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Ugears 3D Wooden Mechanical Model Marble Track
What is it about marble runs that makes them so compelling? Kids (and adults!) can watch marbles going down a track, passing through various obstacles, for hours on end. Marble runs are fascinating, they grab our attention, and yet they're also relaxing. Marble runs and races have become an unexpected YouTube phenomenon, with thousands of videos racking up millions of views. You choose a marble to watch, to cheer for, you wonder which path it will take, you put yourself in the marble's place, imagining that you are right there with the glass ball, going on a marvelous, unknown journey, with twists and turns and surprises around every corner. The thrill is even greater when you've built the marble run yourself. Now you're not just passively watching a video, you're fully invested because you built a wondrous machine with your own hands.
Presenting the UGears mechanical Marble Run Chain Hoist model—an exciting combination of art and engineering. The Marble Run Chain Hoist is both a beautiful kinetic sculpture and an intricate toy that teaches as it entertains. This DIY wooden marble run features a chain hoist powered by a hand crank, and a series of tracks, each with its own unique and fun obstacle or element. Turn the handle clockwise to set the machine in motion, and watch as the wooden chain hoist collects and lifts the marbles to the top of the machine, where a 3-way switch distributes them on different tracks. One marble plunges down a chute with a loop-the-loop at the bottom; the next tumbles down the various stages of the cascades, while three others are collected in the accumulator then released down one of three short tracks. All marbles pass through the common tray or collector before returning to the chain hoist to be lifted on their next journey.
The Marble Run Chain Hoist is modular and can be connected to other Marble Run Chain Hoists (2 or 4 models can be connected, in pairs) using special connectors (included). Attach two mechanical Marble Run Chain Hoist models together frontally, or connect four together, both frontally and laterally, for a mini system of hoists and runs.
Fully-functional mechanical models from nothing but laser-cut plywood? It sounds sketchy, and perhaps even fragile, but there's nothing amateur about these high-quality kits. Each box contains several sturdy wooden sheets of laser-cut pieces, with each piece numbered according to its chronological use in the instruction booklet. The booklet itself is the veritable pice de resistance of the kits, utilizing full-color 3D illustrations, "magnified" steps for small pieces, a straightforward labeling system, and helpful symbols for tricky steps. Once completed, the scale model operates just like the real thing, mimicking behavior as closely as 1/8th-inch plywood (and a few extra bits) can. Safes have combination locks, engines push pistons, and vehicles feature functioning transmission and rubber-band powered motors. All components are natural and sustainably-sourced. Oh, and did we mention the holy grail of model construction? No glue required.
The kits provide a range of complexity (between 1-12 hours), with 14 being the youngest recommended age for completing all models solo. With limited adult supervision or model-making experience, most kits can be completed by those as young as 11 or 12 and are durable enough for extended use. All models are beautifully designed and just about the right size for pretend play, and they can even be painted using watercolors or other thin paints! And of course, at the forefront of each and every lovingly crafted kit is a dedication to mechanics: you're not just putting it together; you're learning how it functions.
Product Format: | Other |
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Brand: | UGears |
Grades: | 9-AD |
EAN/UPC: | 4820184121270 |
Length in Inches: | 6.875 |
Width in Inches: | 15 |
Height in Inches: | 1.375 |
Weight in Pounds: | 1.8 |