Lego GBC Observer - Week ???

 Welcome to the Lego GBC Observer, where I feature interesting Lego Great Ball Contraption videos from YouTube.

This week we have 3 great modules from members of the Lego GBC community Discord server which can be joined by clicking this link: http://discord.gg/YPwm9w7

First up is a nice clean take on an Achemedes screw by RJ.  As usual with RJ's builds this one is very clean in design and the spinning logo at the top really is the cherry on top!

Next up is a "brick built" conveyor from Sawyer.  This one uses the often overlooked engine block piece as the main component to the lift.  

And finally NDL shares his SawBlade wheel lift which was built using the "shark fin" technic connector.  

Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Weeks 30 & 31, 2020

Welcome to the GBC Observer, where we take a look at interesting Lego Great Ball Contraption modules via YouTube.

First up RJ has modified his square spiral into a gbc standard compliant module.  Wonderful looking module and slightly hypnotic 🥴

And here's an update from Sam F, who has updated his pinwheel module to be a GBC standard compliant.  This module is also using his shared power which is a great feature, nice work!

And finally an aptly named Small Ball Contraption that features 4 lifts and a ball counter! This appears to be created with parts from the Spike Prime education set.

Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 29, 2020

Hello, and welcome to a scorcher of an Observer for week 29, 2020.  Scorcher?  We are in the middle of a "heat wave" here in the Greater Vancouver area, and it's a toasty 30c outside.  But let's take a look at some cool Lego Great Ball Contraptions that have appeared on YouTube over the last week.

Builder Rimo Y is back another factory line style module.  This one appears to be moving a lot of parts at a high rate of speed, so I'm curious how long it would run before shaking itself apart? 🤔



Next up, a simple module that looks great.  I like the use of the cheese slopes spaced out with the grill tiles in between for the output ramps.  I feel like the grills are helping to slow the balls slightly as they flow down the ramp.



Lastly Pinwheel shares a nice simple "cruisin" module that features a car driving along while the GBC balls pass by.   I like how easy it was to be re-skinned.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Weeks 27 & 28, 2020

Welcome to another GBC Observer post for 2020.  Some great modules have shown up over the last few weeks and here are some of the interesting ones.  As always, if you'd like to chat about Lego GBC, come join us on the Discord server where there is plenty of Lego GBC and Lego related discussion.  http://discord.gg/YPwm9w7

First up is a module featuring the new waterpark slide pieces found in some new 2020 sets.  The novel thing here is that the builder has decided to run the conveyor chain inside the tube.  That is something new and quite ballsy.



Something we've been talking about recently on the Community Chat Discord is building a bowling themed GBC module.  Well too much talk has resulted in someone else building one first!  While this is quite a basic looking bowling module, I like the use of the BW2018 pump and modification to add a ball putter.



Pinwheel is back with another large ring module.  Using his hail-fire wheels as a bucket passing module.  I always enjoy seeing how those large rings can be used in different ways in GBC.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 26, 2020

Good morning everyone, and apologies for the late Observer post.  I've taken a small break from GBC building to do what every AFOL dreads: sorting, and organizing!  I'm hoping to be back building GBC next week, now onto this weeks interesting videos.

First up, the nonsense wars channel brings us a new module using a new linkage.  As always the design and build process is well narrated by Pikohan resulting in an enjoyable GBC module walkthrough.



Kevin Mitcham shows us the latest version of his lifting arms sweeper.  The interesting thing about this sweeper is how low the pickup is, Kevin mentions it is approximately 4 plates high!  I have seen him use a variant of this to recover the balls at the output of his train module.



Master builder Akiyuki shows us an updated version of his spiral lift.  I've seen reproductions of his earlier design fail frequently at convention layouts, so hopefully this new design is easier for adopted owners to keep running.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 25, 2020

Welcome to a late but not absent GBC Observer post for Week 25, 2020.   It was great seeing everyones GBC Loops at the BW Virtual Event on the weekend.  It provided lots of new GBC ideas and inspiration to work with!  But now lets check out some videos.

First up is a new take on a ball passing module.  This one uses a stepper like drive train but instead of steps, it pushes gears up against a gear rack piece to generate an up-and-over motion for the small cup above.

Next up is "Double Tipper".  Aptly named for requiring two tips to pass balls through the module.  I really appreciate the simplicity of this mechanism.  If I was to improve this, it would be to somehow add a viewing port on the side so you could see the balls exiting the module from the hidden chamber.

Lastly lets look at this module from Dunes.  I'm not sure if I featured it before, and it is a recreation of another builders module.  I like the ball loading slabs of brick, and the right angle triangles of treads that control the motion of the arms.

Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 24, 2020

Welcome to the Lego GBC Observer for week 24, 2020.  I've been busy building a fair bit, I rebuilt my RISE+RUN module, and also finished a Powered-Up module as well.  Now onto this weeks featured videos.

First let's take a look at this 2 person collaboration out of Japan.  There are a ton of great modules here, my favourites are the brick built funnel, and the mini archimedes screw.

Next up, Doug72 shared a look at one of his Akiyuki inspired train modules with me.  The EV3 swing arm unloader, it has great motion and the use of the battery pack as a counter weight is a great idea.



