Ngoc's Technic Corner

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I finally got enough parts to test build the mini 42078, and some issues that I didnt expect to exist actually emerged. So I went back and made some fixes, and the final version is perfect!

 

One of the major changes is to move the arm articulation point back. That was actually my original design, but in the real truck the point is closer to the front wheel, so I decided to move it 2 studs forward. To keep the rotation direction intact, I had to pass the movement through 3 8z gears. Little did I know that those gears created immense friction that made the arm almost unmovable. Therefore I moved it back to the original place, and everything works perfectly.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I am one module away from finishing the mini 42145 Airbus, and I've been stuck on it since forever. I need some suggestions from you folks.

How do I transmit motion from the left yellow axle to the right yellow axle? This is for the rear rotor.

[1gor]

Only if you put gear 8 tooth on right yellow axle and worm gear below it. Then connect worm gear with universal joints to left yellow axle.

Problem is that rear propeller will be 8 times slowe than left axle

[vascolp]

Here is one possibility. It would be nice with only one UJ but the angle is to big.

Edited March 9 by vascolp

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Wow that looks nice! I can work with that. The problem is that it would gear down the rear rotors tho.

[vascolp]

9 minutes ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Wow that looks nice! I can work with that. The problem is that it would gear down the rear rotors tho.

Yes... but I guess there is no other option.... gear up first?

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Some photos of the real mini 42078.

 

 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

After the Iveco, another model has seen progress made.

It's the Mini 42145 Airbus H175!

The progress for this model is different this time. Most of my models are manual, which means I can relatively predict and test how the functions will work. Therefore the process will be finalizing the design, doing the instruction, ordering the parts, and test build. During the test build the design and the instruction will be revised but no major changes will be made. Only after that will I publish the model and the instruction.

This model is different. It has a battery box, a motor, and 2 motorized functions. I have no idea how things will behave until I test build. Therefore the instruction will have to wait for a while. And if you have followed my activities here then you should see the preliminary design for this set as a possible entry for TC25 last year already. So there's no point waiting til the end to reveal the thing.

There are a couple of reasons why I chose this set. First thing is that it has existed as an alternate model for the 42113 Osprey. I even managed to come up with a regular pentagon connector before the specialized part was produced for the 42145.  The second thing is that I wanna do justice to the Airbus H175. To me, the set 42145 is an amazing Technic set, but it does not resemble a real Airbus H175. So I wanna use the mini model to get the proportions right. The hardest part was to get the gray engine opening correct. And I'm quite satisfied with what I came up with.

Here's a photo of the real thing that I used as reference.

 

I also managed to get the side profile relatively accurate.

 

 

Instruction is coming soon.

Edited March 19 by Ngoc Nguyen

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Just whipped up this quick and dirty (or not dirty) video showing the functions of the mini 42078.

 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Another one for the mini collection:

 

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-177315/nguyengiangoc/mini-42069-extreme-adventure

Edited March 31 by Ngoc Nguyen

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Soon.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Just gonna drop my plan here for myself to keep track, and for others as well if they're interested.

Sets in development

- Mini 42043
- Mini 42082
- Mini 42125
- Mini 42145
- Mini 42113
- Technic 10327 (Ornithopter)

Sets of interest

- Mini 8258
- Mini 9397
- Mini 41999
- Mini 42009
- Mini 42052
- Mini 42055
- Mini 42066
- Mini 42070
- Mini 42078 A
- Mini 42100
- Mini 42110
- Mini 42114
- Mini 42126
- Mini 42128
- Mini 42129
- Mini 42131
- Technic 10317 (Defender)
 

So many sets to do, so little time!

Edited May 31 by Ngoc Nguyen

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Soon.

 

 

Edited May 8 by Ngoc Nguyen

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I'm very very very thrilled with the latest development of the model I'm working on, but I can't share it yet, so I'm just gonna drop another sneak peek here.  

[Zerobricks]

Mini 42082 when?

[Ngoc Nguyen]

55 minutes ago, Zerobricks said:

Mini 42082 when?

Welcome to my humble home! I don't get posts from other people often in here, thanks for dropping by.

As for the question, some time later this year. 

And it will be much more than a simple 42082 in a smaller scale. 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I just realized I haven't explained why I'm so into mini models. In the designer's videos for Technic back in 2015 or sth, Markus Kossman said Technic is all about the cool function, or at least something along that line.

And Technic sets these days dont have many cool functions that they used to. There are still sets that cater to the Technic-head (or function-head) like me, But I feel that the lineup is being diluted with the stuff that I'm not really interested in.

So if the official models don't provide what I need, it's time I create them myself!

[Paul B Technic]

14 hours ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

 

So if the official models don't provide what I need, it's time I create them myself!

This makes a lot of sense, part of the reason I build my own mods.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Soon.
 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

On 5/13/2024 at 8:49 PM, Zerobricks said:

Mini 42082 when?

Now!

 

[NV Lego technic]

I think a mini 42038 would be interesting, or that's just my unreal obsession with it. 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

24 minutes ago, NV Lego technic said:

I think a mini 42038 would be interesting, or that's just my unreal obsession with it. 

Unfortunately I dont have much interest in it. The original model doesn't have many interesting functions by itself, and I can't think of something interesting to add to it.

[NV Lego technic]

Ok, I guess I'll leave it to myself then...:)

[Ngoc Nguyen]

 

I've been fiddling with the Mini Zetros lately. At the moment I'm stuck with the roof. 

The Zetros's roof has distinctive slopes on both sides, and I want to capture that as well. The easiest solution is the 2x3 curved panel. The problem is that they look more like dog's ears from certain perspectives.

 

 

However, it doesn't look bad from above, which is the point where the model is viewed from most of the time. Despite that, I still don't really like this approach.

 

 

I did try another approach which involves liftarms. This approach looks much better as it both creates the sloping sides of the roof as well as the sloping walls. But it's difficult to reinforce, and it leaves the back of the model with a gap that I don't know how to fill. Before you ask, small panels and bionicle teeth don't fit.

 

 

Any suggestion?

[BusterHaus]

Why not use System slopes? 

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catString=31&catType=P