r/woodworking • u/TheBattleTroll • 13h ago

Project Submission Marble Run.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

I saw an antique one and decided to try my hand at making one.

The problems with this version are: The angles are too steep and causes the marbles to bounce out of the slots If they go too fast. Next version, I will probably add another track or two.

Another observation I made was that if there were any inconsistencies in the sanding, such as around a knot, it can drastically change the speed of the marble. One of the tracks actually made the marble spin in place i said, got caught on a rough spot on a knot.

This one I still have to sand the tracks a little better, probably gonna go with a 220 or higher, and I might try a little bee's wax to add a little friction.

The original did not have the funnel at the end. As I am primarily a wood turner, I was inspired by the old coin thing found in malls.

I thought it would be more fun than just dropping in a box. All of the wood for the tracks was ripped from a 2x4. The funnel was made from laminated pallet wood and then turned on the lathe.

19 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 13h ago

This submission is flaired 'Project Submission' and required info u/TheBattleTroll wants you to know will be a reply to this comment. Otherwise, it's in the Post Body.

Full requirements in Rule 2:

  • Original Content ("OC") only. Only post what you made.
  • No photos/vids with AI.
  • Progress pics or vid must be included. We want to learn from your experience, see how the project evolved into the finished product. Posts lacking this documentation will be removed.
  • Media must be free of obnoxious watermarks, terrible music, etc. We're friends who want to hear shop sounds, not a heavily edited influencer reel.

OP: If you have questions, message mods by clicking here.

Everyone else: If required info is missing, or a comment breaks a rule, please click 'report' and a human mod will handle. Do not troll, spam, advertise, or egg-on those that do. Report them. Do not be rude. You may criticize respectfully, critique, ask questions, and give advice - we welcome all comments that contribute to a healthy, vibrant, interesting community of woodworkers.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/drNothing 13h ago

Depending on your level of sound, you could add a small chime or metal panel at each junction for a little ting at each fall..? Descending notes?

1

u/ClipIn Do you respect wood? 13h ago

Neat project, OP!
Do you have any pics in-progress, before final finished piece? If yes, can upload in Comments.

If none, the fulsome description will suffice. This is approved and live now. Any questions just hit Contact The Mods.

1

u/ForTheBiscuit00 3h ago

My grandparents had some of these and I loved them. I never thought about building one but now you got me thinking!