Knex Storage hosted by Callie, My Cat

I have long tried to figure out what the best way to store K'nex is. I have finally found a method that works well for me, and you may like it, too! It is time-consuming starting out, but it saves lots of rummaging through bins later on.

"My human likes playing with knex. Some people say it's a kid's toy, but she thinks it's a fun and creative hobby to have. I like them because I can chase them around the house, and they're small enough to pick up and carry off! When they are in storage, though, it's a lot harder for me to get at them... Here's how they are stored:

Depending on how many k'nex you have, you will need some empty bins. (I love bins! They are so fun to sit in!)

My human uses two bins for hers, but she probably would need three if all her builds were disassembled.

You can also use some of these nifty storage bins for the pieces that you have lots of. (This bin is just my size!)

Seriously, though, I love bins... and boxes... and anything I can sit in, really.

She also uses this K'nex case she got with her very first set. Somewhere along the way, the other knex bins she had got lost, though. She uses this bin for various odds and ends.

She then uses ziploc bags to separate out the different colorful pieces. These are all her connectors.

(OH HAI! Here I am. Much better picture than that last one.)

And here are the different rods! She even likes to separate out the bendy rods from the solid ones.

My human just feels so much better when her k'nex are in order, and so do I!

These are all the specialty/random parts she has. She likes to keep the track tubing in bags, too, so that it doesn't get tangled... or chased by me...

When you disassemble builds, just have all your bags/bins nearby so you can throw pieces in the bags they belong in!

The pieces mostly fit in these two big bins! And when my human wants to use them, all she has to do is pull out the ziploc bags! 

Now you see what I mean... they are just so much harder to pick up and run off with when they are all stored like this!

Well, that's about all I have for today. Maybe my human will let me pose with K'nex more often now! If not, I will just keep stealing her pieces as she works... it drives her crazy. xD 

Sincerely,

Knex Kitten"

Big Build: Ferris Wheel -- Part 3

I know it's been a couple days since my last update, but big builds can be quite time consuming! Also, ya know... busy life and stuff. I have finished most of the wheel, though! I just need to make the gondolas and hang 'em up.

Here is the third ring finished.

And the fourth!

I used yellow-sized bendy parts to create a little decoration and color.

I also used grey-sized bendy parts to add some dimension to the inside.

And finally, the last ring!

I've got spaces marked out for each gondola, so now I just have to create them.

I am figuring out how I am going to motorize it while still creating a stable enough spindle for the giant wheel to ride along.

This is the view from inside the wheel. I decided to use tan pieces to keep the wheel in place along the axis. I then took 4 yellow connectors and 6 red rods to create the part that will help to turn the wheel.

And as you can see, it is taller than I am. It will easily be over 6 feet tall when I finish up with it!

Big Build: Ferris Wheel -- Part 2

I finished the second ring of the wheel.

This is the wheel standing up next to the couch. It's about four feet across now.

The second ring is comprised of 48 grey rods, 48 yellow connectors, 48 orange connectors, and 48 white connectors per side. 48 red/green rods join the yellow connectors on the opposing sides.

It creates a nice wind tunnel when you twirl it, too! =P

This is the size of the wheel now in comparison to a regular DVD case.

Knex Plant Hanger

The time of year is coming when green thumbs everywhere get to work planting their "starters." I am trying my hand at gardening this year, but I have three small problems. Their names are Sam, Kat, and Callie (our cats). I was trying to think of a way I can get my plants sun while keeping them out of the cold and away from our three cats when I had an idea. Why not make a hanging shelf that can house my little plants up out of reach of the cats? So I set to work on a K'nex hanging planter. Here is the result:

As you can see, I am using empty vessels here, so I will have to weight test it when the time comes. However, it does seem pretty sturdy! Also, it may need to hang a little lower in order to get proper sunlight, but the concept seems to be pretty useful!