21 replies to this topic

[Outerlimits659]

Yes, I am going to attempt to build a freefall tower out of knex. It will be reasonably small and will use a yellow base rod. So far, I have the base built and a small Prototype of a tower section/car frame. Pics....




Comments appreciated!!!

-BC69 :fdevil

[kingdakrazy]

cool! there's really not much to say right now. will it reset itself?

[Outerlimits659]

^Yes, if everything works out as planned.:tmbs This will hopefully be Christmas themed if I finish it in time.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Yay! Nice idea with the tower and wheel spacing, but are you sure you have nough of those little orange track-connectors?
If you can do this, add some diagonals! Make it realistic!

[~G3n3rOo2256~]

this is going to be cool!

[Outerlimits659]

^^I will hopefully have enough but if I happen to run out, then I'll just find a way to get some more. ^Thanks!! And now...an update!!! I finished the tower (with diagonals) and I think the height of it is good enough for a small freefall ride. But I'll see what you guys have to say first. Pics...

The tower overview

A cute little top

If you noticed the extra rod near the top, that is where some gears will go. I will be using a chail lift with some sort of connector snapped on to serve as a hook for the car. When the chain nears the top, the hook slides away and the car falls. Obviously. If anybody has any ideas of how to slow the car down a little as it falls to prevent rider annihilation, please comment!!!

[Outerlimits659]

Sorry for dp, but I've hit a problem. It appears that I'm not able to find a correct car size to fit the tower. Yes, the prototype appeared to work but one side of the tubing was slightly misaligned making the slightly too big car appear to run fine. I've tried size after size of the car frames but one size will be too small and the next size up too big. I don't wan't to cancel this, so does anybody have any ideas??? HELP!!

[Jogumpie]

http://www.sscoaster...cond-fear-1013/

Edited by Jogumpie, 04 September 2013 - 07:59 AM.

[the_burrito_master]

I think if you make the tower blue rods instead of yellows that would work you should have made the car then made the tower.

[Outerlimits659]

True, but I think I'll make the car more of a square, like gump posted. Then I'll have it run on two sets of cord on the sides of the tower rather than the corners, using two wheels per side. If that won't work then I'll make the tower out of blue rods instead. :tmbs

[~stεεlspectrum~]

^ It's possible to make a square of any size, as Gump posted, so Id try that.
Also, I wouldn't use a chain lift--it'd look too big and bulky, and possibly noisy.
Also (#2), the tower looks a little wide for its height; Id either make it taller or skinnier
looking at a couple of these might help:
http://insidetheusa....wer-tower11.jpg
...just a suggestion...

[decaxxeca]

use a cable lift with a small segment of chain with a 90 degree connecter on it so that it will lift it up then drop it also it will make it automatic

[Outerlimits659]

Thanks for commenting!!!
^^I raised it a yellow rod and I think the height/width ratio is good now. I can raise it another yellow though if need be.
^Good idea, I could probably find a way to do that with a motor.
And now, an UPDATE!! I made the tower and base sturdier by beefing them up a bit and added the holders for the cord. The tower is also a yellow rod taller: Pics....





I'll be working on finding the right frame size for the car if the tower is fine as it is. COMMENT!!!!

[Jogumpie]

If you take a good look at my car, you can see I was able to adjust the frame size by moving these blue rings around.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Great, now you can adjust the width between the track to make it fit
Nice!

[Outerlimits659]

Okay, just wanted to announce that I will be rebuilding the tower. The long spaces between cord conectors was making big bumps in the tubing. This made it near impossible to find the correct car frame size, let alone run a car on it. So I will now rebuild the tower using blue rods for a base rather than yellows. Will update when done.

-OL659

[MP thrill rides]

I have always wanted to make one of these but never got around to it. This thing looks so cool!

[larry marak]

Have you considered utilizing the benches and figures from Pirate Ship Park with your freefall? I've got spare and can mail you 2 benches and 4 figures at no cost if you'd like to receive them.

[Outerlimits659]

^^Thanks!!! Hopefully it'll look even better when rebuilt.
^Do the Pirate ship park benches have connectors on the back?? I was wondering how to connect them. Anyway, this will be postponed until after x-mas-Christmas coaster under construction-but I will resume work when finished. Thanks for commenting!!

[larry marak]

There's a single connector slot underneath each of the benches. There's space for 2 riders in each bench, though I only have 4 riders to send you.