My launched Knex coaster

[coasterlover420]

This is my coaster that I built in like a day. It's actually pretty good. I installed a launch system that will rocket the coaster to like 6 feet in like 1/2 a second. I used a pulley and rubber bands and a lawn mower motor as a weight. Then I ran a string through the launch track and attached it to a Knex piece, which fits into the back of the car. The Rubber bands are released by a quick release system under the train and the car is rocketed forward and up the tower. It's basically a 6 foot Dragster mirror clovne, but I was unique and added a barrel roll which is rather nicely shaped!

 

here are some pics and a video:

Here's a quick little video of it in operation.zip

This is a short crappy .ASF format video of it in operation (it's about 3 seconds)

Rollback brakes that pop up and down.

Lots of rubber bands that it doesn't need, but it makes it look complex!

Car attachment (not quite a catchcar)

Quick release (it's basically a semicircle connector on the track instead of a straight connector and a medium short piece in front of the wheel.)

Ready Position

Idle position

[kennywood!007]

OMG is that fast!....I love it though nice work!

 

 

 

 

 

-zack

[CP_RULES]

WOW! That is unbelievably fast and AWESOME! I love it. To anyone who hasnt downloaded the video.... DOWNLOAD IT! I give you major props! BRAVO!

[coasterlover420]

here's like 4 more videos. One was when it ACTUALLY GOT STUCK AT THE TOP!!!!

IMG_0001.zip

IMG_0036.zip

Here's a video of the rollback brakes in action!

[phazan]

Hey, that coaster is awsome! I like the rollback brakes! Maybe my next coaster will have a launch like that.

[coasters 4 me]

That is really fast! I like the launch and brkes.

[Angry_Gumball]

That's sweet! The launch technique beats the Rippin' Rocket's launch technique.

[coasterlover420]

^Yeah, that was my very first intention!

[crispy]

That is VERY impressive, good job

[jamesdillaman]

I couldn't get any videos to play, what player should I use? I'm on a mac, but it pulls it up in Windows media player, then says WMP doesn't support the codec. What should I use?

[coasterlover420]

^Sorry, The only thing I can think of is to get a video converter of some kind. None of the ones I can find actually work, so I can't convert them. Sorry. WMP should play them, though. That's weird.

 

Perhaps download a later version of WMP?

[arlen23]

That's real cool. I want one of those where you make the rollercoaster.

[coasterman7]

What kind of Mac do you have? There is this thing called Flip4Mac and you can play Windows Media files in your Quicktime player. Go to www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ ... nents.mspx

I hope this fixes your problem! And when you get the .wmv file on your desktop drag it to the WMV icon and the quicktime player will show up and the video will play!!

 

And about the videos, great!!!! I have rippin rocket and it stopped running on me. But I love your design and how you launched the car!!

[socalMAN123]

That...is...INSANE!!!!! Wow, I can't believe you actually made that. It's amazing.

---Brent

[coasterlover420]

I have a future plan to double the length of the launch and maybe have it go up 10-12 feet. Then go through an insane, really long track twisting through itself like Joker's Jynx, but have it all above the "station." I've got a lot of knex to buy!