Introduction: Push Lift, a Knex Ball Machine Lift
Here are the instructions for the first lift in a series of 4 lifts, all first used in my knex ball machine Paradox.
This is the most complicated of all and the most difficult lift I ever built, and it turned out great!
It works near to perfection and looks very good.
One disadvantage: It is very piece consuming for its height, especially gears and spacers.
But in exchange you get an awesome, unique lift! :D
Important: If you build this lift, read every image note! They will help you a lot!
So let's start building!
~Sandroknexmaster~
Video:
Step 1: Piece Count
If you want you can count the pieces before you start building.
Here is a list with all pieces included in this lift, named by their original color:
RODS:
Green: 193
White: 118
Blue: 162
Yellow: 52
Red: 41
Grey: 3
Black: 2
Total rods: 571
CONNECTORS:
Dark-grey: 61
Light-grey: 28
Orange: 52
Red: 46
Green: 18
Yellow: 99
White: 14
Purple: 149
Blue: 27
Total connectors: 494
OTHER:
Blue spacer: 90
Silver spacer: 146
Tan clip: 16
Y-clip: 23
Blue hinge: 1
Black hinge: 1
Small blue gear: 8
Medium red gear: 15
Medium yellow gear: 7
Big yellow gear: 1
Chain link: 44
Motor: 1
Total other: 353
Grand Total: 1418
Step 2: Gears Part 1
We'll start with the first part of the gears, that exists out of 3 parts.
Step 3: Gears Part 2
Second part of the gears.
Step 4: Gears Part 3
This is the third and last part of the gears.
Step 5: Completing the Gearbox and Adding Chain
In this step we'll attach all the gears togheter to get one strong gearbox. After that the chain will be added to let all the gears turn at the same time.
Step 6: Pusher Connection Holders
This will hold the pushers in place.
Step 7: Pusher Connections
These things are the connection between the crank and the pushers.
Step 8: Crank Reinforcement
Reinforcement for the crank, like the title says.
Step 9: Crank
Now it's time to build the crank. Built everything exactly as shown in the pictures.
Step 10: Combining Gearbox and Middle Section
The only thing to do in this step is combining the gears and the middle section. Look closely to every picture.
Step 11: Entrance
The entrance, where the balls wait to enter the lift.
Step 12: Pushers
These pushers will push the ball up.
Step 13: Rails and Support
The rails will keep the ball from falling down. The support... well... supports :D
Step 14: Exit
Here the ball exits the lift.
Step 15: Gate
Only one ball at once may enter the lift. That's what the gate takes care about.
Step 16: Motor Section
The last step! The motor and the rest of the gears.
Step 17: Finished!
Congratulations! You just finished your own Push Lift!
If you made this lift, please send me a picture so I can add it to this step.
Thanks for watching/building!
~Sandroknexmaster~
52 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
Nice, but I think it's difficult to build in because you use blue and yellow rods in the same line.. I hope you can understand it because I can't explain it well in English.. :D But, good job!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yeah I know what you mean. I tried to make it different (only blue/red rods) but it was too complicated. Red gears come togheter with a white rod, just like where the gears from the gearbox and the gears of the crank come togheter. So I had to use white rods, or other gears: Big yellow gears; I don't have to explain they are not a good option. Small blue gears: I tried it but then the crank touched the gearbox and blocked. Then I had to make a smaller crank, but then I also had to change the pushers because the smaller crank didn't push the pushers far enough back and forward. So red gears were the only option.
Well, I hope this explain why I had to use white rods :P
Thanks! =D
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
you can put the red gears together diagonally instead of horizontally... I don't know if it would work, as I haven't actually built it! :P
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
That could work indeed, you could give it a try :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I actually don't think I could build it anyway! We don't have enough gears left! =D
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Then once you have enough gears left for it :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
yeah! Even then, I don't think we would have enough!! :P You have waaaaayy
more gears then we do. I think we may need to get some more in the future on ebay! :D Then again, we're running low on red and blue rods so that would make it hard to build this lift too! :P Maybe when we take down our current ball machine. I can't wait to build it! :D
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Ok nice!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Great! (fast reply! only 5 minutes :P )
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Long story.. But I understand that this is the best way.. But you can use also a red gear, than a blue gear and than again a red gear.
Np.. :)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yeah I know, but that would be even MORE gears. It is already one of the most gear consuming lifts. But that could be possible indeed :D
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yes, that's true.... 31 gears! Wow!
8 years ago on Introduction
did you change the gate since it was in paradox?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes it's different here.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
how so?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
It's just different, look in the videos :D
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I looked in paradox's video and I couldn't see it very well (the white floor was blocking the view a little :P...) Very cool still!
8 years ago
great design! looks kinda heavy on the motor though. I will see if i can improve it so it can be extended a long way.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yeah there are probably some better mechanisms to make the same lift idea, but sometimes I seem (and secretly like) to make things more complex than necessary :p
It stresses the motor a bit indeed, but not exeggarated. I'd like to see a mod from you!
Reply 8 years ago
i'll be working on it. do you want to collab?