185 replies to this topic

[Knexrule11]

Wow, this looks really nice! It looks just like a real one with those rods on top. And I like what you did with the station so you can see the train! Really creative.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

thanks guys!

all that's left is tweaking things and for looks.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

sorry DP

I used these guys for crash test dummies. I had to make a few modifications to protect them ;-) Fortunately, this is now as close as they get to losing a head or a limb. Good thing Knex people can't reach their hands over their head!

[Blackkitty]

No theming? Wait what coaster was this modeled after? I'm confused about the red rods just sticking out.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

It's not done yet.... As for what is it based on?? No ones even tried to guess that!

It's a very loose interpretation due to the size restrictions.
It should be easy with this clue.

[chaindogg33]

Hey i got a question....what motor are you currently using onthe lift? Is that the 6v "tony" motor? you don't think it works that well?

[ForgotToGrowUp]

Tony? It's a Terrain Trekker 6v motor. It works fine but it is loud and eats up batteries. I am switching to a pair of electric motors because they are quieter and don't waste batteries.

I used 2 TT motors on Vortex and had to change the batteries many times. 8 batteries a shot added up fast!

[Blackkitty]

But for electric motors, you need 3-4 to make a good lift hill. The TT is generally cheaper.

Also FTGU, are you gonna make cool flags like the real ride?

[chaindogg33]

Sorry this is getting off topic for this thread but, I think if you have a small lift and your trains aren't wieghted that much that 2 -12v motors would work well. After debating myself i decided to buy another motor pack (12v) and use 2 on my next ride.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

I'm still waiting for an electric motor to come in the mail so I have 2 for the lift hill, but based on what others have told me I was under the impression 2 would lift a heavy train up a hill just fine.

This train is a little heavy, 4 cars with 20 pennies each.

[SuperTKDKid]

Tony? It's a Terrain Trekker 6v motor. It works fine but it is loud and eats up batteries. I am switching to a pair of electric motors because they are quieter and don't waste batteries.

I used 2 TT motors on Vortex and had to change the batteries many times. 8 batteries a shot added up fast!

That happened to me as well on my last coaster The Figure 8. Of course I was lazy so I just unscrewed the bottom and put new ones in. The batteries in the SS motors last a long, long time. The only problem with SS motors are that you have to use more than one, and if one loses power faster than another and slows down, it creates problems.

[commando]

Wow. There is so much going on in so little space! Good job. The motor in the video doesnt seem that bad. Just fix the chain dog so it doesnt hang up a bit at the end. Otherwise nice coaster!

[CCI]

Great job so far! I really like the way your going with this.

[ickus305]

Two electric motors should be fine. When I was doing testing and did not have extra motors, I could run my very heavy 5 car trains up the super long lift with only 2 motors on Basilisk Rail. A heavier load will cause more stress on the motors, but unless you plan on running all day long, 2 will be fine.

Excellent job on the ride. Love the station and the brakes look excellent in the station. Glad your Knex people do not lose their heads while riding.

[Justin]

i see a contest winner brill very smooth

[RNB]

This coaster looks really good! Nothing to comment on!

[ForgotToGrowUp]

Thanks again everyone.

BlackKitty, what do you mean "no theming"? Themeing is more than just cotten balls and Knex trees. I like to think the entire structure of this ride represents a theme. I paid very close attention to detail so that all parts of this ride follow the same patterns. Yes there will eventually be flags on the red rods.

I am also putting together a new train for this ride to tie in with the old woody theme more than the train I am testing with.

Still waiting for that motor. Don't you hate it when eBay sellers are slow to ship!?

[ForgotToGrowUp]

DP but it has been over 2 weeks since my last update. I have been putting the finishing touches on Whirlwind between going skiing every weekend.

It's finally done (well 99.999%) and I plan to shoot the final pictures and video this weekend and do the editing to get it in before the 13th.

Here are some pics of some of the updates, all pretty minor.

I added a catwalk (as much as I could, no room near the bottom)



and of course a sign at the top!





I decided instead of using those red rods for flags I would add a railing around the coaster.



and the little inside rail to this turn





I carried the railing all the way around, I like the way it looks



I added stairs on either side of the station.



One of the last things to be done is I want to swap out the TT motor on the lift for electrics. The TT works fine but the noise it makes drives me nuts and I am sick of changing batteries. I was lucky enough to get an electric motor that runs the opposite direction of others so I was able to configure them like this. That helped keep this new power source nice and compact.





It has to be because it is going to go way down at the bottom of this, inside the turn near the base of the lift. My plan is to slide the entire coaster off the edge of the table and install this from underneath. Trying to reach over the top or through the structure is impossible.



The only other thing left is to finish off my new train. I didn't want to use my red one or purple one because I did not like the way they looked with this coaster's color scheme. I decided I wanted a blue train. I have a bunch of cars I have not used so I am making a 6 car train even though I will not use that many on this coaster. 2 of the middle cars are converted backs. Here they are in the paint booth.



and after I finished painting.

[Jester1960]

Love the Metalic blue cars, very nice
The whole coaster is fantastic
good job

[The Stig]

All of the details on this coaster look fantastic. And those are the best looking cars I've ever seen.