UGears: Marble Run (400pc)

What is it about marble runs that makes them so compelling? Kids (andadults!) can watch marbles going down a track, passing through variousobstacles, for hours on end. Marble runs are fascinating, they grab ourattention, and yet they're also relaxing. Marble runs and races have become anunexpected YouTube phenomenon, with thousands of videos racking up millions ofviews. You choose a marble to watch, to cheer for, you wonder which path it willtake, you put yourself in the marble's place, imagining that you are rightthere with the glass ball, going on a marvelous, unknown journey, with twistsand turns and surprises around every corner. The thrill is even greater whenyou've built the marble run yourself. Now you're not just passively watching avideo, you're fully invested because you built a wondrous machine with yourown hands.

Presenting the UGears: Marble Run-an exciting combination of art andengineering. The Marble Run Chain Hoist is both a beautiful kinetic sculptureand an intricate toy that teaches as it entertains. This DIY wooden marble runfeatures a chain hoist powered by a hand crank, and a series of tracks, eachwith its own unique and fun obstacle or element. Turn the handle clockwise toset the machine in motion, and watch as the wooden chain hoist collects andlifts the marbles to the top of the machine, where a 3-way switch distributesthem on different tracks. One marble plunges down a chute with a loop-the-loopat the bottom; the next tumbles down the various stages of the cascades, whilethree others are collected in the accumulator then released down one of threeshort tracks. All marbles pass through the common tray or collector beforereturning to the chain hoist to be lifted on their next journey.
The Marble Run Chain Hoist is modular, and can be connected to other Marble RunChain Hoists (2 or 4 models can be connected, in pairs) using specialconnectors (included). Attach two Marble Run Chain Hoists together frontally, orconnect four together, both frontally and laterally, for a mini system of hoistsand runs.

The world's tallest rolling ball sculpture, at 72 feet, is the ""EnergyMachine,"" located inside the Hong Kong Science Museum. At one foot tall ourUgears wooden marble run may not be the biggest, but we think it's the cutest!Multiple elements are packed into a compact space in our DIY Marble Run ChainHoist, keeping you guessing which path your favorite marble will take. Asmarbles enter the 3-way switch each marble closes a ""door"" behind it, allowingthe next marble to pass further. The third marble, passing through the lasthole, opens the doors using a lever.

Experience the satisfaction of building your own intriguing, 3Dpuzzle/kinetic sculpture/marble run with your own hands. Everything you need forthis fun DIY project comes right in the box, including pre-cut wooden boards,10 marbles, wax and sandpaper (for optimal gear function). Each Ugears modelkit, 3D puzzle, or brain teaser comes with a set of detailed, illustratedinstructions in 11 languages. The Marble Run Chain Hoist has 400 pieces, israted ""Medium"" level, and has an estimated assembly time of 7 hours. As youbuild this ingenious wooden marble run, you will learn about the action andinterplay of drive gears and driven gears in gear sets, the delicate action ofcounterweights, and be intrigued by the mechanics of the 3-way switch andaccumulator as they determine the marbles' course.

• Self-assembled, no glue needed
• Model size: 10.61210.6 in (27.530.527 cm)
• Package size: 14.96.71.3 in (37.8173.4 cm)
• Estimated time of assembly: 7 hours
• Level: Medium
• Parts count: 400