Finally let's look at the highly stylized Chicken and Crocodile module from RJ.  This module is a chicken themed ball pump that feeds balls into a hungry animated crocodile.  Great theming here!



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 23, 2020

Hey everyone, welcome to a new week of Lego GBC building and discussion.  Thanks to everyone who joined me for the Monthly live stream on Youtube this weekend.  I'm looking forward to July's stream already.  Now onto some interesting YouTube videos that have appeared over the last week.

First up, Sawyer shows us how to use some sprockets, not like sprockets.  This module uses the newer XL sprockets as a lift mechanism, which looks great in action.  I really like this one!



Next up, the nonsense wars channel provides us with some commentary on a new take on the tipping ramp style of modules.  Something different here is that each tipping ramp also changes it's height throughout the motion.  Nice!

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Any finally we have a "Small Ball Contraption" which I really enjoy.  It's a small 32x32 machine using different lift mechanisms to move the balls around.  Very cool, and extra points for not labeling this a GBC.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 22, 2020

Here we are in week 22 of 2020, I hope everyone is doing well!  This week we have some great new modules, from several "new to me" builders over on YouTube.

First up RJ Bricks shows us his Wheely Wonka module which was built using several parts from the S.H.I.E.L.D. Heli-Carrier.  It's a nice clean looking module that spans a good amount of distance.  The built in recirculation feature is also a nice touch. This looks like a nice module you could display all of your avengers mini-figs underneath.



Next up is a literal twist on the ring-in-ring modules that you may have seen before.  In this module the 3rd ring is horizontal in orientation which reminds me of the akiyuki ball factory.  The decorated ball indexer at the start is a fun touch as well.



And finally we have a small module that is interesting to me for a few reasons.  First it uses the linear actuators without the need of a programmable brick or software.  Secondly it has a mechanical switch flipper which can be difficult to make work reliably. 



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 21, 2020

I've been having fun getting back into building, and have several GBC projects on the go.  I'm working on 2 new game boards for my Boost Pachinko machine (as well as updating it) and I have a new module done, along with some other half finished modules I need to complete.  As for this weeks videos, let's take a look at the updated vertical stepper from NW, and a lifting arm module.

First up NW talks us through his updated vertical stepper design.  This is really slick and I plan on building something like this very soon!



This next module features an interesting lift with a twist, that seems to work quite well.  I'm having deja vu when watching it, because I'm pretty sure I've seen this mechanism done before.  I can't quite put my finger on it, perhaps a sawyer module.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 21, 2020

Good morning, afternoon, or perhaps evening where-ever you are.  Welcome to the Lego GBC Observer for week 21, 2020.  There hasn't been too much new GBC activity over the last week, so a few of these choice picks are from earlier in the year.

First up is a speed-o-meter module from Bananaman, these types of modules have been done before, and use a differential mechanism to adjust the "speed" indicator, which will decrease over time unless balls are flowing through the machine.  Good stuff 🍌🕺.



Next, Snowy has created a new conveyor module with an interesting feature (which you'll have to see for yourself).  While the feature is relatively simple, I've never seen this on any other module.  This will allow for some basic audience interaction, very creative!



And for the finale this week, Lawrie walks us through his glow in the dark WORLD OF LIGHTS segment he did for the last Brickworld Virtual event.  My favourite is the super heroes shooter tower with the glowing balls being shot through the air.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 20, 2020

Week 20, 2020.  If only there was 20 videos to feature, or perhaps a video with 20 modules...

First up is a shooter from smartbricks. Shooters have been done many times in many different ways, but the simplicity of this module is the stand out feature to me.



I love the nonsense wars videos because the builder (pikohan) is very informational.  In this video, he walks us through the creation of this stepper that uses a circular motion to achieve the lift.



And here we have Riku K's finished "Oldham Coupling", this is definitely a "can't stop watching" type of module.  It's part of his Modular Module series, where one input/powertrain can connect to many different types of modules/outputs.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 19, 2020

Welcome to Week 19 of the Lego GBC Observer not so live, from the not so secret lair of the Great Ball Pit! Some interesting modules and mechanisms appeared over the last week, and these ones deserve a second, third, and forth look.

First up, builder Riku Katsumata brings us a new mechanism that is very interesting. It uses a flywheel and some interesting motion in the technic beams to rotate the structure.  This is similar to one of his previously spectacular builds the "orbit overlap".



Normally I like to feature "GBC Standard" compliant modules, but this tiny scissor lift is very interesting. I'm curious about it s long term reliability for a convention ready module.



Mindstork is back with a new "Dumpster" module.  It reminds me of his other popular module, the "cradle tipper".  It's nice to see new modules that are using the Banana gears, I have a pile I need to use up.  One of these will be on my build table if instructions are ever released.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 18, 2020

Welcome to week 18 of the GBC Observer for 2020.  Now that I'm 95% moved in to our new home, I'm happy to get these posts back on track and on time!  So take a look at some great GBC videos that have recently appeared over on YouTube.

