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.

Big Build: Ferris Wheel -- One step at a time!

Yesterday, I began another massive build. One of my friends on Facebook tagged me in a photo of a giant Ferris Wheel. (You see, I get tagged in all sorts of cool K'nex stuff because, well... because I love knex and enjoy building with them!) So, I decided I would take on a similar build. I will attempt to post updates every now and again so you can see how I am progressing!

Here are the two sides to the inner circle of the Ferris wheel. In order to hold up a wheel that is over 5 or 6 feet tall, you need to start with a good center. Each side is comprised of three white connectors with 8 green/black tiny rods, 8 orange/brown connectors, and with 8 grey/black/orange long rods per white connector (24 of each piece per Ferris wheel side). I used greys for one connector, blacks for another, and oranges for the third so you could sort of get an idea of what was going on. The outer ring here is made from 48 navy connectors and 48 green rods per side (because I lack sorely in white connectors, I often use navy ones instead).

I connected the long rods to every other navy connector, and the inner ring was somewhat contorted due to the differing angles of the rods. Once I snapped a grey rod into every other pair of navys, though, it straightened out. The red connectors and rods (and green rods) just ensure a little more stability.

It did take me several tries to get this right, but it seems like a good infrastructure.

All in all, I estimate that the very innermost ring of the Ferris wheel is about 700 pieces.

Knex Hobo Cat House

I know this post is coming late in the season, but here it is anyway!

This is Gus. Well, we named him Gus because he's the neighborhood stray cat. Until recently, he had no collar identifying that his shots were up to date or anything.

He's a sweet little guy, and my hubby and I would have liked to adopt him. However, we have three female cats and are therefore at our catpacity.

This winter, though, the temperatures were bitterly cold off and on. So, I decided to make a little makeshift shelter to at least give the little guy a place to hide out from the wind.

I found a cardboard box that was just his size, and I lined it with stuff to hopefully keep him warm on the cold nights.

On almost every cold night, I found him snuggled up in his little hobo house.

It wasn't much, but he did seem to appreciate it!

I don't know if Gus recently found a forever home, but he came back about a week ago with a collar on that holds his rabies tag (that shows he's up to date on that shot, at least). I'm pullin' for the little guy, though. He's such a sweetie!

Knex Drink Holder

The Knex build I bring to you today is one that can be used for multiple occasions. It could be put in a theater/entertainment room, a kitchen, or even at an event. Part of the build idea came from freefire137 on the Knex Reddit. He suggested building a sort of soda can dispenser. I coupled that idea with holders for packets of hot cocoa and cider, thereby creating a sort of drink holder. I meant to post it a few days ago, but the hubby and I usually don't have any soda in the house. So, I had to go out and snag some (generic, yes, but they are standard soda can size, so I figured they would do the trick!).

Front

Soda can side (credit for this idea goes to freefire137)

View from the back (I used green bendy K'nex to create the curvature in the soda can part, so that the sodas could easily slide out) 

The packet holders (I am considering adding a tea bag slot above these packets in the back)

I like that it doesn't take up a whole lot of counter space. It's only about 6" from front to back.

Have any more ideas for me to tackle? Please let me know! I will be more than happy to give you credit for the idea as well as link to your respective blog or website! 

Also, I have finally got my Twitter all sorted out if you want to follow me: Knextravagant's Twitter