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rskamen

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Everything posted by rskamen

  1. rskamen
    Thank you @Doug72 and @Berthil for your advice and comments. I might have some of the Lego cord from another set that I have not yet built, or possibly different wheels (I have two alternative sets of wheels to try). I do like the Wheel 4185 for it's size, and how it looks while turning. https://www.bricklink.com/v2/search.page?q=4185&utm_source=rebrickable#T=A
  2. rskamen
    @Doug72 @dunes @MajklSpajkl and @Berthil I just completed the modified Rotary Dumper and in testing, it works perfectly. I have not run a train unit through it yet. The instructions, and the postings on this forum have been exceptional. @Berthil I also completed your counter-weight system for the Elevator unit. That too works perfectly. It is made up of a few different colors as I was scavenging for parts. I am using 0.8mm nylon cord used for jewelry making and I think it is a bit too thin. It's incredibly strong, but it's difficult to keep threading it around the pulleys. Any suggestions? My daughter-in-law is flying to Florida tomorrow to spend the weekend house hunting. My son was transferred down here. My other 2 sons already live within a few minutes of me. Therefore I won't get a chance to put a layout together or post pictures until some time after the weekend. So far I am extremely pleased with the final results on all of the individual units and modules. If it all works once placed in a layout, I will move on to Version 3 of @Berthil Ball Factory.
  3. rskamen
    Give me a week or two. Busy doing Grandparent duties for a bit since school is on summer recess here in Florida. But I will at least start the Rotary Dumper in the next day..
  4. rskamen
    I just completed the Elevator as modified by @Doug72 and @MajklSpajkl. Great job gentlemen. I used the worm gear drive and everything works perfectly. Thanks to @dunes and @Berthil for all you suggestions and input. I have not yet put any weights into the counter-balance, so that will have to wait for a trip to Home Depot. I will fill them with steel washers. Next project is the Rotary Dumper. Then my mini GBC Train Layout will be complete. So far I am extremely pleased with how everything is working and lining up with the Train Unit and other modules. I can already see the Version 3 Ball Factory in my future sooner rather than later.
  5. rskamen
    The BI for the Rotary Dumper would be a huge help. Of course, those involved would have to bless it as did @Doug72. @Berthil Any chance of close up photo's of your counter-weight system for the Elevator? I am intrigues by your system of wheels to guide the string that is attached to the weights. I find it fascinating. I have also downloaded all the latest versions of the BI for the Version 3 Ball Factory.
  6. rskamen
    This topic has been relatively quiet. I had been traveling for awhile. Back home now. I have completed 2 train units and they work perfectly. I have also completed @Berthil passing module and that too operates perfectly. I recently completed the Reverser module with rubber bands and it works perfectly. Yesterday I completed the Train Loader Conveyor. I have not had time to test it, but everything fits and it operates well. Now just have to tie it in to the track system and test it with a train unit, Next to build will be the @MajklSpajkl Elevator and then the Rotary Dumper. Once all of that is completed, I will tackle @Berthil Version 3 Ball Factory. These builds are depleting my retirement funds :)
  7. rskamen
    Thank you @t0mster and @Berthil. Very quick response. Yes, the McMaster is the site I was looking for. I am back home now and can begin sorting and ordering the parts I need to rebuild my version 2 Ball Factory into the version 3. Can anyone comment on the stability and reliability of version 3 as compared to version 2. The build looks so much more solid and less flexible, which has to add to a far better performing GBC. I am going to completely document and video my version 2 before I begin to dismantle it for parts. If I had the room to store it, I would leave it intact, but I don't have that option.
  8. rskamen
    @Berthil a few months ago, someone, maybe you, posted a link to a company that sells 3mm tubing in bulk. Not sure what thread it was on. Do you know what company that might be? It might have been in response to your entrance and exit ramps on the Invisible Lift.
  9. rskamen
    I have more than half the parts in a box for the Invisible Lift in DBG and Black. Since @Berthil speaks so highly of the module, I will eventually build it. I have a complete working Version 2 Ball Factory in RED (see my earlier post with photo). Do I use the parts from the Invisible Lift and keep adding in order to make Ball Factory Version 3? Do I use a combination of RED, DBG and Black (dismantling Version 2) Or, Just do each as a standalone module in the correct colors - thus leaving my Version 2 intact? Early on I was given advice to build in DBG, LBG and Black, making it easier to reuse parts. I built my Version 2 in RED because my grandchildren had tons of RED bricks and components that I managed to "borrow" from them:) So far great job by everyone in finding minor issues, and by Berthil for keeping up with the changes to the BI and parts list.
  10. rskamen
    @Ankoku Point well taken. I just wasn't aware of the issues. I am learning!
  11. rskamen
    Being relatively new to Lego building, I was not even aware of the concerns regarding making the model available for Stud.io. I absolutely understand and fully support your decisions. Thank you for enlightening me. I will just build slowly, methodically, and very carefully. I actually do lay out all bricks in advance of every step. With my very large monitor, and enlarging the instructions, I have no doubt I will end up with a perfect clone of your masterpiece of engineering.
  12. rskamen
    I am traveling and not at my regular computer, so maybe this question has been answered. @Berthil is there a file available for the entire model that can be imported into Stud.io? An mpd file? I am looking at the instructions as you post the parts...1 through 4. As the build progresses, the images get more and more complex and crowded. You have done an outstanding job of making the instructions, putting in dialogue boxes, and outlining in RED the pieces that are going in during each instruction. But for my novice needs, it might also be a big help if I could look at the model from many different angles, and be able to highlight parts for a better understanding of what connects to what, and where. And a very big THANK YOU for all your hard work to date.
  13. rskamen
    Just tried to download Part 1 - Ver 1.4. When I click the link, I get Part 1 - Ver 1.3. Great work on getting the corrections taken care of.
