astyanax

Niiiiice I was actually thinking of updating the PDF instructions with my Red mods. I know my way around LDCad and LPub3D (evidence here). Can I get the digital model from you or @Thorsten50?

Nice! Here's what happens if you take this to its logical conclusion:

Even if this was meant tongue-in-cheek, I think it's too simplistic, and even irrelevant to your main question. If I want to have my ego stroked, I'll simply go to the office and yell at my subordinates. Posting stuff here won't achieve that because I can't see your fearful faces. I'm here because I genuinely take pleasure in being in the company of people with a shared hobby. No fooling required to explain that.

Again, I don't take credit for the design. Actually, I do take credit for increasing the wishbone count from 22 to 26...

I agree this would be the proper way, if I'd be designing it from scratch. But I had set myself another requirement, namely to adhere to R. Skittle's original modular plan. You see, there are lots of these 5x11 frames on their side, which protrude from separately built modules, and they are hooked together by inserting 5L axles with stop from above. Also the motor block (originally 2x PF L) is a module, and what I tried was to replace just that module by buggy motors and make it fit with the other modules (mostly) unchanged. That meant that there was only space for 1 axle going to the differential, which is in another module and hence cannot be affected as per my self-imposed requirement (the rest of the space in that module is taken up by the pushrod suspension). I think it's kinda cool that for the motor block module, there was space for not just 2 buggy motors (which are kinda bulky and awkwardly shaped), but also for Sariel's 2-speed transmission. I enjoyed the challenge of squeezing that all in there.

The transmission helps to make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Also, I just wanted to try it out, after reading about it in Sariel's book, and not having seen this idea used anywhere before. (The idea being that the transmission exploit the 2 different outputs having different speeds.) Indeed I was concerned too. But I just tried it as the first thing, because if it works, why complexify? Turns out, it worked just fine. No gear skipping thanks to very strong bracing. Maybe it wears down with prolonged racing. But in my experience, the batteries drain faster. Like that clip from Top Gear where they try to push the Bugatti Veyron to 400 kph, they say something like: "at this speed, the tires will be destroyed in 15 minutes, but that's okay, because fuel will run out in 12 minutes!"

Sounds like a great plan! With your PF L shaped "+30%" motors you might do very well just sticking to the standard edition, which is a bit easier to build.

Hahaha so much effort to display the boxes, but then the contents -- the actual cars -- are literally just piled on top of each other... (I know it's temporary, but the juxtaposition of photos gave me a good laugh!)

Did less physical building but significantly more virtual modelling. I don't know why or how a lockdown would've caused this, if at all. I guess my introspective abilities have not developed either.

Koncept Essence is a creation by R.Skittle which I reconstructed from the flickr album. Next I upgraded the drivetrain (originally 2x PF L motors) to 2x buggy motors, also incorporating a 2-speed transmission inspired by @Sariel's excellent book, just for the fun of trying it out. I gave this "Extreme Edition" a mostly black bodywork with lime highlights, just because that color is new and fashionable now. Oh and even more extreme usage of transparent Technic beams, because they're awesome! And here some real photos but with red highlights, because I haven't unpacked my Sian yet for the lime parts... This model is also an ode to the beauty and versatility of the wishbone part, using it abundantly (26x!) for various functions and decorations. And of course there's some racing footage, thrown together with no video editing skills whatsoever: With the support and approval of the designer, I have created and published building instructions on Rebrickable: Koncept Essence Koncept Essence - Extreme Edition Koncept Essence - Quattro (direct link to instructions for a version with 4 PF L motors and 2 BuWizz -- excellent for drifting) Enjoy!

So the pin connector is coming in Lime? I can't find any information in which set(s)... anyone knows?

My exact train of thought when I opened this topic: "Hey that looks so coo- HOLY COW THAT'S A LOT OF 24116 PANELS"

I've already snapped up several classic "Technik" sets at bargain prices -- thanks German misspellers! This works even better in my case, living in a region where the local language is not the country's majority language, causing locals to make plenty of spelling mistakes trying to advertise on the majority-language online platform.

Elsewhere I wrote my #1 trick:

Though I'm afraid its driveshaft will offend you even more...

Yesss! Flex axles FTW! I've always loved the "futuristic" look of those late 90s Technic sets. In principle it allows for "the most Technic" models: minimum obstruction to viewing the internal workings while still suggesting smooth bodywork. Indeed, I love my 8448 All completely a matter of personal taste, of course.

Nope, still same old. No-one has ever pointed out any error in it. I did the optimization toward 42056 before publishing the model on Rebrickable.

I'll be studying your pictures more closely soon, but I just wanted to remark that regarding part usage, I had set myself an additional goal: to get the greatest possible overlap with set 42056. In the end I got to 90%, which I was very happy with. But if 42056 was never your starting point, then yes, surely you can find many tweaks that fit your collection and tastes!

This is just rule #372 of the internet: when a meme is applicable, one shall post it https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/why-not-both-why-dont-we-have-both

I think you'd be better off just using 2 motors, either L or XL. Connect them with 1:1 gearing to the differential. Then you can simply use PF battery box and IR receiver too -- plenty of space for them in the cockpit. I expect it'll still be fast enough for indoor driving fun!

That'll do it. To embed a vertical photo from bricksafe, click on its "800x600" link, now a horizontal cropping is opened, but just change the URL to ".../600x800.jpg", and it'll create a vertical image, which you can then embed. Very recognizable! I also spent quite some time trying different configurations for the rear suspension and driveshaft. I would never claim to have found the optimal -- or even least worst -- solution. So I'm very happy to see what you'll settle on! Yeah sometimes the CV joint would slip out of the 12-tooth gear inside the differential (but only ever on one side -- clasping strength varies I guess). I solved it by inserting a small rubber band, as shown below (genuine Lego -- so purist! ). It increases the length of the driveshaft adequately, but it's squishy so it can compress as needed.

But seriously, it really depends on what kind of pieces you want to end up with! I suggest look through both their inventories, and then also look at the "Alt Builds" to get a sense of reusability. https://rebrickable.com/sets/42055-1/bucket-wheel-excavator/#parts https://rebrickable.com/sets/42082-1/rough-terrain-crane/#parts I was actually struggling with the exact same question a year ago when I emerged from 25 years of "dark ages" and wanted to build a modern Technic collection. I got the BWE first, but then a few months later I got the RTC too. Zero regrets. Both were fun to build, as agreed by my wife, who participated eagerly. I can also highly recommend the Great Ball Contraptions you can build with either set!

Awesome, this one passes the indoor acceleration test! Setup: smooth wooden floor, opposite wall covered by a pile of pillows, then full-on acceleration with 2x BuWizz in Ludicrous mode. Result: zero clicking, crossing the room in a fraction of a second, burrowing deep into the pillows with such force that the front spoiler got unhinged. This weekend I'll do the outdoor test at the local basketball court. The asphalt will induce a bit more friction, so I wonder what will break next..! PS: Verily, the gods approve..!

I'm very happy with the current gear ratios: In low gear (outer buggy motor output -> blue gear) with BuWizz on Slow, the car is still nimble but just slow enough to be driveable indoors without crashing into every single pieces of furniture. In high gear (inner buggy motor output -> red gear) with BuWizz up to Ludicrous mode, it's perfect (outdoors!) for eliciting that "Wow!"-feeling from driver as well as spectators. So yeah, I'd rather not change those... Anyhow, I got some new things to try now.