Wiseman_2

I'm not sure where you're from, but in some countries 8048 is still available. If you're only looking for the suspension parts then it's a better deal than 8081, as the suspension parts are the same in each set (if I remember correctly).

To be honest, it would probably require more effort to try and incorporate it into a studless build than simply doing it with connectors and liftarms. If you use bushings at either end of the worm gear, it shouldn't slip.

Two years ago, I might've agreed with you, but then I never thought we'd see an RC Excavator or licensed Unimog set. And here we are in 2011, we've got both of those and I wouldn't be surprised if they did come up with a Rock Crawler with new PF parts.

I did shoot some *very* amateur video, but it needs editing and unfortunately I don't have a QuickTime video editor, nor a method to convert (the files are too large for the free net converters). Instructions? My style is pretty much make-it-up-as-I-go-along, I only had the gearbox in mind when I built this, so instructions are a bit beyond me, sorry! Though I might be able to put an LDD file together showing the gear trains if you want. I think you'll need more than the parts from 8258, unless you were going to build it in red. I know I needed parts from 8053 and 8043 as well as 8258. Also, the boom goes about 2 feet (24 inches/60cm) up from the base (at a rough estimate). And the stabilizers are more decorative than functional, much like traditional Lego stabilizers

I recently finished a Cherry Picker I've been wanting to build for a while. It took me ages to come up with a solution for the upper boom, as originally I had a linkage system in mind but getting it right was driving me nuts. So I went with the easier pneumatic system. I wanted it to be about the size of 8258, which I think I managed. Also, like that set, this uses 1 XL motor to control four mechanisms, with two switching rings and a polarity switch. The motor can raise the bucket, extend the telescoping section, rotate it, and deploy the stabilizers. There is a V8 engine powered by two rear differentials, and manual steering. Apologies for the clutter in the photos, the rest of which can be found at my Flickr

The mini tow-truck looks like a mini Unimog Quite interesting to see a set of that size have steering. Most minis are just worm-screw mechanisms...

Building with the current studless system is quite different to building with old studded beams. Most of my sets are studless and it was only after I got a couple of older ones off eBay that I realised how different. With the older style, you build from ground up and use plates and bricks in construction, whereas studless rarely use these except for decorative parts. Good luck finding 8421 cheap. It fetches a higher price than other old studded sets that I've seen, and still has more studless than studded parts. I would recommend 8460, it's a solid set which isn't too expensive due to it being re-released in 2002-3. Or you could go for 8053. It is the only set sold by TLG right now that uses studded parts for functional purposes (that I am aware of).

I seriously doubt it is out of production. In the UK at least it will probably still be sold by TLG until 2012. Most likely it is just that Amazon themselves don't stock it anymore, but they'll still list it as being sold by other suppliers. At the moment the cheapest on Amazon is sold by Hamleys, but at £157 you'd be better off just buying it from shop.lego.com. Or if you are the patient type, you could wait for a sale price elsewhere; Argos typically have sales on large sets from time to time. Personally, I'd just swing for it now, it's easily one of the best sets of the last few years IMHO.

You could use Amazon.co.uk. I'm not sure if they'll ship to Ireland but since Amazon.de and .fr ship to anywhere in Europe, they should do. Amazon always tends to have a good price reduction on Technic. 8109 has barely been out a month and it's already dropped to £53.88. I think buying sets is the best way to build up parts quickly. You get the basic parts necessary for any MOC and you can always choose specific sets based on their parts list. I bought 8048 because I had none of the suspension steering parts, for example. As for sorting, I use Really Useful Boxes. The sorting is basic at best, but I only have about 10,000 parts (which sounds a lot but physically takes up less room than I imagined).

That would be my opinion. Both have brilliant gearboxes, whereas 8110 actually has a very simple gearbox. The Unimog is deceptively simple in terms of gears. It depends on whether or not you want pneumatics, and if the suspension (which really is great) is that important to you. Or if you want a lower price point you could get the Flatbed Truck. It has a nice gearbox with a rather clever set of mechanisms.

It's used that way in the B-model for 8069. It doesn't perform too badly and I haven't had any problems with it that way. I also had the Pit Droid and that worked fine too. Slightly more on topic, my Unimog's shipped today, I'm slightly jealous of those of you who got it early

Could you post a photo of the claw itself? I really like this attachment

2002 had only three sets, all were re-releases. 2003 was, I think, the first established year with a fully studless lineup (except 8438, which was a re-release). Prior to that, the few years before seemed to mix studded with studless. 8448, for example, had a stud-built chassis but studless bodywork.

I like the detailing on this one, especially those 1x2 grill tiles on the sides. That's the sort of detail I'd tend to overlook when building myself. I assume there is a working steering wheel with no hand of god?

That would be true. Like I said though, I haven't built MOCs in a while and I prefer to put stickers on panels in sets I build, which is why they're on this MOC.

Good choice on 8069, it probably is one of the best Technic sets in its price range of the last few years. I have 8052 as well, and its mechanism is quite unique and interesting, plus you get a motor. If you're looking to get 8258 and it's still available in stores where you are then I'd pick it up as soon as possible, because when the 2H 2011 sets hit it'll probably go.

I was going to post this myself at some point, but I do tend to take my time with these things, so thanks for the highlight This is pretty much my first MOC in... years. And the first I've built where I had a vague idea of what I was supposed to be doing. I did sort of make-it-up-as-I-went-along, and in places it feels sort of unfinished... it did only take three days to build. I think I'm actually happier with the mini Front-Loader I built if I'm honest