Knex Ball Machine - Loopy

Hello folks,

This is a fun little ball machine I came up with a while ago. All one track. Its got an interesting lift, banked turns, and balls never fall off. I have left it on for over an hour without a single ball falling off or other malfunction.

So if you like it, go build it! I warn you though, its a long build, and the instructions are designed more for an experienced builder, so if you've just started with Knex, I'd suggest coming back to this one later.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Step 1: Parts list

A big o'le parts list. You know the screwdriver.

Rods:

Green - 137
White - 48
Blue - 580
Yellow - 179
Red - 11
Flexi (yellow length) - 8

Connectors:
Dark Grey - 9
Light Grey - 9
Red - 114
Green - 19
Yellow - 38
White - 12
Blue (3d) - 96
Purple (3d) - 392
Orange (tracking pieces) - 93
Other:
Blue Spacers - 24
Silver Spacers - 6
Hinges - 1 (if you do use the optional mod, see step 16.)
Tan Clip - 14
Y Connector - 17
Chain links - 38
Some tubing. If you have a set that comes with tubing, you should have enough.
Some tube splicers - at least two, more if your tubing is in shorter lengths.

Grab a cup of coffee, some biccys, put on your favourite music and get rollin'!

Comments

[dr. richtofen]

I soooo want to build this, to bad for me I don't have any rc tubing, maybe 3~4 orange tabbed connectors and I lost my only knex ball :(

[I_am_Canadian]

D-:

[dr. richtofen]

Yes, Can you maybe replace those knex balls with lego balls?

[I_am_Canadian]

Its possible, I dont have any Lego balls to compare to the K'nex ones though... Check on Knex.com and compare the diameters :-)

[dr. richtofen]

Ok, thanks for the help. I still think I'm not able to build this, as I don't have that many purple connectors. And none tubing. This machine is still epic!

[I_am_Canadian]

Alrighty. Thanks!

[dr. richtofen]

No problem

[knextremist]

im sorry for this peverted joke but read the first 6 words or the sentence at the top of this step..........if your balls are falling off!!!!!!!!!lolololololololololol!!!!!!!!!!!!! (_,_) (butt)

[dr. richtofen]

*Facepalm*

[I_am_Canadian]

(Slap)

[cool knex13]

Nice

5/5

[I_am_Canadian]

Cheers!

[Zeethesquirrel]

is the chain sappost to be so tight?
because mine keeps on snaping apart

[I_am_Canadian]

Use another link :-) It should work even if its a bit baggy.

[Zeethesquirrel]

i fixed it when i finished
it wasn't on right but its still tight but it doesn't break

[I_am_Canadian]

Well I'm glad its working now :-D

[poncho531]

Oh, and you can probably tell that I FINALLY was able to build it! I got the K'Nex for Christmas.

[I_am_Canadian]

Woohoo! Do you like it?

[poncho531]

Oh yea! This is awesome! Also, the turn thing works. Chain still don't work. If more people have a problem with the turn after the second drop, I can post instructions on how to stop it.

[I_am_Canadian]

Thanks! Bummer about the chain. If I get more complaints about that corner I'll take you up on your alternative :-D

[poncho531]

Happy New Year! As a present, we got the first big snowfall of the winter!

[dr. richtofen]

Where do you live? Today is the first day in the entire winter in holland to give some snow (1-2 millimetre, not even covered everything =O )

[poncho531]

No, you've done enough with this whole instructable! It's probably more than I could do!

[poncho531]

Aw, dang. My chain lift doesn't work. Much. The balls are for some reason dropping to the side of the lift, so they get stuck in the big grooves. Also on the turn after the second big drop, my ball flies onto only the top rail, so it hits the 3d gray connectors above. Help?

[poncho531]

Are you currently in Canada? Or are you actually a Canadian?

[I_am_Canadian]

Both.

[Zeethesquirrel]

1: ye know the old screwdriver?
2:I don't think its that hard if you have been building knex for 2 months its easy (building like a lot in 2 months)

[I_am_Canadian]

1: You know the drill*
2: Yes, its not all that hard, I just dont want people frustrating themselves :-)

[Zeethesquirrel]

Ok but I have a question
Do u think 20-28 ft will work for loopy?

[I_am_Canadian]

I think that will do.

[Zeethesquirrel]

ok cool
im gonna start to build as soon as i take apart my big ball factory

[Zeethesquirrel]

Ok you should check out my latest ball machine I used ur ball lift and don't worry I credited u

[cubesquaredtothe1]

I would build it but out of my 5,000 pieces I only have 2 orange connectors. And not enough purple 3D. That is cool because all it takes is putting a roller coaster car on it. It's universal! :-D

[Zeethesquirrel]

i have a solution for u
a link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KNEX-Lot-100-ORANGE-ROLLER-COASTER-TRACK-CONNECTORS-/190540927692?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5d1fd2cc

[ryry2011]

(removed by author or community request)

[poncho531]

Huh? I have about 30,000 K'nex and only 2 orange connectors as well!

[Zeethesquirrel]

i only have like 10,000 but +3,000 more b/c I bought the big ball factory on ebay

[cubesquaredtothe1]

I got mine on eBay too.

[cubesquaredtothe1]

Lol I got more when I bought big ball factory

[cubesquaredtothe1]

I'm interested in taking that offer, at least for a reasonal price. Thanks.