Jim

Probably. I'm with you on this one.

I'm sure only us AFOLs see it as a problem. From TLG's perspective, there isn't a real problem. Set sell anyway, so why bother making B-models. New teenagers don't know any better than Technic sets consist of a single model. So why go through all the trouble of using AFOLs B-models, especially since there's Rebrickable.

This is true. Except maybe for FTL traveling, but other than that it's a valid statement. In this case lack of resources means "lack of resources for something that doesn't generate enough money to justify it"

Exactly this. It's not more complicated. Making B-models requires resources (a.k.a. designers) and they are working on other stuff.

I will split and merge with the right topic.

Yeah, exactly. Perfect addition to my comment

This is exactly my point. Thank you If TLG uses a LBG pulley instead of lime green and the LBG pulley isn’t used in other sets, they need to produce and store an extra LBG pulley, while they have lime pulleys available in the warehouse already. That is the kind of optimization TLG is using frequently.

Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s about the total number of different parts used. So using LBG under the skin results in actually using more different parts instead of less.

They are lime, because lime is used in other sets that year. So instead of making two pulleys, LEGO only makes one. This is for optimizing warehousing etc. You often see a strangely colored part appearing in all (Technic) sets. It's because they are in stock anyway. So, this (probably) has nothing to do with color coding. Edit: I have checked the sets in 2021 and 2020 and I can't really prove my point. But I'm pretty sure it has to do with left over stock or usage in other sets.

Exactly

It feels great to make a kid happy this way.

During the contest we had a bit of a discussion about TLG not being able to send sets to Ukraine and Russia. @Akassin ended up being the Silver medal winner. Due to a glitch (unexpected situation) in the rules he was technically not eligible for a prize, but obviously we didn't want to leave him emptyhanded. So I sent him a PM. He responded very kindly: About the prize ... in fact, I did not expect to receive any prize :) firstly because of the initial conditions of the competition, but most importantly because of the situation in which we now live. We are now very isolated from the civilized world (absolutely deservedly), and I will treat with absolute understanding if there are problems with this. So that you don't worry if it doesn't work out. Thanks. So I made him a promise to get him a set and we had a brief conversation, where he replied: I come from Ukraine myself. My close friend in Ukraine has now sent his family away from the war to Poland (wife and son). His son is also a big LEGO fan. Can I address my prize to him? I think he would be happy to get some LEGO gift away from home. If it is possible to send to Poland and there are no problems with the fact that the recipient of the parcel will be a citizen of Ukraine - I would support such a decision. Thanks. So, I dug in the closet and I found some cool sets to send to Poland. These are the pictures I got LEGO Fans Unite! Great that we could work this out. That is one one chap in the pictures.

I will try to get the contest up-and-running next week. It kinda esacaped my attention.

Then we will soon get a new topic

Exactly! I sleep on my desk all the time as well LoL. This made me laugh. Those wooden trays look nice!

+1

Very nice! Looks convenient.

Hehe true. While I do drink wine and this does like a rose, it's actually pink Gin with tonic. Kitty bought the bottle because....pink. And it's actually quite nice. Usually I drink whiskey when building, but I do like Gin tonics as well. Maybe we need to move over to the pub hehe

So, the project is up-and-running again. I am trying out the Big Red setup. I found out that building digitally is great for concepts, but I already made a huge mistake. I connect both rings, so making a 360 turn wasn't even possible Great thing about the need for four wheel units, is you can build one and iterate to the second and to the third and to the fourth. Hopefully by the fourth one, the design will be more or less okay.

Can't stress enough how happy I am with my new working place. Cat's happy too. Happy cat, happy life. Hmmm, that must be a different expression. I have even started working on my robot project again. More info will follow in the dedicated topic.

Sort of yeah

What he said

Hi, We are lenient when it comes to discussing some non-LEGO brands, but I am not sure MouldKing is one of them. When I visit their store, I do see these products: https://mouldking.store/shop/leji-1661-the-police-station-with-2923-pieces/ https://mouldking.store/shop/mould-king-21015-minifig-scale-at-at-w-interior-with-6919-pieces/ And when I Google a bit, I come across stuff like this: https://brixxtoys.nl/mould-king-lamborghini-sian-compatibel-met-lego/138117 While they might seem like a legit company, this does reek of plagiarism. Other than that they seem to steal MOC design. Article on Rebrickable. @Polarlicht What makes you think it's legal to copy designs and sell them online?