SpaceRail 231 Series: Level 1 to 9 running simultaneously

Kraftwerk, The Robots
The Man-Machine (1978)
SpaceRail 231-1 to 231-9
www.spacerails.com/home
Thanks to Laurie and Shorty. Only did two takes for this video, apologies that it's not exactly pro.
Thanks to PeTopple11 for the list:
0:03 level 1
0:12 level 2
0:25 level 3
0:52 level 4
1:21 level 5
2:19 level 6
3:20 level 7
4:01 level 8
4:42 level 9!
Some info on the models:
I ended up giving away all my builds, so I'm describing them from memory.
Also, a few of the models on sale are now described as "improved", so they'll differ from the ones in my video. For example, the current "Classic" Level 1 now has three base plates.
For general information and build sizes, see the official site: spacerails.com/collections/cl...
Note that the official site offers spare parts, and I did end up ordering a heap of the A1 arm and A6 rail stands, as I found the plastic tended to perish quickly in a desert environment, causing the clips to snap off.
Classic 231-1:
Adorable. This is where I started, and I found it challenging enough at the time. Hmmm... I wonder if they have other models that are a bit more difficult ?
Classic 231-2:
This one is also good fun, although the see saws are a bit tough early on. They usually require ongoing adjustment. Also a good place to start.
Classic 231-3:
Boring to build, boring to watch.
Classic 231-4:
This one is nifty, and the 3x2 panel base is a nice size which is quite easy to move around. You could start off with this if you have the patience.
Classic 231-5:
Starting to get bigger now, and quite challenging. I had a lot of trouble with the bottom loop, which isn't a great design. This was the first time I had to add a guide rail (a couple of clips and a little rail) after one of the Y-splitters to stop the balls flying off the main rail. Great when you get it going, especially with the big arm, but don't start with this one - or anything from 5 up for that matter.
Classic 231-6:
Getting quite large and hard to move now. This is a good one, the cone loop looks great but wasn't too hard to get working. See saws are always a bit of challenge.
Classic 231-7:
Okay, this is a monster. I took me ages to get the big loop working, and in the process it ended up rather elliptical. I suppose I could have disassembled it and done it again properly, but... life is too short. Getting the rail straight for the big drop is difficult, but essential. Here was when I started adding clear plastic around the elevators to stop the balls popping out of the screws when another ball caused a jolt on that elevator or elsewhere. A good feeling when you manage to get it all working properly.
Classic 231-8:
Probably easier than 7, but still a lot of work. The jump into the cup is cool, but hard to make reliable and I ended up gluing the cup into the ring. Definitely need plastic around the elevators with this one.
Classic 231-9:
Demon from hell. Huge. I found the loop-in-a-loop very difficult to get right, and almost gave up a couple of times. I had to put graphite on the central gravity screw to prevent it stalling constantly. The long run along the front didn't have enough drop, so everything had to be adjusted to get the ball to roll into the elevator. I had to make supports for the big corkscrew on the left to prevent it dropping. The best I could do was to get it all running together for a minute or two, but it is pretty cool when it's all going.

[@chriswinkler284]

Great music choice ^-^ Thanks for the upload!

[@la7zy505]

Cheers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn-yanicmcRrha8

[@James_15R]

Tossing up which one to buy. Great video and thanks writing a review of each of them in the description!

[@wmroe]

I just purchased several of these toys. I have just finished assembling #5. It looks and works great. Looking forward to assembling kits #4,#6,#7, #8 x 2, #9. Thanks for the videos of your assembled kits... I now know what to look for. ['Kraftwerk is cool audio.]

[@fliplikebrooke6449]

WE ARE THE ROBOTS OMG MAKE IT STOP HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@tomm5810]

I really like how you show the white rails in high contrast, they look like they are glowing. Is that due to the video settings?

[@la7zy505]

Thanks, but that's a complete accident. I was glad it worked at all - cut, scene, print!

[@J0hnTh3T4lking]

0:03 level 1 0:12 level 2 0:25 level 3 0:52 level 4 1:21 level 5 2:19 level 6 3:20 level 7 4:01 level 8 4:42 level 9!

[@kayerk]

Not all heroes wear capes

[@user-od5bm5yt2b]

//я твой слуга// я твой работник//

[@cliffcampbell8827]

If there was a power switch at the end of the rails (where the marble is picked up) that would turn the marble lifting mechanism to *on* and another power switch at the beginning of the rails (where the marble is released) that would cut power to the lifting mechanism, that would be at least 10 to 12% better.

[@szymonch5546]

Nice😁

[@smiley800]

First thing that popped into my head was Kraftwerk! The rest is cool too.

[@clipdigger64]

Niceeeeee

[@hopkidokid]

If u wanted could u connect diffrent lvls together? Like jist as an ex: connecting lvl 5+3 or 4+6 etc etc basically making mostly any kind of run you'd wanna make?

[@user-qt3wv8fn4u]

don't know why no one answer you in 7 months, but yes, you can join different sets or divide them: buy high level set and build three independent simple rail coasters, no problem. Of course you can build your personal coaster, in the video author presented default ones.

[@monkyspnk777]

Are the rails sensitive to black light or are there ways that you can change the color?

[@jamieslocks1822]

ever think of trying to use the gate switchers and spare parts to get all 9 of them linked together into one massive system?

