This was a fun and challenging project. Lots of parts. They all fit well. Rubber band powered. A real attention getter at my home.
This was my first UGears kit, but likely not my last. I've built about a dozen marble runs from other companies. Based on the parts count, and the small size of the box, I expected this would be a pretty simple kit, other than maybe building the chain. Well, turns out the chain is one of the easier parts. This kit is surprisingly intricate. Some aspects of assembling it are quite tricky, in part because it's sometimes very hard to get your hands in a location where you can apply firm pressure. But also in part because parts tolerances could be better controlled. Many of the parts fit together Very tightly. So tightly that putting so much pressure on them to seat them risks breaking them. (See my build tips section, below.) OTOH, a few parts are so loose I had to glue them so they'd stay together well enough to go on to the next step. In particular, the "Loop-the-loop" wouldn't stay together at all without glue. For the most part, though, I'd say the quality of this kit is better than most of the made in China runs I've built .
On the positive side, the instructions are very good. The drawings are clear and well marked as far as what tabs fit in what slots, and in most cases which direction a piece should face. Possibly the best drawings of any marble run kit I've built. Late in the build, where you're attaching an assembly with lots of contact points the drawings aren't quite as clear, but if you line up the parts that are clear the rest becomes obvious.
None of the runs I built worked 100% after the initial build. Balls would fall, or fly, off the tracks, or get stuck in places they're supposed to roll. I've had to make as many as 15 or 20 modifications to a couple of kits to get them to work 100%. This kit had only one small problem, where a piece that fit too loosely allowed balls to get stuck. A dab of glue and everything worked. Very good design work, UGears.
BUT, after being assembled and used for a few weeks, a couple of things have happened: two of the unsupported marble tracks have sagged, and the marbles no longer roll as freely as they did when new. And the balls are frequently rolling off one section of track. These were pretty easy to fix if you have some scrap pieces of wood (I always keep extra parts, and some of the boards so I can use the wood later.) I've posted a few photos of my fixes.
How did / do I like it? Mixed. To me there are two aspects to a marble run. One is the challenge and enjoyment of building it, figuring out what's wrong, and fixing it. (I almost miss not having more issues to fix ;) )The second is watching it in action. In part, this run is really cool. The way it traps and releases balls, and opens and closes ball paths is a very cool design. Different than I've seen it done in any other kit. But I hate that it's not motorized. I have to pay enough attention to holding it down, and turning the crank, that it distracts me from watching the balls. It would be very easy for UGears to make a motorized version. I've motorized a couple of other runs, so I figured out how to motorize this one, too. If I can do it, UGears can do it. (And probably better than I did.)
Otherwise, I'm not thrilled at how much the run flexes when you crank. If it had a solid base, instead of a thin partial perimeter, it would be a lot stiffer. That problem has mostly gone away with the motor, too.
I've posted a few photo showing how I mounted everything, and a video of it running. Finally, it needs more marbles. The kit says it comes with 10, but three of them are used as counterweights, so you only have 7 in motion. That's not enough to keep the chain hoist full all the time. Oh, and I think the solid color marbles are kind of dull and boring. Fortunately, glass marbles in all sorts of colors and patterns (16mm, or 5/8 or 0.63 inch) are readily available on Amazon and other places, and are cheap.
Would I build another UGears marble run? Yes, especially now that I've motorized it, and the motor will drive the second kit, too. It's got some unique features I haven't seen on any of the Chinese brands, the quality is quite good, and building it was an enjoyable challenge. Not the hardest kit I've done, but also not for beginners. The ability to connect 2 or 4 runs together is very cool, too.
If you've built other runs and enjoyed them, you'll probably enjoy this one.
My third model. I have quite some musical instruments. I LOVE all the gear stuff and the great ornamentic style. Building the programming chain was anoying :) 20time over doing the same, waxing every small wheel. But that is part of the game. I wonder why people ask for programing guides.. there is no secret but a little music theory. Another place to add programming sticks other than right on the front would be nice. That makes "programming a bit tricky. Also run the chain in the wrong rirection just for the sake of programming would be good.
Yes, the sound claves are a bit off, but if one wants true notes go to Thomann and buy single sound claves (C3 to C4).
