# A Fantastic Contraption SDMB Contest **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 26, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870 "2008-07-26T20:54:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/41 "2008-07-28T15:21:42Z")
[QUOTE=mr. jp] Mission to Mars, 1 point > **[Fantastic Contraption - Launch Level](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=110872)** > > The classic physics puzzle game from 2008. Build whimsical machines to solve puzzles. Now available on Steam with new updates coming soon! [/QUOTE] Psst… I think we’re actually just trying to do the levels in the OP… ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/42 "2008-07-28T15:22:46Z")
Well, at least my level 70 was in the lead for a second or two! Nice job, **Half Man** , it’s even more impressive that the contraption can’t make it up the hill if you keep everything exactly the same if you disconnect the pink ball and move it off to the side. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/43 "2008-07-28T15:33:56Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] I’ve been _dying_ to post this since last night. I don’t think this one for [level 70 beta](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=109737) can be beat, but feel free to prove me wrong. [/QUOTE] [10 points.](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=111008) 😃 Beaten to the punch, I see. Well, at least I’m equally clever. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/44 "2008-07-28T15:34:05Z")
I wish speed were a judging criterion. Because then my [seven](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=111054) point solution to level 44 would be worth something. But it’s not, so it’s not. 🙂 -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/45 "2008-07-28T15:39:47Z")
[QUOTE=Half Man Half Wit] Psst… I think we’re actually just trying to do the levels in the OP… [/QUOTE] Well, people started solving Mind the Gap, so.. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/46 "2008-07-28T16:01:01Z")
[QUOTE=fachverwirrt] [10 points.](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=111008) 😃 Beaten to the punch, I see. Well, at least I’m equally clever. Or something. [/QUOTE] No \*\*\*\*\*\* way! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/47 "2008-07-28T16:47:59Z")
[QUOTE=Ale] Scratch that, level 44 [3 points.](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=92901)🆒 [/QUOTE] My girlfriend and I have been trying to post these since the outage. I’m pretty sure that most of Jerry’s trouble came from fixing my frantic posts to this thread before I figured out it wasn’t just me. 🙂 Two slightly different takes on level 44. [3 points](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=94839) [4 points](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=94466) ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/48 "2008-07-28T17:00:30Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] My girlfriend and I have been trying to post these since the outage. I’m pretty sure that most of Jerry’s trouble came from fixing my frantic posts to this thread before I figured out it wasn’t just me. 🙂 Two slightly different takes on level 44. [3 points](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=94839) [4 points](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=94466) [/QUOTE] Your links don’t seem to work–they go to an incomplete level (i.e, no environmental objects, no pink ball, just a blue workshop and pink goal and nothing else). -Kris ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/49 "2008-07-28T17:01:47Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] You’re links don’t seem to work–they go to an incomplete level (i.e, no environmental objects, no pink ball, just a blue workshop and pink goal and nothing else). -Kris [/QUOTE] Never mind, they work now. Don’t know what happened. -Kris ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/50 "2008-07-28T17:03:30Z")
[Level 51](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=98885) one rod, one powered wheel: 5pts. [Twist](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=98825) one rod, one powered wheel: 5pts. [Level 53](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=99132) two rods, two powered wheels: 12pts. [Twist](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=111795) 4 powered wheels, 4 rods: 20pts Um… I’ll get back to you on level 70. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/51 "2008-07-28T17:53:45Z")
Back and forth - 21. > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=112520)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! ETA: In 19 > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=112581)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/52 "2008-07-28T18:18:37Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] Never mind, they work now. Don’t know what happened. -Kris [/QUOTE] That happens to me sometimes, too. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/53 "2008-07-28T18:54:19Z")
[QUOTE=Lightnin’] [Twist](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=111795) 4 powered wheels, 4 rods: 20pts [/QUOTE] [Tweaked!](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=113275) 3 powered wheels, 1 wheel, 4 rods = 18 pts. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/54 "2008-07-28T19:22:28Z")
[QUOTE=Don’t fight the hypothetical] Back and forth - 21. > **[Fantastic Contraption - Launch Level](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=112520)** > > The classic physics puzzle game from 2008. Build whimsical machines to solve puzzles. Now available on Steam with new updates coming soon! ETA: In 19 > **[Fantastic Contraption - Launch Level](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=112581)** > > The classic physics puzzle game from 2008. Build whimsical machines to solve puzzles. Now available on Steam with new updates coming soon! [/QUOTE] [Tweaked](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=113594) for 18. I can’t seem to make it work if I remove both water pipes between the yellow wheels, but with a little tweaking, I was able to remove one of them. So what exactly _is_ the effect of attaching pipes to the rims of two wheels like that? It just slows the wheels down a little by adding weight, right? Or is there more to it than that? ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/55 "2008-07-28T20:05:50Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] [Tweaked](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=113594) for 18. I can’t seem to make it work if I remove both water pipes between the yellow wheels, but with a little tweaking, I was able to remove one of them. So what exactly _is_ the effect of attaching pipes to the rims of two wheels like that? It just slows the wheels down a little by adding weight, right? Or is there more to it than that? [/QUOTE] I don’t know but I’ll guess. I think in addition to adding weight they also offer a larger traction surface. Those two things together add more power. At least that’s what I assumed when I added them. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/56 "2008-07-28T20:13:33Z")
Didn’t beat anybody, but without cheating here’s what I got: #44 (11 pts) [Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=103997) #51 (51 pts) [Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=104045) #53 (27 pts) [Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=106423) twist (24 pts) [Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=31709) #70 I can’t solve yet, it seems like no one else has yet either? The slope is to steep to get up with powered wheels unless you get a long enough chain which I can’t make without it bunching up. I get close with a catapult, but I can’t make it more powerful because apparently there is a limit to the number of wheels you can use lol. Maybe I could make some kind of unfolding ramp but the ball is in the way. I’m stuck! ETA: finally got it, by creating one long line that pushes another long line over the top in what looks like an attempt at mating > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=109261)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! 93 points tho, surely someone can improve this ETA: OK down to 32 points > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=109534)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/57 "2008-07-28T20:39:27Z")
Level 70, in 20pts: > **[Fantastic Contraption: A fun online physics puzzle game](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=114574)** > > An online flash puzzle game where you build whimsical machines to solve each level. Save your contraptions and share them with your friends. Free! ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/58 "2008-07-28T21:21:52Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] [Tweaked](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=113594) for 18. [/QUOTE] [And again for 17.](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=115111) ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/59 "2008-07-29T02:56:31Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] [Tweaked!](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=113275) 3 powered wheels, 1 wheel, 4 rods = 18 pts. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Oh yeah? Take [this](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=118566): 16pts (I removed the nonpowered wheel)! ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870/60 "2008-07-29T03:15:26Z")
[QUOTE=Don’t fight the hypothetical] Back and forth - 21. > **[Fantastic Contraption - Launch Level](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=112520)** > > The classic physics puzzle game from 2008. Build whimsical machines to solve puzzles. Now available on Steam with new updates coming soon! ETA: In 19 > **[Fantastic Contraption - Launch Level](http://fantasticcontraption.com/?designId=112581)** > > The classic physics puzzle game from 2008. Build whimsical machines to solve puzzles. Now available on Steam with new updates coming soon! [/QUOTE] [And done in 16!](http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=118721) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-fantastic-contraption-sdmb-contest/457870.md?page=4)