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

Knex CD Holder

Hello my faithful readers (and new ones, too!)!

This afternoon, I bring you a somewhat retro-ish build. It doesn't necessarily look retro, but it's for CD's (which are becoming a thing of the past, I realize, as mp3's and video games are housed on computers). However, I enjoy buying used CD's at thrift stores because I can get a whole album for only about a dollar. Much better than paying 99 cents per song online. As such, my CD stack has gotten a little out of control on my desk. This CD holder has helped bring some organization to my desk. Also, if you are anything like me, you probably have loose CD's whose cases have disappeared to some place or another, which I decided to accommodate in this build as well. This particular holder can house 13-14 CD's in standard plastic cases. It can hold numerous loose CD's.

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!

Knex Craft Organization/Storage: Ribbon Holder

As I've been setting up my craft room, I have been coming across new ways to use knex for storage and convenience! Today, a ribbon holder. I made this one to be able to hang on a hook on the wall. However, it can be modified to sit on a desk. The ribbon holder will also allow for dispensing of the ribbon without having to take it off the holder!

View from the side

View from the back

View from the front

Please, if you have any suggestions for future knex builds, let me know! I would love to hear your input!

Knex 101: Christmas Storage Ideas

Well, the time has come to take down the lights, the tree, stocking, and other Christmas decorations. The trick? Storing everything efficiently so that it doesn't take hours upon hours to untangle lights and tinsel when you bring your Christmas stuff out again in November (or whenever it is that you decorate for Christmas ;) ). My helpful Christmas storage item this year? Why, Knex of course!

It doesn't take a lot of parts, but it keeps thing so neat and tidy!

  

These are stocking holders I made from old tissue boxes, rice to weigh it down, and grey K'nex rods.

Knex Bag Holder

Happy New Year, everyone! Sorry I didn't post much around the holidays, but life was busy. I am sure all of you can understand that. Somehow, December is just way busier than other times of the year, it seems.

So now I am trying to get back into doing builds regularly. My first build of the year was a small shelter for an outdoor stray cat in our neighborhood. However, I haven't been able to get pictures of it yet, but he rather enjoys it. Tonight, I built a bag holder. I got the idea from a Christmas gift that I gave my oldest sister. It was supposed to serve as "extra hands" in the kitchen when it came to bagging food. Nifty idea, I must admit. So tonight, I made a bag holder out of K'nex. It holds gallon-size storage or freezer bags. I am sure it could be downsized to hold smaller bags, too!

Let me know if you have any ideas about what I can make for my next build! Thanks for following my blog!

Knex Dish Drain

I have had this build on my list for quite some time. Generally, I use dish drying mats, but I grew up in a family that used a dish drain. I figured it would be quite useful, especially for when I'm drying lots of smaller dishes. It turned out as good as I could have hoped! It fits perfectly in my larger sink, and it can hold several dishes and silverware.

Have a build you'd like to see? Or maybe some ideas for useful builds? Let me know!