plethorabricks

My first reaction seeing the LDD was "oh come on" but seeing it all work is very impressive! You've really learned from sets like 8258 with the outriggers and the transmission of power across/through a gearbox. I like the use of the turntables as strong rotation joins - parts of the arm assembly remind me of the older Mindstorms RIS "grabber"-style projects, where it was not unusual to have gear trains down through the length of the grabber arm.

Unless you tell me that the wheels can pivot downward and produce lift, I guess in the future, where we're going - we still need roads. Otherwise, great model and nicely paneled!

This is very cool - I always thought a sidecar build would make a great B-model for a motorcycle set.

This is really cool...congratulations on realizing the finished model! Thanks for letting us in on your design and build process!

I will answer your question OP in a moment, but first - at this point what constitutes a mid-size model? Is it really just piece count? The finished size of official Technic sets are only getting larger, and building popular MOCs and MODs may require two or more of a specific Technic set's parts. Does complexity factor into this somewhere? To me 42022 borders on small even though it has hundreds of pieces, but I wouldn't call it complex. 8455 could be considered mid-size in finished size, and in piece count, but its complexity is very high. 42025 and 42042 are really large-sized for their piece count, whereas 42008 with a similar piece count, is smaller - but its complexity is higher. So in 2015, I would consider a set like 42024 to be all-around mid-size. Now, to answer your question - "So what are the best mid-sized technic models that you can build with parts readily available today?" noting that "Now I'd like to explore more mid-to-small sized models to see what Technic can achieve at a smaller scale." As impressive as the Technic Hall of Fame is, and some of the more recent MOCs on this board, I have to take the bolded above (my emphasis) into consideration. That eliminates less-common colors, pieces, suspensions, wheels, etc etc. Aside from its particular shade of green, 42008 would do very nicely here. (As of this posting I think it is a good candidate anyway.) I also think the 42028 is successful in form and function. While not a technical marvel, it keeps the piece count low while still looking the part. This is about as traditionally mid-size as you are going to get. But overall, my vote would be for an official model from a few years ago - 8109. Bog-standard color scheme (yellow, red, black, gray) and those jack-of-all-trades wheels - which means the parts are available. But it has a great cabin the likes of which you only see on flagship sets now, and is a sleeper technical marvel.

9398/41999 is a set that "got away" for me. 42000 also. At least with sets like 8258 and 8285 their functions and features are available in other models now (42009, 42043, 42008, etc.) As for other sets - there may never be again a technic space shuttle since 8480, and no set has been such a spatial study of real-world form since 8070. 8043 had the right balance of motorized playability, size, complexity, and price (and a totally different B-model). So it can be tough missing out on certain things, but that's life sometimes. It's hard to say what types of sets will make it back into the Technic rotation, too - after all, Lego made a real-world fully-RC vehicle in 42030 but one year later it's "temporarily out of stock" with no timetable to return.

I completed the crane portion - I had forgotten just how heavy it is in total. The battery box "counterweight" looks solid but the rest of the crane cab is a wireframe, unlike more recent Technic models. The string/hook is always on when power is applied, and isn't 100% in sync with the arm extension/retraction - but it is close, and a small level of operator focus is required. The pneumatic lowering of the crane can be finessed a bit but ultimately gravity quickly takes over. 8421 balances a sizable presence, ease of use, and response time in a package that may not be real-world, but is a complete construct on its own. More realistic models and more mechanical marvels have been released since, but I see now it's that "balance" that is 8421's marvel.

The "height" of the 8421 chassis is an atypical 8 studs (the lower deck of beams is stud height "1" and the upper deck of beams is stud height "8"), and the two decks are connected with a combination of straight and angled beams. Crossbeams are used at height "9" for strength, and the rows of yellow studded beams are connected at height "9" to connectors coming off of these crossbeams. (The axles are at stud height "3") It is cleaner assembled than it seems while building, that is for sure. And yes, 8460/8438/8431 (I have one of these) is all that - actual outrigger and crane lifting power, with mechanisms built inside a compact frame. The metal hook works best with this crane model, IMO.

This is pretty cool...I can only dream of a Motorstorm game happening on the PS4.

