43 replies to this topic

[timtimlaz]

Could you use external battery packs for the motors?

[IonZer0]

YES! I might finally get to participate, because I went to an academy middle school, so I was slammed with work all the time! But now I'm in high school with a lot less work! Expect a coaster from me, guys!!!

[Maxlaam]

Get used to it boys. By the time you reach my age years go by like weeks and you find yourself saying "was that really 30 years ago?? Seems like yesterday" It's most alarming when you look at kids. For instance my daughter was only 6 when I started playing with KNex with her. Now she is in high school! And sometimes I run into old friends of mine who are now grandparents and they last time I saw their kids they were in grammar school!

Enjoy your youth to it's fullest extend.

Oh yeah, and NEVER grow up!

Wise words my friend, I can hardly believe I'm just in my twenties now...

Wait, I'm confused. For VV, it's five blue rods? Or five orange rods? Because with the regular sized knex the gray rods are the longest, so with VV it should be five orange rods?

The same size as SS, so 5 gray rods including connectors.

I believe it's 5 standard gray rods now.

That is correct Last year started of with a smaller size for VV but that was changed later on as VV's track size isn't always a advantage.

Alright now VV has the same size restriction as SS! I was hoping for something else but I guess this is okay, it was pretty fun last year.

What exactely were you hoping for? Please give us feedback for later contests!

Could you use external battery packs for the motors?

External battery packs are supposed to fit in the cube, adapters are not, as said in the rules. 12V motors including an adapter and possbily an extensioncord combined are much bigger than a K'NEX motor which is battery operated. In the end a 12V motor is including the way it is supossed to be mounted is not much bigger or smaller than a battery operated motor.

[frosb013]

Just wondering does it have to be a roller coaster or can it be anything to do with theme park rides.

[Knexrule11]

Just wondering does it have to be a roller coaster or can it be anything to do with theme park rides.

It has to be a roller coaster.

[CW5X]

Even though this contest is heavily leaning towards theming (not that I have any problem with that), I'm still guessing that this contest is like last year's in that everything including all theming must fit into the cube and connectors. I'm cool either way. Just to clear up any further questions about the space you're allowed.

[frosb013]

Oh man. It is almost impossible to build a coaster in a 5x5x5 Gray cube area.

[CW5X]

Look at examples from last year and you will find out it's perfectly possible.

[Gromit15]

What ever. I might enter. I just need more parts but I can't get anything till Xmas.. I'm already on a project and only have yellow and black crossties. I have gotten my building groove back.. We'll just wait and see.

[Maxlaam]

Oh man. It is almost impossible to build a coaster in a 5x5x5 Gray cube area.

Look at last year's Tundra. That was 2 coasters in a 5x5x5 cube, easily an instant classic model too!

[soggyhotdoggg]

You can actually make a pretty decent coaster even with 5x5x5 boundaries. I might take a crack at this one and if I do I won't post it until it's complete so I don't have to go "well its cancelled."
About the rules, to anyone who doesn't know yet, you can't alter the boundaries ( like 6x3x4) even though that doesn't take up as much space. It's for you figure it out how you're gonna make your coaster. Or at least I think that's how it goes with that rule.

EDIT: I feel like I did something wrong telling the rules and that staff members are supposed to say this.

[BubbleMan 32714]

I'm in this year. Can't wait to get started.

[frosb013]

Well it looks like I will not enter because I can't seem to make a coaster track that works fit in to the 5x5 area and when I do the train get's stuck on the circuit. In my opinion this is going to suck having a space limit if it was 10x10x5 i would enter.

[SCM]

I'm going to enter.
Edit: Also, are the wires from knex motors allowed to go outside the box?

Edited by SCM, 30 November 2013 - 04:56 PM.

[ZachCreate]

Does a winter theme give you more points, (or whatever you earn)? I can't wait to start building my coaster...

[CartRacer56]

is scenery allowed to exit the cube? (roof of station)

[The Stig]

^ No. Everything must be inside the cube. Including scenery.

[IonZer0]

This is my personal opinion. I think that we should allow drills, ardinuo, and NXT because that way we can have more diverse competition. I personally do not want to see twenty eurofighters and one or two regular-lift coasters. I think that we should make the competition more interesting. This is just my opinion, so before anyone says, "Well, Tundra was a wooden coaster." I am just putting this out there.

[wyomingman]

Could I put theming or something like a snowman outside of the 5x5x5 area?

[Maxlaam]

Could I put theming or something like a snowman outside of the 5x5x5 area?

You sure can build a 5ft snowman in your porch, but everything outside of the cube has nothing to do with this contest. Only stuff inside the cube is taken into account for during the voting.