As someone who's new to making this kind of thing, I am absolutely JAZZED that you shared the STL files! Thanks dude!

@bitmachines

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

This is a really neat idea! Might have to give this technique a try.

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

Go for it!

Interesting concept. I like it!!

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It was fun to try.

Espetacular!👏👏👏😲😲😲😎😎😎

I tought of an easier method to create the spiral track wrap the wire around cylindrical tubes of different sizes to create the spiral and its length at the same time. So your considering the model in 3 axises at the same time, rather than 1 or 2.

Like the idea using templet…..

Wondering about designing forms based on how far the wire springs back; hopefully that would give nice smooth curves.

@bitmachines

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I think you could do that. I think some of the CAD tools will do things like spring back, but I just winged it here obviously.

excellent idea!! I bought 200' of steel wire. Is that enough to get started? The reason I ask it is difficult to gauge the wire length....(I threw in a pun). :)

@bitmachines

4 ай бұрын

That is a fair bit and should be enough to get started!

Can you link me to these forms and some more "normal" forms that I can print with the basic things (straight, curves, etc.). And can we can scale to whatever size needed for different marble sizes? Is there a way to make it so that It works with more than one size of marbles like Quercetti marble runs? And last but not least, any recs for beginner soldering irons that aren't too expensive?

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

To start, I'd recommend just doing some simple shapes by hand (see my segments video). For straight the forms wont help at all for example. The scaling to different size marbles really comes down to the spacing between rails. If you want to use the forms, I think they are likely tolerant to different sized marbles (only the tight bends would cause issues). I have a link to the soldering iron I use in the description - others should work as well. You just need to get enough heat into the parts for the solder to flow.

Nice idea. Do you have stl files somewhere ? Thingiverse maybe?

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

I just uploaded them here: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4839838

I purchased the same soldering gun based on your recommendation. It works great. I had to practice a while to learn to solder the wires. They still break apart on me sometimes. Maybe Im not cleaning the wire good enough? Do you turn the temp all the way up on the machine?

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad it's working for you! The connections breaking apart could be a few things. First, solder isn't really intended to be structural (when used in electronics for example). So minimizing stress is good. For example if the wire is under pressure when you put it in place (bent too much or not enough) or is too long or short and you force it in place, then it's probably better to spend a few more minutes bending the wires to they lay in the right spot with additional force. (I had a few break early on because of that). Another could be temperature, but likely of the connection when the solder is flowing and not necessarily of the soldering iron. You might need to heat things for longer. The magic phrase here is "cold solder joint" which you want to avoid. Here the connections arent as critical and I'm sure I have a few even in these videos. But it is a possible point of failure that would show up as broken joints when pressure is applied. Cleaning could help too. And I'm using about 350c on my iron.

@jeffjdt

3 жыл бұрын

@@bitmachines Thank you for the great advice. I can see a few things in your reply that I need to work on.

have you considered just printing the tracks?

@bitmachines

7 ай бұрын

That wouldn't be a steel marble track, but there are 3d printed versions out there.

Thank you so much for giving this a try. I also have a 3D printer and thought about doing this. But since you pointed out the memory of the wire and still have to bend it prior to placing it in the guides, I think designing the patterns on the computer and printing them out will work better. I think using "offset" on some software will allow proper gaps between parallel rails. I'll give it a try and let you know. Subscribing to see how things progress.

@bitmachines

2 жыл бұрын

I used fusion 360 and did use the offset to get the relationship between the rails, so yes I think that is a good idea. I did try following a shape just printed on paper, but with not much success. In particular everything just moved around too much on me. Using the form to hold onto the wire as it was bent, I could mostly just focus on the bends to be made. If you find any trips for doing it that way, do share!

Is there a reason you overlap section ends instead of soldering flush?

@bitmachines

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, there is much more area for the solder to stick to this way.

Do you use a particular kind of solder ? I am having hard time getting my solder to stick to the wire (even when dipping parts into flux)

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

The solder is a flux core, but nothing special. I've found the most import thing is having a clean soldering iron tip. With that, the heat can get transferred into the wire. I have found soldering these to be more difficult than soldering electronics for example. But once I get into a grove it does go faster.

@zombieno1

2 жыл бұрын

Also try tinning your parts prior to connecting them.

Do you prepare the wire (for example with a drill) to create straight pieces? or you use the wire without any preparation? And i need another info: i live in Europe, so we don't use "gauge"; 14 gauge is about 2 mm diameter? Thx

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

For straight sections, yes I use the drill technique to straighten the wire. I've found doing it just by hand leaves some deformations. For the parts that form curves, you can leverage the curve as it comes off the spool so don't need to straighten those parts first. Yes, a quick google search shows 14 gauge is about 2mm.

Out of curiosity, are marble runs usually this noisy or is it because there are only a few support rods overall?

@bitmachines

Жыл бұрын

All of mine seemed to be pretty similar. But they were all made the same way as well.

Why not solder them while they’re still in the guides?

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

Great question. That occurred to me after printing out the guides. I think it could work but you'd want to leave space in the guides so you could get the soldering iron in place. With these, there wouldn't be enough room.

@cammurray8453

3 жыл бұрын

I'd shy away from soldering in a plastic jig. Just look how discoloured his wood work surface gets.

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you'd want to keep the soldering iron away from the 3d print for sure. Many of the marks on the scrap piece of wood are from earlier attempts at the process. But you never know when you might slip, so taking that into account with the forms would be important.

@zombieno1

2 жыл бұрын

You could always design your 3D model with gaps where you would solder. Would be useful for very common and simple sections of track. This is what I'll probably use the 3D printer for. Would help with consistency and batching out straight track. My print bed is 11+ inches but smaller printers could join multiple prints with simple connections built into the print.

@mrtechnophile3483

Жыл бұрын

One consideration is that 3D printers only work with thermoplastic filament; as soon as the heat travels along the wires to the plastic, it will begin to melt.

So, I don't have a 3d printer but would like purchase your forms if you would want print and sell a set. It might be a bit too expensive to buy a 3d printer just to print the forms

@chancetolbert4852

Жыл бұрын

Get the files from thing verse. That he posted Or just the link. And find a local person with a printer. I use a local guy all the time for random things i find.

Have you thought about selling your 3D segment forms?

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

I had not actually. But if lots of people jump on board here, I'd consider it. I can also post the 3d files somewhere for people to print their own.

@jeffjdt

3 жыл бұрын

@@bitmachines I will keep my eyes open to see if that happens. I would definitely be interested in some if you decide to sell them. Thanks

@fieteferrum3441

3 жыл бұрын

@@bitmachines I would love to print them myself. Are the files available anywhere?

@bitmachines

3 жыл бұрын

I just uploaded STLs to thingiverse: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4839838

Homem comprar esse equipamento