K'neXLC- Pictures now Available

Ive decided to take back out my K'nex coaster building sets and begin building a new coaster- K'neXLC. It will be a working k'nex coaster in the style of the late Hypersonic XLC. It will not actually have an air launch, but I am planning to experiment with launch types.

I am still unsure of the complete dimensions, but I am planning for it to be about 4-4.5 feet tall with a launch track about 5-7 feet long.

I am using a Screamin Serpent train
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photo ... oaster.jpg

The launch system will most likely include a catch car (piece of lift chain) hooked to a cable (string or wire).

Pictures on the NLDC page;
http://www.NoLimitsDevCenter.net/p5790



If anyone has any ideas for launch, brake, or other construction, don't hesitate to tell!

Rubber band Launch!

im assuming you mean like a slingshot launch. ive tried that before, but its just terrible. ive also tried bands pulling the cable, but i couldnt get ones that were large enough. im looking for a system with minimal human interaction. weight drop possibly...

still looking for ideas.

also if anyone has any good pictures/diagrams/specific detail on XLC, it would be also helpful.

I've never touched a K'nex coaster piece, but do you think maybe a stress/pressure launch could work? Like using a hooked spring to hold it in place,and a wire/string hooked at the other end going away from the launch, so when you realease it the pressure launches it?

that seems like a cool idea, but the trouble is it will only be pulling it for like half the launch track, and wont get up to speed that way. hats hat happened with the rubber band idea.

I always thought electromagnets might work...

Air pressure!!! Although please, don't ask me how you'd make that work within a reasonable budget.
Anyway, how were you planning on pulling off a weight drop launch without drilling a 3-foot deep hole in your floor?

Something like a pulley, I would assume?

why would i need to make a hole? it ould fall from the top of the tower.

ahhhh....wasn't thinking about clever ways to avoid driling...

brains- they're useful.

anyway, idk how that would work out, it would have to be awfully heavy and the tower would have to hold alot of weight, which might cause damage.

use a chain attached to a dril

Hey man, you mind moving the pictures to another photo site? NLDC is supposed to be only for showcasing No Limits designs. Thanks

well, i suppose ill move them here, as its seeming something will be going on with the NLDC on the 24th.

Yeah, I didn't know about that when I commented here last night. Oh well...thanks for doing it anyways, and good luck with your coaster.