K'nex Build for The Works Museum 2023 - Episode 5

[@yiravarga]

This series has helped me tremendously while I’m building my own ball machine.

[@CLBCrew96]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing you actually building it and taking the time to explain what your doing. Gave me a lot of ideas for my own

[@mobdeli]

A+ work on the video - super engaging and well-shot

[@emonsalt]

Amazing

[@defrance2728]

So I work at the works museum and your machine has been preforming really well the past couple months! I don’t have a lot of experience with k’nex parts but you’ve made it really easy for employees to go in and fix things as needed. So far a majority of the problems have come from either the chain lift stalling/shaking or from the reverse chain lift getting stuck(which can actually end up knocking balls out of the machine.) Today I went and swapped out the chain and gears in the reverse chain lift(with cleaner pieces) which helped it significantly. After that I went looking for some videos about k’nex and I took a look at your channel! Turns out I actually used to watch your videos as a kid and I remember watching your clockwork video in particular. Judging by the age of that video I probably watched it when I was 6 or 7 so it’s a funny feeling coming back to it 11 years later. I love watching wintergatan videos every week so it’s really cool seeing similar projects in real life. Great work dude, it’s awesome seeing kids walk into the museum and just stare at this machine for a good 15 or so minutes. Reminds me of when I saw your original works machine as a kid. You’ve done a really good job with this and good luck on future endeavors.

[@Austron]

I'm really glad to hear it's been running well! I appreciate the feedback on the reverse chain lift. I did have some concerns about the long-term viability of that element, so I may end up replacing it with something else. Thanks for keeping it running with the clean pieces for now, though!

[@dangossen4937]

It’s been too long between videos!! Do you plan to do a video showing the transport, set up, final testing, and unveiling?? I would enjoy seeing how you ended up moving such a creation. In 2016 I was inspired by K’nex enthusiasts like you and others I found on KZbin and made something for my work. It was a K’nex ball machine that doubled as a mini golf hole. You’d put a Knex ball in one end of the machine, the ball would climb and travel down 6 paths, and at the conclusion of the 6th path, the ball would spit out the other side of the machine for a hole in one!! It was about the size of a refrigerator and I needed to borrow a truck, build a box, get friends to help me, measure every doorway it would pass through, and speak to the security people at my employers building about using their loading doc for ease of delivery. It would make for a great video if you have footage of needing to overcome what I’m sure would be similar logistical challenges.

[@AnimilesYT]

I didn't expect this much progress in one update. I thought there would be a couple paths per update video. I'm seriously amazed by how great everything turned out! It looks stunning! Well done :D

[@ZAKagan]

This is incredible Austin

[@the__L]

I've enjoyed this series while disassembling the 6ft Ferris wheel set. I'm curious how you feel about the much stricter space constraint for this build compared to the 24 feet you could fill in the stairway. I'm very impressed and inspired by this machine.

[@jackpomeroy5855]

I gotta say you are smart with k'nex like I am

[@GuitaristSJH]

Good work!

[@Haxpatty]

Awesome!

[@EctoSupreme]

The things I could and would build if I had that many Knex to work with...

[@dagstaff]

The symmetry of this machine is really striking. Normally, the "randomness of creation" you spoke of leads to asymmetrical, odd looking shapes and profiles. The two loops, ramps, and other elements look balanced, and I love the snaking track that goes through the middle of the two loops. The design requirement of being transportable has an interesting side effect of framing the machine in a way that really showcases the creation. This might be the only machine where I've seen that done. I am sure over the next few weeks you'll refine this to add even more delightfully creative elements. My only critique: I think the "chain drop" mechanic could be improved (I smiled big when you mentioned the training tower, that was one of my "big" KNEX sets I got as a Christmas present as a kid!).

[@adamgenez]

When will part 6 of this series come out?

[@Austron]

After I moved the machine to The Works, I took a break from all things K'nex related for a bit to focus on other things I needed to get done. I've been working on a script for Part 6 recently, so it's I'll be getting back to it in the near future here. Part 6 will focus on the reliability testing and moving and installing the machine at the museum.

[@Thijs5843Time]

Yo austron! I know you are probably taking a break from knex right now, but when do you think part 6 will release? I really dont mean to be annoying, but i was just wondering ❤

[@兀]

Are you the one that made the pi animation?

[@Austron]

Yup!

[@兀]

@@Austron I don't know why, but love watching it, lol.

[@emaster360xlol3]

where should i go to start building stuff like this i don't have much if any k"nex that i know of. How can I start?

[@Austron]

To get cheap K'nex pieces you can look on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or at local thrift shops and garage sales. Then check around on Instructibles for K'nex Ball Machine designs. You'll find a very wide range of ideas, some that only need a very small amount of pieces to build. If you find you enjoy it, you can try to buy more pieces whenever you have the chance and keep adding onto your creation, or take it down and build something new!