7 replies to this topic

[kevcoast]

Hello, first i just want to say how much i love seeing all the different designs here on this site... THEY ARE ALL AMAZING! So my girlfriend got me one of the micro coasters and i had that thing running in no time! i really liked it and already started tweaking with the layout... However i want to take this to the next level and start making some big coasters like the ones i have seen on here... I've been looking ebay trying to find a good bulk of some of the supplies i need but frankly i am not sure of everything i will need. Can someone on here give me an estimate to what it costs to build one of these really cool replica coasters? or even their own designs are pretty bad-ass....

Here is the one i was looking at

KNEX Large Lot Motors 5 Different Sets w Instructions 4000 Pcs 30 Lbs | eBay

[Gvus]

I started by just getting a bunch of sets, once I get 4-5 decent sized sets I could build pretty good stuff. Using sets gets you a good variety of parts.

[kevcoast]

Which sets did you get? I see mostly just the screaming serpent

[Maxlaam]

Which sets did you get? I see mostly just the screaming serpent

The Screamin' Serpent is the set that introduced the roller-coaster track to the K'NEX brand (not counting the original coaster which was made entirely out of classic K'NEX). While the Vertical Vengeance introduced the pre-fab track pieces, which is now also on the rise.

It's really up to you, both styles have their pros and cons. Eitherway, classic K'NEX is pretty much always a base item which you need to build a ride. A goods starting point to start building with SS-track would be to get around 3-4 sets of them or similar track styled sets. Rippin' Rocket, Shark Run, Storm Mountain, Sorcerer's Eclipse, Thunderbolt Strike. You really need those sets for the track pieces, tubing and the coaches(coaches are themed in Shark Run and Rippin' Rocket, those do not connect to the ones from others sets to form a train.) I can't give you an estimate on how much a second hand SS would cost, I haven't bought any of them lately and the value of those sets differs greatly between the US and the Netherlands.

[Rollerfreak987]

As far as the price set for my coasters; I probably have some odd $400 to $500 dollars worth of stuff, both standard and micro. However I tend to build larger models than the normal 4-6 foot range.

[kevcoast]

So it looks like Sorcerer's Eclipse and screaming serpent are the best to get based on looking up the coasters... However, Sorcerer's Eclipse is really expensive where i can get 2 screaming serpents for < 100$

[Rollerfreak987]

I would personally just look for Screamin' Serpents and Rippin' Rockets.

A good tip is to look for massive lots of K'nex once you've got a 4-5 car train situated.

EDIT: Here are some good deals.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item5b0d0d5042 3 days left

http://www.ebay.com/...=item19fc166ecf

This contains part of a SS:

http://www.ebay.com/...=item4d2dfa77a2

(It also appears to come with a can of V8)



Those are some decent ones I've found. Do note that the SS comes with a train, and the RR comes with just a single car. Which is one of the reasons the SSs are more expensive. Hope you find these links useful .

Edited by Rollerfreak987, 23 February 2015 - 05:44 PM.

[Murphyyy]

I have been buying the set Big Ball Machine set as they have a big variety of parts which are very useful for the structure of the coaster, i have bought a couple really cheap £20-35 each, That's great for a 3000 piece set.