69 replies to this topic

[OddlyCreative]

I think a helix would be a good idea but I also think you could do small airtime hills on your way back to the station

[OddlyCreative]

Or even a corkscrew over the launch

[CoasterWarriorUnlessSleeping]

Buckle, transition into inclined helix, ending with a heart-line roll (Cheetah-Hunt-esque) that heads back to the station, parallel with the launch tracks. I feel like you can't go wrong with a heart-line roll... especially with all of the "Volcano the Blast" influences:)

[IOAgeek]

Try to fit a heartline roll and a upward helix into the break run, that'd be awesome! I would say support the hill and turn a little bit more in the last update, but you said you have plenty of speed so well see what happens.

Edited by IOAgeek, 18 February 2018 - 01:57 AM.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

I like all of those ideas, and I think I can incorporate almost all of them into the layout. I'm not sure if I'll have enough speed for a helix into the brake run. But I can do a buckel and helix (both already built) into a heartline roll and hills back toward the station.

FYI, building a helix in the middle of a mountain structure is a huge pain. I can barely even reach my hands into some parts. On the bright side, structural rigidity is never gonna be an issue.

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I'm just getting the shape for now, so I'll go back and support the past few elements once I finish the helix.
I also re-worked one of the upper turns because it had poor shaping. Sharp spots and awkward banking...the usual.

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[IOAgeek]

The helix needs a few more supports but other that that I like it a lot. Use those brakes that you used on clockwork, those were super cool and realistic. Are you out of red tubing cause I like when it all matches each other it looks better imo? There's a random green rod that's connected onto that blue 3d, located above the hill in the third picture btw.

Edited by IOAgeek, 19 February 2018 - 03:58 PM.

[Muzz135]

Nothing but perfection (as usual)
Love this so far - layout has character and really nicely paced with the launch! I’m also very impressed at the minimal amount of shaking the structure has.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Thanks! I'm also surprised with how sturdy the structure is. I've accidentally walked into it a few times and cut myself on exposed blue 3D connectors, haha.

I forgot to mention the red tubing. I don't have enough purple or red to do it all in one color, so I'm gonna use red tubing in the middle and purple on the sides. That's what I've done for every single coaster I've built, so why switch it up now?

I'm thinking I'll experiment with some brown paper and black spray paint to see if I can get realistic volcanic rock. It would be pretty fun to theme this coaster, but I only want to do it if it will actually look good.

EDIT: Check it out. Crumpled brown paper, sprayed with a can of wall spackle to give it texture, and some black spray paint on top.

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[YolosweggLord]

I like the way that paper looks! The wall sparkle really gives it that extra touch of detail.

[CW5X]

Great work on the layout. I’m certainly looking forward to what the theming has to offer.

Edited by CW5X, 23 February 2018 - 12:25 PM.

[Chaos]

I'm pumped that you decided to go with the theming after all.

 

Crumpled paper works surprisingly well for how cheap it is (even without using spray paint). I usually hot glue it together. The only thing I'd keep in mind is . . . if you want realistic-looking entrances and exits from the mountain, you should make separate tunnels for all the entrances/exits so you can't just see the whole interior of the mountain structure just by looking through a hole.

[IOAgeek]

I like the theming a lot, I would say just paint the whole paper black like you have so far, instead of leaving some brown spots intake still. It will look better tbh.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad that the theming will be appreciated - it seems like a lot of work, but I think I'll have a lot of fun with it. I think the rockwork alone will be enough, so I don't plan to do anything else.

Crumpled paper works surprisingly well for how cheap it is (even without using spray paint). I usually hot glue it together. The only thing I'd keep in mind is . . . if you want realistic-looking entrances and exits from the mountain, you should make separate tunnels for all the entrances/exits so you can't just see the whole interior of the mountain structure just by looking through a hole.

Thanks, that's really helpful. So how do you connect the pieces of paper so that the edges aren't really obvious?


I've continued the layout with a diving turn and bunny hill. Now I'm all lined up to head back toward the station! This is the longest layout I've ever built and I like it. I still need to add supports to the helix and bunny hill... it's just so annoying to reach inside the mountain

 

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[Chaos]

I really impressed at how well it keeps its speed!

 

And for the edges of the paper, I usually just rip the edges off and throw them away.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

^ Gotcha, thanks. Well I'll try my best!

 

This update is mostly incremental updates. First, I completely cleaned and re-painted my trains. I like the look a lot better, and they keep speed slightly better than before (it's hardly noticeable).

 

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I rebuilt the launch track using rods instead of tubing to guide the catch car. It's the same design I used on Tron, and it uses way fewer pieces! Plus, the red rods match the red middle tubing now. I also upgraded to a stronger motor with a planetary gearbox (that's the black box on the other side of the motor). It should be able to reset the launch in about 10 seconds, as opposed to 60 seconds with the smaller motor.

 

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I've also completed the layout with a turn and a hill up into a brake run. I'm quite happy with these brakes! I copied the design from Clockwork but made the retracting mechanism more compact so that it all fits under the track. I'll be using servo motors and an Arduino for automation, by the way.

 

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I almost forgot, le piece de resistance - the test video:

 

 

 

I can't wait to complete the circuit and start automating this thing!

[rgarner42]

Nice!

I love the trains. I might have to buy some paint to re-do mine. 

 

Any chance of a launch tutorial (pre-automation) for inept people like me?  

Edited by rgarner42, 28 February 2018 - 12:06 PM.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Any chance of a launch tutorial (pre-automation) for inept people like me?

You mean a tutorial on how to build it? Sure I could put one together!


And now for the best feeling ever as a builder: complete circuit!
The funny thing is, I have no idea if jo-jo rolls are even any fun to ride.

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It's crazy how much stability the flexi-rods and black connectors add to a heartline roll. Before I put them on, it would bend a lot under the weight of the train.

[rgarner42]

Beautiful coaster.  I hope you can pull off the theming, and I look forward to seeing the automation in action. 

 

I don't either, but jo-jo rolls seem to be a classic element in k'nex coaster layouts. 

Edited by rgarner42, 04 March 2018 - 09:00 AM.

[SCM]

Ohhh man I LOVE a jojo roll right after the station! Really gives it that extra-badass feel.  

Edited by SCM, 05 March 2018 - 09:52 AM.

[IOAgeek]

Dang that looks awesome! I would like to see the station have a little more detail with a roof, and a catwalk for the break run and then i am happy! Can we see a full test run as well?

Edited by IOAgeek, 05 March 2018 - 11:54 AM.