nerdsforprez

Finally got some time to read this. I think a project like this is the apex of our Technic hobby. Not just in the final product (GBC contraption) which is incredible, but also in the teamwork and collaboration. Thank you all for your involvement, especially Blakbird. @Blakbird - I do have one question. In the very beginning of this post you mentioned that we did, or were going to also build a display case. Did that get finished? Can you post pics?

I think this is a good question, and perhaps even worth it's own thread. I think the answer is just a matter of personal preference. Some like to add motors not really to drive and post with so much but rather to demonstrate they can. Also makes it more impressive when sharing. For many the"play" they get out of technic is the building.... Not so much the driving things around. Lets be honest, imo, even things built with like the rc buggy motors aren't really that fun to drive. Maybe for a second but that is about it. If you are really looking for something fun to drive then rcing is what you want

No brainer for me. 42038

For anyone who built the Unimog the base of the crane is also probably instantly recognizable.

Wow.... This is huge. Makes my cranes look paltry in comparison.

Its funny..... having been a EB member for nearly 2 years now i have not really fully explored this part of the forums. Frequent Technic forum poster... but not often here. Yet, there are many good posts. Love to hear what everyone else is saying and lots of wisdom here. I think it is important to try and dispel the negativity, if it exists, because, well, I wonder if sometimes it exists on our own heads but not others. Sometimes it does, and it is fun to show others how applicable Lego can be to adults. I had a great experience several weeks ago to illustrate my point. I work as a doctor at a local hospital and the one night we had a cocktail party with a bunch of friends but also lots of people I did not know. Lots of very smart people around can be a little intimidating. We got talking, drinking, playing and having fun when (can't remember the topic of conversation) my wife let out that I still play with Lego. Everyone stared at me like I was an alien or something. So I called the host over and told me to grab a laptop computer for me. He did. I then began to youtube some of the amazing builds people had been doing over the last couple years. Many were amazed and completely changed their opinion. Still, there were some naysayers. So... I then youtube'd and flickr'd and mocpage'd etc..... technic contraptions and machines and the like and amazed even more people. I had many of the guys in the group googling on their own phones and even looking @ Lego.com at many of the sets they didn't even know existed. They were blown away with mindstorms. Many were even making purchases that night. For the remainder of the naysayers, I decided to talk money, and showed them brickpicker and bricklink. They were amazed that there were Lego sets going for thousands of dollars or single Lego elements (or even stickers) that were going for two--digit sums. By the end of the night..... I had EVERYONE looking @ lego in some way shape or form. We even had a little contest who could find the coolest video or invention or build. Needless to say.... there were NO naysayers by the end of the evening. Sometimes, like has been shared by others in this post and others, the best way to beat stereotypes or pre-conceived notions is with cold hard evidence!

I think this is a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes I think we forget, or are unaware ourselves, that there are many, many, that are unaware of the media and pop culture phenom that Lego has become. When they realize what people are doing, have done, and can do with Lego they are truly amazed. I was in these shoes around 3-4 years ago. When I came out of my "dark ages" - and began youtube-ing and looking @ mocpages, brickshelf, flickr, etc. I seeing everything done I was amazed. We don't recognize ourselves, because we are so immersed in our hobby, that there are MANY out there that still don't know about the adult community of Lego. It is fun to try and enlighten them!

For someone who has been playing alot recently with Lego Technic cranes lifting other things I can firmly say that 600 grams for a fork lift is really, really awesome. Great looks AND great function. Great job.

While not silly, certainly not anything huge or great. But a while back I built an attachment on top of a TV mount all out of Technic. No glue, nothing.... all technic (other than the mount itself). Held a 3500 piece rendition of my own of the Millennium Falcon on the wall with no problem (my old office, off to the left). Also..... and this one IS kinda silly looking.......I build this light stand to help out with some photos. Believe it or not Lego PF lights, along with some third party lights can actually create some cool photos....

