wabbit42 said:
Firstly, sorry if this thread is in the wrong forum, I couldn't decide where to place it :? .
Also, I apologise if this topic has been discussed before, but I don't remember it.
So I was randomly browsing the net when I came across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWHdyRFX348
Which I thought was epic imo....
And then these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5V5Dpz_SNk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-wKuplghs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z2-LAfl72Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFUTDUc28wQ&feature=related
I think these are great, but I don't have the patience to make anything like them... :roll:
Anyway, discuss (or flame) away....
I've been building with K'nex since I was 3, and watching these brings back good memories of my earlier childhood. Being a semifinalist for the 2010 K'nexpert Contest (I was sooooooooo dang close to being a finalist! Grrrrrr...) I can look at these videos and appreciate them and the time the builder put into them. They are truly amazing and I hope to make a coaster of my own someday and put them on Youtube. (I actually did for the 2009 contest, but sadly, it didn't qualify for the semifinals.)
The only downside I can think of is the physics. If you have a 5 foot lift hill and drop it to the ground, it probably won't make it through a 3 foot loop :\
bizarrofan10 said:
1. Do any of you use the new KNEX microparts and track? I prefer the old big parts and track.
2. How large of trains do you use? And do you use anything to add weight to the cars. For example, in these videos there are lots of hills on the coasters, and from my experience the car can only clear a hill half the size of the prior hill. Any advice?
I personally prefer the original parts as they are easier to work with. Like mentioned above, the micro track sticks in its shape once you bend it and that can impact the entire structure. Unfortunately the older pieces, such as the track connectors, can be hard to find. The original cars are easier to work with, as you can add weights to the bottom of the cars to maximize speed, remove the wheels, and lubricate the track.
You can add weights by placing pennies to the bottom of the Screaming Serpent cars. I have seen people do this and it definitely increases the overall speed of the coaster. That and lubricating the wheels and the track.
About clearing hills: Make sure you have long trains and weights added for max speed. On the hills make sure your supports are strongly supported (such that they don't wiggle a millimeter when the train passes through) and the tubing is nice and smooth. If it's bumpy or has scissor marks from cutting, etc. that will impact the train's speed a lot and may not make it over the hill. Also, if you have any spliced track make sure it's spliced correctly. Incorrect splices will also impact the train's speed.
You can also add the "anti rollback" system thingy on the hills, too. I have seen people do that, and I think the way to do that is to place the smallest green rods such that they act like the chain: when the dog catches onto them, they prevent the car from rolling back. I myself have not tested this system yet but I have seen similar methods on Youtube; thus I am confident it will work.
The Dragon's Drop Coaster, which is not in production anymore, featured actual inverted cars---like the ones on Alpengeist or Dragon Challenge. That, IMO, was probably one of the smartest moves K'nex has done with coasters. Now you can re-create actual inverted coasters with those cars instead of turning the track and cars upside down
Also, there is a launcher for the micro parts and trains, and I do have to say it is quite powerful. My friend has one and I got to observe the launch, speed, etc.
So, is anyone up for recreating Volcano: The Blast Coaster? I think it's possible; have the launches in both places, and that should be enough to propel the train into the "roll out". If it clears the rollout then the rest should be fine. I'd love to see that.
