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rskamen

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Everything posted by rskamen

  1. rskamen
    @gerger and @afol1969 Looking for help. I am building the non-suspension carrier using the 1.1.7 version of the instructions. On page 24, where you attach the front 2 axles assembly with the middle 2 axle assembly, both assemblies end up being held together with one black pin at the end of a 15L technic beam. When handling the chassis, it does not stay together. I have reviewed the instruction numerous times and I see no other way that the two sections of axles lock together. Am I missing something? Is there more reinforcement that gets added later? I have built a number of very detailed technic sets and MOCs and never had a section so poorly attached. Any help or insight please?
  2. rskamen
    Looking for help. I am building the non-suspension carrier using the 1.1.7 version of the instructions. On page 24, where you attach the front 2 axles assembly with the middle 2 axle assembly, both assemblies end up being held together with one black pin at the end of a 15L technic beam. When handling the chassis, it does not stay together. I have reviewed the instruction numerous times and I see no other way that the two sections of axles lock together. Am I missing something? Is there more reinforcement that gets added later? I have built a number of very detailed technic sets and MOCs and never had a section so poorly attached. Any help or insight please?
  3. rskamen
    If an axle is only 1/2 stud in, why not take a longer axle and cut it down so it is inserted the full 1L depth? Is this considered "legal" in the world of Lego? I've cut a lot of 8L axles into double the amount of 4L axles when I needed them.
  4. rskamen
    I had no trouble building the Invisible Lift following the pdf instructions. What was helpful from time to time was referring to Therebrickers videos, especially his final video on setting up the modules and timing. My Lift runs extremely well, but every once in a while an 8t gear will slip out of place and throw off the timing. Keeping the clear antennas aligned is a bit of a challenge. All in all, a very satisfying build with good result. I am ready to begin @Berthil Rainbow Stepper. Looks relatively easy. Just awaiting a few more parts.
  5. rskamen
    Thank you for your attempt and hard work. I have my Invisible lift timed perfectly now. Just awaiting some parts to finish the delivery and exit ramps. I will be double checking everything on Ver3 of the Ball Factory once I have some time. You help, guidance, and instructions have been a major help.
  6. rskamen
    @Berthil, I am coming towards the end of building my Invisible Lift. So far, everything looks good, but may have some timing issues. I like the idea that you will be doing a "timing sequence" for Ver3 of the Ball Factory. I will anxiously awaiting your updated instructions. I appreciate all of your hard work and encouragement. Best wishes for a very healthy and prosperous New Year.
  7. rskamen
    @Berthil, thank you for your reply and information. I am pretty sure I can get it worked out.
  8. rskamen
    @Berthil, Is there any possibility that you can make a stud.io file or basic instructions for the "Snake Bypass" that is shown here? Even a parts list would be helpful. If I built one like this, I could use it in multiple applications, and use only the heights that I need. Thank you for considering this.
  9. rskamen
    Check out on Rebrickable. Go to the Building Instructions tab https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-24605/Berthil/akiyuki-ball-factory-new-style-v3/#comments
  10. rskamen
    @Berthil, I have looked at all of your updates since your November 3rd posting. All excellent improvements. As soon as I finish my Bugatti Chiron I will go back and do all the modifications to my Ver 3 Ball Factory. Great work and glad I looked back at this topic. I may bring the Ball Factory and the Catch and Spin Robots to our community clubhouse (I live in a 55+ community) over the Christmas vacation period. We have a lot of children visiting. I am sure they will be totally intrigued.
  11. rskamen
    I was not aware there are updates to some of the components. I will check the topic thread and any updated building plans. I have been traveling for the past month (spending my sons inheritance) and just getting back to my Lego projects. Good to hear from you.
  12. rskamen
    @Ankoku, I am finishing up the Bugatti Chiron - stock model. Once done, I plan to build the Invisible Lift. I have about 95% of the required parts, but enough to get a good head start. I plan to use all of the improvements that @Berthil shows on his Flickr account. Hopefully I will start the build around Christmas time. Let's compare notes as we progress. By the way, my Catch and Spin Robots are the best and most reliable GBC that I have built to date. All my grandkids love it and play with it all the time. @Berthil Version 3 Ball Factory is a close 2nd. I love how well it works.
