GBC Observer 👁 Week 9, 2019

Welcome to Week 9, of the 2019 GBC Observer series.  We have several layout videos this week, so enjoy!

Maico has shared his "follow the blue ball" video from Lego World 2019. This layout features a world record 279 modules.



Beyond the Brick has released their Brickvention 2019 GBC walkaround which shows a  the modules in more detail than some of the earlier videos.  Thanks to Rohan for the shout-out!



Huw has shared this video of the GBC layout @ Reading Brick Show 2019. I like use of those odd shaped Technic panel pieces in the down chute of the overpass.



And last since I forgot to post my latest video to the blog here is a small 4 Lego Minecraft module layout.

GBC Observer 👁 Week 8, 2019

Welcome to week 8 of the GBC Observer here at the Great Ball Pit.

First up is a nice large conveyor and square tower by Sung Joon Yoon. It is a pretty tall module, and I appreciate the simplicity.

 

Next, Lawrie gives us a closer look at the GBC Catapult module he built using images and video from Beyond the Brick videos.  The original module is by Tom Atkinson.



The last video this week shows us the GBC layout from Lego World Copenhagen 2019.  There are quite a few modules running in this layout.  They must be quite reliable as there is not  many GBC techs hanging around.  A few copies of my Solaire and Whirligig modules also make an appearance.



Have a great week everyone! 

New Lego GBC Module - Winter River

I've recently created the 4th and final module in my Minecraft theme series.  It's a tipping ramp module called "Winter River".  It uses my WM01 module as the lift mechanism, and the balls gently roll around in the river before falling out to the right.

I've always enjoyed seeing these table style modules where a large quantity of balls can roll around before exiting.  So I figured with WM01 as the conveyor this would be a great close to a series of four modules that use different lift mechanisms.

My Lego Minecraft GBC Series

• Morgan's Mine: Tipping Ramp
• Matt's Mine: Triple Stepper
• Chicken Pump: Ball Pump
• Winter River: Conveyor

The tipping ramp simply "Bolts on" to the WM01 module and is powered by the meshing of the 40T gears.  It took me a little while to get the right speed and amount of tilt correct for the table.  I used a bunch of pieces from the Minecraft Polar Igloo 21142 set for the decoration.

While this is not a complex module, I enjoy watching it operate with it's slow motion.

GBC Observer 👁 Week 7, 2019

Hey everyone, I haven't been able to build much over the last month for a variety of reasons. Luckily for us, there is a ton of great new modules that appeared on YouTube recently.

Akiyuki is back with a great new lift mechanism that is similar in function to his stuck ball machine.  A pair of robots grasp at the air until they catch a ball which they spin around and toss into the output.



Berthil has done an updated and improved version of my Separation Anxiety module.  It runs very smooth and has a GBC standard compliant input bin, nice work!



While we are looking at brick separators, let's look at Sawyers latest which also features them as part of the lift mechanism.



Have a great week everyone!

GBC Observer 👁 Week 6, 2019

Quanix is back with version 3 of his Pneumatic Ball Factory.  This one has quite a few different mechanisms, including a new turntable mechanism, as well as an interesting build for a simple conveyor using the older tread/chain and some rubber dampers.



A new German builder has appeared and uploaded several interesting GBC modules.
Here is one of them.



Here is an interesting Korean conveyor build that looks similar to one that Maico has done in red previously.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC balls price drop?

I recently looked on Lego Bricks and Pieces and noticed that the price has dropped on the orange Lego GBC balls. This time last year they were listed at $1.27CDN and they are currently $0.81CDN.

In November 2016 I placed my first order for GBC balls and they were $1.01CDN each.

Here are the February 2018 Prices

 

And here are the February 2019 Prices

I have no idea what type of data Lego uses to price their parts but now seems like a good time to buy a few.... Also why are the white balls always out of stock?

GBC Event Map by Lawrie

GBC builder Lawrie George from New York has created a pretty nifty map of upcoming events that will feature a Great Ball Contraption layout.



You can visit Lawrie's YouTube page HERE