i have just bought the motorized madness ball machine and after i make am probably going to try and customize it a bit. im liking how it has more than one thing on it. do you have any videos of these ball machines of yours so i can see how they all run?

[luckyquiggle1234]

Could you make a more detailed chain lift and show how it works and stuff more clearly? I can't figure out how to make one...

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

can u post Project QUADRIVIUM

[dance1212]

i think ARCHAMIEDIES will be big enough

[gnasty gnork]

YAY lots and lots of lead painted plastic. but seriously that's too much thinking for me.

[The Jamalam]

can you use the support towers as part of the machine or would it add too much stress?

[halo-knex-gr8]

ya you can. just look at the xXxXxXx

[dance1212]

i have a idea for a concept a part of the track starts a 2 ball race

[dance1212]

can you do a closer view of the bottom of the lift on the read rod ball tower

[Redneck2]

Awesome design but where do you get your k'nex please respond

[xXzachBXx_at_live_dot_com]

ebay!!!!

[The Jamalam]

how old are you? you look about 12 in your videos yet you produce these amazing pieces of craftmanship?

[grevious]

hey, can u get the first picture again but from different angles? thanks.

[grevious]

what's that pink jar on the right in picture two? candy!? lol.. or like.. ball tubing or something?
since im in australia i have no idea where to get the tubing.. so i cant make these feebled towers.. but ill try =D

[cubemaster53]

where do you got your k'nex

[The Jamalam]

when i gat a knex ball, i am going to make one with a loop de loop trail and than a whirlpool, and then to finish off, a ramp onto a ferris wheel which will take it to the top! :D

[The Jamalam]

i mean the ramp will make the ball jump onto the ferris wheel

[aksmak1]

that is amazing man i wish i cud make it :(

[aksmak1]

your the knex god :D

[Barfopotamus]

What is this fatal error of which you speak of?

[ericm247]

wooooooooooooooooooooooow!u inspired me i am going to lift my butt! and make my mom one for her birthday!

[kurtcobain132]

i have 6,500 pieces but i want more.

[The KNex Weasel]

Same deal here. I want more pieces to build my own ball towers (not like I can't already build my own...I just want to make bigger ones).

[builder968]

yeah, i cant build really big ones, cause i only have 2500 pieces. (yeah, i know, it's sad)

[kurtcobain132]

trainman,on step 8 is the frame from the xXxXx ball factory? please respond.

[Darth Trainman]

Yes.

[kurtcobain132]

thanks.I built the structure 3 times, and it collpesed once.the third time i built it but when i turned on the motor for the chain,the chain got stuck and pulled a crucial part out of position and the whole thing fell down. I'm making it again and i'm half way in the model and once I've finished i'm going to try and post instructions for it on Instructables.

[Darth Trainman]

What, the -xXxXx-? Oh, that would be the day. That would be at least 400 steps. 8010 pieces. Anyway, that's just an example of what the structure can be.

[The KNex Weasel]

You actually bothered to count out all the pieces in that machine?

[Darth Trainman]

Yeah. It's my magnum opus. Maybe someday it will be was instead of is. Who knows?

[The KNex Weasel]

Just out of curiosity, what is the breakdown of the pieces (or do I not want to know)?

[Darth Trainman]

What, -xXxXx-? Gray Rods: 158 Red Rods: 208 Yellow Rods: 473 Blue Rods: 1129 White Rods: 838 Green Rods: 1113 Flexi Rods: 75 Total Rods: 3994 Connectors: Blue 3D Connectors: 501 Purple 3D Connectors: 787 White 8-Slot Connectors: 143 Yellow 5-Slot Connectors: 581 Orange 5-Slot Connectors :294 Green 4-Slot Connectors: 117 Red 3-Slot Connectors: 468 Orange 2-Slot Connectors: 208 Gray 2-Slot Connectors: 39 Gray 1-Slot Connectors: 259 Tabbed Connectors :30 Black Y Connectors: 36 Total Connectors: 3502 Other Parts Silver Bearings: 165 Blue Bearings: 51 Wheels: 0 Motors: 1 Balls: 14 Gears: 6 Panels: 7 Chain Links: 166 Hinges: 0 Figures: 0 Total Other Parts: 395 Total Parts: 8010

[builder968]

that is so much. you have got WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to much free time on your hands. oh, and how old are you?

