What is it about marble runs that makes them so compelling? Kids (and adults!) can watch marbles going down a track, passing through various obstacles, for hours on end. Marble runs are fascinating, they grab our attention, and yet they're also relaxing. Marble runs and races have become an unexpected YouTube phenomenon, with thousands of videos racking up millions of views. You choose a marble to watch, to cheer for, you wonder which path it will take, you put yourself in the marble's place, imagining that you are right there with the glass ball, going on a marvelous, unknown journey, with twists and turns and surprises around every corner. The thrill is even greater when you've built the marble run yourself. Now you're not just passively watching a video, you're fully invested because you built a wondrous machine with your own hands.\nPresenting the Ugears Marble Run Chain Hoist-an exciting combination of art and engineering. The Marble Run Chain Hoist is both a beautiful kinetic sculpture and an intricate toy that teaches as it entertains. This DIY wooden marble run features a chain hoist powered by a hand crank, and a series of tracks, each with its own unique and fun obstacle or element. Turn the handle clockwise to set the machine in motion, and watch as the wooden chain hoist collects and lifts the marbles to the top of the machine, where a 3-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 others are collected in the accumulator then released down one of three short tracks. All marbles pass through the common tray or collector before returning to the chain hoist to be lifted on their next journey.\nThe Marble Run Chain Hoist is modular, and can be connected to other Marble Run Chain Hoists (2 or 4 models can be connected, in pairs) using special connectors (included). Attach two Marble Run Chain Hoists together frontally, or connect four together, both frontally and laterally, for a mini system of hoists and runs. \nThe world's tallest rolling ball sculpture, at 72 feet, is the "Energy Machine," located inside the Hong Kong Science Museum. At one foot tall our Ugears wooden marble run may not be the biggest, but we think it's the cutest! Multiple elements are packed into a compact space in our DIY Marble Run Chain Hoist, keeping you guessing which path your favorite marble will take. As marbles enter the 3-way switch each marble closes a "door" behind it, allowing the next marble to pass further. The third marble, passing through the last hole, opens the doors using a lever. \nExperience the satisfaction of building your own intriguing, 3D puzzle/kinetic sculpture/marble run with your own hands. Everything you need for this fun DIY project comes right in the box, including pre-cut wooden boards, 10 marbles, wax and sandpaper (for optimal gear function). Each Ugears model kit, 3D puzzle, or brain teaser comes with a set of detailed, illustrated instructions in 11 languages. The Marble Run Chain Hoist has 400 pieces, is rated "Medium" level, and has an estimated assembly time of 7 hours. As you build this ingenious wooden marble run, you will learn about the action and interplay of drive gears and driven gears in gear sets, the delicate action of counterweights, and be intrigued by the mechanics of the 3-way switch and accumulator as they determine the marbles' course.\n*Self-assembled, no glue needed\n*Model size: 10.6 x 12 x 10.6 in (27.5 x 30.5 x 27 cm)\n*Package size: 14.9 x 6.7 x 1.3 in (37.8 x 17 x 3.4 cm)\n*Estimated time of assembly: 7 hours\n*Level: Medium\n*Parts count: 400