Marble Runs are fascinating marvels of art and engineering that will captivate your attention. The only thing better than watching one is building it yourself. The UGears mechanical Marble Run Chain Hoist model is both a beautiful kinetic sculpture and an intricate toy that teaches as it entertains. It features a chain hoist powered by a hand crank, and a series of tracks, each with a unique and fun obstacle or element.

A turn of the handle sets the machine in motion. The wooden chain hoist collects and lifts marbles to the top of the machine, where a three-way switch distributes them on different tracks. One marble plunges down a chute with a loop-the-loop at the bottom; the next tumbles down the various stages of the cascades, while three marbles are collected in the accumulator and released down one of three short tracks. Once the marbles pass through the common tray or collector, they return to the chain hoist to restart the journey.

The 400-piece kit is rated “Intermediate" and has an estimated assembly time of 7 hours. The kit contains everything you need, including pre-cut wooden boards, 10 marbles, wax, sandpaper (for optimal gear function) and full-color illustrated, step-by-step instructions. No additional tools or glue are necessary.

UGears Marble Runs are very strong. Their rigidity is achieved through a sturdy base and tightened frame parts. They are designed to be modular allowing each model to work as a standalone, or it can be connected frontally or laterally to other UGears Marble Runs of the same or different design. Up to four models can be joined in pairs using the special connectors (included in the kit). The results are an amazingly complex system of interconnected elements, all powered by a single crank. When combined, the rocker mechanism at the end of the run can send marbles in one direction or the other (or both directions, depending on the attached weight), then return them to the original hoist or send them to a different run. It's like a miniature amusement park!

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