Welcome to the World of K'nex, a colorful construction toy. Here we will make a roller coaster in the shape of a volcano. My main steps lead to building it with a launch motor. At the end is an additional step for building it with a chain lift only, in case you don't have a launch motor.

* Pieces are considered pieces themselves.
* Parts are considered several pieces connected to each other.

* While building, it helps to also click on the images to enlarge them and see their notes.

Step 1: Set Up for Pieces

The pictures shows the variety of pieces, motors and tracks needed.

The colors shown in the first picture display the variety that I used, meanwhile it doesn't matter what colors you use.

Pieces required for building the Scorpion Express Coaster:

Rods (Sticks) - (Shortest to Longest)

Green/Black: 36, White/Silver: 48, Blue: 85, Yellow: 43, Red/Silver: 195, Gray/Orange: 105
Connectors - (ID Color)(Most to Least Sides)

White: 78, Blue: 44, Yellow: 78, Purple/Grey: 78, Green: 43, Red: 18, Orange/Brown: 35

Bright Grey/Orange: 2, Grey: 47, Sandy: 5, Shiny Blue: 7, Orange: 3, Black: 2

Other Types

Silver Spacers: 23, Blue Spacers: 5, Black Gear Wheels: 2, Black Chain Holders(Look on Pic.): 9, Coaster Car: 2, Coaster Tracks: 26, 1 Regular Motor

Micros

Rods: Short Red Transfers: 38, Long Transfers(Green/Purple/Bright Blue): 18, Blue: 4, Yellow: 1

Connectors: Gray: 11, Purple: 38, Yellow: 2

If with Launch Motor, then Micro-Chain: 93.

If without Launch motor, then Micro-Chain: 176.

Step 2: Named Parts

Following the Images:

Build these 32 (2 red rods & 1 white connector) and call them "Part #32".

Build the 12 (2 grey rods & 1 white connector) and call them "Part #12".

Build the 11 (1 blue rod & 1 yellow connector & 1 orange/grey rod) and call them "Part #11".

Step 3: The Base

Following the images:

Build the plus-shaped base, and consider the side with the yellow connector as the front.

Add on 10 "Part #32"s.

Add on 17 red rods.

Add on 7 yellow connectors, 6 grey connectors and 2 purple connectors.

Add on 7 red rods and 4 grey rods.

Step 4: Base Front

Build the few micro parts.

Add to the base 6 red rods and 6 grey rods.

Slip onto the two center front red rods each 3 silver spacers and 1 blue spacer.

Afterwards connect the few micro parts, and can optionally put on the launch motor.

Step 5: Base Ring

Following the images:

Build the 4 wide T-shaped parts and add them to the base.

Build these 2 odd shaped parts and add them to the left front of the base with 2 blue rods.

Add onto the base 7 "Part #11"s.

Build the 3 T-shaped parts and add them to the base while slipping the red rods through the grey connectors.

Build this one-more part and connect it to the left of the base.

Step 6: The Spine

Consider the left bottom side in each image as the front of the spine. Following the images:

Build the bottom part of the spine.

Build the second part and attach it on top.

Build the third part, noticing the grey connector and blue/sandy connector on the back left tall red rod. Afterwards, connect it on top of the lower part.

Build the fourth part with the black gear and add it on top.

Grab 4 of the "Part #32" and connect them with 4 red rods and 1 yellow rod as the fifth part.

Build the sixth part, slipping a silver spacer on all four tall red rods, and then put the 5th and 6th parts on top.

Build the seventh part and attach it on top.

Build the eighth part and add it on.

Build the top part and put it on top.

Attach the spine to the base.