[The KNex Weasel]

HOT DORGAWAPTIX!!!!!!! Wait, what about the crossties?

[kurtcobain132]

what is a crosstie?

[Darth Trainman]

The green roller coaster part.

[builder968]

how amny knex do you have?

[Darth Trainman]

Oh right. 117. The other was 147.

[kurtcobain132]

400 steps!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darth Trainman]

Yeah. Probably.

[kurtcobain132]

by the way if anyone has noticed that it seas that i have been sending messages at like 12pm it is probabily somethink to do with the time difference from england and u.s.a plus this website is american i think.

[zzgs]

o! u have cyber knex too hahaha

[Jamese123]

thanks its really helped me.

[kurtcobain132]

hey darth trainman could you post pictures of the xXxXx? it would really help my building it. thanks.

[Daniel662000]

lol, the eighth won isn't that hard.

[mjl46]

that is incredible! how many different paths are there for the balls once they reach the top of the tower?

[The KNex Weasel]

Looks like eight to me.

[zzgs]

i dont have enough pieces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zzgs]

i dont get it!

[sinistir7]

hey trainman, whats the deal with the hammer and sickle profile picture?

[Darth Trainman]

Draw your own conclusion.

[Storm950]

(removed by author or community request)

[Darth Trainman]

No Typo. Correct Spelling.

[Velotrash Industries]

you are super enthusiastic about simple tools

[westin444]

I made two more types of track. one is chain links and the other is a type of tunnel

[westin444]

Think you could make some instructions for one of your favorite towers?

[Darth Trainman]

I already did. Deux, Nano, Immeuble, and the upcoming Box all have instructions.

[knexer2008]

I only have about 3500 pieces...yes, I'm sad...

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Trainman, you are a knex LEGEND (as i have stated before.)How do you do it? I mean, these ball machines are genious. I watched a video on the xXxXx (I think it means infinity, tell me if i'm wrong) And it was just perfectly amazing! Trainman, you have inspired me. I'm going to take all 16,783 pieces of my knex and try and make a ball machine (Of course, it won't be nearly as good as yours.) I'm probably not going to use all 16,783 pieces, however, because i want to start off small. (If you have seen my other comments, you would know that i use the word However... A LOT!!! Yeah, its like me favorite word. Well anyway, i want you to comment on it when its finally on instructables. (that may take centuries... or just weeks... Oh, and - you probably already guessed this, but my name isn't Bob, even though i'm pineapplebob. Pineapplebob was a store i saw in Maui (I'm guessing they sell pineapples... Its just a guess...)

[kurtcobain132]

pineapplebobthegreat when would you reacon your ultimame ball factory will be fineshed?

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

I already took it apart to build a couple of new guns

[kurtcobain132]

could you post the pictrures then?

[Darth Trainman]

To use 16,000 pieces is to make a Ball machine twice the size of the -xXxXx-. And that's not very easy. I recommend starting at Either A: Ball machines with INSTRUCTIONS(To get inspiration) or B: Ball machines the size of DEUX. I mean, I could EASILY use well over 30,000 pieces in a ball machine if I HAD that many, the problem is, You use some pieces more than others. With INFINITE k'nex... Well, call me crazy but that would be heaven.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Yeah, i'm going to buy a ball machine first (So i can get the hang of it) then i'm going to make the nano, then take apart the nano and build the duex, then - eventually, make my own.

[Darth Trainman]

Try building the Big Ball Factory. Buy tit from ebay, it is the single best starter kit ever.

[dsman195276]

i loved that set! me and my dad made it. we moded it with so many different tracks that it tuched the cealing in my basement when it was like 10 feet tall.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Actually, i was getting the BBF because it looked very cool and would help me get more pieces to use on mine, but i'm not sure if i want to get it from ebay. My friend ordered something from ebay that said thousands and thousands of knex!!! Well, when it came, there were only like 30 knex pieces. He got his money back, but still... Do you know any other places that sell the BBF?

[kurtcobain132]

hey dearth trainman do you think that you could post all of the pictures that you have of the xXxXx ultimate ball factory. so that we can build it more easiy.and by the way do you think you could re make the structure of the xXxXx ultimate ball factory.would make it a lot easier to build. thanks

[mrbox]

Try making this outta knex ;D

SOMEONE MAKE THIS AND YOU WILL BE THE KNEX GOD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GAUnuuBkW4

[leeofaaneellii]

OMG!!! can you make that? well that will take 8x my peaces!!