  13. rskamen
    Thank you for the quick reply. That was my thinking as well. I may start the build in a week or two, depending on parts deliveries, but won't finish until very late November. We are going to Italy mid-October for a few weeks. Then taking a 15 day transatlantic cruise back home from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale. We'll be back home 3rd week of November.
  14. rskamen
    @Berthil - slightly off topic. I have been accumulating parts for Akiyuki Invisible Lift. I have also looked at your Flickr photos of improvements. Did you follow Blakbirds pdf instructions, or Therebrickers video instructions? There are probably minor differences and I want to follow the most detailed BI. Thank you for any comments. Regards to you.
  15. rskamen
    Wow. I am happy to report I found the problem with the train entering the elevator. There was an extra 3L cross block on the lower corner of the base frame (left over from the @MajklSpajkl build) which prevented the swing arm (page 44 of the BI) of the release mechanism from fully rotating. All is well and all is working PERFECTLY! Now to get all the grandchildren to play with it for a little bit and then carefully pack away the modules until I can show it some where. My wife gets her dining room table back and I am happy in the knowledge that I built this awesome properly functioning GBC Train Layout. On to the next project... I have the Bugatti Chiron, I have the Grove Mobile Crane MKII complete and ready, and I plan to order the Liebherr 9800 (Lego set 42100) as soon as it's released. I have also been gets parts for the Invisible Lift and the Fork-to-Fork. Going to be a busy fall and winter.
  16. rskamen
    Hello all. It's been a very hectic end of summer with the last of my 3 sons finally moving his family to Florida. Now all my children and grandchildren live within 15 minutes of me. @Berthil and @Doug72 - I finally rebuilt the train elevator to Akiyuki's original plans, but added @MajklSpajkl extended elevator frame and Berthils counter-weight system. The elevator is now fast and smooth and seems to be 100% reliable. This is the best I have had the train layout running. I left the Akiyuki upper latching system, but with the counter-weights, I cannot create a free fall which is good. Only one slight fine tuning problem. When the train transitions from the entrance ramp on to the elevator itself, many time the wheels spin and it does not fully sit on the elevator or engage the gears to lift it up. I am thinking that the 2 x 4 yellow beam (pages 53 and 54 of Akiyuki pdf), used to release the upper latch system, is raising the train too high just prior to being fully seated on the elevator. Just the slightest little push by hand and all is well. Maybe adding another 4L gear rack on the elevator (page 55)? The train leaves the elevator, once lowered, with no problem at all. Any insights or suggestions? I thank everyone who has contributed to this project, from Akiyuki, and all of the folks commenting and making modifications. It has been a wonderful project and quite unique. Once I finalize it running perfectly, my wife wants her dining room table back.
  17. rskamen
    My ver3 is running very smoothly now. Have every module and element timed perfectly. Bob, the bucket picker, the bucket lifter, etc are all working to the right amplitude and moving faultlessly. I just received my 3mm hose from McMaster, so I will make the ball return ramps. Other than that, I am done. I am thrilled with this build. It is unique, solid, and precise. @Berthil has created a wonderful version of the most iconic GBC. Well worth the time, effort and money. Tons of bricks left over from ver2. I will post pictures and maybe a short video once the ball return ramps are in place. Now what to build? I have the Grove GMK6400 Mobile Crane complete in a box ready to build. I sourced all those parts last summer - 2018. But I do want to build another GBC module. Is anyone working on a new or revised GBC? I have about half the parts needed for the invisible lift. I also like the fork-to-fork. Suggestions?????
  18. rskamen
    @Berthil I have spent most of this stormy summer afternoon taking apart gears and axles, looking for friction, and carefully reassembling. It is running a lot smoother. Cranking by hand no longer produces any slip in the clutch. Running with the motor is still a little jerky, but I am using the battery box and batteries from my version2 build of last year. I will continue to isolate areas of possible friction and change the batteries for fresh AA batteries. Thank you for mentioning the 24T gear. I was wondering what might be a good replacement for the clutch. I took apart and reassembled the bucket emptier. It is just a little better. I like your idea of adding or removing plates to try and get it properly balanced. I see how critical it is. Thank you for all you help and THANK YOU for redesigning the Ball Factory and making version 3. It is a masterpiece. It is also so much easier to work on gears, timing and modules. Truly a engineering marvel. I will try to retro-fit my return conveyor from version2, but have ordered the 3mm tubing from McMaster as I am sure I will use it in future builds.
