At maker Days in Eindhoven a new base was tested. It makes constructing the base for a marble run with bamboo sticks easier. They work very well.
The sticks can be pushed into the waves of the cardboard. Also it is easy to change the base-shape by choosing various strips with slots. A convenient size is 3 short strips, 2 long ones (top one in the picture) and the base can easily be extended later if necessary. Two layer corrugated board, 6.5 mm thick was used. The sticks are 4 mm diameter bamboo BBQ pins, 45 cm long (Intratuin sells them: satéprikkers 45cm)
The slots slide into each other (makes a strong, stable base) but can also be used to slide it anywhere on the cardboard between the slots. This makes it very versatile.
Here is the PDF of the slotted cardboard that you can use with a lasercutter
And the hook as a pdf for lasercutting:
Another improvement was changing the 3D printed hooks for laser cut ones. These hooks are connected with elastic bands and accommodate different diameters of the sticks.
Attaching the hook to a stick: loop a rubber band around the hook, then wrap the elastic band 3-4 times around the hook and the stick and the remaining loop goes over the top. You can slide the hook up and down.
Advantages: the 3D printed ones were only suitable for 4 mm. Now other sticks can also be used. Beside: they are stronger. The PLA hooks tended to tear apart or break after a while. (maybe because of moisture?)
Have fun!