Since most people that saw my launch are curious to get more into it, I made this little explanatory video. Some tiny but vital partsare not explained herein. Please ask, if there is any question.
It is a rubber rope which has a rubber core and a polyester sheating. Diameter is 4mm. Extension rate is 100 percent. You will find such topes at home improvement or at stores for sailing accessoires.
This is ingenious! I love how everything was automated mechanically. I did some experimenting with cable launches, but I never thought to use a trigger in the track to stop the motor! Great work.
Ryan O'Neill Thanks for the appreciation. I still like my construction that much, that its kept safely and fully assembled in my basement. I am still thinking of doing a multi launch coaster but I am lacking time and parts.
Thanks... Hope everything is clear so far. The launch as it is built right now, works with 100 % reliability. One more hint: i put some pre-tension on the cars dog hook using a small rubberband. This is to make the dog catch the cars hook reliably.
Jason Cappuccino There is this small pin under the front coach. I mounted a rubber band in such a way that this pin is always in 45 degree position. This enables the dog to reliably catch the car, but still leaves the pin to slide over obstacles e.g. chains, wheels....
I know this is an old video but I just finished building mine. How did you get the spacing on the grey rods and connector that sit between the track? The ones that help guide the chain dog thing? Seems like I can't get them spaced well for it to move smoothly when released. I have to realign it almost every time. I used the blue rod and the black connector
Hey there, nice to read you are rebuilding my creation. Basically it seems like you used the right parts. Since the black connector can slide on the blue rod in axial direction, try to make the spacing slightly bigger than the orange connector of the chain dog. I did nothing else and that worked flawlessly.
@@xXeLEKTROMiNikXx hey sorry to keep asking questions but I have one more. I have everything working know. The only problem I have is the rope that is pulling the cord back. When it launches, the rope keeps coming out to far. Then I have to manually reguide it each time. Any suggestions on what I should do? I have the rope tied tight and it's round up tightly
I am using a pretty simply rope to pull back the cable car and to generate the tension. It is a 5mm polypropylene rope. I fear, I do not get the point of the first question. If you are talkin about materials, that activate the launch, the mechanism is fully made of Knex.
You should try and use that catch car system on a lift hill like the one found on millennium force that way you could make it taller than normal because you would save weight. This system is genius.
There is the orange two way straight connector acting as cable dog. Drilled a hole from the front side in axial direction until the center hole. Pulled through the rubber rope and made a simple knot. Pullled on the rubber rope to make the knot slip into the center hole. I flattened the protruding parts of the knot with a soldering iron to make the dog run the smoothest possible way in the guideway
This is a seriouse question, could you try this with lego's official roller ocaster system? If you need space inbetween the rail-bars, put 2 straigt travs vertically besides eachother.
So, there's a motor pulling the rubber rope to build up tension, and the gear keeps it in place, and then when the car activates the trigger the gear pulls back and it lets go? Is that right? Either way, that's a super smart launch system.
Anonymous Idea That is basically, how it works! In lack of any control parts such as mindstorms, I came up with this solution. Quite reliable, when installed in track setup
Thanks for clarifying, that's really awesome how you got that relatively complex action out of a just a simple motor. I'm definitely going to take a crack at making my own when I get some more gears and coaster parts!
CoasterGamer Initially I recommend trying to rebuild it based on this video. Making a reliable instruction would be very longlasting. If you feeling like not making it, you can contact me at and time.
This is Pivotal Sorry, but it would be too time consuming to do a step by step tutorial. One day or another I might come back with a more detailed post
Trial and error was my way to come to a good result. View my video thoroughly and you will understand how it works. Come back to me, if you are struggling
jordy Basically, I would say yes. However, I do not have and experience on the micro coaster system, apart from the sets off the shelf. I could imagine, it is difficult to guide the chain dog, due to the rail design.
It's 2 AM, I have an essay I need to write, and yet I'm still here for some reason. I don't even own Knex.
It is really cool though.
It is a rubber rope which has a rubber core and a polyester sheating. Diameter is 4mm. Extension rate is 100 percent. You will find such topes at home improvement or at stores for sailing accessoires.
Cool I have never seen a knex coaster with a real launch ,others just have a rubberband or something like that .Good Job!
This is ingenious! I love how everything was automated mechanically. I did some experimenting with cable launches, but I never thought to use a trigger in the track to stop the motor! Great work.
Ryan O'Neill Thanks for the appreciation. I still like my construction that much, that its kept safely and fully assembled in my basement. I am still thinking of doing a multi launch coaster but I am lacking time and parts.
if you have a launcher you should make the kingda ka.................please
wow! This is a very good K'nex roller coaster! Very good mechanism!
Very interesting good vid and explanation to the launch thanks😄.
Thanks... Hope everything is clear so far. The launch as it is built right now, works with 100 % reliability. One more hint: i put some pre-tension on the cars dog hook using a small rubberband. This is to make the dog catch the cars hook reliably.
Ok, I think I have a pretty good idea of the pulleys, gearing, cable drum and switches but... how does the dog catch the car?
