rskamen
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Everything posted by rskamen
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I totally agree. It is most unique. Has "complexity" written all over it, and it amazes anyone that comes into my house. I keep it covered just to keep it clean. It's not something that is easily dusted or vacuumed.
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Look up the Rebricker's videos. He has one that just shows mods and improvements. That helped tremendously. Absolutely worth building. It was fun and a great learning experience. The good part about the ball factory is that is a complete closed loop, so you do not need to tie it into other GBC modules, although it does have a few ramps to easily redirect the balls to another module. My Ball Factory also sits on a plank of wood so I can easily move it from my den to other rooms in the house. It currently sits atop of a large rattan trunk that houses a collection of rare HO Brass model locomotives that I inherited. I am not a train buff, so they too will eventually go to my grandsons. I guess that some day I will dismantle the Ball Factory, but my head just isn't there yet. Why not use the conveyor system to return the balls back to the input tray for the spiral ball loader? Check out Therebirckers videos. That part of the ball factory has worked faultlessly from the first day. I may build that conveyor system to return the balls on the Invisible Lift so it becomes a closed loop system without needing other GBC modules to connect with.
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I know that!. Only kidding....thanks for that explanation. Makes perfect sense. The build you are working on for the Crane Loader is quite impressive. Good luck with it. If you are retired like me, you have plenty of time to make yourself crazy :)
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Although I have not taken any of my builds to shows, my Ball Factory runs rather well and rather consistently. If an axle or gear works itself out of position, then I am in for an hour of re-sync'ing everything downstream from the failure. But, I am curious, what do people with limited space do with the Ball Factory, or other builds after a few months, or a year? Do they dismantle the builds and reuse all the parts? Some of my radio controlled construction vehicles will go to one or two of my grandsons. The Ball Factory is too complex, too delicate, and too frustrating (at times) to give away.
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Thanks for the advice. I am gathering what I need to get going. I will keep you posted. I am also going to build the basic Train set up as well. I have a lot of parts I can scavenge for that already on hand.
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@Berthil - Thank you for your photos and explanation. I will look at the Marble Run for parts so I better understand the clamping method. What about the 11L Lego ribbed tubing that I used for the spiral lift in my Ball Factory? Would they suffice as well? I was thinking that maybe the slightest dab (spot) of clear rubber glue on the tips of the clear antenna might give them a better grip on the balls as the move up the Invisible Lift. Would that be considered "acceptable" in the world of GBC? Being relatively new to Lego and GBC, what is PTFE? I am looking forward to any more photos or information on your counterweight system of the Train Elevator as well. You are a wealth of knowledge and I greatly appreciate any help you can give.
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Now I fully understand. Thanks for clarifying that. How exactly is the train unit cabled? Where does the M motor cable attach to? What attaches to the PF Switch? What attaches to the battery box? I am going through my BWE (set #42055 and gathering parts). Once I know what I have and what I need, I will begin sourcing and ordering. My biggest obstacle is the lack of inventory of parts. I just can't go to my parts bin and "replace" or "try" different parts. Even minor modifications require knowing the exact part, part number, and ordering it. I've paid $US3.00 postage to order a missing $US.10 (10 cent) part.
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@Berthil - I am curious to know exactly what size the tubes are that you used as the entry and exit ramps on you Invisible Lift? Also, what part, and part number is used to hold, or clamp the tube in place? If I build the Invisible Lift, I like the way you did the entry ramp, and especially the exit ramp and ball drop. Any parts list or plans for that? Much better than the long ramps made out of lift arms and studded bricks.
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@Berthil & @Doug72, Thank you for your information and advice. I will build slowly and very carefully. I do not get frustrated easily. Being retired, every day is Sunday. I have the time to do it right. I will be going over every word in this forum, all of your good advice, and hopefully some more detailed photos or instructions from @Berthil regarding his counterweight and pulley system for the Elevator module. Bricklink will be my resource for the next few weeks of gathering all the parts I do not have (probably 1,000's). Keep your good information coming. Regards from warm and sunny Delray Beach, Florida. In making the Elevator taller, as shown by @Berthil, why is it necessary to go in multiples = to 4L racks? Once you go above the original height as shown in the Akiyuki plans, there is no need for the 4L racks as the train does not go any higher. Am I missing something, or are you just saying it is easier to build in 4 stud or 4L rack increments?