[@la7zy505]

Good question, but... this alone was a bit harder than it might appear. For example: while I was setting them up, the temperature would change a few degrees and previously stable rails would start spilling balls all over the place, and I'd have to go back to the first one and start again. By the time I'd done the work to make this little vid, I was suffering from SpaceRail fatigue - when the sound of a metal ball hitting the ground starts to trigger anxiety attacks, it's time to move on ;-)

[@jashnashivnani8772]

@@la7zy505 how much time did it take to build these all?estimately

[@la7zy505]

@@jashnashivnani8772 Maybe a day each for level 3 onward - you get faster as you go along. However, the tricky loops on 7 and 9 took longer. I'm determined, but clumsy ;-)

[@franknordstrom4033]

Cool

[@anaisgasparbarredo8926]

My boyfriend is a big fan of roller coasters and automatons so I am thinking about giving one of this sets as a present. Which one would yo choose? Can you tell me how big they are when they are built?

[@la7zy505]

Howdy. I've added some info to the description if you want to check that out. I recommend you start your boyfriend off with Level 1 and maybe Level 4. That way he can get used to the quirks with Level 1, then pull it to bits and use it for spare parts when making the more advanced ones. Level 4 is a nice size, the site says 61 x 25 x 36 cm (24 x 10 x 14 inches). They get quite big and hard to move around from 5 upwards. Cheers

[@user-jg5ol8cx7x]

凄いですね。私はレベル4 3年かけてもできません

[@nathanwrigley9278]

Hi, I'm in the U.K and cant seem to find anywhere to buy this apart from the space rail website. Can anyone help me?

[@TheDjFac]

Nice work! Di you remember what you used to make the transparent tube around first level elevator?

[@la7zy505]

thanks. the covers on the elevators are just office laminator sheets with a touch of. tape. just enough to stop the jolt of incoming balls knocking others out of the screw. cheers

[@TheDjFac]

la7zy great idea! Many thanks!

[@la7zy505]

@@TheDjFac Now that I think about it, some of them may have been just standard office document sleeves - it doesn't take much to keep the balls in there, but if the sleeve is too rigid/restrictive the additional friction can cause the screw motor to struggle. I suppose it is kinda cheating, but... you can't get that kind of expert advice just anywhere ;-P

[@paulisli3051]

Could you advise me which level to choose for the first time 5 or 4? Because I'm afraid that level 5 will be too difficult. Sorry for the mistakes, I don't know English very well.

[@la7zy505]

5 has a loop that I had trouble with, so I'd say 4. Cheers

[@rocketsurgeon11]

I know this video is old and not much traffic, but I am trying to put a Level 9 together and I can't get the loop inside the loop built. I got the outside, but I can not seem to get the inner loops done. I have tried to do it several ways and just can't get it. I had it at one point, but I didn't have enough of the rail to make the turn afterwards, so I had to undo it and try again. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@la7zy505]

It sounds like you're on the right track. I used a couple of cylinders (a water jug and a paper roll from memory) to help form the spirals, you could try that. I must admit I also ordered extra rail so I could start fresh if I got frustrated with how it was forming up. Number 9 is a monster, very hard to get working at all, almost impossible to run it consistently - you can see a ball or two hung up in that vid. Good luck ;-)

[@rocketsurgeon11]

@@la7zy505 Thank you for the help! I will give that a shot. Where did you order spare parts from? I tried to find some, but the only place that seemed promising looks like it's gone or never really was.

[@la7zy505]

​@@rocketsurgeon11 Yep, I think you're right - it seems spacerails.com died some years ago. How time flies. Looks like there's a fair amount of apparently genuine parts on eBay, Amazon and even AliExpress. Buyer beware, but they are probably more reliable sources than spacerails.com ever was.

[@WakeandBlake_420]

Im on 8 and ive gotten the first 2 sections to work and then when i got to the down hill into the horizontal loop i cant it get it to generate enough force to get through the whole loop. I wish i had help with this thing. Im so close to just putting it back in the box

[@la7zy505]

I hope you didn't give up! Yep, those loops are horrible, and mine ended up rather squished after much adjustment. I think the trick is making sure the run down from the top and the first loop are REALLY smooth. Easier said than done X-/

[@Hamsta-The-Hamster]

Why do 7 and 8 look more complicated than 9 💀

[@Someone-zl5wv]

Can you build a new own designed spacerail?

[@aureliusprimus]

Very fine !! Are rails made with metal or plastic ? 😀

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

Plastic; posts are thin metal. You wouldn't want metal rails though it would be way too heavy; plus some of the newer sets glow in the dark.

[@aureliusprimus]

@@MikeMPharmaCyclist Thanks a lot !

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

@@aureliusprimus you're welcome! I just recently built the Level 3 and it was a ton of fun and my boys and I love it. AliExpress has a ton of them for decent prices.

[@THEarrasBuddhist]

The level 3 space rail took me 10 days to complete...

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

That seems like a really long time to be honest. That was my first build and I built it in probably a day but it was over 3 nights after work of maybe two hours each really. I will say that I actually think sleeping and taking a break and coming back to it is very helpful because your brain takes in new information and wires it better and you sort of get a new perspective the next time you look at things. There is also a lot of great reference in the manual that shouldn't be overlooked even though it can be difficult to translate the Chinese if you are not a Chinese speaker.

[@tawan5753]

Is this too difficult for a 7 year old

[@_balledits_9019]

eshay eshay

[@benztruck1936]

Level three big let down.

[@la7zy505]

Agreed

[@_balledits_9019]

eshay

[@_balledits_9019]

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[@_balledits_9019]

eshay

[@_balledits_9019]

eshay