Anybody Think That the 8043's Bucket Is Too Big?

[cleong]

Has anyone just simply tried to cut sections out of the existing bucket, then glue it back together, in order to make it narrower?

[jantjeuh]

Has anyone just simply tried to cut sections out of the existing bucket, then glue it back together, in order to make it narrower?

Blasphemy!

[grohl]

Has anyone just simply tried to cut sections out of the existing bucket, then glue it back together, in order to make it narrower?

You heretic, cutting your LEGOs make the GOD angry.

[cleong]

I'm sorry, I'm new, so I didn't know chopping was taboo.

The reason why I've wandered on here is that I've bought a 8043 Excavator to go onto the back of my 1/14th scale radio control truck and trailer. In RC trucking circles, chopping, filling and gluing is commonplace. Guess it isn't so for Lego.

[jantjeuh]

Most people here would rather chop off their own fingers than cut/glue/modify their precious LEGO bricks I guess

But if you think it's a good idea, go for it IMO the 8043 looks great with both the original bucket or the 2951 bucket.

Edited October 31, 2010 by jantjeuh

[dr_spock]

Has anyone just simply tried to cut sections out of the existing bucket, then glue it back together, in order to make it narrower?

I tried cutting Lego before. It didn't feel right. I think ABS plastic is much harder to saw than the styrene plastic in my 1/35 scale model tanks.

[fmmjqtft]

I tried the bucket from my 8419 excavator and the one from my 8294 excavator.

I think something between 8419 and 8294 would be a nice fit.

I think both those buckets are too small. If the loader bucket from 8294 is to be used, the pivot point should be moved closer to the top of the bucket.

Has anyone just simply tried to cut sections out of the existing bucket, then glue it back together, in order to make it narrower?

I have done this to the ldraw part:

It is however, still a loader bucket. 9L beams can be attached like this, to turn it into an excavator bucket:

[DarkShadow73]

The 8294/8453 bucket Jurgen modded for set is decent sized for the excavator. I tried attaching the bucket before trying his mod and it didn't pivot when the LA was extended/retracted without Jurgen's modified attachment. I do think TLG should have come up with a bucket that was sized appropriately for the 8043 when designing it, however I do know they are cost-conscious and creating a new mold would most likely be expensive, but definitely the bucket that comes with the set is way too oversized. The only complaint I might have with the 8294/8453 bucket is that it that in a resting flat position it doesn't allow the digging arm to come up high enough to look truly realistic of a true excavator but Jurgen's mod definitely allows for more realistic inward and outward tilting of the bucket.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

I agree that the 8043 was an excellent oppertunity for TLG do produce a proper excavator-bucket for this scale. Like the one fmmjqtft made in Ldraw.

[MrDummy]

Lemme see:

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=2950&in=S

4x4x9 bucket, it's available in Compact Excavator model 8047

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=4700&in=S

Very old 8x6 bucket. I got one in home from http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=8851-1 :)

Can set it on my 8043 to see the result soon.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=2951&in=S

Technic Digger Bucket 8 x 10. This is found in earlier excavator from 2008 http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=8294-1

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=2814&in=S

Technic Digger Bucket 8 x 14 with 7 teeth, seems a bit smaller.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=32030&in=S

The used bucket in 8043. It's Technic Digger Bucket 10 x 18.

4x4x9 is only bucket you can get it from 8047, otherwise there are older buckets.

If you have nothing old in home, you can try 2008 version which is a bit smaller.

Edited November 4, 2010 by MrDummy

[ComMix]

Hi there!

I'd like to take this topic to jump in an introduce myself.

My name is Christian and i'm from Germany. I'm 33years and visting and reading here some time now since i droped back into LEGO.

I read this topic today and since i get me the 8043 last weekend and had the same feeling, i did already a Mod of this generally great model, i want to share my opinion (and if i do not mess up also some pictures ;-))

As i had the very old 8851, which was one of my first models, i thougth this bucket will fit perfect. And after attaching it to the 8043, i think i was right. Have a look how good it fits regarding scale and overall looks.

Hope the images show it good enough.

greets ComMix

BTW: the trailer in the back is a Wip of one of my first MOC's i'm working on.

[dr_spock]

Hi there!

I'd like to take this topic to jump in an introduce myself.

My name is Christian and i'm from Germany. I'm 33years and visting and reading here some time now since i droped back into LEGO.

I read this topic today and since i get me the 8043 last weekend and had the same feeling, i did already a Mod of this generally great model, i want to share my opinion (and if i do not mess up also some pictures ;-))

As i had the very old 8851, which was one of my first models, i thougth this bucket will fit perfect. And after attaching it to the 8043, i think i was right. Have a look how good it fits regarding scale and overall looks.

Hope the images show it good enough.

greets ComMix

BTW: the trailer in the back is a Wip of one of my first MOC's i'm working on.

Welcome aboard. That bucket looks good on the 8043.