  19. rskamen
    @Berthil I have finally gotten back to work on the rebuild of Ver3 Ball Factory. It is now completed! 2 observations so far..... 1. The clutch gears in the drive unit seem to be slipping. Therefore the Factory does not run smoothly whether using the hand crank or switching to the motor. The motion is very jerky as the gears engage or slip. Turning the main drive axle by hand (disconnected from the drive unit) and all is well. Not too much friction as I had experienced earlier. The current gears are all new and never been used. So there is no wear on them. 2. The bucket emptier does NOT open all the way when it returns to the horizontal position. It will release the bucket and grab the next bucket, but the timing and tolerances are extremely tight. There is tension when I try to open it all the way by hand and it wants to spring back to about a 1/4 open position on it's own. I have rebuilt it thinking I might have misplaced an axle in the wrong spot on the technic bricks and beams. The timing seems to be about perfect, as I tried to set up each module as it was completed and connected to the next module. The entire Factory is extremely sturdy and looks amazing. I am awaiting an order of 3mm hose to finish the final ball delivery system. Any insights or help would be greatly appreciated
  20. rskamen
    My Ver 2 ran very easily with a hand crank. There was almost no resistance during the build, even as I added modules. I received my new parts for the turning block for BOB. That does seem to help a bit. When disconnected, BOB runs very easily and smoothly. I am at step 244, almost done with part 2 of the build. I will not proceed to Part 3 until I check again each module, gear, and axle. I will double check that everything aligns and where an axle passes through a technic brick, I will check to see if anything is binding. Just an idea, instead of the 32L axle that pushes/pulls BOB, has anyone tried using a few technic beams, solidly connected together? Would this eliminate any flexing that I see in the 32L axle. Although now that I put new parts in BOBs turning block, the 32L does not flex any longer. Could have been resistance on the old parts I was recycling from Ver 2. I have a very busy weekend and all of next week. Might be awhile before I post again.
  21. rskamen
    I did a few rubber band mods that worked, but the resulting action was a "snap" back effect and it created a bang. Went back to the counter-weights for now. I am through step 183 in part 2. When turning the partially completed factory by hand, everything feels stiff. Not free and easy. Bob either slams forward, or slams back. Has some resistance as well at the turning blocks. II ordered some new parts for that section just to make sure everything is glossy smooth. The axles that Bob rides on a perfectly straight and tested them with @Berthil home made axle checker. Have quite a bit of building to go and I am afraid that the motor won't be able to turn the gears of the factory. Anyone else experience this? Any particular spots I should be looking at? Individually, each section that is currently built operates pretty easily, except for turning Bob which I am addressing.
  22. rskamen
    Just wondering...instead of the two counterbalance weights that are used in Part 1 of the instructions, can a rubber band solution be improvised? Much like the Reverser unit mod on the Akiyuki train layout. Especially the counter-weight for the release mechanism of the Ball Picker (instruction 126 of Part 1). The counter-weight for the Ball Pusher (instruction 96 of Part 1) isn't as big, but I think a rubber band or spring loaded shocker absorber to help with the return position might be a bit more powerful and elegant. I don't have any shock absorbers, but I will experiment with some rubber band alternatives. If I come up with anything that is meaningful and reliable, I will post some pictures. I will caution, my talents and parts bins are both rather meager.
  23. rskamen
    @Berthil Thank you for your explanations. I did figure out that the 1/2 bush is actually part of the 3L Universal joint. I had a few of them already assembled, thus it was hard to see the 1/2 bush internal connector. I also just added the 1x1 as you pointed out. Very difficult to do after the spiral lift is built, but it's Lego! I just finished part 1. Had to make some minor adjustments. Mostly I used the wrong length axles in a few applications and it was very frustrating until I figured it out. I have everything in part 1 timed perfectly at the moment and will begin part 2 in the next day or two. My Ver 2 is now a mess of random parts scattered all over the two 48x48 base plates :(
  24. rskamen
    hank you for the information. That is a lot of extra modules. Great work and exceedingly interesting. I may attempt one or two ball return options.
  25. rskamen
    @Berthil I have begun to build your Ver 3, but I already have a question.. Part 1, step 13, parts show two 1x1 plates, and two 1/2 bushings. From the drawing I do not see where those parts go. I have blown up the pdf, but inside the red outlines it does not show where they go. Any help, please? Thank you.
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