I purchased and built this set when it was first released. It was considered to be huge at that time, both in size and piece count. I recently brought this set out of carefully-protected storage and built the vehicle (and building the crane arm now), but here are my observations ten years on: In hindsight: - accomplishes quite a bit structurally without the benefit of newer frame, panel, and pin pieces, and is not over-built - the wheel axles and steering have too much slack, the wheels may not be turned completely straight when looking at the model from the bottom - the complexity of the crane cab gearbox has been eclipsed by several flagship and non-flagship sets since - motor and battery box don't "flow" as well with today's studless builds - the color mismatch of yellow pieces is prevalent here, whereas all the greys are uniform - relatively few stickers compared to today's large sticker counts, without compromising the set's appearance - straightforward instructions, but could have used a few more steps and model rotations to make some things clearer - vehicle does not necessarily out-size other sets of its time (like 8435 Truck, which was a nice size when built) - like 8435, is an interesting build with interesting features, but today looks more like a plaything than a realistic model Stayed the same: - the overall size is still impressive - butter-smooth steering with a fun turn radius - efficient outrigger operation (with a mechanism similar to 8297 Off-Roader's suspension height adjustment) - outrigger control is centralized to one knob - foot extension is all geometry-based where the pivoting axle makes only 1/4 turn to full deployment - a relatively quick build given the number of pieces, due to the modularity and a few small areas of multiplicity - modular build - three of the axles are the same build, as are both outriggers - they simply "slide" onto the main assembly and are then pinned down - the stickers (never applied) are still in perfect condition on the sheet - the tires, strings, metal hook, and self-cut pneumatic tubes have all preserved well It is amazing to see where Technic has gone in the past ten years when looking at this set. When considering whether Technic has become more realistic, more complex, or more playable - I think all three factors have increased dramatically overall. Sets with comparable Technic features and functions to 8421 (42008 and 42009 in particular) are more realistic and complex - but yet I read on the forums here that the overall enthusiasm for the realism and playability of these sets is not at the same level that it seems to be for 8421. Is it enough for sets to make progress in realism and complexity over time, or must there be something more? Must a set be completely realistic, or have each function powered, or have each function practical (a crane that actually lifts substantial weights)? 8421 on its own will never completely satisfy these, but yet it is very satisfying all the same - even after ten years.

Over the years I think studless beams get stickered most often in Technic sets, with regular use of the red-and-white-stripe caution pattern on one end of a beam. It makes rebuilding sets later a bit of a challenge, to reserve the stickered part for the right location.

Hopefully this topic will serve as a good place to discuss stickers as they relate specifically to Technic models. Here are three thoughts from me to start off. Feel free to comment on them: 1) I like that 42042 Crawler Crane uses actual pieces for the vents on its cab, where even a set as good as 8043 has its vents only in sticker form. I think stickers should add something to the model that otherwise isn't possible in piece form in the design or the scale. The 42022 Hot Rod stickers are a good example of this. 2) I'm not yet sure how I feel about stickers with a dominant color supplanting the color of the piece that they are stuck on (transparent pieces excepted). The 42021 Snowmobile, 42025 Cargo Plane and 42040 Fire Plane are good examples of this. They all do a good job rounding out the color scheme of the finished model, but to go on to use those pieces you need to be able to live with the stickers' designs. 3) I've noticed that a few stickers, one on 42025 Cargo Plane (front landing gear), and two on 42035 Mining Truck (rear tail) contain drawings of lights. Headlights and taillights on official Technic models have typically been built from LEGO pieces, and more often than not look good and pop out nicely, yet on these models they are flat stickers. I don't have either model right now to make an in-the-room confirmation, but it feels to me to like a disappointing compromise in the appearance of the model, even if 1x1 studs are too large for the scale of the model.

This model is really cool. I like how you used the blue beams for the stand. In the A-model of the set, that portion of the cargo plane looks like it's being "de-rezzed" or it's part of one of those fade-to-wire-frame pictures or something.

