sawyer klegr Posted February 26, 2018 This lego great ball contraption miniloop uses a Cardan mechanism to lift the marbles up, after that they role down the strings and back to the start again. It is very reliable and can be powered by a motor or a hand crank. If you want the free video instructions they are here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JonathanM Posted February 26, 2018 The action is mesmerising - nice work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sawyer klegr Posted February 26, 2018 4 hours ago, JonathanM said: The action is mesmerising - nice work! Thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leonardo da Bricki Posted February 26, 2018 Looks awesome, I could see myself having one or two of those on my desk... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RohanBeckett Posted February 26, 2018 really compact mechanism! definitely the smallest Cardan Lift I've seen! wonder what several of these chained together might look like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sawyer klegr Posted February 26, 2018 11 hours ago, RohanBeckett said: really compact mechanism! definitely the smallest Cardan Lift I've seen! wonder what several of these chained together might look like? Thank you! Unfortunately I don't have enough of the pieces used to offset the 12 tooth gear by half a stud to build more of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jorgeopesi Posted February 27, 2018 I never know what to say about GBCs, the idea, the development and especially the final adjustment process have to be exhausting, is the idea the most difficult part of a GBC?. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frequenzberater Posted February 27, 2018 Awesome small module! One of the best miniloop GBCs I have seen so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug72 Posted February 27, 2018 A great Mini GBC, found your YouTube building instructions but they are a bit hard to follow. Can you post the link so others can easily find them. Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captainowie Posted February 27, 2018 8 hours ago, jorgeopesi said: I never know what to say about GBCs, the idea, the development and especially the final adjustment process have to be exhausting, is the idea the most difficult part of a GBC?. I have not found that to be the case. I have a list of ideas as long as your arm. Rather, I've found that the hardest bit is making those ideas standards-conformant and reliable. Of course, if you're doing standalone things like this one, then standards conformance is not an issue. Owen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RohanBeckett Posted February 28, 2018 Ditto... I have about 20-30 ideas I want to build... some are copies of others.. some are originals.. yet to be tested in real life just not enough time!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sawyer klegr Posted February 28, 2018 18 hours ago, Doug72 said: A great Mini GBC, found your YouTube building instructions but they are a bit hard to follow. Can you post the link so others can easily find them. Doug Yes, they are here: Sorry they are so hard to follow, I have never been very good at making instructions. 18 hours ago, Captainowie said: I have not found that to be the case. I have a list of ideas as long as your arm. Rather, I've found that the hardest bit is making those ideas standards-conformant and reliable. Of course, if you're doing standalone things like this one, then standards conformance is not an issue. Owen. I think it depends on who you ask, I personally find coming up with new ideas the hardest part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_spock Posted February 28, 2018 Very nice. Instructions seem to take the fun out of reverse-engineering it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RohanBeckett Posted February 28, 2018 I don't care too much for GBC instructions... just a few, nice clear, well lit photos from all angles are usually enough to reproduce 'enough' to get you by... and yes.. Reverse Engineering is fun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kieran Posted February 28, 2018 Very nice mechanism Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArsMan064 Posted March 1, 2018 (edited) Works very smoothly! Edited March 1, 2018 by ArsMan064 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turbopolofr Posted March 1, 2018 Building Instructions on Planet GBC: http://www.planet-gbc.com/?p=2736 once again, awesome work Sawyer ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sawyer klegr Posted March 1, 2018 1 hour ago, turbopolofr said: Building Instructions on Planet GBC: http://www.planet-gbc.com/?p=2736 once again, awesome work Sawyer ! Thank you! I am amazed how good you are at making the instructions :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Berthil Posted March 2, 2018 Very nice mechanism! I understand the neck brace to create room between the Technic cam and the liftarm L5 but it lets the gears slip in my build. Nevertheless I would like to use the liftarm mechanism in a somewhat modified way to make a serie of arms passing on balls if you permit. Of course I'll give you credit for the arm mechanism. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy D Posted March 3, 2018 Very nice mini GBC! Thanks for the instructions, it is definitely on my to do list. Andy D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sawyer klegr Posted March 3, 2018 4 hours ago, Andy D said: Very nice mini GBC! Thanks for the instructions, it is definitely on my to do list. Andy D Thanks! I would love to see photos if you do make one :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug72 Posted March 3, 2018 (edited) 19 hours ago, Berthil said: Very nice mechanism! I understand the neck brace to create room between the Technic cam and the liftarm L5 but it lets the gears slip in my build. Nevertheless I would like to use the liftarm mechanism in a somewhat modified way to make a serie of arms passing on balls if you permit. Of course I'll give you credit for the arm mechanism. Thanks Sawyer for an amazing Mini GBC module - which I am now building. Had to rob a Lego train for the spacer ! Mine will be multi coloured due to a limited range of parts. Built as per instructions but gears slip / drop as arm rotates back down to collect the next ball. I may have found the reason. There is a possible error in the instructions at page 27. Sea photo At page 28 Instructions show the link arm with the bachkpack spacer attaching BELOW the axle for the swinging 24T gear whereas the photo shows it is ABOVE the axle. Which is correct ? Tried in both positions with & without spacer and seems best with spacer and ABOVE axle and now appears to be working OK when tested by hand. Edited March 3, 2018 by Doug72 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turbopolofr Posted March 3, 2018 Hi Doug72, thanks for noticing the mistake. I'll fix the building instructions to have it ABOVE, which should indeed be the correct position. regards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug72 Posted March 3, 2018 22 minutes ago, turbopolofr said: Hi Doug72, thanks for noticing the mistake. I'll fix the building instructions to have it ABOVE, which should indeed be the correct position. regards Many thanks for the excellent instructions, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ludovisser Posted March 3, 2018 This is a cool little module. Aside from the spacer no rare or difficult parts as far as I can tell. Just need to get me some balls Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites