14 replies to this topic

[JohnnyR24]

Hey Everyone,

 

I'm new to SS Coasters, but wanted to share with you all what I've been working on for the past 6 months or so.

I've always wanted to build my own roller coaster model's, but never quite had the means. About a year and a half ago, I started to think up how I could make a custom model, but always got stumped with how to make the track. A little while later, I saw the Quick Track system (RIP...bummer) on go fund me and got the idea of 3-d printing tracks "ties" for the track and for making you own rails and spine out of polyethylene tubing (readily available from Lowes, HD, etc.). My brother, who owns a 3d printer, helped me design various pieces for the track and I got to work making a train (not 3d printed). Eventually after months of trial and error, we we able to design a working model in my living room last year that mostly worked (chain didn't work all the time and it valleyed occasionally in spots). Unfortunately, I moved apartments just a month or two later, so I had to take that coaster down.

Now onto this coaster. Moving into a new apartment meant I could design up a whole new coaster wherein I could hopefully fix some of the problems I had with the last model. This go-around I elected to put the coaster in my bedroom instead of the living room and got to work making a table/desk I could fit the coaster mostly on top of. It was a little more challenging coming up with a layout for this coaster, but after a couple minor setbacks, was able to come up with a solid layout. I'll be continuing to improve the coaster by taking out some of the 2x4's and replacing them with a structure that more closely resembles an actual coaster, making another train (already stared with a loch ness-looking one..) and various aesthetics of the ride itself.

 

Not super-detailed, but here are some of the supplies I used on the coaster:

Trains: 1/8" craftboard, wood putty, paint, 1/4" plexiglass, various size ball bearings, universal joints from rc car, etc.

Track: 1/4" and 1/2" polyethylene tubing, conduit straps, etc.

Chain: 4 bike chains (9 speed) connected by master links, bike cassette gears, servo, small belt, etc. 

 

If you want to see a video of the first two models I made, here is a youtube link to my channel (only has two videos right now). (Let me know if this link doesn't work, I've heard that sometimes youtube links have to be a certain way here and I'm not quite sure if this is right).

https://www.youtube....Al1i8VA4mBeIVbw

 

Hope you all enjoy! I'll be sure to post again, when I got some updates.

Attached Files

•  IMG_3996.jpg   105.35KB   2 downloads
•  IMG_4025.JPG   139.9KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_4042.JPG   104.49KB   0 downloads
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•  IMG_4075.JPG   132.96KB   0 downloads
•  Side View Model Coaster 2.jpg   151.21KB   1 downloads
•  IMG_3524.JPG   82.82KB   0 downloads
•  Helix Supports.jpeg   76.32KB   0 downloads

Edited by JohnnyR24, 26 February 2019 - 08:38 AM.

[BGTKing]

Love the realism! Just awesome stuff!

[Chaos]

Glad you finally posted it! Excited to see where these designs lead.

[XmanConstruction]

Are you going to put up the files?

Please???????

[Britfag]

That's pretty sick! The added realism is intense. 

 

Any chance you're considering 3D printing some supports, or making them yourself from PVC or the like? It'd add to the model  

[JohnnyR24]

That's pretty sick! The added realism is intense. 

 

Any chance you're considering 3D printing some supports, or making them yourself from PVC or the like? It'd add to the model

 

Thanks, appreciate it!

Eventually I would like to make some connections for supports and/or the supports from a 3d printer, but I just haven't figure out a simple way to make them that seems effective. For the time being, I'm slowly making supports out of square wood dowels which are working splendidly. Not quite sure how to add a picture here on this reply, but I'll add a picture to the original post of the helix supports I worked on this past weekend....looks just a bit better than 2x4's!

[JohnnyR24]

For the past couple months I've slowly been making supports for the coaster (mainly out of square dowel rods) replacing some of the 2x4's. Real happy with the results!

[Rollerfreak987]

Now this is the type of shit I like to see when I log in. Looking great!!

[Ghostbuster]

This is going to be great, amazing work.

[RCT2123]

And I thought it was a pain in the ass to make temporary k'nex supports, lol.  As everyone has said, this is incredible.  I can't remember seeing anything like this before.  The closest would maybe be the coaster dynamics days, but even that was still just a set you could buy.  Looking forward to seeing the full dowel rod supported coaster!

[JohnnyR24]

It been a while in the making, but I finished the Loch Ness Monster Train for the roller coaster. The body is hand made (which took the most time to cut, sand and paint) and the chassis is 3d printed. Enjoy!

[Britfag]

It been a while in the making, but I finished the Loch Ness Monster Train for the roller coaster. The body is hand made (which took the most time to cut, sand and paint) and the chassis is 3d printed. Enjoy!

 

 

That's a really sweet model dude! Think you'll move on to other ride manufacturers or models?

[JohnnyR24]

That's a really sweet model dude! Think you'll move on to other ride manufacturers or models?

Thanks!

As far as other models go, I'm definitely thinking about designing more, whether it's more Arrow Dynamics inspired models (Arrowbatic, Suspended, etc.) or some other manufacturers (newer Vekoma models might be cool...).

Probably won't be able to make a full scale coaster again in my current apartment due to space, but am thinking of at least designing more train types and a small track section that can be on display.

[JohnnyR24]

Here's a quick update video on this model i'm making: https://www.youtube....h?v=U6hvniwy0OI

Updates include supports for the loop, cobra roll/flip, corkscrew, updated chain lift, etc. I have a couple more shots in this than previous videos so you can have a chance to see how the trains, chainlift, etc. run.

Enjoy! 

[Britfag]

The pacing looks like you could really scale it down and still make the same layout - it really flies through those elements!