Upslide Instructions Progress

Quick Update on the Upslide Instructions

I've done what I consider the "easy" portion of creating instructions. The digital model is complete with correct building steps and sub-assemblies.

I plan on starting on the PDF instructions next week, using any free time left this week to start working on the TRI-SEP rebuild.

I'll let you all know when I figure out the date the instructions will be released.

Have a great week!

Great Ball Pit - Summer Update 2018

Hey everyone,

I thought I would take a minute to let you know what I'm currently working on, and what to expect over the next few months.

Upslide Instructions

I've started working on instructions for my Upslide module, they will be provided free of charge to readers of the Great Ball Pit.

Here's a quick render of my progress so far in Stud.io  You can see I'm about 40% complete on the digital build (colours have not been applied yet).

BrickCon Seattle 2018

I've bought my tickets and booked my hotel!  This October I will be attending my first cross border Lego convention in Seattle, Washington.  I plan on bringing a dozen GBC modules down including several new builds.

Module Re-Builds

After finishing my GreyLime Rebuild, the next target is Tri-Sep.  The current module is actually 2 modules run on two motors.  I'd like to reduce the size of the loader slightly, and run everything off 1 motor.

Tutorial Videos and the Road to 1000 subscribers

I'm hoping to upload a few more tutorial videos over the next few months to help boost channel engagement.  Please send me a message or leave a comment on what types of GBC tutorials you'd like to see next.

I will be building a special commemorative module to celebrate 1000 subs.

Twitter and Instagram
I think I will be sunsetting my Twitter account and focusing mostly on Instagram for quick pics and videos.  Twitter is a platform for people to converse, and with GBC I feel like images and movies speak louder so Instagram is the better place to focus my attention.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/greatballpit/

GBC Observer 👁 Week 26, 2018

Wow what a great week for GBC videos!  3 great new layout videos and a new C-Model for 42055!

We'll start with the C-model for 42055 by YouTuber C3Technic.




Here's the Brickfair Chicago 2018 GBC loop!  This is a new world record and there is a lot of new modules in here!  I really like the mini-golf themed series.



Next up the layout from Brickfest Japan 2018 coordinated by Akiyuki


And lastly here is a smaller layout of modules built by J Douglas aka Paperballpark from the Brickset forums. 

GBC Tutorial Series

Today I present the first of my GBC tutorial videos.  This new series will help answer questions people have about GBC, and how I built some of my mechanisms.  As well I plan on featuring simple, small module builds in these videos.

First up is a question I've been asked for a while now.  How is the trapdoor on Greylime built?  In the following video I'll show you how to build one.

Greylime XL - A Lego GBC Module

Today I present my rebuild of Greylime which is now called Greylime XL!

Greylime was the first GBC module I ever built, it was also very functional and reliable.  It could recirculate and had very few issues after running for over 30 hours combined at both BrickCan 2017 and BrickCan 2018.  After BC18, I decided I wanted to rebuild this module to fix a few things.

Greylime XL fixes the following issues:

• The input bin wasn't large enough to take full advantage of the recirculation functionality.
• It is approximately 80% larger then before (12x12 vs 13x20)
• The input bin wasn't located at the position required by the GBC Standard
• It now touches the front and left side of the 32x32 baseplate it sits on
• The conveyor would very rarely jam near the top.
• It has been rebuilt and balls can no longer jam up at the top.

Greylime XL adds the following new features:

• Input bin agitation.
• The agitator is a common build using a bionicle eye/tooth rotating via gears and axles.
• Larger "Plinko" widget.
• The larger "Plinko" widget has been expanded to fill the void left from increasing  the modules size to 32x32.
• Illuminated Mini-MoC display area.
• The illuminated mini-MoC area will be a great place to show off a few mini-figs or micro builds related to the event the module is being shown at.
• Stowable Output ramp extensions.
• The included stowable output ramps allow for more versitility when trying to link modules together in a collaberative layout.

 

I am hoping that Greylime XL will exceed the reliability and functionality of the original module.

GBC Observer 👁 Week 25, 2018

A bit of a slow week for GBC on YouTube this last week.  What have I been working on ? I've finally finished my rebuild of Greylime, and a video will be coming out soon comparing both the old and new model.

Lets start with this Japanese GBC Layout.  I like the use of the Samsonite gears at the 1 minute mark with the interesting train module.

Here's another Maico layout, this time from Portugal.  He does have a new tiny conveyor module that he has integrated into his big grid array of modules. (at 14m20s)

Serendibite is back with a little ferris wheel type lift.  It's a little bit jerky due to the high angles of the universal joints.

GBC Observer 👁 Week 24, 2018

Hey everyone, we had some great modules show up on YouTube over the last week.  Lots of new stuff and nice parts usage by everyone!

Dawid Marasek is back with a new GBC module that uses the 2x2 brick with female ball hinge to great effect!  I really love the video especially the simple decoration with the mini-figs!


J Douglas is back with another great Technic built module using the Bucket Wheel Excavator parts to great effect.


Here is a layout from Maker Faire (in what I'm guessing is the Bay Area of California) 2018.  The module at 5m30s with the large red Samsonite gears is awesome!

GBC Observer 👁 Week 23, 2018

Here are the GBC modules on YouTube that caught my eye this week.

Serendibite, one of the viewers from Saturdays stream has created a very interesting module which has 3 lift mechanisms.  The square scooper in the middle is my favourite part as I have not seen a mechanism like this before.  The balls move internally while the entire mechanism is rotating.

Maico is back with another layout from the Netherlands, 5 builders participated in this layout.  Thanks for the Solaire shout-out!

Yusei Sao has created a rather simple tread ring lift, but added the wave conveyor to load it which is a nice combination.

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