5-way track splitter

I no longer need to stack my track splitters when I have an RBS with multiple tracks. Here is a video of my NEW track splitter system. I cannot take credit for coming up with this design on my own, but it is my own interpretation. The switch shown here today takes one track and splits it into 5 tracks. Tracks 1 through 4 each get a marble, and the 5th marble resets the switch. So without any further explanation, here's the video: If you want to see all of the video, click on it's title so it takes you to a YouTube page. Don't forget to thumbs up!

3ft tall skinny spiral

Now to add entrance and exit ramps, then install.

This part is now installed and it works like a charm. When I get around to taking other video of the elements on this RBS, I'll update this post and add video.

Frame and lift

This is where it always begins - with a frame and then the motorized lift. In this case, a chain lift. 48" tall x 36" wide x 18" deep, when completed.

Spiral

Finished, and installed on project.

Spiral

Spacers added, now for the entrance and exit tracks.

Spiral

Now that it's bent into shape, next step is to add spacers.

Good ol' track clamps

Here's what my track clamps look like after a few years of hard everyday use. Look lower into my blog for a picture of these same clamps all sparkly and new. They still work like new, though.

Track on, clamps, track on.

Responding to "Tom's" comment. I use the "lift start" or "scratch start" since my foot-pedal is out of commission. Because if this, the arc wanders around and will end up on the clamp as I pull it away, leaving a bit of scorched track clamp behind.

#196 - current progress

Track 3 is half completed. I will b adding two spirals onto this track next.

Marble run #196 - chain lift

Here's the chain installed onto the frame. Now onto getting the ball in and off of the lift. After that, track splitters, then loop d loop.

Chain lift hooks

Here's a couple hooks welded in place. I'd say I have about 15 more sets to add.

Chain lift hooks

Untrimmed pickup hooks and the chain ready to get hooks welded on to pick up the marbles.

Spiral Fail

Bent up this spiral... And it was too shallow to work well. If the ball got stopped, it would not go again by itself. Now it will end up parted out for support rods. It might make a nice campfire cooking grill... Or use the imagination.

Here's a quick video of #195 in motion. 

23" high, 22" wide, 19" deep - Three tracks

Hand-fed desktop #195 - 3 tracks

All finished. 23" high, 22" wide, 19" deep. First time making vertical zig-zag and a jump! Two firsts in one. Ill update post when I get a video up on youtube.

This is one of my favorites already. A nice shape with nice curvy, hilly main track. The collector spiral is better than my usual small "in track" spiral.

Finger operated! Choose to let one go or all of them.

Zig-Zag rbs-#195

My first time making this element. I really like it. This is in place of a tall skinny spiral.

Desktop #195

Tracks 1 and 2 finished. Now to track 3. Will just be only track, but will have lots of dips and wavy tracks. Should be fun bendng the hills and corners and watching them being shaped into life.

Awe-Mazing Mazes

I've got a book coming up titled "Awe-Mazing Mazes" that will feature all 16 of my mazes all in one book. Now that we have a good book title, we also made a new Facebook page to share all of our maze related news and pictures. Please visit our page, check out our mazes, and click LIKE to keep updated on all our maze related news.

Facebook: Awe-Mazing Mazes

Tetter Totter with a Catch

I've made this element before: Where the ball gets caught under the teeter-totter, and the next ball that rolls across it releases the caught ball, and then in turn becomes caught, waiting for the next ball to release it. If you can't quite see what I'm trying to say here, then press play below and watch it in action on Desktop #188. This teeter-totter was built by request. And, now, here it is!

Wood Ring Lift

Here's the lift for my next project. It is made from Walnut in three layers. 

This was made for me by my uncle, Gene. I am not setup for wood-work. It's best to leave something of this complexity to the professional. : )

 The drive motor assembly and the two keeper rollers at 4 and 8 o'clock positons still need to be built.

They will be integrated into the frame so it all has to be built at the same time.

It's 3-1/2 ft in diameter. The buyer, a banker, wanted the lettering to show

different "Forces" in the market. The ring will rotate, likely counter-clockwise, and in each hole hold one ball that it will release at the top. 

My last wooden ring project had a mechanism that pushed the ball out from the back. It worked well, but was kind of noisy. This time, I am going to use a "retaining wire" in back that the ball will rest against once it nears the top. The holes themselves have a 2 degree slope so the ball will want to roll out on it's own with just gravity.

More to come as this fantastic Rolling Ball Sculpture takes shape. 

Header for Website...

Here's my sketch of the "font" RBS would use. I just sent this off to someone on Fiverr.com to have them draw me a header based on this scan. 

Lets see what they come back with... Finger's crossed!!

AAAnnnd, here we are!

AWESOME!