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Doug72 and Berthil (or anyone else that wants to jump in) - I am just trying to confirm that the Elevator pdf's and the Rotary Dumper pdf's that are available in Bricksafe are the latest versions? I am getting ready to start building 2 trains, a Loader module, passing Module, Elevator and Rotary Dumper. Since I have very limited inventory - basically an unopened Bucket Wheel Excavator (set 42055) - everything that I cannot scavenge will have to be ordered online. I will built the train unit with the M motor to start. Mayne covert to the L motor at a later date. How do you open up the new style PF switch to remove the indents - in case I cannot find the old style? Keep up your great work.
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Thank you for your quick response. Any close up photos, details, or building instructions would be very much appreciated, If you wish to send me anything directly, my email is: rskamen@comcast.net. I will eagerly look forward to anything you can provide. With kind regards, Bob
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Berthil, I am going to take the plunge and begin building a few of the modules for the train layout. I am most impressed with your counterweight and pulley system on the elevator. Do you have any additional photo's, drawings, parts lists, or anything that might help me replicate your pulley system? I will start my train system with the 2 trains, Loader, unloader, passing module, reversing module, elevator and rotary dumper. It might be a little aggressive for me, but I am willing to give it my best try. Thank you in advance for all of your help and wisdom. You were extremely helpful a few weeks ago when you gave me the Lego part numbers for the track sections.
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Thank you Berthil for your comments. I have been following your posts and watched your video in the invisible lift. Great work on your behalf.
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I am back from some more traveling and ready for my next GBC project. I am very strongly considering doing the Invisible Lift. One question...do I have to use the "soft" springs (light bluish gray) for this, or can I use the "Hard" springs (yellow)? I think the yellow spring adds a bit of color, but with they function properly? Looking forward to feedback, along with any other words of wisdom or help. I plan to follow theRebrickers video instructions, as well as referring to Blakbrids pdf.
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Jonas, thank you for your reply and offer to help. My email is: rskamen@comcast.net Anything you can send would be most helpful. Without any inventory of parts, I have to order everything as I need it. I don't have parts bins where I can just grab what I need, and switch out what doesn't fit or work.I have the mechanical chain partially assembled, but I think it is too long. I even figured out the last ball lift which is 90 degrees to the 5 main lifts. I am slowly getting it worked out. I greatly appreciate anything you can send to help me. Thank you.
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Doug72 - thank you for your prompt reply an invaluable information. I really like the picture and video you posted of your compact layout. Definitely something to strive for. Saty tuned, I am sure there will be a lot more questions coming.
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Thank you Doug72 and Berthil for your advice, and information. I know the Elevator and Rotary Dumper are very complex, but I am totally intrigued by the design and operation. Besides, I believe that the kit #42055 has a good deal of the parts required. I never built a GBC and got the Ball Factory done with minimal temper tantrums. It was fun to do all the research and gathering of parts. My wife was getting concerned about all the packages that just kept coming to the mailbox. The Target stores here in the USA is having a sale on RC track kits. 8 straight, 4 curved, and 8 flexible, kit #60205 for only $US15,00. I can pick it up locally with no shipping costs. I might buy 2 or 3 of those kits to fulfill the basic track requirements. Then look for the switches and crossovers. Just concerned the wide curves will make the layout too big. Any idea how big the radius is using the wide cure, and how many sections required to make a 180 degree turn?
