K'Nex Extended Ball Zigzag 2

This K'Nex element is designed to slow down the progression of the ball. This was inspired by the "Multiple ball zigzag" by Dragonfire and the "Fall-Through" by collinjo12. Parts of this drop is from each of these two elements with some modifications.

This Instructable includes four levels, two going each way. This could have any number of levels. If you need the ball to come out of the other end, have an odd number of levels.

This is the second of a few Zigzag ball drops. Each of the others will be wider, or have a longer path for the ball.

The pieces needed are listed here.

Rods:

• 34 grey
• 31 blue
• 8 white
• 24 green

Connectors:

• 50 yellow
• 24 purple
• 2 red

Put all of the purple pieces together in pairs. Add two green rods at an angle to four of these pairs of purple. Both green rods should be on the same end. Add four green rods at an angle to four of these pairs of purple. There should now be four purple assemblies with two green rods and four purple assemblies with four green rods.

Each purple assembly needs yellow connectors added. One yellow connector should be at an angel on each green rod. Connect one white rod between the yellow connectors on the four purple assemblies that have four yellow connectors. There should be eight purple assemblies. Four purple assemblies each with one yellow connector on both of the green rods and four purple assemblies with one yellow connector on all four green rods and white rods joining the yellow connectors. This should complete the purple assemblies.

Add one grey rod to each of the two yellow connectors on the smaller purple assemblies. This needs to be connected on the end of the yellow connector that is nearest to the purple connector. If the assembly can sit up without falling over, the grey rods have been put in the right place. Add one grey rod to the socket at the joint of the purple assemblies.

Connect the larger purple assemblies to the ends of the three grey rods of the smaller assemblies. This should be the most sturdy part of the ball paths. There should be four assemblies at this point.

Add two grey rods to each end of these assemblies. This will complete this stage of the ball paths.

Attach a yellow connector to a blue rod using the center connection. Add another yellow connector to the other end of the blue rod. Make two of these mid-base assemblies.

Attach a purple connector to a blue rod using an end connection. Add another purple connector to the other end of the blue rod. Make two of these end-base assemblies.

Add two grey rods to join the mid-base assemblies which makes a rectangle which is the middle of the base. Add to more grey rods to each end of this base. Add the end-base assemblies on the open ends of the grey rods. This should complete the base assembly.

Attach a yellow connector to a blue rod using the center connection. Add another yellow connector to the other end of the blue rod. Make eight of these upright rung assemblies.

Add two blue rods to the end of each of the yellow connectors. This should make eight three-sided assemblies.

Click one blue rod onto a yellow connector at an angle. Click another yellow connector to match the first one. Make three of these assemblies.

Click one of these assemblies onto the blue cross-piece of one of the rung assemblies. Make three of these.

Click the end of one red connector onto the blue cross-piece of one of the rung assemblies. Click another red connector to match the first one. there should now be four rung assemblies that have end connections and four that do not.

Attach one rung assembly that includes an end-connection onto a purple end-base assembly. Be sure the yellow connectors are facing inward. This begins the building up process. Attach one rung assembly that does not include an end-connection onto the other purple end-base assembly. This completes the first level rung construction.

Add one rung assembly that does not include an end-connection onto the first rung that does include an end-connection. Add one rung assembly that does include an end-connection onto the first rung that does not include an end-connection. There should now be two levels completed, each with an end-connection on the opposite end from the level below it.

Repeat this to make all four levels, with the top level having the rung with the red connectors. Be sure of the following:

1. All of the yellow or red connections face in
2. No level has two end-connections
3. Each end-connection is above a rung without an end-connection
4. The top level has the red connectors as the end-connection

Each path section includes one larger purple assembly and one smaller purple assembly. Slide the grey rods of the smaller purple assembly through and just above the lowest rung that does not have an end-connection. Leave this end loose. Connect the other end of this path to the center of the yellow end-connection. Repeat this for all levels and paths.

Starting at the lowest level, click the loose grey rods onto the yellow connectors of the rung assembly. Repeat this for all levels. This should complete the assembly of the entire element.

This has no extra supports. This means this element can be adjusted. This also means it can be misaligned. The image shows that this upright and the paths are bent. The ball will get stuck.

Use or make a straight-edge and check the uprights. Use or make a measuring device to be sure all levels are the same length or distance apart. One image shows the red connector aligning with the bottom level but not the third level. The grey ends need to be adjusted better. Starting at the lower levels, slide the ends in or out until all levels are the same.

The paths may also be twisted even when they are the correct length. Slightly twist the purple assembly to make it more level. Test and adjust as needed.