This is a great post.... lots of very good responses. One of the very few posts that I read most responses. I saw a shirt the other day that read "I can't adult today. Don't make me adult." I laughed. Later however, I saw beyond the humor and realized there was quite a bit of wisdom behind that T shirt. I think it takes being an adult, the responsibilities, pressure, demands, etc. to notice that a break from being one is actually a healthy thing. Hobbies are that way in general. As long as they do not become an obsession or distract you from whatever responsibilities you have then something that gives you a break from all things adult is healthy. Some people run, some people hike, some shop, some have affairs, some buy boats, etc..... the list is near infinite. All these things are Lego..... all are in that they merely provide an outlet for real-life. Some are healthier than others. I have a buddy who spends nights are bars and spends thousands on motorcycles and four-wheelers. I have never received flack from others for buying Lego.... but if I did, I would merely ask if the person giving me flack would prefer that I behave like my buddy. I am sure that would shut them up quick....

--- I grew up in the rocky mountains. Some of the best skiing in the world.... or at least in the Americas. Miss it greatly. I have moved all around since then, currently situated somewhere in the states that it doesn't really even snow. Damn I miss skiing. This is a greaet build but really made me miss skiing.

lol.... not sure if this is some ploy to send subliminal messages to TLG for even longer pneumatics.......

Many on this site either regularly visit MOCpages or have a page of their own. Ya'all know exactly what I am talking about...... Full story @ http://www.moc-pages.com/moc.php/426394

I tend to think that we (AFOLs community at large, not just EB members) have perhaps quite a bit of influence. Support for this comes in a variety of ways. Blakbird mentioned one. Another is the power of social media. Business nowadays is more or less ran by media exposure, and the more you can link into popular media the better. I think the brand of Star Wars is a great example. The only way the SW franchise is as big as it is is because it made it into main stream pop culture. Now we have JCP, jewelry stores, and even women's lingerie stores selling SW merchandise for peet's sake. Lego is similar because of AFOLs, building incredible things and posting those things on websites like flickr, youtube, etc. gives Lego incredible press. It is like free advertising. Years ago TLG website began posting little videos on most technic sets that came out. We all have seen them. They are very short, animated films that demonstrate the looks and functions of real Technic sets. But they are nowhere near as often viewed, or as good or informative as people like Sariel's or other's reviews of sets. When TLG gets AFOLs on board they get thousands upon thousands of free little marketing tools that build their brand and open their product to mainstream media, even pop culture. Years ago when a real, working, life-sized pneumatic car was build out of Lego it made it to all the large news networks sites (and even television. I remember seeing the clip). That is incredible marketing power! TLG would have never got that sort of press by just their little sets alone or their little videos they post on their shop @ home site. So, yes, I think they listen to AFOLs. Do they still have many many restrictions in what they will produce? Absolutely. Will they always listen to the restrictions of what turns a profit versus what is possible? You bet. But I do think they are listening.

June it is. Thanks Tragic Banjo....lol

Okay too funny...... when I initially saw this pic I was on my iphone (small screen) and this looked like hair. I had no idea why there was a female Lego minifig with butt hair growing up out of her bikini bottom :laugh: Now i am home and I see this on the big screen that it si actually a tattoo.... still, too funny

+1

Even if they did make specific parts for specific sets to boost sales...i don't think it would really work. the making of new molds is very expensive, and I doubt additional sales, especially in Technic, would make up for it. I think by making specific parts, like the rim covers for the mentioned Ferrari you open the doors for a whole new group of BUYERS, this gaining a whole new group of people willing to buy not only that set but many others. The Ferrari is a good example. I bet it opened the doors for a lot of people

Good post. Like the OP I think I also underestimate small sets. I really have only ever owned 9391. I need to pick up a few more. They can provide insight to building small functional contraptions for right places

Sometimes it is hard to pick up on sarcasm or joviality on the internet but I think your pic it is easy to realize. Immediately after seeing it I suspected some good-natured fun. I think it is hilarious.

Yup. Scaling is perfect.

This really is a great build. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes I wish I had more patience for concerning myself with looks. This is beautiful. One thing.....and this is by no means a criticism, but how accurate is the scaling? It looks a little long. That could just be me or the pics. But really..... Great job and great post

:thumbup: Look forward to seeing it. Also, if they can fit into something made out of bricks, you can also create something that really looks like counterweights, out of bricks. Just have the weights inside.

It's a beautiful thing when expectations and reality align. Enjoy your new model!

As I mentioned on the last page..... all I did was change the clutch gears out and I lifted more than 800 grams. The video I posted is no joke. Did you watch the video? Did it make sense? If not PM me and I can send some pics. It really was like a ten minute change and, like it shows in the vid. i was able to lift both 8288 and 9391. over 800 grams. No change to pulleys, power, nothin'