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How to Make a Simple K'NEX Machine

K'Nex, one of the most popular brands of construction toys in the world, has long been a household name. Many associate K'Nex with playtime, but the K'Nex Simple Machine Series For Educators makes use of the K'Nex parts as an educational tool to help children understand simple machines such as pulleys, levers and gears. Building a lever (or seesaw) simple machine can be done with any regular K'Nex set in a few steps.

Things You'll Need

4 blue K'Nex rods
4 yellow K'Nex rods
2 grey K'Nex rods
1 red K'Nex rod
4 light grey K'Nex connectors
2 yellow K'Nex connectors
1 red K'Nex connector
1 orange K'Nex connector

Instructions

- 1
  Insert one of the blue rods into one of the slots on one of the light grey connectors. In the other remaining slot, insert a yellow rod, creating a 45-degree angle. Repeat this process with all of the light grey connectors, yellow rods and blue rods, creating four 45-degree angle pieces.
- 2
  Insert the blue rods on two of the 45-degree angle pieces you created in Step 1 into the slots directly opposite each another on a yellow connector, creating a triangle shape. Use a red connector to connect the yellow rods at the top of the triangle together. Your triangle should be a right triangle, with one 90-degree angle and two 45-degree angles. Repeat this process for the remaining two 45-degree angle pieces, giving you two triangle pieces.
- 3
  Insert the two grey rods into slots directly opposite each another on the orange connector. You should now have a very long, straight piece. Stick the red rod through the hole in the center of the orange connector. The straight piece you just made should be able to spin freely on the red rod.
- 4
  Attach the triangle pieces you made in Step 2 onto opposite ends of the red rod by inserting the red rod into the center hole in the red connectors.
- 5
  Set your lever down on a flat surface. Push one end of the lever and watch the other end go up.

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