Great Knex Launch that works

I figured out an awesome knex launch for the screamin serpent.

You will need several rubberbands, some string, 8 rods, and 2 white connectors(the ones with 8 spots to connect to. You also need 2 of the brown connectors that connect the red chain gear wheel to a rod. And a grey wheel.

Tie the rubberbands together, so they stretch to the length of the launch track. When all the rubberbands are tied together, tie the end rubberband cord to 4 chain links.

Take your 8 rods and snap them to the 2 white connectors so they make a cylinder.

Take the cylinder and put a rod through the center. Put the brown wheel connectors on the rod and make it so the rod and the cylinder are joined. Next put the rod so that it is at the far end of the launch track and it can spin freely.

Tie the string to the cylinder and thread it through the hole in green track connectors all the way back to the station end. Put a wheel at the station end of the launch track. Put the string around the wheel and tie it to the other end of the chain link. Make sure there is enough string so that it can get to the far end of the launch track with out stopping.

For the last step, tie the free end of the rubberbands to something sturdy at the far end of the launch track.

If you build it correctly, you can spin the cylinder so that it pulls the chain link back to the station and you can hook the train to the chain link. Then you can let go of the cylinder and the train will launch.

I tied my rubberbands to a weight so I can move the weight and make the launch more powerful.

Good Luck *** Edited 1/19/2004 10:48:51 PM UTC by diving Loop***

That sounds like a good idea, yet kind of confusing. Is there anyway you could get a picture of this idea? Thanks.

Hey if you have some pictures I will put your tutorial up on my site, if you would like. http://sscoasters.bgtguide.com

Sounds like a really cool system... although wouldn't it have been easier to buy a Rippin' Rocket? ;)

Sorry no digital camera.

It is more complicated that the Rippin Rocket, but it only needs one launcher and it looks better.

Did anyone else try the launcher yet?

I haven't, I like launches that work on there own so I can step back and watch my creation! :) But if someone does, please let me see pics!!

I prefer everything to be automatic too, which is one of the problems I have with my new Six Flags Cool Coaster: Vertical Velocity set. The "cliffhanger" element requires well-timed input from the operator.