It has never been easier to build a complete Great Ball Contraption (GBC) loop yourself! The GBC 38 Funky Ferris Wheel features an amazing big ferris wheel which brings the balls up and guides them through a funky downtrack path. With a massive footprint of 80 cm (32 inch) by 70 cm (28 inch) and a height of 25 cm (22 inch), this GBC is one of the bigger GBCs we have ever created so far. It is way bigger than the original LEGO model and it features multiple fun and interesting modules which all work together in harmony to make a full loop so the ball flow will never end. The GBC can be used as a self contained loop or participate in a GBC layout. Using a more accessible LEGO Set and focusing on one single mechanism this GBC is one of the easier GBCs to get started.

This GBC is entirely built using only parts from the LEGO Car Transporter and can be referred to as model C of the 42098. This GBC makes sure you master the GBC building techniques and tricks so that you eventually also can build your own GBCs. By default the whole machine is powered by hand but it can easily be upgraded with any LEGO motor (more information in the building instructions).

Big Wheel = Big Win

Let’s get straight to it: GBC 38 Funky Ferris Wheel is massive in size and a lot of fun! The big Ferris Wheel Module definitely steals the show and it’s a true pleasure watching the wheel go round and round forever. The elegant movement, automated GBC Ball loading or ball dropping at the top keeps the eye fed. The ferris wheel holds 12 carriages and at any given moment 7 GBC Balls can be riding it together. A beautiful mechanism at the bottom will detect when a carriage moves by and will automatically load a GBC Ball into the carriage. With a simple adjustment pin you can tune the timing between detecting and loading very accurately. With a constant speed the GBC Balls will be moved to the top. Once at the top the GBC Balls will be dropped onto the downtrack path after which the funky ride begins. By default the Ferris Wheel is power by rotating a handle. A clever mechanism makes sure the Ferris Wheel always rotates in the correct direction, no-matter which direction you rotate the handle. Next to that we also included an extra mechanism which changes speed of the Ferris Wheel depending on which direction you rotate the handle. For safety reasons we also included a linear clutch mechanism to prevent damage when using a LEGO motor. All these functions are integrated in a compact and efficient gearbox.

Once the GBC Balls are dropped at the top they will spin in the (Optional) GBC Funnel Turbo Spin. After a few spins the GBC Balls will drop randomly out of the funnel and onto the catch tray which guides them to a Weight Balancing Beam. Once 8 GBC Balls fill up the complete beam it drops the them to the side and the race is on. With the flip of a switch you can can enable/disable the Weight Balancing Beam and control the if 1 or 8 GBC Balls should go down together. On there way down to the finish line various fun and cool elements interact with the GBC Balls like the Zig Zag Path, Bumpy Road, Rattle Route and the Xylophone Keys (Optionally). The Xylophone Keys make a beautiful sound once a GBC Ball rolls over them. You can vary the tunes by swapping out the order of the Xylophone Keys.
A catch tray at the bottom will eventually guide the balls back to the Ferris Wheel Module where their adventure starts again. This catch tray can also be used to input GBC Balls from another GBC Module. There is also an option to output the GBC Balls to another module making it compatible to run the GBC in a bigger GBC layout.

Fun Fact

Making round shapes from straight beams is not easy. In the beginning we knew that this would be the main focus to make the model work. After 20+ different versions of the ferris wheel we finally came to the perfect configuration which combines both functions and aesthetics. We could not have been happier with the final result.

Building Instructions Preview

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Upgrade your GBC 38 Funky Ferris Wheel

GBC Funnels

Power & Automate

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This model is also included in the GBC Pro Pack