Lithium--A mini ball machine

This is my first Instructable. It shows how to build a ball machine. This one is relatively large--I think it has more pieces than any of the other ball machines on these forums. It is insanely difficult, and may require usage of certain pieces you may need multiples of.

But if you have 1,610 pieces, and want a challenge, then I give you...LITHIUM!

(sorry, I can't get the video up.)

Parts you will need:
146 green rods
116 white rods
303 blue rods
151 yellow rods
46 red rods
32 gray rods
1 black rod
7 flexi rods
4 tan connectors
94 dark gray connectors
1 blue hinge
2 green hinges
12 light gray connectors
37 orange connectors
72 red connectors
21 green connectors
118 yellow connectors
15 white connectors
162 purple 3D connectors
98 blue 3D connectors
38 orange track connectors
4 red gears
8 blue spacers
12 silver spacers
13 black Y connectors
1 square panel
94 chain links
1 motor
Total: 1,610

...and one ferret (Just kidding!)

Step 1: Step 1: The Base

This may be the most boring part of the machine to build, but isn't too difficult. I have included pictures for you to see so you know where and what should be positioned.

Parts needed:
12 green rods
15 white rods
82 blue rods
32 yellow rods
2 red rods
1 black rod
4 tan locks
20 dark gray connectors
6 orange connectors
9 red connectors
2 green connectors
15 yellow connectors
3 white connectors
48 purple connectors
39 blue connectors
2 red gears
4 blue spacers
2 silver spacers
1 PowerPack motor
Total: 294

Comments

[thekster14]

For the yellow tracks... can i just use yellows seperates by green rods and for the loop can i use purple flexible rods?

[The KNex Weasel]

Yellow path: If you mean steps 13-16, then yes, that's primarily what I used. I should point out, though, that the way you support the rest of the path would have to be changed. Loop: It's very hard to make it without tubing, because: 1) Tubing is a lot smoother than just using yellow connectors 2) The connectors you attach to the rods are going to make the path rougher and the balls will lose speed a lot more quickly.

[cupcake43]

can u use rippen rocket tubing and rr crossties cuz i don't have dat yellow connetor with teh thing on teh top?

[The KNex Weasel]

If you mean on the loop, you'd need to reconfigure the supports, but it's probably something that can be worked out (I have yet to try it myself, though).

You'd also need to cut the tubing into three pieces; the speed drops a lot when there's no middle rail.

[cupcake43]

did u find out dat u kan do dat yet

[The KNex Weasel]

Not yet.  I probably never will either, since K'Nex is dying a slow death for me, and I'm only building on weekends when I'm not at college.

Again, try it out yourself.  I'm sure you can come up with a configuration that works just by using a bit of trial and error.

[cupcake43]

well ummmmmm u can make a loop with crossties but i kant do it cuz how da ball machine is shaped wrong oh well

[The KNex Weasel]

Ah, well.  You could use a different path format instead.  It doesn't necessarily need to use a loop.

[cupcake43]

so ur sayin i need ta buy a strip of tubing. or else it will slow down.

[The KNex Weasel]

If you don't already have RR tubing, yes.  If you do, just cut one of the strands into three pieces and string them over.

But yeah, the speed plummets when you don't have the middle rail there.

[cupcake43]

oh thx 4 teh tip man. i will tri it out after my latest coaster:)


p.s ur a great knex builder. also do u no where i can buy old knex sets???????????

[The KNex Weasel]

Thanks, and you can find the older sets on eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, and sometimes garage sales if you're lucky.

[~KGB~]

is the yellow tubing the same size as the big ball air tower red tubing?

[Jesus.]

can you use screamin serpent tubing??

[The KNex Weasel]

You can, but you might need to cut it to fit the track (or so the added weight of extra tubing doesn't tip the thing over).

[Jesus.]

oh ok i was thinking of building it, and i dont have much yellow tubing.

[~KGB~]

i dont have it, so i dont really know...

[The KNex Weasel]

No, the BABT tubing isn't long enough. It needs to be 5 feet long. The BABT tubing is only 4.

[~KGB~]

thanks fur yur help

[wham39837]

you have realy poor pics so i did not make it.Put better pics on.(but good ball machin)

[gingernutsjonny]

Built it :D *4 though because of the poor quality images and badly made steps, great build though, post more.

[ajleece]

do you have a weasel living under your ball machine?

[builder968]

lol its a ferret

[The KNex Weasel]

It is a ferret, but she doesn't actually live under it. She lives in my room.

[Mr. Muggle]

why is your name the knex weasel if you have a ferret

[knexpert#10829476]

I cut up all my tubing on my last project.

[Jesus.]

how tall is it?

[The KNex Weasel]

About 3.5 feet tall.

[knexpert#10829476]

Wow,this is really...Oh no....

[The KNex Weasel]

What's the problem?

[Tuxedocat]

K'nex weasel, I am proud to say that I am building your fantastic mini ball machine. To make it absolutly clear that I will have enough pieces, I have ordered over 300 extra pieces off of the internet and I have starting building it with my own. Just wanted to let you know. By the way, cool ferret.

[The KNex Weasel]

Nice. I hope it works well for you.

[smilee]

Woohoo i made it

[The KNex Weasel]

Congratulations. Did it turn out well?

[Knexcrack]

what a cute ferret

[The Jamalam]

if you notice this notice you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing.

[The KNex Weasel]

Nice try...has Dr. Weird driven you insane?

[The Jamalam]

yes mister bananaseller. I am going to put my dead ferret in a hole in the knex.

[I_am_Canadian]

Im going to post my ball machine. Yay!

[Oompa-Loompa]

Can you make one like, micro-sized for me? Pleeeeez?