[timmy1234s]

CAn you post the xXxXx project? By the way.. in one of your videos i saw a teenage boy. If that is you, and you hav 5 years of knex expierience, then your are really creative and smart.

[timmy1234s]

Oh that is sad. What do you mean by it doesn't exist anymore. Is there a certain time you can have a projet on instructables? I never knew that. But that is you!! I cannot believe that because you are so creative. Honestly, I thought that you were an architect and had a job. You are so smart and have like 200 IQ in architecure and knex.

[Darth Trainman]

I built it then took it apart. Making instructions would have taken half a year and there would have been at least 1500 pictures. And besides, who has 8010 of those exact pieces?

[Darth Trainman]

Yes. That's me. No, I can't post -xXxXx-. It doesn't exist anymore.

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

can u post Project QUADRIVIUM?

[Darth Trainman]

It no longer exists.

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

crap. it looks so cool!

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

Project VENDETTA look like duex just bigger.

[Darth Trainman]

Not really.

[dsman195276]

i have a step you might want to add in. it is for givving the chain tension. you put a wheel on the same rod as a gear the wheel is in the middle of the rod and gives it weight. then you connect it some were so the rod is on a hindge and let it hang in to the chain. i will take pics whtn i find my cam.

[Darth Trainman]

As I said... You want a snug fit... So that handles it... Check step 9...

[dsman195276]

check out the forum for my new knex sniper/shotgun!

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Okay, everyone. My sniper is on instructables now. To see it, type in
Pineapplebob's Sniper Rifle
At the search area.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Okay, i just got some spare time (after finishing a project, homework, getting more school supplies, and other junk) and i finished posting my instructable on the sniper rifle. The people on instructables said it would take a while for it to get on the site, though, so expect it tommorow or late tonight.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

AARRGGGHHHHH!!! My hook on the chain won't pick up my knex ball... Somebody please help me!!!!

[Darth Trainman]

Hmm... Maybe the chain is moving too fast. Or maybe the Hook is to small. or maybe the path is too squished.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

I'm gonna try widening the path.

[Darth Trainman]

For which machine?

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

For mine...

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Trainman, you should post instructions on the Vendeta... that one looks cool. Also, if you could, the xXxXx. BTW, i have finsished the tower on my ball machine. It is taller than the nano, but shorter than the duex. (Lack of purple and blue 3D connectors. I need to buy the BBF so i can have enough.) Well, the chain works and i'm adding elements thanks to your instructables on the elements.

[originalwynne]

that is the coolest ball machine ever! i couldnt build that thing for shit.

[maker12]

holy rube goldburg on a moped that,s a bad ass device!

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

AMAZING KNEX SNIPER RIFLE COMING TOMMOROW!!! It is 1:07 am here. Yeah, i stayed up to build this awesome gun. It is 3 feet long (an estimated guess.) It can shoot 50-120 feet (depending on the rubberbands) and has a true trigger. It is very sturdy (I dropped it and it didn't break). Although it is not as strong as Gorkem's sniper, my baby is right next to Gorkem's when it comes to stability, strength, power, FPS, feel including comfort, coolness, looks, and much more (I'm saving the rest - about 123 more things - for the instructable.) I'm sure everyone will love this gun (I love it soooooooooo much.) It broke through a can and many pieces of cardboard. (I won't try wood, however, because the force of this gun is sooooooooo great that it would recotche off the wood and collide in my face. Wouldn't that be a fine moment...) Well, its very comfortable. The stock is built for max comfort - tomorrow, look at the instructable and you will see what i mean. It is very cool-looking at looks great. I know a bunch of people say their own guns are so cool and that might sound like what i am about to do, but i have to say that it is better than the shifle (no offense to the maker of the shifle.) To prove this, i built the shifle and i have to say that mine is better. I'm so happy that i made something very good that i'm sure everyone will love. Now i wont be known for my crappy wheel launching gun (Ha, good times, good times). It has a hidden magazine that is so well hidden you would normally guess that it didn't have one. However, although the mag is amazingly hidden, it is also easily accessible. You would not have to remove any parts. The magazine holds 4 blue connectors (Don't worry, it can easily be upgraded to 8 or 10) and the mag can easily be loaded. Well, if you were waiting for another cool gun, tomorrow is THE day you should go on instructables. Just wait and you will have a masterpiece gun. Oh, and i'm not sure if i spelled recotche right. Oh, and to Trainman2000. You told me that i shouldn't post a gun if its worse than the shifle, so it should be okay now that i am posting it. I'm sure even you, Trainman, will love it. P.S. I like your ball machines a lot. They provide endless fun when you are bored. :)

