qwibbled Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 hey everyone, i'm new to technic and need a little help. i'd really like to buy an excavator and what drew me to technic was the ability to have power functions and remote control. i know the easiest solution is to buy the 8043.. but i read that some people find it slow and there was some issue of faulty parts back in 2010? it costs about $200 used on ebay. i was also looking at getting the 42006 which goes for about $70 brand new and then buying the parts to make it rc motorized.. i saw this youtube video and it looks pretty cool, i actually prefer the claw of the 42006 to the oversized shovel of the 8043: but reading the description it says i'd need to buy 2 L motors, 4 M, 3 IR receivers and 2 battery boxes plus i'm assuming 1 remote.. which adds up to $125 on lego.com, plus about 130 other little parts (23 types) which would cost about $30 i'm guessing? so i'm looking at around $250, but everything brand new. so what should i buy? :) Quote
DrJB Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Tough decision ... I'd go with the 8043. Yes there was an issue with the linear actuators as you mentioned, but that same set was recalled and all defective LAs were re-designed / replaced. The Lego Group was replacing the defective actuators for free some time back, but you need to check and ensure they still would ... should you get a defective/used unit. I do have the 'fixed' 8043 and it is a nice machine, with 4 M motors and 2 remotes. If you opt for a used set, make sure it is clean ... with eBay, and depending on the seller you risk getting scratched/damaged parts. If you go with 42006, rather than buying the extra parts individually, might be worthwhile to buy a second set and get new motors from TLG. They cost $7.50 each which is not too bad. Edited November 18, 2013 by DrJB Quote
Hei Li Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 I will go for 8043 because it is super fun to build one. You may consider used set for budget concern. Quote
Freekysch Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 I would go for 8043 for sure, because it is a must have set (truly epic set i might say) and i think its value will only increase over time. 42006 on the other hand is ok, but thats just it. Quote
Kumbbl Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 Go for the 8043 - you will not regret it... please take a look at this posting from me - if you apply these few and very cheap MODs this excavator will beat the 42006 by far... http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=88601&hl= Quote
qwibbled Posted November 18, 2013 Author Posted November 18, 2013 have any of you tried the "ultimate 8043" mod? is it worth it? it seems like it would be very expensive to get all the parts needed http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=45348&st=0 or has anyone switched the shovel on the 8043 for the 42006 claw? i just think the claw would be more fun Quote
jantjeuh Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 One more vote for the 8043. It's a classic! Quote
Kumbbl Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 have any of you tried the "ultimate 8043" mod? is it worth it? it seems like it would be very expensive to get all the parts needed http://www.eurobrick...opic=45348&st=0 yes - please read also the linked topic in my previous post (#5) - In short: The ultimate is an outstanding mod and very well done - but IMHO not really necessary if the original is carefully built and slightly improved (but this is only my personal opinion - i'm sure there are other optinions ;-) Quote
Jim Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 I would suggest to build the 8043, possibly with the modifications Kumbbl posted. When finished you can always decide to upgrade it to Ultimate. But it's not necessary right away. Really, you won't be disappointed by the "default/basic" version. Quote
qwibbled Posted November 18, 2013 Author Posted November 18, 2013 yes - please read also the linked topic in my previous post (#5) - In short: The ultimate is an outstanding mod and very well done - but IMHO not really necessary if the original is carefully built and slightly improved (but this is only my personal opinion - i'm sure there are other optinions ;-) thanks my only concern was reading that the 8043 was slow and underpowered, which is why the ultimate 8043 mod seemed appealing though expensive, and the 42006 mod seemed appealing and much cheaper than buying an 8043 and doing the ultimate mod :) Quote
Milan Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 Buy and build stock 8043. Analise everything, learn from it, then you can modify it. Quote
Jim Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 Buy and build stock 8043. Analise everything, learn from it, then you can modify it. That's the only correct answer Quote
Kumbbl Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 Buy and build stock 8043. Analise everything, learn from it, then you can modify it. Quote
Kumbbl Posted November 18, 2013 Posted November 18, 2013 thanks my only concern was reading that the 8043 was slow and underpowered, which is why the ultimate 8043 mod seemed appealing though expensive, and the 42006 mod seemed appealing and much cheaper than buying an 8043 and doing the ultimate mod :) in Germany you can get 8043 (incl. BI and box) in very good condition always for about 140 - 150€ - if you are patient and lucky then maybe also one for about 110 - 120€... cheaper would be a real bargain... but i promise you: you will like the 8043 much more then the 42006 with additional motorization... Well, the Ultimate drives the main boom with a XL-Motor which performs better than the M-motor of the original set, no question.. but IMHO the playability of the original set is - as described before - really good (if you apply the mentioned very small mods) - but i repeat myself.... decide for yourself, i think you got enough answers for your questions.... ;-) Quote
qwibbled Posted November 30, 2013 Author Posted November 30, 2013 well, i found a used but complete 8043 for $200 shipped on ebay, should be fun! Quote
qwibbled Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 update: wow what a great lego. you guys were right better off with the 8043, my friend got the 42006 and yeah there's quite a difference in size. i had one issue, the raising and lowering of the main arm was painfully slow, i unhooked the two LA's and noticed they were not quite synced up, i tightened them both up and reconnected them and then no problem. that function could be a little faster as it doesn't match the speed of the middle lever on the arm but oh well no big deal. the huge shovel is weird, it seems more fitting for the B model, i contemplated getting a smaller shovel for it from another set and instead decided to take the grabber from the 42006 and put it on the 8043. works great! and it's a -much- more fun toy now. with the big shovel you couldn't really pick anything up cleanly.. with the claw its great, there's so many things it can pick up, candies, legos, rocks, etc.. i find it a lot more fun with the claw. thanks for the advice! Quote
Foggy Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Glad you like it, i got 2 of them one for the main and one for the b-model ;) Quote
qwibbled Posted January 24, 2014 Author Posted January 24, 2014 the elastic band mod really does pretty well fix the slow main arm, everything is the same speed now, just have to get the right rubber band strength. i found the saggy butt fix doesn't do much, the slack on mine is more in the huge swivelling gear that links the body to the tracks. Quote
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