The great thing about Lego is that they don't force you to adhere to an idea of what a set should be. If they make a set based on a license, then they adhere to a license, but that's it - the Star Wars sets even stopped putting MOCs on the backs of the boxes a few years ago. But that's not to say outside ideas aren't welcome - sets based on movies have nothing to do with the movie's plot sometimes. Technic sets in particular don't match exactly to a particular real-life vehicle, but in recent years they have begun to accommodate demand for such realism while not trying to over-stress the average consumer with too many parts or too-complex designs. In this set the focus is on TWO Arocs vehicles, so the cab stays largely the same between the two models. It seems to me the message is - if you want to go for maximum realism, then you do so. if you want to create your own brand of vehicle, then you do so. Neither is wrong or invalid. It might be interesting to some to even go back in time for a bit and check out how things were done in Technic several years ago, by examining a set that seems to be a predecessor to 40243. A set that contains quite a bit of the same functionality and even has the turntable-as-suspension idea (but in its B-model) - 8273. Is that set any less valid as an "Off-Road Truck" ?

I like that the crane body is more three-dimensional than even, say, 8043 with its vents-on-a-sticker. I do wish the B-model had a bit of a different build in the crawler section, like maybe as a mobile space rocket mover/launching platform. But I get that in this set, the crane's the thing.

This set is a real winner - adults can easily recognize it, kids think it looks like Disney's Dusty Crophopper, and it actually performs its intended purpose (dumps "water"). It is a substantial size in the hands, without being too big or taking too long to build. It contains newer parts, it looks just as good with or without stickers, and the B-model is both interesting and functional. My only gripe is that it can be difficult to take smallest pins out of the new triangular pieces, you may need the edge of a knife to push in the slit behind it to pop those out.

This really looks great! One of my personal technic challenges is to come up with models from smaller kits like this one and the new cherry picker. You have definitely inspired me.

This mod looks great - a challenge far above the main model to make everything fit in a 13-15 wide model! With all the new gear installed, how is the weight balance of the model? Does it sag anywhere?

I just got this set and I am hoping it will satisfy several technic itches I've had over the past couple of years (and one as old as the silver champion, which I own). I missed out on getting 42000 and I'm still looking for something that's in the vein of 8297 but more interesting as a model. Unlike some, I do like the green-red-white color scheme and I have the current Creator set 31037 which I also like.

This is really great! I definitely want to check this out hands-on at some point.

This is really good. I would get one. Santa Gandalf, of course, with Legolas as his...uh...um...elf? (Day 2) But how can this be branded as both an Ideas set and an Advent Calendar line set? How would that work with Lego themselves?

This is really great and displays well! I like what you've done with the base also, very neat somewhat like the Architecture Sets. I'd like to see one more LOTR wave from Lego with Minas Tirith as part of it. With all the cumulative work they've done with Chima and Smaug, it seems that they could make a proper Pelennor Fields battle set now as well.

In my mind I didn't think the Black Gate set would work as well as it does in your picture, but that looks pretty good just right there. Enjoy the Orthanc set, they went beyond the lore in the movies in designing this one!

Very nice indeed! I have that old UCS version, with the rubber bands holding the sides together. Every time I carry it to or from it shelf, it always seems like an optical illusion that it will stand up on its own. I'm looking forward to the next Star Wars walker to be released in 2015.

From an engineering standpoint, 75055 wins hands down. The floor of 6211, like the old Sandcrawler, is more or less 1-ply and tough to play on without separating from the main structure. The bottom of 75055 is two-ply and the outer "skin" is two-ply reinforced in spots by a third layer. The only place the 75055 cannot be reliably lifted from is the very front triangle. You can even lift it by the all-brick neck (which is hollow in a few places), thanks to some clever SNOT and friction techniques that ensure it stays together. The playable green lasers on 6211 are more easily lost than the spring-loaded 75055 lasers. The small laser arrays on 75055 move in sync, while the small laser arrays on 6211 spin around loosely. The emperor hologram on 6211 is...not three-dimensional. But, the exterior of the bridge of 75055 is...a sticker. 75055 has a handle which disappears nicely to preserve the ISD's profile. No pressure-catch mechanism is needed to gain access to the interior. There is a place in 75055 where Vader can do the walk of shame while the underlings hope they don't get choked, after Lando and Leia escape Cloud City with Luke. There are things about the rear of 6211 I like, and its size overall, but after building 75055 and seeing how much thought was put into the design, it has won me over.