27 replies to this topic

[Gromit15]

Hello everyone, I am once again back from the dead and feel like this project is worth sharing. For those who may remember, I made a mega lite a year or two ago (Survivor). Since it was made of "tox supports", the coaster ate all of my SS colored parts. This time, I decided to go with a tube supported coaster, an unfamiliar building technique to me, sure to be a challenge. So I present to you the successor of Survivor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All comments are helpful and motivational. Thanks for reading!
 

Edited by Gromit15, 06 October 2017 - 01:17 AM.

[YolosweggLord]

This looks sexy. Have fun figuring out box tube(edit) supports, I've tried them a few times (in micro) and they were giving me a hard time.

Edited by YolosweggLord, 07 September 2017 - 10:09 AM.

[sean9782]

reminds a lot of the first [art of my launch coaster from earlier this year, although yours is MUCH smoother and better supported. I would say add on more support too the exit of the first turn, but if it isn't shaking righnt now, you're probably alright. Excited to see where this goes!

[SCM]

I love seeing TT motors. Those supports for the I305 curve are majestic. If I remember correctly, most coasters that start out like this are taped down and/or have lateral supports - of course, others have been taller and/or the train was heavier. If this doesn't shake, we may have to rewrite knex physics as we know it. 

[IOAgeek]

I'm liking it so far tbh. How is the track in the turn connected to those tube supports besides using the hols oof the one way connectors cause idk if thats strong enough imo? Make sure your cars are fully weighted, I would say use three cars for the train and make sure you add a catwalk for the lift hill. On the bottom of chain return when the chain goes back over that blue rod to the red gear, you should but a small gray wheel or some spacers on the blue rod, like I did for python'a chain return and station chain return. It makes the lift more smoother, quieter, and won't ruin your knex piece when the chain has to go over that blue rod every single time!

Edited by IOAgeek, 03 September 2017 - 11:07 PM.

[Gromit15]

This looks sexy. Have fun figuring out box supports, I've tried them a few times (in micro) and they were giving me a hard time.

Thanks dude! The box supports are only used for the lift hill, nothing else. So they weren't too complicated

 

reminds a lot of the first [art of my launch coaster from earlier this year, although yours is MUCH smoother and better supported. I would say add on more support too the exit of the first turn, but if it isn't shaking righnt now, you're probably alright. Excited to see where this goes!

The exit of the turn is actually one of the sturdier parts of the ride. Granted, barely any of this ride shakes too much, but it shouldn't be a problem. 

I love seeing TT motors. Those supports for the I305 curve are majestic. If I remember correctly, most coasters that start out like this are taped down and/or have lateral supports - of course, others have been taller and/or the train was heavier. If this doesn't shake, we may have to rewrite knex physics as we know it. 

Well it looks like I defied physics because there is minimal stress and shaking from the lift hill. Thank you so much! 

I'm liking it so far tbh. How is the track in the turn connected to those tube supports besides using the hols oof the one way connectors cause idk if thats strong enough imo? Make sure your cars are fully weighted, I would say use three cars for the train and make sure you add a catwalk for the lift hill. On the bottom of chain return when the chain goes back over that blue rod to the red gear, you should but a small gray wheel or some spacers on the blue rod, like I did for python'a chain return and station chain return. It makes the lift more smoother, quieter, and won't ruin your knex piece when the chain has to go over that blue rod every single time!

Thank you! I'm going to use a 4 car weighted train. I added the catwalk and the chain return, pics will be in the update!

 

So I've added a turnaround and an airtime hill, this will then lead into a left hand turn and then play it by ear from there. It's really interesting using tube supports, experimenting with news ways to connect them, etc. Here is the overview of the coaster, detailed pics, and a test. 

Here is the return gear for the chain:

Track to support connections for those curious:

Station I built a long time ago, refined.

 

However, I raised the airtime hill today, so the test is outdated. Not much else changed.

https://www.youtube....h?v=u1av-jjy6Uo

 

I hope you like it! Please share your thoughts and suggestions!

All the best, 

-Tracer

 

[sean9782]

Still looking great, only thing I'd say is add middle tubing. Keep up the great work!

[YolosweggLord]

This looks sexy. Have fun figuring out box supports, I've tried them a few times (in micro) and they were giving me a hard time.

Correction: I meant tube supports, not box supports. My bad.

 

This has some wonderful flow so far. And I'm loving that station.

[rgarner42]

Impressive. Really good shaping and supporting. Just add some middle tubing. 

I hope you still have plenty of speed left. 

