grum64

Build Day 6 - Building Time 3hrs 20min - Total Build Time 22hrs 55mins It’s taken just under 23hrs but I’m pleased to say the 42030 is now finished. Yes, 23hrs is a big ol’ chunk of time but I’m pretty sure it’s the quickest I’ve built a set with about this number of pieces so I’m chuffed. I’m also chuffed because I’ve gotten it done in time for the Little Darlings arrival later today. With the 3 of them staying with us for the week the loader along with the U42009 and 8275 are going to get a lot of use. Just as well then that I’ve topped up my supply of Duracell’s with a goodly amount of eneloops and a couple of chargers so power won’t be a problem. The 42030 is a terrific looking build. I know it has that glaring gap at the point of articulation and a few others elsewhere and that the front section, including the loading arms, could do with beefing up a bit to give more of the look strength like the real thing but you know something, I really don't care. I love this great brute of a thing. In fact I think it’s one of the best looking Technic sets ever. Improving an already great looking model are the wheel covers. Thank you to Marek Markiewicz for his idea. If I were to be asked to describe this build in one word It'd have to be 'enormous!' A few years ago I built the 8265 and knew the 42030 would be larger but I wasn't prepared for just how much larger. I no longer have the 8265 so can't sit the two models side by side for comparison but I reckon, and it's only a guesstimate, the Volvo is a good 35% bigger. It really is huge. I'll resist the urge to ramble on further about this build as much has already been written about it all of which make much more sense than anything I would write. I’d like to thank efferman for his excellent steering mod. The jerky, unrealistic steering has now been replaced by a much smoother action more like that of the real thing. I feel I must take this opportunity to thank Zerobricks once again for spotting my silly mistake in the very early stages of this build. If it wasn’t for his keen eye I’d now be faced with very disappointed 7yr old and have to get a good part of this build disassembled to correct my blunder. I didn’t have time to install the batteries and so take pictures of the loader in various poses while doing it’s thing. Anyway, Penny (complete with her pink Paw Patrol hard hat and Bob the Builder tool belt) will be playing Foreman/woman/person and will be in charge of operations so she’ll want to pop them in and then maybe I’ll take some more pics and add them later. Those of you who can’t wait until later can satisfy the uncontrollable urge to see this magnificent build by heading on over to the excellent 42030 review by our esteemed leader, Sir Jim of Canon, where you’ll be able to ogle at it in all it’s beautifully lit and in focus glory. Thank you all for your kind comments and for your support. I really am very grateful.

I know there are far more intersting things in your life than wondering what I'm building next but since you ask it'll be Jurgens Ultimate 42082 and as I finished the 42030 yesterday (to be posted shortly) building will be starting soon. With that in mind you may want to ensure your next haul is a long one. Make that a very long one. It's a big build

I’m sure you can find all the parts needed to build it from your vast collection. Try it, I think you’ll like it.

Build Day 5 - Building Time 3hrs 30mins - Total Build Time 19hrs 35mins I’ve spent most of this afternoon not building but trying to fit the flippin’ radiator grill/access door. As you can see from the first picture the ‘hinge’ is made up from pins with axles in 32013 connectors fitted to the door by pins but this meant applying the pressure needed to fix it in place just resulted in the pins etc moving back & forth. I’ll refrain from rambling on (call it my gift to you) and will just say I lost just over 2 hours trying to fit the blasted thing. Honestly, who does that? The really annoying thing is I think I’d have gotten this build finished today as the rest of the afternoon was problem free and pretty productive considering the building time I had left and looking at it, building the business end of the loader looks pretty straightforward (now there’s a statement I hope I’ll not regret making) On the upside, I do get another day to build and even with my playing silly buggers with that damn radiator grill it’ll still be completed ready for the upcoming school holidays Today’s Pics

It’s a beast indeed. Bigger than I thought I’d be. I’m getting there. Slowly. Just need to decide whether to connect the bucket tilt actuator to the first or second hole on the 32271 Liftarm, Bent to give a better range of movement. Hmmm...

Build Day 4 - Building Time 1hrs 30mins - Total Build Time 16hrs 5mins Today’s been a particularly busy day but I’ve been able to get into the shed to build albeit not for as long as I’d like. With little time I’ve not gotten very much done but I guess any time building is still progress made. The few parts that have been assembled and fitted today have really made a difference to the build, it’s starting to fill out now. It’s looking purposeful and nearer it’s finished look. I really want to get this build finished by the end of this week as Jake, George & Penny break up from school on Friday and will be staying with us for some of the Easter Holidays. We’re going to be having a lot of fun playing with the Volvo, Bully and the U42009. Today’s Pics

That’s one mean looking machine you’ve created. No one can ever accuse you of a lack of imagination or ambition that’s for sure. It’s brilliant.

Thank you Paul. Cable routing aside it’s been going really well.

Oh dear. Best make sure that’s the only thing of mine you copy else you’ll end up in a world of chaos

Thank you Igor. I’m enjoying building the 42030. I think it’s a great set marred only by the jerky steering but thankfully Effermans M Motor and mini actuator MOD sorts that out nicely.

