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 Stepped Hoist is the second in a series of UGears modular Marble Run kits and is both a beautiful kinetic sculpture and an intricate toy that teaches as it entertains. It features an ingenious 3-stepped alternating lift mechanism that sends the marbles on their cyclical journey through multiple tracks and elements.

A turn of the handle sets the machine in motion. The lift hands the marbles back and forth as they climb to the top to embark on their amusement park adventures. There are three tracks: the first consists of a two-marble accumulator and serpentine run, the second is a hammer swing inside a C-shaped cradle, and the third has a whirlpool or funnel. All marbles eventually pass through the collection tray and into the seesaw lift, where a rocker switch mechanism sends the marbles back along the return track to the three-stepped lift.
The 355-piece kit is rated “Advanced" and has an estimated assembly time of 8 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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