GBC Observer 👁 Week 32, 2019

This is the GBC Observer 👀for week 32, 2019.  Let's see what's appeared over the last week on YouTube that deserves a look.

Akiyuki created a new module called "Peanuts" which uses the newer roller coaster tracks.  I like the built in recirculation ramp.

Lawrie goes over his GBC Rover in this next video.  I like how simple it is, I might be adding one of these to my layout in the near future. 

Last up is a small layout video from Cadder @ the North Sydney Brick Show.

That's it for this week, but expect a lot more GBC videos next week, as Brickfair, VA is happening this weekend.  Have a great week everyone!

GBC Observer 👁 Week 31, 2019

It's week 31, and it's summertime in the northern hemisphere, so not a lot of building going on these days.  Having said that, there is a lot of convention activity still taking place and BrickFair VA is just a few weeks away.  Here are some Lego GBC videos that I thought were worth a look if you haven't seen them already!

Sawyer has built a pick and twist type mechanism in his latest GBC module.  The use of the knob gears to rotate the lift arms is well done!



I think I shared a video of this layout from Sweden previously, but this take is filmed well and narrated well, so it's worth another look.


And if you missed this last week,  Lawrie made an appearance on Adam Savage's Tested YouTube channel.  It's a great interview, and shows off a bunch of the GBC that appeared at Bricks by the Bay 2019.

New Lego GBC Module - Tiny Stepper

Here is a 10x10x10 stepper.  It was actually a bit of a challenge to get everything to fit in the small footprint.  It meets most of the GBC Standard but can only take around 20 balls, a little short of the 30 ball batch.  Having said that, it can clear balls quickly.

It uses a Lego Power Functions M motor, and a simple stepper lift.  Be sure to watch to the end to see the module BATTLE!

GBC Observer 👁 Week 30, 2019

Welcome to the GBC Observer - Week 30 of 2019.  A lot of new Lego Great Ball Contraptions have appeared over the last week, here are a few of the videos that I enjoyed. 

Nonsense Wars brings us some footage from the GBC @ Bricks by the Bay 2019. There is a lot of interesting modules in here like the black train that seems to have it's own conveyor belt module onboard.



pg5200 has built a clean looking new stepper module. It has a recirculation function which I really appreciate.



Bananaman is back with a new module, and lift mechanism. I have not seen a module using a mechanism like this before!



Have a great week everyone!

9 Module Layout Video

I set up a small layout here at home last week to test out a few of my more recent modules.  Results were mixed, Rise & Run had some issues with the pistons that I will need to fix if I want to bring it to BrickCon 2019.  Everything else ran great, enjoy the video.

GBC Observer 👁 Week 29, 2019

Week 29, GBC Observer is go!  Here are the videos that appeared over the last week that caught my eye.

Caz shares some GBC footage from the Bressingham Brick Show.



Here's a Swedish layout from Klossfestivalan 2019, lots of "new to me" modules in this loop.



Here is a nice simple waterwheel from Animatronica.  It as a nice low input, but looks like it may be speed sensitive by the timing required for the balls to fall into the output ramp.



Have a great week everyone!

The future of GreatBallContraption.com

Several members of the GBC Community Chat on Discord attended BrickWorld Chicago 2019 earlier this year, and one of the topics of discussion was the future of the "GreatBallContraption.com" website.  It was revealed that the current ownership is looking for a person, or group of people to manage it in 2020 and beyond.

The current owner (Mr. Alano) as well as other GBC heavyweights like Mr. Atkinson have already checked in on Discord and the discussion is now taking place in the Symposium chat room.

If you would like to participate in the discussion you can join the chat room HERE.  Please introduce yourself when you arrive and you will be given access to join the discussion.

New Lego GBC Module - Multipath

Presenting Multipath, my latest Lego Great Ball Contraption module!

This module was built with utility in mind, and its output can be split into two separate paths.

The lift mechanism is a stepper that loads 4-5 balls into the sports ramp half-pipe, where a vertical sweeper raises the balls to the output ramps.  Both output ramps can be set to recirculate if desired.  If only one output ramp is set to recirculate then this module behaves like any other, with one input and one output.

It's powered by a Lego Power Functions M motor, but you can hear it slightly straining in the video.  I may replace this with an L motor in the future depending on its performance at the next convention.

This module took a little while to get working right, the most challenging part was building  the linkage that swings the sweeper in a back-forth type motion.

GBC Observer 👁 Week 28, 2019

Welcome to week 28 of the GBC Observer!  I've been busy building a few new modules which I will be showing later this month.   Here are some Lego GBC videos that I found quite interesting over the last week.

BayLUG member nonsense wars gives us a walkthrough of his "Not Scissor Lift" module.  The lift has a great vertical motion similar to a traditional scissor lift.



Sawyer has created a flipping lifter that has an unusual motion due to the gears being used in a different way.



And here's another look at Pinwheel's contribution to last the massive BW Chicago 2019 layout.


Have a great week everyone!