How to make a creative cardboard mini marble track - DIY tutorial

Summary

Max Imagination's video tutorial guides viewers through crafting a mini cardboard marble trap. The step-by-step process involves creating a swirler with intersecting lines, using a hot glue gun for assembly, and cutting a central hole for marbles to descend through a vortex. Additional components include a spiral track, ladder-like sections, and an elevator mechanism, all meticulously constructed from cardboard. The tutorial concludes with a test run of the marble run, showcasing the intricate design in action.

Takeaways

• 📏 Start by creating a 4-inch diameter circle for the base of the marble trap.
• 🔪 Make eight intersecting cuts across the circle to form a pizza-like pattern.
• 🛠 Peel the skin off a strip of cardboard to create a 'tank tread' look for the outer edge.
• 🔄 Apply hot glue around the edges of the circle and attach the 'tank tread' strip.
• 🧩 Place a second strip of unpeeled cardboard underneath as a puzzle piece to reinforce the structure.
• ⭕ Cut a small hole in the center of the circle for marbles to pass through.
• 🔪 Cut along the traced lines to create the pizza-shaped slices for the marble to spiral down.
• 🔄 Create a second identical circle and glue it to the bottom of the swirler to form a depression.
• 🌀 Construct a spiral track by tracing, cutting, and gluing a spiral shape from cardboard.
• 🏗 Build walls for the spiral track using hot glue to ensure stability.
• 🔗 Connect the spiral and swirler with a cardboard piece to ensure they hold together.
• 📏 Use a paper towel tube as a support structure for the track, cutting slits and gluing it to the platform.
• 🔼 Create an elevator mechanism with a box and posts, ensuring it aligns with the top of the spiral track.
• 🔄 Assemble a ladder-like track with five cardboard pieces and ten 'tank tread' walls for the marble to descend.
• 🔨 Secure the track to the platform with hot glue and attach the swirler on top.
• 🔄 Add an elevator for the marble, ensuring it can slide smoothly onto the track.
• 👍 The final product is a fully functional marble run with a mini swirler, spiral track, and elevator.

Q & A

What is the main project being demonstrated in the video?

The video demonstrates how to make a mini cardboard marble trap, which includes a swirler and a spiral track for the marbles to run.

What is the diameter of the circle needed to start the project?

The circle needed to start the project should be 4 inches in diameter.

How many lines should be drawn across the circle to create the initial structure?

Eight lines should be drawn across the circle to create a pizza-like cutting form.

What material is used to create the strip that goes around the circle?

A strip of cardboard is used, which is peeled to resemble tank treads.

What adhesive is used to attach the cardboard strips to the circle?

A hot glue gun is used to attach the cardboard strips to the edges of the circle.

How is the hole in the middle of the swirler created for the marbles to pass through?

A razor blade or knife is used to cut a hole in the very center of the swirler.

What shape does the cardboard need to be cut into after tracing the spiral?

The cardboard needs to be cut into a spiral shape following the traced line.

Why is it necessary to cut off the excess pieces after making the spiral track?

Cutting off the excess pieces ensures that the track is the same weight along all points for stability.

How are the inner walls of the spiral track created to prevent marbles from falling off?

Inner walls are created by cutting additional cardboard pieces and gluing them to the edges of the spiral track.

What is the purpose of the paper towel cardboard in the construction of the track?

The paper towel cardboard is used to elevate the track and provide a platform for the marble run.

How many pieces of cardboard are needed to create the ladder-like track for the marble run?

Five pieces of cardboard are needed for the track itself, and ten pieces for the walls of the 'tank tread' kind.

What is the final step in assembling the marble run before testing it out?

The final step is attaching the elevator to the track and ensuring it can move up and down for easy access.