Scorpion's Tail - K'Nex Roller Coaster

My 13th K'nex model roller coaster, featuring a "thrill lift".
The music in this video is "Wonderful" by Jeremiah Pena. He's a young film/game composer who has some really awesome scores! Check out more of his music at www.jeremiahpena.com
This ride's "thrill lift" is a first for model roller coasters. In fact, it's never even been built in real life! My inspiration came from the PC game Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, which includes a thrill lift option on the Tilt coaster. It is similar to Vekoma's "Gravity Max" coaster, but even more thrilling :)
Scorpion's Tail features a thrill lift, vertical loop, banked turn, camelback hill, and helix. The motors are automated using a Lego Mindstorms NXT and can be remote-controlled from my Android phone via bluetooth. It took me 3 weeks to build.
I owe my building skills to sscoasters.net, a community of Knex builders who have advised and inspired me to build great models like Scorpion's Tail. I kept a construction thread on the SSC forum, which can be found here:
www.sscoasters.net/forum/f82/scorpion-s-tail-thrill-lift-15848/

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Very, very cool.

[@Shane-md5ti]

Yeet

[@thepebble6709]

One of the coolest More comments still

[@jordan_j_roy]

Tilt Coaster 1 looks too intense for me!

[@iforgotmyusername7554]

Jordan Roy LOL only people who play RCT3 would get that.

[@LostHighwayFilms]

Tilt Coaster 1 has broken down. Consider hiring more mechanics.

[@iforgotmyusername7554]

lol

[@Gapbrick]

+Jordan Roy Talks Made my day :) Thanks, lad!

[@budweiserotamatone8254]

I love you

[@terracoon9882]

this track is so unbelievably good

[@lionelcrawford4562]

I love how realistic and functional the supports are with your coasters. I haven't watched any K'nex rollercoaster videos in probably over 6 years so it's crazy to see how far people have come with them. Good work ya engineer!

[@RyanONeill13]

+Lionel Crawford Thanks! Yes, the K'Nex roller coaster community has improved leaps and bounds in realism over the past few years. Unfortunately, I'd have to say that creativity is harder to come by (probably as a result of increased expectations). That's why I try to still be creative with my models :D

[@DryEyeBuilds]

Ryan O’Neil is officially the king of Knex coasters. Every time i revisit this channel, I learn a new building technique from each creation.

[@terracoon9882]

exactly

[@GardeBlaze]

I like the layout, but the thing that impressed me the most was the elevator lift that turns into a tilt coaster. Building one or the other with k'nex is impressive on its own, but you went above and beyond and combined the two!

[@darrenrobins6575]

Brilliant imagination, a cross between, cobras curse, shiekra, and that ride in Las Vegas that hangs you over the edge 😀😀😆

[@yellowblue_tt]

Darren Robins gotta love Busch gardens tampa bay

[@alegsb3943]

Honestly, this lift is better than the actual tilt coaster’s lift

[@RaccoonJinchuriki]

I swear, my favorite roller coasters- both model and full size- are the ones with a unique variation of the lift hill. I love it when people find a way to make the most boring part of the ride less boring.

[@Techtastisch]

Awesome Onride feature! :)

[@larzzz___]

Du hier!?

[@yeetyeetinson415]

I seriously paused and replayed 1:07 a few times- the music picks up at the EXACT second the elevator starts. Pretty epic.

[@wstlyguy]

The coaster is awesome, but when I saw the lift hill I just gasped. Great job! This is the best coaster I've ever seen!

[@CoasterWriter]

Everything about this.. .from the video to the ride... looks incredibly professional and awesome.

[@aryanpoorasad150]

Knex was my childhood😍 remember playing with it all the time in primary school

[@theknexpert]

The most realistic coaster I've every seen

[@cobiebeef]

I love seeing the high quality detail this has

[@marcelomonteiro3086]

Can't even describe how creative I thought it was !!!

[@BackFirePerformance]

These have got to be some of the smoothest, if not the smoothest, sexiest corners I've ever seen, amazing work!