Nonsense Wars has created a great "multi-stepper" that uses 3 different types of stepper mechanisms in one module. He also steps us through some of the design and build challenges that was faced when creating this module, nice job!



Kevin Mitcham shows us a home layout that would have presumably been brought to BrickCan 2020 this year if it wasn't cancelled due to Covid.  There is a few new modules in here and everything seems to be dialed in, thanks for sharing Kevin.



Huw is back with a new spike prime based module that solves a major issue with creating scissor lift type mechanisms.  A whole lot of force is needed to get the lift started when it is in its collapsed position.  This is solved here by using the newer large actuators that can provide that strength needed to get it moving.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 16 and 17, 2020

Welcome to the GBC Observer for Weeks 16 and 17 of 2020.  I've been busy setting up my new Lego studio, and plan to start building and recording modules in early May.  A lot of interesting modules have shown up over the last little while, here are some of my favourites.

MSK has created a nice module that takes inspiration from vintage flight sim toys.  The different types of aircraft make this one fun to watch.



Sam F has created a ball pump that looks like a mashup between the BW2018 and a Lasse D pump, as well he's created an interesting chimney out of lightsaber bars.  It appears that these can be linked  up for shared power which is a nice feature.



This side stepper by Pinwheel is a very clean looking module with some great motion.  I'm looking forward to building this one as it would colour match my reservoir module perfectly.



John Sherman has created a new type of stepper that uses the macaroni elbows to help guide the balls up the steps.  Nice parts usage in this one!



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 14 & 15

Welcome to the Lego GBC Observer for week 14 & 15.  Apologies for the missing post last week, but I have been busy moving into our new house (which will allow me to create a great Lego building studio!)  It seems like everyone else has been busy building and here are the interesting GBC videos I've spotted over the last week or so.

First up is a well themed module featuring a fire truck, it's built using a ball pump that has an unconventional horizontal check valve.  I'm curious how it would run over a long period.



Nonsense wars shares the second iteration of his "not scissor lift". I really like this lift,  it gains a lot of height with a fairly compact mechanism.



Builder Alex P shares his version of a Pusher Upper style module.  This one looks really nice with the striped pushers, and he has provided instructions in the video description.



In this last video JK Brickworks gives us a detailed breakdown of his Robot Dreams module.  As always, Jason clearly explains how everything works.  There are some great "Techniques" being used in this module.



Have a great week everyone.

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 13, 2020

Welcome to week 13 of the Lego GBC Observer for 2020.  With so many people staying home, a lot of interesting new builds have appeared.  Let's take a look at some of the more interesting ones.

GBC Andre has created a neat lift using 2 pairs of Samsonite gears.  I've seen something similar to this before, but what makes this different is that he is using 2 different sized pairs of gears.  I think this is a great looking simple module.



In this next video, Ben has created what I would call a hybrid lift.  It's half stepper, half jigsaw, and I've never seen anything quite like it before.



Alex P has created a new module from the parts in the 42082 Rough Terrain Crane set.  The main lift is a ball pump, that feeds a water wheel.  Along with the agitated input bin this appears to be quite a robust module.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 12, 2020

Welcome to week 12 of the Lego GBC Observer for 2020.  Several builders have been busy building new mechanisms and modules. (Can you say that 3 times fast?)  Let's take a look.

First up is a home layout by Mindstork.  There are a lot of new modules in this layout, and the cycling one is quite funny.



Now let's look at another "Nonsense Wars" production, the Slide and Spin.  This module has some interesting intermittent motion thanks to a differential and a stack of clutches.  The use of clutches for additional mechanism timing is new to me, and quite clever!



This next layout from somewhere overseas has a lot of new modules, some using original lifts and some repurposing older designs.  It's a good sized loop with around 30 modules.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Weeks 10 & 11, 2020

Apologies for missing last weeks observer post, but with everything going on all around the world and my upcoming house move you could say I've been pre-occupied!  I've just had the chance to catch up on the latest GBC videos on YouTube and found some great modules that I'll share below.

Sawyer has built a nice EV3 "Robot Arm" module which appears to use 3 motors to lift balls in a bucket before dumping them into the output.  These robotic modules are always fun to watch.  I'm curious how much it will "drift" if it was running at an all day event.

Rimo Y has built a "factory style" module that has two stages to the lift and dump of each ball cart.
It looks like it uses quite a bit of parts.

This next module is simple, and I love simple modules.  Why do I love simple modules?  Because they are reliable and/or easy to fix!  Here we have a Minecraft themed 10x10 stepper.

Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 09, 2020

Welcome to week 09 of the GBC Observer for 2020.  This week we will take a look at a few convention layouts as well as a very cool interactive module.

First up is a video I took from the VLC Booth that was at Fan Expo Vancouver 2020.   A total of 4 club members contributed to the layout and it was enjoyed by a lot of people.  Also shown is the prototype of my latest module the 42105 Catamaran Remix.



Next let's look at 2 videos from Bricks Cascade that happened in Portland last weekend.

First is a video of Kevin's loop.



Next is a video of Neil and Josh's loop.



Lastly take a look at Pinwheel's newest module which happens to be interactive, very cool!



Have a great week everyone!