[Darth Trainman]

From what I hear it sound like a great gun. I'm looking forward to it.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

Sorry, Trainman. Uh, its like a hurricane where i live!!! My back yard is flooded and i don't even have a pool (all because it is raining so hard.) Also, winds have knocked over fences and trees are everywhere. (A huge tree branch flew across our backyard and slapped across my room window (And my window is on the second story.) It scared the heck out of me. Also, its impossible to drive cause if you do, no matter what, your car will get totalled. I felt sorry for my dog because she got really wet when we let her outside to pee. The power went out for a while and just recently came back on, so it was impossible for me to post my instructable because my laptop battery was out of charge. Well, it will probably be up on instructables tommorow.

[cowscankill]

trainman!look!

[the_burrito_master]

coming soon! check forum topic.

[knex lover]

I have about 10,000 pieces!

[musclecar3]

good job wish i had enough knex for the first one lol.

[brutalme19]

What is the biggest(or most peices) ball machine you have ever made. My neighbor almost made one out of about 20 thousand pieces. Sadly he had to build it outside and when the wind picked up the machine went down.

[Darth Trainman]

The -xXxXx-. 20,000 would be over twice as large as the -xXxXx-.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

I also have a few more questions. If i have over 1500 knex pieces - which i do - will i be able to make both the DUEX and the NANO?

[Darth Trainman]

Most likely not both, but one, and if not, you have just enough to make thy own.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

And for my final question: I have almost finished an AK-47 out of knex. Should i post it? I really want your opinion, considering that you're the master.

[Darth Trainman]

Although your building skills are fine, I believe that we have enough guns. Unless It's on the same level as the Shifle, or unless it's ginormoriffic, I doubt that it's much new. Sorry - I just think we need more Ball Machines, or possibly ginormoriffic MG's - as in, 4000 pieces, bigger than the vortex.

[PineapplebobTheGreat]

I'm really happy how someone's made something other than guns out of knex. You are awsome... A Knex legend! I'm going to make project DUEX right now.

[Abominatus]

train man you are a knex god!!!!!!!!!! you have sooooooo much knex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darth Trainman]

Aye - I use the term guru. Now "Roller Coaster Kid" from SScoasters - He is a k'nex god.

[dzurn]

You might want to talk about, I don't know, the actual balls maybe? Otherwise what's it for?

[Darth Trainman]

Oh, right - I thought that was a bit of a given...

[Lotus14]

Very cool! As an old guy...years ago there was an organization caller the Zittsenclopper(sic?) Society. They made machines which did "nothing", but were lots of fun to see. If they still exist, your machine would be perfect for their shows. I guess I've got to go out and find a large supply of K'nex!!!

[Darth Trainman]

Aye, It's name is eBay!

[Auger Duval]

FYI; I believe it is called a "Rube Goldberg" Machine after the artist/inventor Rube Goldberg.

[Darth Trainman]

It is - However, this is in fact slightly different, but it still holds the same idea. This gets no task done.

[Virtualgoose]

UR TEH NOOB 1 TIME I PUTZ TEH RED PIECE ON A WHITE CONNECTER ND MAED A MAJIK WAND haha, just kidding. this sufficiently deserves an "AWEXOME" and a "You win the internets!"

[Darth Trainman]

LOL, thanks! You had me fooled for a second there.

[Zorink]

ZOMGWTFBBQ!!!11 AMAZING!

[joejoerowley]

Wow!! These are great! They should be in a museum!! A video would be nice. Thanks

[Darth Trainman]

A video of what? This is a guideline, not actual solid instructions. It's like "how to write a novel"

[joejoerowley]

A video of one of the machines in action. How long do is it take to make it around?

[Darth Trainman]

They're on my youtube channel.

[impulse94]

You can imbed the YouTube video here rather than make people go searching for it.

[isuxusux]

rich rich man...

[Perfect Duck]

O_O

[Darth Trainman]

Your reply of "O_O" is adequate for the subject.

[Mepain]

Ha, they must be good. +P As soon as I post all my guns I will get stared on making one of my own!

[Darth Trainman]

Hurray! Now ball machines will take over!

