BB Run

thingiverse

I spent countless hours as a kid mesmerized by marble runs, their intricate mechanisms and colorful designs captivating my imagination. I began designing parts to print, realizing that they were enormous and would never fit on my desk. This sparked an idea - to create smaller pieces that could be easily assembled into a desktop-friendly version. As I delved deeper into the design process, I encountered another challenge: supports. These pesky little structures were necessary for stable prints but always seemed to detract from the overall appearance. Undeterred, I decided to integrate them directly into my designs, crafting them to blend seamlessly with the rest of the model. These miniature marvels use 4.5 mm BB's readily available at any sporting goods store (metal is the preferred choice). Print as many as you like - they're designed to interconnect and print quickly. For a visual demonstration, check out the video here: https://youtu.be/XtaTXyeZx04. If you'd like to design or add your own parts, start with the Pillar file as your base. Due to the small scale, BB's may occasionally jump off course, providing an entertaining reflex test. Have fun and don't hesitate to share your prints or remixes!