[IOAgeek]

I like the catwalks a lot and the layout looks good so far, good luck adding the rest of it in that space though.

[Gromit15]

Still looking great, only thing I'd say is add middle tubing. Keep up the great work!

Thank you! I am planning on adding middle tubing later, I don't want to have to continuously take off tubing when adjusting or building elements, so once I get a good foundation or finish it, then I'll finalize the colors and tubing. 

 

Correction: I meant tube supports, not box supports. My bad.

 

This has some wonderful flow so far. And I'm loving that station.

No worries! Thanks!

 

Impressive. Really good shaping and supporting. Just add some middle tubing. 

I hope you still have plenty of speed left. 

I believe I will have enough speed left for a couple more elements, and thank you! 

 

I like the catwalks a lot and the layout looks good so far, good luck adding the rest of it in that space though.

I took your advice! As for the space, I now have some. Goodwill came and picked up a good amount of stuff from the garage so now I have plenty to work with. 

 

So as I just said, the garage was cleaned out and that gives me a lot of space. I will be moving the coaster away from the garage door so there will be more space for elements after what is pictured. Enough talking, here are the pictures:

 

The test:

 

Don't be afraid to comment! 

 

-Tracer

[dylpickled]

Are you going to use a booster? It seems like you've already used all of your speed . Other than that I'm really loving the supports and how flowy the ride is. Keep it up!

[Rollerfreak987]

I think that the turn after the airtime hill is way too big. Looks like a bigger diameter than the first turn! If you make it smaller you'll conserve speed, and make the coaster more visually appealing.

Other than the one small gripe, I really like it. Keep up the good work

[IOAgeek]

I think you have to add middle tubing now, because it will help strengthen and smooth your track out, giving you a little bit more speed on the turns and hills for the layout. You should also lube your trains and see if that works as well. The supports look sturdy imo, just the low to the ground turns and long air hills are allowing the train's speed to lose fast I can tell.

Edited by IOAgeek, 13 September 2017 - 08:58 PM.

[SCM]

I love it when people use micro pieces for their stations on SS style coasters. 

[Gromit15]

Are you going to use a booster? It seems like you've already used all of your speed . Other than that I'm really loving the supports and how flowy the ride is. Keep it up!

 
No boosters! That was my main goal, to make the ride flowy and nice to look at.
 

I think that the turn after the airtime hill is way too big. Looks like a bigger diameter than the first turn! If you make it smaller you'll conserve speed, and make the coaster more visually appealing.
Other than the one small gripe, I really like it. Keep up the good work

 
The turn was actually a smaller diameter than the first one but I made it smaller. Thanks!
 

I think you have to add middle tubing now, because it will help strengthen and smooth your track out, giving you a little bit more speed on the turns and hills for the layout. You should also lube your trains and see if that works as well. The supports look sturdy imo, just the low to the ground turns and long air hills are allowing the train's speed to lose fast I can tell.

 
Yeah the turns are making the coaster loose speed. The trains were lubed a couple of years ago but I redid them and there was not much of a difference. I'll use newer trains and plan to lube those when I am able to finish painting them.
 

I love it when people use micro pieces for their stations on SS style coasters.

Thank you! It sure takes up a lot of pieces.

So I made the turn smaller and that allows for a better looking element and proportions. I can't upload pictures right now, as my computer broke and my phone does not allow me to attach pictures from my SSC gallery album. However, I can paste a link of the test.
https://youtu.be/5SLnXe_dHtw
Feel free to comment!

[G Force]

Shame you're losing speed so fast, this layout is begging for some airtime and camel-back hills.  What you have looks very nice though, smooth and clean.  Love the first element under the lift, great placement.

[Gromit15]

Shame you're losing speed so fast, this layout is begging for some airtime and camel-back hills.  What you have looks very nice though, smooth and clean.  Love the first element under the lift, great placement.

It really is. If only friction wasn't as strong with Knex. Thanks very much! 

 

 

SO. I have finished the layout, not too much was added after the turn but its something to finish the ride off. I have some teaser pics and a video. I am actually planning on making a final video for this coaster and think I have the tools to finish the job. Lighting will be a big factor in the video. Teasers!

 

(Please tell me if this video doesn't work, Ill upload it as a Youtube video if necessary)

 

Final video coming soon! 

Thank you all!

 

-Tracer

[SCM]

The lighting is indeed a nice touch. The video (needed to be downloaded btw, but it works)... was that a nod to Kumbai? 

[G Force]

It works alright but Youtube would be much better, just easier for everyone to view it that way.