JGW3000

TRU current on-line sales, US only, but alas I have already spent too much on small plastic bricks in boxes... 9398 - $189 plus additional 15% off - a great deal if you want one 42009 - $199, also a good deal and, 41999 - $199 plus additional 15 % off, but I called and off course no store has one other assorted older and 2013 sets at 15 % off S&H prices.

Gah - how do they think the quantities got to be so low??? Guess I got lucky, not sure if I'd try again though.

Worked for me, and also for someone else in this forum (sorry, can't locate the post, which prompted me to try). Since TRU is across the street from McDonald's it is relatively painless to go out to lunch and run into TRU on the same trip - nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also helps to find a friendly sales manager

Of course the 9396 has to be in stock in the store - I found a "young looking" eager to please manager first, and then showed him the S&H price on my Android phone. SInce LEGO kindly indicated that the price was "on sale" and not "discounted" or "close-out", it was acceptable, even if sold out - no reason given by LEGO for being sold out. According to TRU policy, they only match regular and sale prices, not close-outs. So a big tip o' the hat to LEGO for not providing too many details . There is only one left at our local store, so better move quick.

If someone made one of my MOC's and tried to sell it, I'd be half-flattered and half-p'd-off. At a minimum, they should give credit where credit is due. Personally, I don't have the time to build my own MOCs, let alone time to build copies for sale. For me, the potential income stream, likely less than $100/month, doesn't even come close to making such an effort worthwhile for me - I'd rather spend time with family, etc... I have had similar issues with finding some of my (admittedly lower quality) photographic images finding their way onto unauthorized uses in various websites. If people ask, I always give permission, and usually for free if its academic, a nominal charge for commercial use. And asking is easy. Still, courtesy and credit is what is required and expected, even in an anonymous or not so anonymous internet. While the part designs are property of LEGO, the design of the device is property of the creator. Who gets the royalties from the sale is another issue and is admittedly complicated. Unless this character starts selling large numbers, it is not worth perusing but I'd still let them know, and also the auction site user community as well know, that some intellectual theft is going on here.

IH 2014 sets are still listed on the LEGO website as "available August 2014", but the Technic website is notoriously slow in being updated, just keeping my fingers crossed here. By the way, was at TRU today to get a ridiculously discounted 9396 helicopter. They now have the 42000 back in stock after being out of stock since about last October, providing a clue that Technic is still relevant to TRU retail stores. And the sales person was actually happy that I got the large 9396 off of their shelves, as they said "we need the room for more stock coming in" whatever that means. Maybe I'll hold off on a Europe trip for a while, to see what develops...

Just checked the Lego website for s*'s and giggles, and set 21050 Architecture Studio is baaaaaaaack! and available for sale now (at least in the US) Not sure if I will get one, however

I'd post the building instructions for sale on the same auction site, in the same auctions and with similar title and keywords, so people can find them, and sell them for $0.50 with a link to rebrickable for parts, and maybe potential buyers will get smart

9396 Helicopter from TRU for 50%, they price matched the Lego S@H price, plus I had a $5.00 rewards coupon . came to US $54.98. By the way, they had plenty of 8110, 9398, and 41009's in stock. Hoping that Lego posts 50% off prices on these as well.

My suggestion exactly, go browse Ikea, they have a wide range of display options, and will be the least expensive option, if you don't mind some assembling from parts (its a little like life-size LEGO building ).

I am so sorry, there are no words. Certainly makes me want to hug my small kids every night no matter what.

Love the train-cam and joy-riding mini-fig

Thanks for the tips, I think some variation of RIT dye with acetone, or automotive-supply house vinyl dye will do the trick

Has anyone tried to change to color of LEGO blocks via dye treatment? A method I am contemplating is to find a weak solvent for ABS, such as a dilute solution of acetone (nail polish remover). The procedure would be to immerse the part in the solvent, wait a short period of time until the part gets 'tacky', and then add some dye, such as ink from a permanent marker. Let the dye infuse into the now-swollen plastic surface, and then remove the part and let dry, maybe under a heat lamp. With any luck, the part will shrink back to its original size, good as (nearly) new, and will have a permanently changed color. Will work best going from lighter to darker colors. Of course there will be some experimentation needed to determine soak and infuse times and best choice and concentration of solvents.

I am totally flabbergasted; so intricately beautiful, clever and unique. Love the concept of a plotter machine running over paper, reminds me of HP plotters from the 1980's - you are using a similar type of pen. Would love to see building instructions or an lxf. What size paper are you using?

This is great, and take a look at his cat box cleaning grabber machine also

Calabar - updated image, as it was already a tight crop horizontally, didn't make much of a difference vertically

Nice, but 42025 is available in the Azores and not the US??? I need to go on vacation...

I almost have my flying saucer finished (yea), but only in LDD . Good news is that I have all the parts and PF's (3 IR rec, 2BB, 2XL, 1M, 1SV, lots of lights of course), but I am stuck figuring out one function, will have to make just this one manual, and had to give up on the counter-spinning lights. Now just have to find to to build it. Jim - how about changing to topic to JFMAIR?

Hi Calabar - not much you can do with 512 pixels, but I posted a different image, let me know if it is OK

42008 - Service Truck (A Model) - Theme: Technic LXF File (LDD version 4.3.8) Errors: - all pneumatic parts, small pump, two valves, small cylinder, replaced with part-built substitutions - two small linear actuators replaced with part-built substitutions (large LA is OK, however) - axle 3 joining the two universal joints connecting large LA, not connected correctly - two 1/2 bushings, in steps 54 and 55, not placed correctly - stickers not placed - string not place, consequently, hook is not attached - all pneumatic tubing is not placed - double cross-block (book 2, p. 19, substep 1) placed incorrectly - two black rigid hose 7L, not in LDD, replaced with two flex rod 7L in windshield, both not placed correctly

Must make sense to someone at TLG; or not... I hope the 21104 comes back, I'd like to get one

In the US, the mars rover is listed as shipping march 8th, the 'new' flag would suggest it is still in production

Very nice designs and great building techniques, I'd be proud to have one on my desk; but, are they Technic underneath?

At least we are not having to guess anymore, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them sooner. Still, it is hard to wait, may have to schedule a business trip to an EU country.