  14. rskamen
    I should have realized that since I did originally notice that you were missing a ribbed hose. Keep those revisions coming. I keep updating as you post them. Thanks
  15. rskamen
    @Berthil The original parts lists had 4,268 parts. Looking at Rebrickable, it is now showing 4,269 parts. Was there a new part added, or was the count on one of the existing parts increased? I am just trying to avoid reprinting 34 pages of parts that I use as a check-off list when salvaging or ordering parts. Amazing work on Part 1, Ver 1.3, and on part 2. As soon as I get back from New York at the end of May, I will begin gathering and ordering parts. You have totally reinvigorated my interest in the Ball Factory. I will also be building your Rotary Dumper for the Train Layout. I just ordered the last of the pieces that I needed. They should be at my house long before I return from my trip.
  16. rskamen
    Yes, that is the corner. There is a lot of "play" with the robots and some times they would hit a corner and snag. I know that in the world of Lego, cutting, filing, and painting bricks is not really acceptable. But for a few seconds of filing, all my robot problems went away.
  17. rskamen
    My sincere apologies gentlemen. Credit is due to @Doug72 and @dunes. The reverser module works perfectly. Thank you for the modifications and the instructions. I will be following the work of @MajklSpajkl for the Elevator :)
  18. rskamen
    I just completed the @MajklSpajkl Reverser Module with rubber bands. I followed instructions on the Stud.io program. While it shows every part, the building sequence is a bit out of synch. Sometimes it shows putting in a pin, and 5 steps later you have to disassemble a part so you can add a second pin. I found it best to look ahead about 10 steps to see what might cause you to take apart a component just to add another part. But, it was complete and every part was clearly outlined and available in numerous different views. I had previously built the @Berthil Passing Module. Both of these modules perform faultlessly. Now to order the final missing pieces for the Loader Conveyor, the Elevator with counter-weights, and the Rotary Dumper. I will be following @MajklSpajkl and @Berthil instructions. The Conveyor should be straight forward Akiyuki design. I will be traveling to New Jersey and New York for the next 10 days, so hopefully all my needed parts will be waiting for me when I get back home to Florida.
  19. rskamen
    @Berthil and @Jonas , you guys are incredible. I too noticed the 3 ribbed hoses, vs the 4 that is needed. In Ver2, a few of the longer push-pull axles with connectors tend to pull apart if there is the slightest friction anywhere in the factory. But I do like the idea of using beams or liftarms as they do not flex as some axles might do. Keep up the good work and dialogue, this is getting rather intense and very interesting. I am going to start acquiring needed parts. Although I must admit, I am a bit reluctant to dismantle my Ver2 Factory just yet.
  20. rskamen
    @Berthil Unbelievable work so far. When showing axles at 1 : 1 for size, that would be with the pdf file at 100%? With my old tired eyes, I use an very large monitor and usually view pdf's at 150% or 200%. So far, it looks like you have no need to change or update the parts lists. I am going through my existing Ver2 Ball Factory parts list, and have almost 2,000 reusable parts (many in RED). Once all the instructions are completed, will there be an addendum, or video for setting up the proper timing between modules, although I am pretty good at that by now. I guess we can cross that bridge when we get to it. I would not put too much time in bending hoses in Studio. If we can build the Ball Factory, we can figure out the hose placement and curvature. Keep up this great work.
  21. rskamen
    Here are two photos. One showing the bricks in place, and one showing the brick taken off the model so you can better see the corner that I filed down. This did the trick and no more hang ups . /
  22. rskamen
    By Jove, I've done it! Got the Catch & Spin Robots working rather well. I ended up filing the edges of the plates that the 1L Round sat on. Sometimes the spinning bot would hang up on a corner. I reread everything Akiyuki put in the addendum, retimed some of the gears by as little as 1 tooth, and it is running almost faultlessly. May play with the adjustment that gives the hands a tad more grip, but for now I am happy. It is a beautiful 87F degree (30.58C) Sunday afternoon here in Florida. Time to sit on my patio overlooking a lake and enjoy a well deserved glass of iced Vodka! Tomorrow I start in earnest on the modules for the Train. I have already built @Berthil passing module while I was waiting for parts to complete the robots.
  23. rskamen
    Thanks for the photos and information. Yes, I have a 1L round on each corner. It is getting better. I just keep tweaking it and taking parts off and putting them back on. The YELLOW bot is doing much better. The RED bot is dropping balls. Will have to adjust his grip as per the instructions. Almost perfect. Good news is that a lot of these parts can be used for @Berthil redesigned and rebuilt Ball Factory. My 4 year old grandson was at the house yesterday and so enthralled with my Ver2 of the ball factory, they he practically destroyed 4 modules in attempts to "help it along".
  24. rskamen
    One last problem...the robots hands are too high. They graze the top third of the balls.. They are not low enough to get a grip on the center of the ball. I have to try to raise the RED and YELLOW delivery ramp, or somehow get the robot arms just a little lower. I put a piece of heavy art paper in the delivery ramp and that worked. Did that to just prove that the robots will function if they grab a ball. The robots are leaning forward as much possible. Also, when the robots spin, they hang up on the edge of the 2 x 2 corner bricks surrounding each robot. That I can trim the corners a bit with my Dremel tool.
  25. rskamen
    I think I got it! I took the entire center mechanism and the robots completely apart and rebuilt it. I just left the delivery and the exit trays intact. Still a lot of tweaking, but I am very close. I think the arms on the robots are a bit short, so I am not inserting the "hand" piece all the way on to the 1.5 geared axle. It's been running without balls for about 15 minutes. Every so often I see a spot that is too tight or binding. Next test is to load it up and chase balls all over the floor :)
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