Marble lifting automation

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Ready---Aim----Holy Crow--I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that ball bearing!! Actually, the arm is just about at the elevation where the ball bearing topples out from gravity. Its plain that if I want the ball to stay in the pocket until the arm is vertical, I'm going to have to put a neodymium magnet in the bottom of the pocket.
 
Just read all the posts on the other site, some people seem to be really anal about engines only. Funny enough, there are other postings about building dividing heads, rotary tables etc which are definitely not engines.:mad:

Paul.
 
Hi Brian,

Yet another fascinating build from the Rupnow stables.

Andrew
 
Swifty said:
Just read all the posts on the other site, some people seem to be really anal about engines only. Funny enough, there are other postings about building dividing heads, rotary tables etc which are definitely not engines.:mad:

Paul.
Click to expand...

It's just one Mod on the other site who has a problem with Brian's project. Don't know why, as you say loads of non engine stuff on there ;)
 
Another vote for continuing, I have always enjoyed your posts!
 
Brian:

About the pocket, from what I have seen about marble machines that transport a marble vertically, the pcoket is not just a semi-circular depression, it is deep enough and angled so that gravity holds the marble in place until the arm or whatever reaches it maximum position. You might have a hard time getting the magnet size and location tuned to release the bearing at the right position every time, but gravity will always have the same effect. That being said I think you can probably still save the part you already have made, just modify the pocket.

Don
 
Brian,

Late to it, but YES: anything you design and build is interesting to me. I especially like your free description of the whole process and drawings made available.

Rant: If "appropriate" is defined too narrowly, then we're all building the same thing as if it were a kit without learning anything new.

I'm in this hobby for problem solving and thinking "outside the box."

Keep it up and good luck,

--ShopShoe
 
I did your beam engine a couple of years ago it was fun to build and runs nicely. I always enjoyed your stuff so keep on keeping on. :D
 
Thanks for the support guys. Sometimes when something like this happens, I start thinking "Is it them or is it me!!!!"
 
Where to go next?? I have decided that the big green baseplate shown in one of the assembly posts (post #7) earlier in the thread is going to morph into a 2 1/2" wide x 11 1/4" long piece of flatbar. That is big enough to hold all of the other components, and makes the assembly a true "stand alone" unit. All it needs is a clear lexan riser tube and a return ramp to get the marbles back down to the lifter/pitching arm. I probably won't be doing something that simple, but it always is nice to have something designed as a mostly complete "module" that contains 99% of all the bits and pieces, and can be added to other "modules" at a later date.--Brian
 
Last edited:
Brian Rupnow said:
Thanks for the support guys. Sometimes when something like this happens, I start thinking "Is it them or is it me!!!!"
Click to expand...
It's you!............ Just kidding! ;D
You can bet that whoever is complaining would most likely be posting "their" build of one.
Carry on young man.
 
Brian, let's start a marble machines powered by model engines forum :eek:

We'll call it HMMPBME, short for Home Marble Machines Powered by Model Engines. We'll dog any one actually building an engine as the focus will be marble machines.
 
Keep going, Brian. Linkages are good - besides it's going to give you something to drive with one of your engines. Hmm, could two engines be used backwards through a differential to power it if one didn't have enough oomph?
Alan
 
Keep your heads down boys!! As soon as I get some dry powder for this thing--KABLOOOY!!! I got up early this morning and made the base before Momma got up. Now she's up, and I have to go get involved in the "Big house Slick up"--Kids and Grandkids and spouses and friends are coming for Thanksgiving tomorrow and Mommas back isn't real good, so I get the vacuuming duties.

 
Brian,
I'm another who is always interested in your projects and applaud the fact that you make the effort and take the time to post on this forum. While I personally might never built a marble automation there is always something to be learned from seeing what you and others are doing. Over the past five years that I have been following this forum there have been many things and ideas that have contributed to my continuing education.
True this forum is for those making model engines but and that's a big but there is a lot more to it than cranks,valves and pistons. Learning about process is important also. A case in point your description of using a hacksaw blade, ground, as a cutter for e clip grooves may be useful for someone who has never needed to cut a really narrow groove in a shaft.
Don't let the purists discourage you, there will always be those who will criticize. Sometimes I think it's just because they can. I don't necessarily agree with every thing that is posted on this forum or any other for that matter, but in most cases my opinion isn't going to make a bit of difference. For some folks especially those just getting started in the hobby such criticism could well put them right off contributing, which just isn't right.
That said, I'm following this your latest build with interest.
I will get down off my soap box now.
Keep it going brother.
Ernie
 
After my vacuuming duties, and my lawn cutting duties, I stole a couple more hours and machined the hold downs for the slider base. No excitement there, just milling and adding counter-bored holes. With all of the bolts tightened down, the slider still slides, so I must have got the clearances about where I wanted them to be. One thing I'm beginning to see is that I may need to put a gear drive on this thing rather than a simple o-ring drive. O-rings make great drive belts for this model engineering stuff, but they really won't transmit very much torque. They just slip. I think I'm going to change the pulley shown in the model for a spur gear about 4 1/2" in diameter and drive it with a 3/4" diameter pinion on a jackshaft. I will put the o-ring pulley on the jack shaft. I went around to all the motorcycle and ATV repair shops yesterday, trying to mooch any old spur gears, but no luck. I can cut my own spur gear, but I would rather have found a "ready made" set. I did get an electric motor armature with a 1/2" diameter helical end on it and a matching 1.5" diameter helical gear, but there isn't enough reduction in that, so I'll save it for a future project.
 
I follow your builds here Brian seeing it isn't welcome on the other site. I have let my thoughts be know over there regarding your build and it is as follows:
"Let us look at all this logically, all engines were built and developed to do work. What is the point of building an engine to just sit there and make noise and blow smoke. It is much more interesting to show them doing all sorts of work. Engines were developed to power machinery, and move vehicles so what is wrong with people posting items that are accessories to the engines made.
It is all pretty childish not to allow him to continue his build here. I thing some people who are opposed to it need to get a life and stop dragging others down into their miserable small minded world. Now that's my *****, like it or lump it I call a spade a spade and if it upsets anyone tough luck. You will always know where you stand with me, it's the Aussie in me."
 
I am here as well and I am following, learning and enjoying as I have each of your builds

I think anything that a (model) engineer builds is an engine. That includes fire engines, traction engines (I note that someone is building one of those on the other site), steam engines, engines of war and so on.

Some threads I follow, some I don't. But I don't feel called upon to demand that those I don't like be removed. And I object when someone else does. It spoils the cameraderie that I value.

It's a bit like breaking wind in a lift.

So good onya Brian, press on regardless.

Jim
 
Brian,
Perhaps if the arm were reshaped like this it could hold the marble longer?
Alan

Marble arm.jpg
 
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