MAD Marble Machine 1 User manual

Ver. 2.3
DESIGNED BY
Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Required for assembly:
Wood glue (PVA or aliphatic resin recommended) and/or Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue
Clamps or weights, rubber bands
Sandpaper
It is recommended that you apply varnish or sealer to the nished marble machine, especially if
you live in areas with high humidity. Polyurethane varnish is a good choice.
If you manage to drop some of the balls on the oor (inevitable!) then DO NOT be tempted to pick
them up with a magnet. This can cause the balls to become magnetised and they will then stick
together which will impair the operation of the marble machine.
Please note: Before you start assembly it is a good idea to study the pictures in these
instruction so you know how it goes together. You can dry assemble the lifter frame
initially.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Kit contents

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Kit contents
1. Ball Bearings
2. 2mm Rods
3. 3mm Axles
4. 3mm Crank Handle
5. Washers
6. Steps
1
3
4
5
2
6

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Camshaft assembly
Use the supplied jigs and 2mm rods to ensure the cams are properly aligned on the 3mm axle.
One of the 3mm axles should be used for the camshaft. The axle should protrude 3mm from the
jig at one end as shown below. Layer the cams and spacers with the application of wood glue
between each part. Use rubber bands to hold the assembly together while the glue sets.
Base assembly
All the parts can be glued together in one go and the parts held in place with rubber bands while
the glue dries. If you don’t want the text to be visible, simply turn the part so it face inwards. You
will notice that one of the cut-outs on the top of the base is longer than the others. This should face
left as shown in the picture below.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Frame assembly
Use glue sparingly – you don’t want a lot of glue to go inside the frame as this can interfere with
the movement of the steps. Any excess glue can be wiped off with a damp rag.
Place 3-4 washers on each end of the camshaft and slide it in place between the frame ends.
Check the t. If there is a lot of play add another washer. It must not feel tight between the frames
though. If you are right handed, the short free end of the cranks should face right. If you are left
handed it should face left. All pictures show the marble machine assembled for right handed
cranking.
Now glue the front and rear frame pieces in place. The tabs/slot differ in size so you cannot attach
them the wrong way round. Next glue the uprights to the base. Hold the frame pieces together with
rubber bands while the glue sets.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Glue the top, front and bottom track supports to the frame.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
“Steps” assembly
Each step consists of two parts. Apply wood glue sparingly and assemble the stack using the 2mm
rods to ensure good alignment. Be careful you don’t get glue on the surfaces that shouldn’t be
joined!
Clamp the parts or wrap with rubber bands and allow the glue to dry. One part is marked. This
is so you can identify front from back when you sand the slope into the steps and it is used to
indicate how much to sand off. Once the steps are dry, ligthly sand the sides and chamfer the
corners slightly. This prevents binding. Use a ne grade sandpaper. The smoother the steps are
the better and it is recommended that you apply a light coat of varnish or MDF sealer and rub
them down with ne sandpaper when dry.
Now it’s time to tackle the top of the steps. These need to be at an angle so the balls easily roll
from step to step. Wrap sandpaper around a dowel or pen 5-7mm in diameter and sand the top
of the steps at approximately a 5-7 degree angle. If you have a Dremel type tool with a small
diameter sanding drum use that but be careful not to remove too much material from a step so
it cannot reach above the next step up. The small horizontal line marks the limits of how far you
should sand. Sand to the line but do not start to sand it away. Make sure you are not sanding away
the opposite side of the step.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Place the steps in the frame from time to time and check that they match up. When a lower step
is in its top position it should still be a bit taller than the next step up so the ball will roll from step
to step. If you accidentally sand off too much then a piece of scrap plywood can be glued to the
bottom of the step and you can then proceed to sand the top until it aligns with the other steps.
The amount of glue or vanish used can affect the width of the steps. If they are binding in the
frame, sand a couple of the steps a bit thinner.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Track assembly
Do not remove the tracks from the retaining sheet at this stage. They should be left in place until
the track joiners are glued in place. However the piece between the tracks should be removed
before the track spreaders are tted. Use a sharp knife to cut the retaining tabs.
The track spreaders should be mounted on the opposite side of the side with the “O” and “I”
engraved. Double check orientation before assembling the track so you don’t end up with a track
the won’t t on the front of the lifter!
Remove the track spreaders from the sheet. Glue them to the tracks with wood glue. A fast way to
do this is to put a good sized blob of glue on a scrap piece of paper and then dip the spreaders in
the glue before mounting them in the cut outs in the track.
Once the glue is completely dry carefully cut the tracks free from the sheet. Now you can join the
two track halves with the joiners marked “O” and “I”. “O” is for the outside track, “I” for the inside
track.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
It is easiest to rst glue the joiners to one section and let the glue dry rather than joining the track
sections in one go. Use clamps to hold the parts together or weigh them down while the glue dries.
Once the tracks sections are joined, sand the joint so it is smooth and level. Protruding edges
could cause the balls to come off the track.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Final assembly
The track should be glued to the frame in two stages. If you use CA glue you can simply hold
the parts in place while the glue sets. If using wood glue you will need a scrap of MDF and some
rubber bands to hold the track in place while the glue dries. Start by glueing the track to the lower
track support and the side support. Once dry you can glue the track to the upper track support.
The track section with the tight bend should be attached to the tall upright so the wider bend
attaches to the short upright. This keeps the balls rolling at the right speed so they neither stall nor
y off the track.
When the track is glued in place, sand the tops of the uprights at an angle so the balls run
smoothly off the steps and onto the steps.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Place a washer on the protruding crankshaft. Fit the large gear and doubler onto the shaft. A tiny
drop of CA glue between the gear and doubler will sufce to keep the gear in place on the shaft.
Take care not to get glue into the bearing hole and make sure the gear is not tight up against the
fram. Insert the crank handle shaft between the frames and place a washer at each end. Fit the
small gear and doubler onto the shaft.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
The crank arm pieces are glued together and secured on the axle with a drop of CA. The short
3mm crank handle can be glued in place or left a loose t.

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Assembly Instructions for
MAD Marble Machine #1
Ver. 2.3
Place the completed marble machine on a level surface, drop 6-8 balls on the track and crank
away to your hearts content!
If you have any suggestions or comments
regarding these instruction please email
[email protected]