Review: Loopin' Lightning Coaster

The other night, I made the Loopin' Lightning Coaster, which uses classic *and* micro Knex. This was my first coaster using both types of K'nex, and here are my thoughts on it...

The coaster was easy to build. It took me a mere 1.5-2 hours to build. However, the coaster did not work correctly. It had trouble getting over the first small hill, and it would never catch on the chain once it made it to the bottom. Also, I was not a huge fan of the track. I feel it is much less reliable than the ones that use tubing. Since the track is all attached with micro knex, it is much easier to break or just come apart.

Consequently, I did have to make some modifications to the track to allow the coaster cars to make it all the way down the track and attach onto the chain. So technically, this coaster isn't exactly the Loopin' Lightning, but it is fairly similar.

Big Build: Ferris Wheel -- Completed!

I finally finished it! I had the day off today which meant that I was able to find some time to install the motor and the gondolas! The Ferris Wheel is pretty much finished, except I may add entry and exit towers, because I think they would be another visual element that would make it look cooler.

This is the design that I ended up on for the gondolas. Nothing too fancy, but it serves its purpose!

Had to finagle the gears and motors a little bit to make 'em fit, but they work just fine! It takes the motor a second to really get the wheel moving since it's fairly heavy, but that was to be expected.

All in all, this was a really fun project. My hubby and I ended up having to buy a couple more large lots of knex from eBay in order to have the parts needed to complete it, but hey! There's no such thing as too many knex, right? If anyone would like more detailed pictures of any specific part of the Ferris Wheel, just hit me up! I am more than happy to take more if people want to try and replicate it.

Thanks for checking out my blog! If you have any more ideas for builds I should tackle, let me know!