8958 Sonic Driller Granite Grinder AlternateMOC

[xenologer]

As cool as Granite Grinder's jackhammer action feature was, I felt something more dramatic was called for. Plus the driver has a drill symbol on his uniform.

Sonic Driller uses an experimental new drill. Rather than use traditional tungsten blades to cut rock, the bit focuses sound waves between it's teeth and uses the sonic energy to crack rocks.

Various views:

note the rubber band used as a drive belt for the new drill

engine in the front; while Granite Grinder is shaped like a forklift, Sonic Driller is meant to be more like a bulldozer

the bucket and chain remain unchanged. also see the nice exhaust smokestack

Construction/Mechanism views:

chassis is similar to the GraniteGrinder, however you can see that the gears(knob wheels) are now used to rotate a driveshaft for the drill.

lower chassis removed to show the driveshaft; Due to part constraints, it had to be offset to one side.

The cylinder at the front end is needed to get a good gear ratio for making the drill spin Fast

driver's cab and engine area construction details

drill bit mounting detail:

note the rubber band belt, and the 1*1stud plates used as a pully to keep it stabalized and aligned

BTW, the band works well, but when not playing I would remove it to keep the rubber from stretching out.

On the right are the extra parts for the official model

on the left are the additional extra parts after building Sonic Driller

Yep, not only does this MOC need no extra parts; it uses fewer than the original.

Have fun building one. Gives a good reason to pick up a second Granite Grinder eh?

[Asuka]

A very nice work which really gives an improved and, um, rock-solid look to that already pretty nice little PM vehicle. Well done!

[Derek]

Wow! I just got this set today, and it is already one of my favorites of 2009. I will definately try to get around to doing something like this this weekend!