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!

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!