[Mepain]

You haven't seen what I can do with these ;) They will make my guns look like beginner-level work.

[Perfect Duck]

Y'know, I've been binging on all sorts of other hobbies like rpg's and stuff... It's about time I start doing some more K'nex stuff or you'll all think I'm out of fresh ideas. I'd love to make a ball machine, but presently I haven't the black gears to make a proper lift. They're still all in use as cyclone belts.

[BLACKROD]

Finally! K'nex again. Myself I am working on a stationed machine, that is somewhat of a turret styled gun. Rotating, and mounted to a base. Something most likely auto. Well, it's great to hear your back.

[Perfect Duck]

I was working on exactly the same thing, up until I realised that my command-a-bot remote control system ... is fried. Makes weird sounds and is completely unresponsive. :/

[camieac]

That is the coolest knex ball machine I've ever seen!!!

[stranoster]

Super! The first non gun Knex project I have EVER, literally ever seen on instructables... Woo hoo! Brilliant work

[Sphelx]

That's amazing, I can't wait to dig out my K'Nex and start trying this stuff - this entire house has really high ceilings so I'm gonna be able to build a huge machine :D

[jollex]

I was into knex roller coasters before but now I'm going to try to make one of these. Thanks for inspiring me Trainman2000.

[crestind]

I was never into ball machines, but these are amazing! 0.o I am speechless. You are now the master of ball machines here at Instructables.

[crestind]

These are all unbelievable... I also like the name references :P

[Maffu]

I have no idea what any of this is for, but your engineering skills are most impressive and the world should probably be afraid of you. Within ten years I expect to see you designing bridges, dams and machines to take over the world.

[buterSBob29]

OMG?

[bleachworthy]

yes, yes. OMG would be an appropriate way to react to 8010 pieces.

[buterSBob29]

ok then, OMG!

[nanor11395]

omg works for me

[tenchi20229]

How bout ZOMGWTFABSFL!!! Definition: HOLYSHITWHATTHEFUCKWEREYOUTHINKING.YOUAREFUCKINGCRAZY!!!!

[nanor11395]

nice

[canida]

Whoa! o.O That's awesome.

[bleachworthy]

get a haircut, and get a real job! you have way too much time on your hands, but it is aparrently well spent. I've never seen any ball machines the size of yours. good work.

[Darth Trainman]

I'm 13 - A bit too young for a real job.

[bleachworthy]

what the...? how..? wtf? you're 13, and made these amazing ball machines, and counted to 8,010? dude, when I was your age, I didn't have the patience to build that kind of stuff with k'nex, letalone count all the pieces it took to build. great job! now hurry up, turn 14, get a job, and buy more k'nex!! you should build the biggest one in the world.

[Darth Trainman]

Hmm... Not very many people build Ball Machines these days... But if I had finished REAPER, it would have taken the cake at 14ft. But I am planning a new, stable Project GOLEM'S FIST at at 16 feet. Dunno If I have the pieces, however... And as for Buying K'nex... I have $500 in reserve... and eBay exists... xDDD

[altaria1993]

$500 on knex on ebay, thats like.. 200 kilos :P

[bleachworthy]

lol, 16 feet tall... that is going to be a challenge for sure.

[Darth Trainman]

Yeah, but with four giant support towers and double bracings...

[!Andrew_Modder!]

Omfg! How many (roughly) pieces are in that 1st pic??.. Honestly i dont think i could ever make this, lol

[Darth Trainman]

8010.

[!Andrew_Modder!]

damn.

[arrow shot]

I dont have nearly enough peices for even the nano...these r verycool tho...all ur own design? i was thinking maybe some1 could build a medium sized vending machine out of knex...could be ez...unless u actually want to have an insert money choice button system 0.0

[GorillazMiko]

amazing! amazing! amazing! (1895879234 more times) that first picture is insane.

[Darth Trainman]

It has a video, you know. On YouTube.

[s0lekill3r]

These are awesome. I made my own with one path, it travels down two levels and is picked up again by the chain. It's even smaller than your "nano".

[Loosewire; SOE Operative]

Wowe! Very nice Trainman!

[T3h_Muffinator]

um... awesome! But... video?!

[Mepain]

He's got a bunch of videos on his Youtube channel.

[zjharva]

COOL!! but you have too much time on your hands

[Fresh94]

Wow I have to say Very impressive.