Large Scale Central

MIK's Challenge Tortoise & Lizard Bash Build Log

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#101

The crew deleted a bunch of pics so they could upload new ones.

An overview of The California Experience lacking only a few more details.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/79/d3/01/1d0a7_c591.JPG?c=4db2)

Peter “shooting the curl.” Stairs to the anti-gravity bridge are a pewter casting that was never used. Hand rails are paper clips.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/75/d3/01/1d0a3_d6a9.JPG?c=ddf8)

Now Peter’s in the “tube.”

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/8d/d3/01/1d0bb_b7ae.JPG?c=0f6a)

Rather than using magnets to control the up/down of the surfboard, I simple set the height of the shaft so that rides along the rotating bottle. When teh bottle is at its “deepest” the surfer actually rides on the “magnetic cushion” rather tha nthe bottle, so put very little weight on the rotating bottle. Imperfections in the roundness make the surfer ride up and down with a nice gentle motion

Here’s the inverted railcar wheel to catch the splash and provide a place to set your drink while holding your umbrella.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/81/d3/01/1d0af_8be5.JPG?c=64d6)

Both ends of the rail car received “link” couplers. These are actually extra chain links from my '70 Triumph motorcycle.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/85/d3/01/1d0b3_aa4d.JPG?c=ec75)

A “rooster bar” will connect the “one-horse motive power” as well as the trailing car. The “one horse motive power” received a “loop” coupler that is actually a binder clip. The shape will work perfectly for curves and it is easily removable to slip a loop over to pull a chain or ??? if necessary. The two attaching loops are bits of brass tube.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/89/d3/01/1d0b7_1f7a.JPG?c=4d91)

#102

WOW!!! Looking forward to the feature film on this creation.

Tom

#103

Wow that is cool, our own hot tub wasn’t so successful

#104

The California Experience is done on schedule. I’ll try to load pics after a bit, but know that I am out of room and will need to figure what to delete.

I’ll also try to get a video but that probably won’t be until tomorrow.

#105

Todd,

Whats it like for people like you… you know, being so much more genious than the rest of us? I mean if this scratch built, junk box, mechanical marvel works as advertised it is just simple over the top in ingenuity.

Very cool

#106

Thanks Devon,

My allocation for photos is full and I’ve been deleting lots of pics and even albums to add a few. The new camera generates bigger pics requiring more space.

Anyway, here are some pics of the completed “The California Experience” in “tow mode.” The horse could actually pull the railcar over smooth level track, but the belts slip a lot under the load.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/a2/d3/01/1d0d0_e9d0.JPG?c=e981)

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/a6/d3/01/1d0d4_a19f.JPG?c=2e4b)

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/ac/d3/01/1d0da_a7dc.JPG?c=f984)

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/b4/d3/01/1d0e2_3193.JPG?c=00df)

And from the other side.

(http://largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/bc/d3/01/1d0ea_7fc7.JPG?c=9f92)

Oh, build costs: The palm trees, ~$10, a pack of magnets, ~$5 (had several to begin with), pack of 10 sheets of “see through” labels, ~$12 and I only used three of the sheets.

#107

Even though the water heater went out last Thursday morning, and parts were overnited and received Friday morning, I was only just able to get to it today. A man has to have his priorities straight and his wife has to recognize them even if it means no hot water for a few days! (Our master bath is on its own tankless system, so we did have hot water there.)

The build, while intensive, was a lot of fun. Solving the problems that come up is what makes it a challenge. Anyway, I wasn’t able to get video out on the layout. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)

But, I did get video in the dining room. So, for your enjoyment…, I give you “The California Experience.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bd6Sv-yPlo&feature=player_detailpage

#108

An update!

It was a beautiful day so Stan decided to take the “One Horse Motive Power” our for a “run” on the Tortoise & Lizard Bash. (Pardon the weeds but the crew has been very busy as of late.)

These “gallop bys” clearly show that while the horse may not pull The California Experience without a bit of aid (due to belt slippage), he can certainly trot with the best of them and is ready to take on all comers, even those with twice the horse power!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCGdBf-ina4