[@deleterious_tactical_7024]

This is just to sweet!! Your a MASTER at building these K’Nex roller coasters Ryan!! Keep ‘em coming, I enjoy watching your K’Nex rollercoaster videos, they are super fun to watch!!!!

[@RyanONeill13]

Thanks!

[@popcornhair6584]

This was recommended for me in 2019!?

[@mayoflipz8703]

same

[@CyberKuki]

Same

[@Kafe1ne]

Same!

[@Dragon6ix]

Same

[@donovanfn]

Same

[@HappyBirthday0707]

This was in my recommended and I swear sometimes KZbin knows what I need to watch better than I know myself.

[@AleIngCookieMonsterSam]

This is so awesome on so many levels!

[@jeremyjones1825]

This is the most amazing and most finely crafted K'nex coaster I've ever seen!!

[@nolanoatmeal5116]

They should build this in real life, and make that loop take the title from Full Throttle

[@nolanoatmeal5116]

Why? This thing looks sick.

[@mniayb]

There is a rollercoaster in real life that has the kind of drop

[@nolanoatmeal5116]

Allan Youmaran What's it called?

[@ImDoPho]

***** Not sure if this is the one he is talking about, but the lift to other track segment reminds me of a coaster called Gravity Max, I think in Taiwan! Different, but similar.

[@nolanoatmeal5116]

DoPho Yeah, I've seen videos of Gravity Max. That's the closest thing to this at the moment it seems.

[@null946]

that lift mechanism is amazing

[@justinereyes7608]

Love the cinematography. Nice work.

[@carjaveri]

Wow! Congratulations for this video, it is amazing. Not only about the roller coaster model (which is superb), but also fot the shoots and the editing. Great work!

[@lightningfastrc]

THAT IS AMAZING. I was watching this and I saw it stop at the lift thing and I didn't realize it was a coaster like that then the track lifted up and I was like OHhHHHH THATS SO COOL

[@moecrosby9223]

I love your columns. I keep re-playing this trying to get the methods.

[@raziztarox4971]

I don't know which was better: The roller coaster, or the video editing and the music. This was a great video! Definitely keep up the great work. You'd be a great roller coaster designer! Good Job!

[@wswacoasters2508]

I have been watching this video for the past 15-20 minutes... It just gets better and better. Amazing job man!

[@worldofbob2604]

One word: WOW. Okay, nevermind, that doesn't begin to describe it. So 12 words. HOLY COW MAN YOU ARE AWESOME AT KNEX PLEASE MAKE MORE VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :O

[@MarmotStarpax]

Wow! I'm impressed with the ride, especially how seamlessly it integrates with the NXT. Great work!!!

[@ArmtekGizmos]

Very nice mechanics on that lift. Very nice. Also nice filming and editing, as well as the roller coaster it self, it's great!

[@oliverdobson5199]

Nice,smooth,great idea and even better excecuted

[@TaronTT]

That lift would be awesome in real life!

[@Emoticono13]

Love the chainlift part 😇

[@aceramirez7786]

The scorpion's tail was so so so cool

[@matthewmiller7207]

Gravity-Max, anyone? This reminds me very much of that tilt coaster in Taiwan.

[@saturatedtwo3458]

I know that roller coaster

[@cantliff9]

@@saturatedtwo3458 I instantly thought of Gravity Max also, popped down into the comments to see if anyone else thought of it!

[@markdemelo7643]

Insane, congratulations it's freaking awesome!! Love everything about it plus its so clean it's really easy to see & follow.

[@GloryRenault]

this should be a real ride oh my that lift was the best thing ever bro!

[@Trainmaster566]

This needs to be a real ride!

[@sjcflawless]

This is a awesome video! I have one of the first brand of K’Nex roller coasters called the Screamin’ Serpent, and was amazed at how you were able to set up a camera on the roller coaster! Back in 2001, cameras were a bit heavy and I didnt get a up to date pc until later in life. Its amazing how technology has progressed since then! Now I can see in first person what the v2 or later model roller coaster is! I thank you for this video!