I REALLY like your stuff, the quality you deliver and working on delicate parts. It teaches me keeping my patience. Try not to do all things in one day, becsue the fun is in building the model. :)
This is my fourth model. The others i still have to review.
Until had to attache the fighter to the strings and the base I was NOT able to imagine how this could fly. Sitting now on my table leaving us mind boggling.
I specifically ordered this model to emotionally support you in your peril. I hope Kyiyv does not suffer so much and you at UGEARS are still save, I really like the two plane picture of Kyiyv streets BTW although only some 150 pcs it was great fun and a little gear mechanics at the side. The instructions do have an error at step 3 on pg 22. The dot on the gear looks 90° off. Knotting the fishing line was some challenge... :) Next model is the mars rover. Previous model was the Glockenspiel / Celeste.
This was a fun and quick puzzle. I enjoyed it alot. When putting the flowers in the basket, the tulip bud broke off so I glued it and it looks great.
The only issue I have with this puzzle is that I could not get the thread to the right length of knot loop and string. Otherwise, this was a nice, easy puzzle that is a lot of fun
This is a nice small 3-d puzzle. The only problem I had was that all the openings that parts fit into were a millimeter too tight. It was tough getting the parts together. Once built, the submarine moved very well
muy divertido en general. Lo compré por Amazon hace 1 mes y hace 2 días que estoy disfrutando como un niño.Solo he tenido un problema pero tal vez sea por que no puse suficiente cera a los engranajes o tal vez apreté demasiado pero en mi caso a la hora de accionar suele detenerse muy rapido y tengo que ayudarlo una vez y otra vez.Quitando ese problema a sido un placer.Espero volver a comprar más.
It was real fun putting the model together. The details are cool, the set is easy to work with and the result is an amazing looking star ship. There are no downsides :)
Tip: USE.THE.WAX if the manual calls for it
It is a shame this piece is discontinued. It is big. It is easy to operate once completed. It is intricate without being too complicated. This tractor uses thicker material than some others, which makes it a bit more forgiving during assembly. If I had one critique it would be the design of the flexible fenders. Providing extras is a good idea, but I needed to make a new front fender from leftover flex pieces from another kit.
This kit was given a tribute paint scheme in Ukraine colors. The mechanized parts were not painted, but varnished with a clear water-based satin varnish (thank you Occre), then waxed AND sprinkled with powdered graphite. This was my first experiment with this technique. It is working, and the graphite adds a touch of grime before I begin to weather it. I have attached the freshly finished model. I expect to add weathering later...maybe. It may be too pretty.
Had a problem uj joints, would fall apart, after being installed. Otherwise the model is great.
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Having experience with building the Ugears Marble Run, Dream Cabriolet, and discontinued huge and complex Aviator, I found this model, Serenity's Dream, to have easy to follow instructions and is a fun and rewarding project. I added some paint and stains for a different look.
Excellent quality of all parts: They fit perfectly and everything is very stable. You will profit from a small hammer, though. Bee wax is essential for getting the clock to work automatically.
I have never done something similar before but the manual is a very good guidance almost everywhere. I only made two small mistakes and found one imprecise picture which rendered the transmission to the minutes and hours wheels unworkable. The image I uploaded gives you some hints. But I even enjoyed partly disassembling the clock to somewhere in the middle - and the process worked fine also backwards ;-).
I always played around with the larger assemblies for quite some time (like when you have just mounted the minutes wheel, the hours wheel, or the tourbillon) not just to distribute the wax on the gears but also to check whether the mechanism makes sense and works correctly, e.g., wheels turn in the right directions, or lining up the impulse pin and escape fork thru the two levers managing the balance spring. You will need the latter many times when setting the clock mechanism in motion :)
The last action might be really difficult if you have no idea how a mechanical clock works internally so you might want to check out some YouTube videos on how the escape wheel and all the other parts of the escapement interact.
As I did not put any time pressure on my work, it was an extremely enjoyable experience with a great reward in the end when the clock worked automatically (for a few minutes b/c the transmission of power from the watch's mainspring barrel to the escapement was too weak in my case).
Now I contemplate fixing the last minor detail during the next longer vacation period...!
