A few pieces

Just a notice, the a few pieces page is now up. Click the tab on the right to view it.
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Century wheel

My next ride article is the brand new century wheel. However this will be tearing down, not set up. For some reason the blogger picture caption feature isn't working, so I will right how it tears down before the pictures. The century wheel is common at most big county fairs and state fairs. Its also the biggest portable 1 trailer wheel there is.

1 The tubs are removed and stored on the back of the trailer, and the tops are put up and held there by wire. This step is repeated 8 times.(pics1-3)
2 Silver rims are removed and stored at the base of the trailer. This step is repeated 16 times, 8 times one each side.(pics4-6)
3 One section is "broken" and then the wheel is turned, moving that section to the top.(pics7&8)
4 A 2 winches are connected to the 2 lower sweeps. Then the 2 inner braces are folded down, and then 2 of the outer ring bars are taken off and racked on the trailer. then the winches lower the sweeps and that folds them. Then the winches are repositioned and the step is repeated until all the sweeps are folded.(pics9-17)
5 Next the winch pulls the sweeps up, and they are secured with pipe cleaners.(pic18)
6 Then a tower spacer is put in place.(pic19)
7 Then the wind braces are folded in. Twice on each side.(pic20)
8 Next the wind brace feet are taken off and stored, and the main tower is unconnected. (pics21-22)
9 The left tower is raised and secured, and then the sweep tower is lowered down, and the flags and logo light is taken off. (pics23-25)
10 Then the left tower is lowered and the flags are removed and racked.(pics26-27)
11 And finally the braces are folded in, and now the ride is racked.(pic28)
Check back for more articles!

How the knex rides work page now open.

Click on the How the knex rides work page tab on the right side of the main menu, to view the page. Its now open!
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Century wheel

After 4 days of work, I present the 32 inch tall Century wheel. Below the ride is a picture of the real ride it was modeled off of.

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Sidewinder

For my first weekly ride article, I will be displaying the sidewinder. This ride is an older one, but still runs with a few company's. Its mainly for adults and teens, and is classified as a thrill ride. In this, and other weekly articles I will show you step by step, or picture by picture, how the featured ride is setup. If you wish to see the ride tear down, simply look at the pictures in reverse.



Sidewinder completely packed up.



Front panel is taken off



Wheel hitch is taken off the back,

And back lift is lowered to the ground.



Then the 2 sweeps are spread and connected. both come out at the same time to keep the ride balanced.

Cars are released so they can move freely,



and the 2 ground sweeps are swung out and connected.

Ground sweeps are out.

The back lift raises the whole base to level the ride, and blocks are put under the base.

The tower is raised straight up, 

And braces are connected and unfolded.

And the last step is the main sweeps, or the main boom as it is sometimes referred, is lowered down.  

The sidewinder is now up and the lights are on. The lights have been on since step 3, but in this picture the flash is off. Also after step 2, the control box in the front is connected. This ride, from start to finish, takes about 10-15 minutes to put together, but some rides take almost an hour. Check back soon for the article on the mini scrambler.

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Welcome

Welcome! This website is less a blog, and more a display case. I build carnival rides. All of my rides are made of Knex, and pipe cleaners mostly. However some have fabrics and spray paint. Other materials used are wire, paper signs, vendor cups, and mini led lights. All rides are made from scratch, and are not made from kits. All rides are based on real rides and can teardown like the real rides. some rides are permanent whereas some are taken apart to make new rides. I will post an article at least once a week about a ride, and show pictures of rides I am building. Check back often for more info.
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