[@paulboncaldo3692]

This would be cool! I'm sure, in reality, it would be slower than that, but still pretty awesome.😀

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

That was very cool. Love the lift mech and release too.

[@FronkZappa]

Impressive creation and presentation 👍👍👍

[@RollTerps]

These knex coasters are so whippy, I wish I could ride one

[@BrickThunder]

Why don't you have a job of designing these for amusement parks?😄

[@RyanONeill13]

Thanks!! I'm working on it... currently at an internship with a ride engineering office, so we'll see where it goes!

[@HeenaScribbles]

@@RyanONeill13 How's the internship going?

[@thelazerproject]

Ryan O'Neill yeah, how is it going??

[@sushi_tech35]

Did ya get in Ryan?

[@Kerosene682]

This is a genius elevator design. I wish they would add that to real coasters, because that would make them so interesting and unique.

[@rebeccatalbot1615]

There actually are some coasters thay use an elevator! Idr where it is bit its like a 4 person car

[@Kerosene682]

@@rebeccatalbot1615 actually, I do know some coasters that do have an elevator, one of them I have actually ridden (cannibal at lagoon). but, this specific elevator is unique and I have never seen one on a real coaster.

[@draventrent3925]

Great Cinimatics. Thats one thing most prople that make these types of vdeos forget to include

[@Nova3674]

Incredible shaping. The only part thats shaped a little strangley thats causing the car to lose some momentum is the transition from the helix to the final turn under the station. Other than that amazing work!

[@thelonesculler]

Nice to see some RCT3 goodness around :)

[@RyanONeill13]

RCT3 is such an excellent game! My mom bought it for me when it first came out, and I still play it every now and then :D

[@Sixxdee9]

I was expecting a scorpion tail element because of the name. Cool elevator lift.

[@djdomain]

If I was made of Lego, and was riding this, bricks would be shat.

[@kyguy4759]

Are any of the parts 3D printed? If not where can I buy them?

[@marmaliser8159]

Ebay

[@saintcorinthian4253]

I love the pov such great quality. Music is wonderful (XD) and fits the video and coaster perfectly. I have never seen a coaster this good, besides clockwork. Keep it Up :)

[@MasuleDreahelif]

That is some impressive Coaster you got there mate! Well done! 10/10

[@ToyTrainCollector]

Wow, that's crazy but cool!

[@customizetheworld218]

Thus should honestly be a real roller coaster

[@czllzmburner5841]

Awesome lift concept!

[@geforcehan4184]

This looks so real!

[@Rhythmmical]

That second hill must give some sick airtime.

[@RyanONeill13]

Mark Yep! The hill is pretty drawn out, but it's got some serious speed through it. On a real coaster that would be ejector airtime for sure.

[@SantaDragon]

I like the idea of a vertical drop ^^

[@XGaming1]

This is seriously amazing

[@GermanKnexCoasters]

A really great tilt coaster

[@TBONE_2004]

This definitely be something B&M or Intamin would build. One of the most vicious hypers in the world.

[@he-man5873]

B and m would never do this

[@iccypenguin8710]

This has the clearest pov

[@VestedUTuber]

You know, one idea for an upgrade for the K'nex coaster trains would be to add a small piece of AR500 steel to each car just so that the trains have more inertia and behave more realistically. Anyway, this thing is awesome. I love the combination of an elevator lift and a tilt coaster. Probably a maintence nightmare, though.

[@RyanONeill13]

+VestedUTuber Good idea! On this coaster I attached lead fishing weights below each car to increase the inertia and maintain speed better.

[@splatzluca4574]

Imagine when you have to take it apart

[@David-gj9qr]

Sophie Seidner the best thing about owning a house is you are allowed to keep you kenex or LEGO sets out all you want and nobody can tell you to take it down

[@splatzluca4574]

David Baines if its his house yea.

