Giant's Grove - Marble Run

Inspired by the towering basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, Giant’s Grove turns that iconic look into a fast-moving marble run with a playful twist. The idea was to create something that feels like a tree growing out of a rocky hexagonal landscape, while keeping the same geometric language throughout the entire design so it feels cohesive, stylized, and a little magical.
 

This marble run moves quickly and gives the marbles multiple ways to travel through the machine. As they make their way down through the acrylic tube, they can pass through double spirals and funnel cones that keep the motion interesting from top to bottom.

One of the details we especially like in this design is that the marble path goes both inside and outside of the loop. It creates a really fun sense of movement, especially when watching it from different angles. Another playful feature is the canopy at the top, where you can place a finger to help guide marbles into different paths. It sounds simple, but it adds a surprisingly interactive element for anyone standing nearby.

Overview

Giant’s Grove was designed to be more than a single marble run. Part of the vision here is to make the internal section inside the acrylic tube interchangeable, opening the door for future alternate flow paths and upgrade options. That means makers can eventually swap in different internal modules and change how the run behaves without changing the entire outer structure.

Assembly

Please see the attached assembly PDF for step by step instructions. 

Lift System

This model also uses one of our more unusual lift systems.

Rather than relying on a typical screw lift or standard elevator style approach, Giant’s Grove uses a custom marble pump that lifts marbles up through the stone columns in a unique way. It took many iterations to develop, but it became one of the most interesting parts of the project and a fun way to experiment with the Maker’s Supply Rechargeable Power Kit.

I originally got the idea here while researching unique marble lifts and found these two YouTube videos from wood workers: https://youtu.be/eWQ-189ijeM?si=bRqdo9g4eK9cviXl and https://youtu.be/zCWnoSamN7g?si=MG0MqKgHrr0huWtQ

There is also user @user_1960346630 who created a 3D model of this to help demonstrate how the lift works here: https://makerworld.com/models/876715 

Design Intent

With Giant’s Grove, the goal was to blend strong visual theming with fast and satisfying marble movement. We wanted it to feel decorative on a shelf, fun to observe in motion, and interesting enough that people would want to come over and interact with it. The hex patterns helped tie the whole model together, giving the tree, rocks, and run a unified style that makes the piece feel playful without losing the inspiration behind it.
 

We also wanted this model to aim for something bigger, like a lot of our models. A marble run platform where internal modules could evolve over time and makers could customize the flow inside the same outer structure.

Feedback

As always, we’d love to hear what you think. If you print Giant’s Grove, share your build photos and let us know what kinds of interchangeable internal paths or future marble run variations you’d want to see next.