Technic Clones

[Asher]

Yes, I mean NON-LEGO models that use LEGO copied parts. If there is a better place to discuss please let me know.

Now, I saw https://www.buildingtoystore.com/en/mork-023004-formula-one-williams-f1-fw410-sports-car-model-building-bricks-toy-set-1331.html and I really loved the model (and price).  MORK is a clone brand that I've never read about.  If someone knows about clone brands, I'm looking for a Formula 1 car.  LEGO hasn't done anything half-decent IMO. 

I've never bought a clone but this may be my first unless I get too many warnings not to do so.

Thanks,
Asher

[TechnicRCRacer]

I would not trust any clone brand as there could be missing or mangled pieces, torn instructions with missing pages, or the parts may not fit together at all (90% of clone pieces I have encountered barely fit or don’t at all). LEGO has done some decent Formula 1 models like the Williams F1 (expensive though), the Silver Champion, and the Ferrari one that I forget the name of. 42100 is a decent and newer unlicensed model as well.

[deehtha]

If I'm not mistaken, the model you linked looks like https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-31313/ForelockMocs/42096-alternate-f1-car/#details with different stickers. The instructions are free, and I'm willing to bet MORK did not acquire the rights to them.

If you own 42096, you already have the pieces.

[Asher]

I understand about the trust.  It may be $40 thrown away (except I'll get my $ back via CC).

For sure it looks similar, but they make 4 different constructors and there are differences between them that I can tell.  I will look into the alternate Porsche build.

[Jurss]

Instructions for free from original author, I suppose

https://bricksafe.com/pages/forelock_mocs/42096-alternate---f1-car

It is not technic, but what abut this thing?

https://creations.mattel.com/products/mega-tesla-cybertruck-gww84

 

[Asher]

32 minutes ago, Jurss said:

Instructions for free from original author, I suppose

https://bricksafe.com/pages/forelock_mocs/42096-alternate---f1-car

It is not technic, but what abut this thing?

https://creations.mattel.com/products/mega-tesla-cybertruck-gww84

 

Nice.  If I go forward, I'll have the joy of building the Porsche, deconstructing it and building the F1. Thanks for everyone feedback!

[Good old Lego builder]

I recently bought a clone brand set. Just because it was not expensive and I was curious about quality. As discribed above by others: I had 2 missing pieces, 2 very badly moulded (unusable). The pieces don’t fit very well together. I’m fine with the result for the price, but it is just not Lego. Lego is a premier product, which I all the more appreciated after this clone set. It comes with a price, but with Lego you get something good, with (in my experience) no quality issues and a better building experience. 

[Ivorrr]

Isn't discussing a non-lego product (apart from the allowed buwizz 3rd party tires and such) not allowed on this forum?

[astyanax]

Yeah according to site rules (which I don't make up nor enforce) this thread belongs in https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/forum/7-community/ or on a different host altogether.

This Mork product rips off both the model and the brick ecosystem. It's a package of zero creativity, only sadness.

[Gray Gear]

@TechnicRCRacer You must have bought either really cheap and/or old bricks then. 

I build a lot of MOCs using non-LEGO bricks, and I cannot say the same. There are companys that have good quality, and there are ones that have bad quality. 

Reading reviews and opinions of others is what you should do before buying bricks from china. Do you buy a new Smartphone just because it's only 80€? No. Take some time to read reviews and articles, and then decide if you want to buy the product.

There are great china bricks out there, but if you buy uneucated you might be in for a disappointment.

If you want really good quality I wouldn't recommend MORK btw 

[1gor]

3 hours ago, Jurss said:

 

It is not technic, but what abut this thing?

https://creations.mattel.com/products/mega-tesla-cybertruck-gww84

 

Ugly as garbage container

[andrzejl]

I bought some sets from Chinese manufacturers (mostly Cada) and there are some really good sets out there. As Grey Gear wrote there are some good and bad manufacturers, but also those good ones might release total crap. It is necessary to check reviews for each set, as chinese brands are not as consistent as Lego.

Anyway this is not the topic for Eurobricks, if you seek information about alternate bricks I would suggest lepinboard or r/lepin subreddit.

[Asher]

I hear ya all. I am figuring that the manufacturing process and quality control has greatly improved over the past 5+ years. I could be wrong and eat crow. But I’ll never learn if I don’t try :). I’ll update here when the item arrives from China (or (wherever). 

[Asher]

To (almost) close this topic, https://www.morkmodel.com/Mork-023005-Red-equation-Racing-car-p516327.html arrived today. For a total of $40, it's an good deal even if there are some inconsistencies. I'll do a mini review with pictures when I'm finished building it.

It looks like they make a mass shipment to Illinois and then send out the individual orders out from there. 

Edited November 10, 2021 by Asher

[Eldakar]

https://allegro.pl/oferta/klocki-techniczne-auto-samochod-3408el-zestaw-010-10118175334

3408 parts for 63 EURO... not sure what to think.. need your guys opinion..

[Asher]

What are you concerns? I can't believe that model uses 3400 parts.  The model is kinda ugly...maybe it's the large scale.

It's interesting that the seller is from Poland or any place in Europe. I think it's likely the item will be shipped from China w/o a box.

[Eldakar]

It says that it is fabric sealed and guy have 99% of positive votes. Im also from Poland so i know that guys in allegro who sell stuff dont get far with scamming peaople. I was more concerned about quality of the bricks.

He also have this for sale:

https://allegro.pl/oferta/mega-klocki-techniczne-auto-samochod-2886el-23016-10110394902?fromVariant=10118248236

which looks kinda good eh?

EDIT: found video

 

EDIT 2 : it turns out it's a MOC?..

 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Eldakar

[Asher]

For the most part I wouldn't worry about getting scammed. I noticed yesterday he has a high rating. The truck looks awesome.

As for quality, it's good, but you can tell it's not Lego. There may be small pieces with small defects. For mine there were a few Technic black pins that were deformed. The instructions are good but you can tell that the building techniques and order or steps can be a bit strange.

My car is not yet complete and can already tell it may have an issue with the moving parts. Lego has strict tolerances and if you're off even a tiny bit with this piece going to this piece, it can eventually multiply that and the end, it won't be exact. Final thought goes to the Roller Coaster reproduction. For most people, it didn't work because of tolerance differences.

But with all that, I recommend that you buy it, build it, and see for yourself. At the end of the day, you're building a model car or truck. What if Lego never existed, but this item did? Enjoy!