[@chipweather]

@@splatzluca4574 veemo

[@whatson5461]

Awsome shots and filming

[@somesortofthing8282]

Peaceful music but savage coaster

[@Casketkrusher_]

Reminds me of Rollercoaster Tycoon 3

[@Fantasy_Engineer]

I couldn’t actually find that much info about this specific song by Jeremiah Pena. Even though I found this song on SoundCloud, it was not released to SoundCloud by Jeremiah, and it didn’t sound exactly like how it was in the video.(That or this guys had edited it to perfection) But still and absolute BANGER.🤟 Ryan O’Neill has done an absolutely amazing job with this Knex coaster, I remember watching it over 7 years ago and loving everything about it. The way how the car drops you at a 90 degree angle, the very unique lift hill, and the short but sweet layout makes it feel like the perfect package of a K’nex coaster.🫶♥️

[@RyanONeill13]

Thank you!! I do wish the layout had been a bit longer and more interesting, but I'm still quite happy with how it turned out

[@RyanONeill13]

I'm not sure what happened to Jeremiah's released albums, but he had one called "Tubed Pipelines" that featured the version of this song that I used in the video

[@bluetoothenjoyer]

I remember seeing this when I was rly small This is amazing.

[@tylerulbricht1880]

I guess you may be the creator of the next big rollercoaster in real life! Great job

[@KTB_ant]

Awesome video I love how you did it in first person and stuff

[@ronan.otoole]

This looks insane!

[@stephensummers1958]

I wish that construction thread was still online. I would really like to see how you build that "thrill lift"!!

[@kaiquebosa7053]

You're perfect! It's very nice!

[@andyszwejda3101]

In my view, K'NEX are like the next generation Tinker Toys.

[@toainsully]

Reminds me of something out of Roller Coaster Tycoon 3

[@Alex-wn5rc]

This needs to be turned into a real coaster. I'm going to be a roller coaster designer. Maybe I can make this.

[@albertrevengasalat3051]

WOW! Nice job, AWESOME.

[@djtheking5960]

I like the music

[@RyanONeill13]

The catch car works with the micro chain as is - no changes needed. I like the micro chain because it looks more proportionally realistic than the bigger chain links.

[@bellageorgina.h]

Asid3 from the elevator this could be an actual ride. It's really cool. Lu ke I don't like coasters but I can sort of see myself riding it

[@MrMule-vw1lq]

It looks awesome. Wish we can do this in planet coaster

[@AdrianL2805]

I think it kind of looks like gravity max a vekoma tilt coaster although this one wont be rough. Great job my favourite knex roller coaster.

[@AdrianL2805]

i love this video

[@markknex]

Amazing model, thanks for building it. It appears to work very reliably (I have great trouble getting my outdor models working reliably due to all the rain on them).

[@sporech9374]

Ryan, do you use a micro controller with this to computerise the chain etc. like Arduino or Raspberry Pi?

[@RyanONeill13]

+Sporech No, I used a Lego NXT robot to do that. However, I've gotten a lot of experience with Arduino at my internship, so I would probably use one to control the next ride I build.

[@sporech9374]

Cool, i'm working on an Arduino knex rollercoaster right now.

[@RollTerps]

When I saw the title I thought he made that one coaster in Sweden that had one element called the scorpion tail.

[@RollTerps]

Toby Rix damn my bad

[@jodini5]

Why would anyone "dislike" this video...jealous I guess....

[@davidrivera7494]

Joe Cole because they have their phones broke?

[@TytonidaeIndustries]

im jealous, but thats no reason to dislike it

[@darkforestzombie218]

Yep

[@tieknarrow3676]

This is insane

[@thebartonchannel5960]

HUGE THUMBS UP!👍👍👍👍 Awesome vid man!

[@slightlyistorical1776]

I wanted K’nex so bad when I was little

[@Grape694]

So smooth

[@magnetmantalkstoyou]

5 star build! I'm inspired!

[@spinninlock]

This. Is. Insane.

[@khxn7124]

Smooth coaster

[@Djstefsteff]

Ryan, how did you connect the lego mindstorms motor to the chain, did you maybe use a lego gear, because you also use micro knex chains?