Jason Cappuccino There is this small pin under the front coach. I mounted a rubber band in such a way that this pin is always in 45 degree position. This enables the dog to reliably catch the car, but still leaves the pin to slide over obstacles e.g. chains, wheels....
I know this is an old video but I just finished building mine. How did you get the spacing on the grey rods and connector that sit between the track? The ones that help guide the chain dog thing? Seems like I can't get them spaced well for it to move smoothly when released. I have to realign it almost every time. I used the blue rod and the black connector
Hey there, nice to read you are rebuilding my creation. Basically it seems like you used the right parts. Since the black connector can slide on the blue rod in axial direction, try to make the spacing slightly bigger than the orange connector of the chain dog. I did nothing else and that worked flawlessly.
@@xXeLEKTROMiNikXx do you remember which type of elastic cord you used? I bought some but after a few launches, it seems to loose it's strength
@@CLBCrew96 Must have been an elastic rope of 4mm with PE sheating and rubber core. Quite common in home improvement markets over here.
@@xXeLEKTROMiNikXx hey sorry to keep asking questions but I have one more. I have everything working know. The only problem I have is the rope that is pulling the cord back. When it launches, the rope keeps coming out to far. Then I have to manually reguide it each time. Any suggestions on what I should do? I have the rope tied tight and it's round up tightly
@@CLBCrew96 As far as I get your point, I can only imagine it is a matter of adjustment of the ropes lengths and pretension in unloaded condition.
I am using a pretty simply rope to pull back the cable car and to generate the tension. It is a 5mm polypropylene rope. I fear, I do not get the point of the first question. If you are talkin about materials, that activate the launch, the mechanism is fully made of Knex.
xXeLEKTROMiNikXx the rope or material that pulls the catch car at a fast speed
xXeLEKTROMiNikXx sehr geil gebaut und es funktioniert markelos respekt diggi
You should try and use that catch car system on a lift hill like the one found on millennium force that way you could make it taller than normal because you would save weight. This system is genius.
Nice idea. Maybe will give it a try sooner or later
U understand it pretty well But I wonder how did you get the rubber rope to stay connected to the dog?
There is the orange two way straight connector acting as cable dog. Drilled a hole from the front side in axial direction until the center hole. Pulled through the rubber rope and made a simple knot. Pullled on the rubber rope to make the knot slip into the center hole. I flattened the protruding parts of the knot with a soldering iron to make the dog run the smoothest possible way in the guideway
@@xXeLEKTROMiNikXx oooh!!! I was wondering super smart!
Beautifully done!
Cool I’m going to copy it 😀😃😃😄😁😁
This is a seriouse question, could you try this with lego's official roller ocaster system? If you need space inbetween the rail-bars, put 2 straigt travs vertically besides eachother.
Nice idea, but I do not have any lego coaster parts. For sure, this would be quite challenging.
So, there's a motor pulling the rubber rope to build up tension, and the gear keeps it in place, and then when the car activates the trigger the gear pulls back and it lets go? Is that right? Either way, that's a super smart launch system.
Anonymous Idea That is basically, how it works! In lack of any control parts such as mindstorms, I came up with this solution. Quite reliable, when installed in track setup
Thanks for clarifying, that's really awesome how you got that relatively complex action out of a just a simple motor. I'm definitely going to take a crack at making my own when I get some more gears and coaster parts!
can you make a instruction video about the launch?
how to make it?
CoasterGamer Initially I recommend trying to rebuild it based on this video. Making a reliable instruction would be very longlasting. If you feeling like not making it, you can contact me at and time.
Can u show us how to make it?
problaly a little bit to complex for a tutorial
I in the process of building my own coaster
Please do a tutorial on this this was 5 or 4 years ago you got mad engineering skills
This is Pivotal Sorry, but it would be too time consuming to do a step by step tutorial. One day or another I might come back with a more detailed post
Is it automatic
Yes, it is. It resets fully automatic after every launch and nicht car can access unless fully loaded
are you ale to make a kaunch coaster that goes all around your house
Unfortunately not. Not enough parts. I have only parts for approx. 9m track
ok
And if I dont have so much lego?
With wich materiales did you do rails?
Alexis Cuevas Heras Basically it is all made of Knex. Another construction set, which is more common in the US.
how can i build this launch
Trial and error was my way to come to a good result. View my video thoroughly and you will understand how it works.
Come back to me, if you are struggling
would it be possible to make this for a micro rollercoaster
jordy Basically, I would say yes. However, I do not have and experience on the micro coaster system, apart from the sets off the shelf. I could imagine, it is difficult to guide the chain dog, due to the rail design.
And the little pieces to keep the chain on the track would likely fall off due to the speed.
Can you make a tutorial pls ? Pls pls pls pls pls pleas pls pls pls
Hi there, I am lacking time an equipment to do so. Maybe the other day... Stay tuned!
Thats some A* engineering right there 👍
craig edwards Thanks for the credit. Never expected this vid to be so popular!!!
If you where to sell it for her w much
Sen Hasaan You mean the whole bunch of Knex?
Yea the whole track I just want to see how much it would cost
And I just want to ask where to you get the materials to make this
Sen Hasaan My Knex stock in total costed me about 400€.
Sen Hasaan My Knex stock in total costed me about 400€.