Roller Coasters

There are 2 different types of "making" Roller Coasters. Model Coasters and real home made Coasters. As you can already see, Model Coasters and the safest and easiest to make though don't give you as much thrill as a real home made one would give you. Below I will show you the basics of making a Roller Coaster

Model Roller Coasters

Model Coasters and probably the cheapest (and safest) way to make Roller Coaster. KNEX make very good model coaster at pretty good prises and use the classic KNEX instructions. If you're looking for something a bit more realistic you should consider a COASTER DYNAMIX kit. They're not quite so easy as making KNEX Coasters and they're prices range from £ 150 + but once they're finished they look very impressive.

With model Coaster kits you also don't have to go with the instruction manual, they've got they're own name "custom coasters". Custom coaster will require a little bit more planning though you can be as wild as you want with them. My favourite coaster kits probably our KNEX Coasters and CoasterDynamix. There's also the option of creating Homemade model Coaster, you will need some plastic sheets and some coaster cars. Cut the sheets to the size of coaster trucks so the coaster will be over it smoothly and continue do this, gluing the pieces of track together. For the supports you will require some circular plastic beams to connect onto it with glue. A good example of seeing a Homemade model Roller Coaster is by visiting KCForce on YouTube, he's got very nice model coasters.

Real Homemade Coasters

Is it you've gone onto YouTube and found some of those really impressive Home Made Roller Coasters that go right back into the family's back yard? Yes, I agree that Real Homemade Coasters are epic but they're extremely hard to make. First you will have to agree on what the track will be made out of, wood or PVC (maybe even metal). Woods the easiest though you will require a lot of it. Before you start anything though you should make the track work (supports) of the coaster. That can be gone by getting thin rectangular pieces about a metre high and nailing them together forming cube frame. Continue doing this until you think you have your required amount. Then stack them onto of each other and nail them into place. Once you've done it you require some track. To make the track you will need some thick wood that 10 centimetres wide and 1 metre long. Then nail them onto the wooden frame. Now for the chain lift, you will require 2 large cogs. They can be purchased from a builders shop or you try making one out of wood. For the chain also go to a builders shop and see what they're largest chain width and length. To position the cogs get a pieces of circular piece of wood that's the same width as the chains centre hole. Then place you cog and nail it into where the bottom of the chain lift will be. For the bottom get a circular piece of metal that fits inside the centre hole of cog and is the same width as the track work (supports) and weld them both together. Then drill a hole in both the sides of the track works where the cog will go. Then drill to holes in the side of the metal bar. Places it in between the track works where the holes are and screw it together (make sure one screw is longer than the other and stick out the side). Now you will require a motor (I find petrol or electric the best), you buy them from a builder shop. Then you will need to fit into the screw coming out of the side. Either screw it on or weld it on the motor, maybe prop it up on some wood if it's to small. Now test it! Now for making the coaster car, you will require a flat piece of wood that's a metre long (and few inches smaller than the track) and some wheels (big pram wheels work best). Screw them onto the piece of wood. Check if it works by rolling it on the track. Now you will need to make the chain ratchet. You require a ratchet witch springs back (maybe by a spring) and a short rectangular piece of wood. Screw the piece of wood onto the ratchet and then screw the ratchet onto the car, around about the area where chain would run underneath it. Make sure it works by testing it! Now all you need is a seat. Maybe a small old car seat or something. Once you've found something good screw it onto the coaster car. Now for a test, place the car on the track and put a teddy bear or something on it (like a crash test dummy) and see if it works. If it does without any pain test it yourself! As you can see, homemade Real Coasters are very complex to make but they're really thrilling and our great to show of to your friends (and ride for free).