PF cables are mean & hateful things and I can see where fluency in a language other than that of which one is native would be useful in dealing with them. That or ear plugs for those of a delicate nature who may be within earshot.

Build Day 3 - Building Time 4hrs 15mins - Total Build Time 14hrs 35mins After a busy week it's good to get back out to the shed for a few hours building. Even with the radio on it seemed quiet in there today however, the sense of quiet was soon broken when I realised, after fitting the 2 bucket lift actuators and a good many other parts, that I’d not routed the cables of the M and L motors that power the loading end of things. Oh, bugger! This was going to test my patience. After removing the M motor and a few other parts I tried to squeeze its connector through the gap between the L motor and the surrounding structure but it was clear there wasn’t a hope in hell it was going to pass through, the gap just wasn’t big enough. Not wanting to get any more disassembled than I absolutely had to I used my large clamps to lever the obstructing structure away from the L motor to increase the gap. After half an hour or so (of increasingly rough treatment) the gap was opened just enough for the connector to pop through. Hip, hip, hooflippingray! Thankfully re-routing the cable from the L motor was a much simpler task with just a couple of parts removed to allow the connector through. The cables still aren't routed exactly as per the instructions which has caused another problem. I had planned to use an Sbrick in lieu of the IR Receivers but due to my erroneous routing of the cables they’re a little tighter than I’d like them to be when connected to its upper ports so I’ve had to go back to using the IR’s. To be honest, I’m not sorry as this build is mainly for young George to play with and he prefers to use the original PF controllers rather than my mobile. So with Jake preferring the 8275 and George looking forward to being the loader driver it looks like I’m the designated driver of the Sbrick equipped U42009 when we start work on our construction site. All in all it's worked out well. As for my patience. You may consider it well & truly tested! Todays Pics

I agree and not just because its something I'm involved with. I truly do believe that this one of Jeroens best if not THE best. Thank you very much. Fairy Bricks is such a fantastic charity. I hope our project raises a lot of money for them.

Thank you my Friend. I don't drink anymore but if I were to start again I'd join you for that IPA

I might be biased but I agree completely.

They are very special indeed and now you’ve the chance to buy your very own Nor do I and I received almost daily photos of the build progress. All I know is Jeroen first contacted me almost a year ago so it’s been in development for a long while during which time he spent many, many hours trying to cram in the functions he wanted to include. To be honest I was a little sceptical he’d fit them all in but to his credit he did just that. Thank you. Pagani UK have been absolutely brilliant. They’ve supported the project from the day the decision to build the Huayra was made. A big, big thank you to Christine and all at Pagani UK. As for an owner bidding/buying it, that’d be great.

Only a few hours to go until all is revealed....

That's very kind of you. Thank you. The full reveal of the car will be here on Eurobricks this Sunday, the 24th. I'll drop you a message with the link to the auction, which is being hosted by Catawiki, once it goes live on 19th April. I look forward to seeing what you come up with for your Summer charity auction. Thanks again Paul

Thank you very much. We need to make as many people as possible aware of the auction and your posting of the teaser video to your YouTube channel will certainly help us do that. Thanks again.

What a great and very generous idea for an event to be held in a fantastic location. I wouldn't hesitate to book a place if I lived closer but alas, it's too far. Hope you'll be making a video of the event.

Not long to wait now

Love it! If this is your first real MOC boy am I looking forward to seeing what you do when you've a few more under your belt.

Build Day 2 - Building Time 4hrs 40mins - Total Build Time 11hrs This maybe Build Day 2 but it’s actually the 3rd day working on this build. I spent what should have been a days building, almost 5hrs, putting right the stupid mistake I made on day one. As I’ve said before, I can assemble parts without too much trouble but dismantling is my Achilles heel. I can’t thank Zerobricks enough for his keen observation and for drawing my attention to the error as it’s likely I’d have not noticed until much, much further down the line if at all. Anyway, it’s all done now so it’s on with the build. I’m really pleased with how things have gone today. Building has mostly been centred around adding a couple of the PF motors, the XL for propulsion and an M for the steering MOD. The XL went in OK, just the usual fight with the ever wilful cable. PF cables really do have a mind of their own preferring as they do to go where they want rather than where you want them to. I found building the steering sub assembly around the M motor to be a somewhat frustrating experience and not because of the aforementioned cable. Initially the sub assembly is only attached to the M motor by a 10247 Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Pin Hole which was at this point meant it was very fragile and so detached itself every time I tried to fit the rest of the parts around it. I found that building and assembling as much of it as I could and then fitting to the motor was the way to go. When building the engine, the crankshaft presented its usual difficulties but as the Volvo has a straight six getting the pistons in the cylinders was a breeze. Oh the joy. Today’s Pics. Sorry but there’s a lot of them.

I don’t want to risk giving the game away by being too specific so I'll just say between 1886 and the present day