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I have been on the Akiyuki Project forum, but my first post here. I am 74 years old, retired from the Publishing industry and living in Delray Beach, Florida. I built my first ever Lego recently which was the Volvo Wheel Loader with Efferman steering mods. Then I built from scratch the #8043 Excavator, ordering all parts and following the mods. After 6 months of research, ordering parts, and getting bleary eyed watching the Rebrickers videos, I built my first GBC - The Akiyuki Great Ball Factory. It turned out beautifully and is extremely reliable. I built this with only a few bricks I "borrowed" from one of my grandsons, and ordering about 3,000 pieces. I recently bought the Bucket Wheel Excavator (#42055) for the sole purposes of using it for parts. I am getting ready to build some of the Train System and have read through this entire forum. I am amazed at the work so many of you have done. I wanted to start with 2 trains, 2 loader/conveyors, the elevator and the rotary ball dumper. I need to research buying track, but I read a page or two back that most of them are available at Bricklink. Can anyone give me the exact name(s) of the parts, or the part numbers for the various sections and configurations of track? Due to space limitations, I would probably build the compact layout that Berthil did. Doug72 may become my new best friend for the next few months as I continue to follow this forum, research and order pars, and begin the build. Other than the BWE (#42055), I have no inventory of parts and would need to carefully order everything that I cannot scavenge from the kit. I look forward to any help, words of wisdom, or specific advice.
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Ankoku - thank you for your advice and information. Good idea about looking at the Cup-to-Cup to get ideas about the motion and the gearing. Yes, definitely need to build inventory and ordering extras for future use is a great idea. My Ball Factory, if you remember was done in red. I don't want to continue with that color. Too limiting. I will go with the traditional black/gray look from now on. Makes swapping pieces a lot easier.
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I still need to post photos of my Ball Factory. Did some more minor tweaks and it is running beautifully. Can't believe I did it, especially since it is my 3rd Lego project, and first GBC ever. I am trying to build the unit that Jonas did with a small wheel and a take off of the mechanical chain system. Very difficult since I only have 2 videos to work from. I do not have any inventory of parts, so I am trying to be careful and precise when ordering what I think I need. If anyone can help shed some light or information, I would be grateful. I have the wheel built and I did a basic set up of the mechanical chain, but need to make a lot of adjustments and order some different size and color technic bricks. I have no idea how to set up the motor, the gearing, or building the wall that the wheel is set on. Looks pretty much like basic brick build. Okay - what's next? The Akiyuki Fork-to-Fork? The Invisible Lift? Or do I dive in to Akiyuki's wonderful GBC Train Layout and begin building one or two modules? I've read the Doug72 thread a 100 times. With virtually no inventory of parts, I have to order everything I need for each build. I have managed to amass a collection of axles, various pins, and some assorted technic beams, but not enough in any size or color to be very helpful. Look forward to any thoughts or advice,
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I finished the Great Ball Factory, and just about have the timing set. It skips, misses, or jams every once in awhile, but I have managed to run it for 10 minutes straight without a single miss or dropped ball. I got the delivery of the Quercetti balls from Riga, Latvia. They seem to work fine. But since this is my first GBC and my 3rd Lego project ever, I have no basis for comparison. I did open a bricksafe account and will get pictures and a quick video posted in the next day or two. Thank you to all that helped, and to everyone on this forum for all the wisdom and knowledge you impart. Maybe the Akiyuki Train project next? I will need a bigger house! Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful Holiday season. Bob
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Thanks for your information. It seems everyone is out of stock on these. I did find a seller on Ebay that has one box, brand new, unopened, selling for $6.00US plus $6.00 shipping. I ordered them and will try them out. Worst case, I will have to source TLG balls, but I thought these would be worth a try. Working on module 9 now, the Ball Lifter.
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Hi all, I am back from my travels and working on my Ball Factory. About halfway through now. I have been timing every module as I go and so far, everything is running properly. I do need to order balls (white and orange). Does anyone have suggestions as to what to order and where to get them? The original TLG balls are hard to find and extremely expensive.
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Ankoku, good idea about using Bricksafe. I am still pretty new to all of this and learning as much as possible from folks like you. I am only a few specialty bricks short of everything I need to start the Ball Factory. May begin one or 2 modules before I travel in October.Thanks
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These are my first 2 Lego projects since I last built with my children 45 years ago. The Volvo Wheel Loader 42030 is modified with Efferman's steering. I updated it with an S-Brick so I could use the IR receivers and controllers for the Excavator. This was my first build and rather daunting at the start. The Excavator is set 8043, but built as a modified Jurgens Ultimate. This I built all from parts ordered on Bricklink and BrickOwl. I followed the instructions downloaded from the web.
