Hand-cranked miniature ball track kit made from laser cut parts

Not long ago I posted about a nifty miniature ball track kit. Well, it looks like we might be witnessing the beginning of a trend. The video above shows a different miniature ball track designed by Martin Raynsford, the clever fellow who created the mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game.

The kit allows you to assemble a hand-cranked marble machine. The kit includes all the laser cut wooden parts, the nuts and bolts, and enough balls to fill the machine up and spares (10).

Here is where you can get more details or buy Marble Machine Kit #1.

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Marble Machine Kit #1 - The worlds first commercially available laser-cut minature hand-cranked marble machine

I posted a few days ago about a neat little hand-cranked mini ball track.The kit version is now available from BustedBricks.com.

According to the kit's designer, Michael Henriksen, it is the world's first commercially available, miniature hand-cranked, marble machine kit with both lifter and track that is cut on a laser. As the previous post mentioned, the wire track has been replaced with a laser-cut wood track in the kit. I think it turned out great. Just take a look:

I am told the kit is easy to build, requiring only glue, sandpaper, and a sharp hobby knife. Complete assembly instructions are available to download as a PDF.

The base measures 70 x 70 mm (about 3 x 3 inches) and is 120 mm in height (about 5 inches). The kit can be built such that it may be turned with either the left or right hand. Plenty of 5mm steel balls are supplied with the kit.

The price for the kit is £12.95 GBP. For customers in the USA, the kit (with shipping) will cost about $30 USD. I'm going to stand by my earlier statement that this will make an excellent holiday gift for young and old alike. Here is where you can get the Marble Machine Kit #1.

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Upgrade light switches with these clever mechanical add-ons

The father and son team of Lance and L. J. Nybye have come up with a wonderful line of mechanical add-ons for common light-switch covers. The mechanisms are typically cut with a laser from high-quality plywood and finished off with brass hardware. Additional decorations are engraved/burned into the parts with the laser.

From the online shop:

These mechanical light switches transform an ordinary appliance into the perfect flourish for your secret library, steampunk chalet—or wherever your imagination lives!

The mechanical switch covers install easily over a standard switch plate using the existing screws. In addition to the excellent lever-based switch shown in the video, they have a couple of other lovely designs.

Here is their one based on planetary gears...

And another design based on the rack and pinion mechanism...

Here is where you can get these mechanical switch-plate covers.

[ Thanks Jan and Julia! ]

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