Lipko

That's not true for Hungary. I've seen Hungarians around here, they just didn't add Hungary to their profiles. I recognised them by their names. I'm sure it's the same with the other countries too.

Well, that's nice and all, but life is not that simple. Especially in the Balkans (Hungary is about to fuckin collapse). Sure, I can (and did) interview the potential employer, because I'm a damn cool engineer (really, that is the only position where you have the chance to choose). As someone, who doesn't have a background (poor family), I choose to live that single bit of information if that is dangerous so that I can make a living and stay with my girlfriend (who is also unable to keep the tenement by herself). I don't think it's denying myself or total submission. It's just leaving out a piece of information that is too easy to misunderstand. I can talk about it on the interview if it's relevant because my interview skills seem to be very good. I said that "I don't think that I have a big future at your company, as there are many more interesting positions", but I still have a good chance to get the actual offer. It's something like this: I just don't say to a girl on our first date that I poop and drool and snore in the morning with a stinky breath. Honesty is the most important thing in life (including work), but it's meaningless to flood the other with it at the first moment. EDIT: okay, the analogy is not quite right... Maybe collection action figures would be a better one... Some of you guys still seem to miss something: I have to get to that interview. That's passing trough some recently graduated Barbie girl whom has told what keyword she has to look for in the CV.

I understand both sides, but I think I will leave it out. The problem is with the very first screen I have to pass: hiring manager (maybe some freshly graduated from business school) reading the CV. I have other stuff to put on it. Thanks for the comments, this became a pretty interesting thread!

Well, I think that having Technic sets is far from being a "builder" Technic fan. The said architect had more Technic sets than me. He was a rich kid who got Legos as presents, he thought is was cool, but that was pretty much it. Many people I know got Technic sets as a kid, but that was it. That's far from being an AFOL. As far as there are kids, the Techic line will remain.

I have added the video showing the thing in action:

I don't think the new style links make a big difference, since they are hinging in the different direction to where the extra material is added. It seems to affect the abilities of the thread when it's turned inside out, but not when used normally.

I don't know any of them in person. I saw a Hungarian guy linked here some day about some brutal gear spagetti drive... In my country, a 28 year old architect doesn't understand what the hell I need Lego pieces for... (um, I already said that today...)

Well, I hope that Hungary is western country enough, I have doubts... I know a 28 year old architect, who looked at me with big round eyes asking "but what do you use the Lego Technix pieces for?" when I said I buy sets for the pieces... Thanks for the feedback, to be honest, I'm more afraid of the "hiring managers" than engineers. Maybe my CV gets screened out before getting to an engineer. Maybe I shouldn't be a pussy and just add that line.

For clearing up the functions and operation, here's a link about how personal watercrafts work. I replicated the functions as closely I could (apart from the fake throttle obviously...).

Um, are you serious? Personal watercrafts are personal watercrafts. I don't see how much different they can be from each other. My model was based on images of real machines, motor placement, shape, seat, nozzle etc. My drive is different than yours. Motor and fake engine placement is different. I don't see you have actually implemented, or talked about the simulation of the throttle (variable speed drive). The steering of my machine is manual, while your's is motor powered. I don't see too much similarity apart from the theme I took. The judges of the contest will decide, Porty was first, if mine gets disqualified, I will accept the decision.

About the throttle: the idea came independently from Porty's idea. A jet-ski doesn't have many interesting features, so the features I have chosen were the most obvious ones. There was another feature I wanted: automatic clutch mechanism, but the throttle took up too much space, and an automatic clutch without a variable speed drive is pretty meaningless.

Here's my entry for the "To Sail the Technic Seas" contest. It is a lifeguard's personal watercraft (jet-ski). The model focuses on the looks and realistic functions, it's not intended to swim or to move on the ground. Features: *driven by a medium motor *realistic manual jet nozzle steering (with return to center mechanism) operated by the handle bar (with realistic motion) *working, non-steerable propeller *fake 4-cylinder engine *a shroud that can be lowered over the steering nozzle to produce backwards thrust in real jet-skis (reverse). Operated manually from the driver's seat *simulated throttle, operated from the handle bar *battery box is operated easily from the driver's seat and can't be pushed in "reverse" direction. *opening engine hatch with supporting rod *almost everything is achieved by linkage mechanisms, which are affected only minimally by each other (for example throttle is not affected by the steering axle and vice versa) *good looks *battery box can be removed relatively easily About the throttle: It's just a simulation of it, so it's totally fake. If there were (or is there?) a variable speed motor in Technic, it could be totally realistic, since the linkage works just fine. In this model, the revolution of the engine and propeller is controlled by simply changing the friction of one output axle of a differential, which causes the other output (the drive-train) to change its revolution because the differential is driven with a constant speed. The friction is changed by pushing radially a small wheel against another freely rotating wheel on the axle. The "lifeguard" part of the entry's title is there because the color scheme I had to use due to my inventory. Video and some more pictures here (see brickshelf or Flickr for even more): Thanks for any comments in advance!

Start to take the thing apart and make photos of the things you removed and the remaining model. Then... Someone would probably help you with the real instructions...

I'm at the start of job seeking, and I can't really make up my mind whether to add Lego to "hobbies/special interests" or not in my CV. I want to apply for mechanical engineering positions, and I definitely think that building Technic MOCs makes me stand out of the crowd. But I don't know if people (especially hiring managers) know what Lego Technic is, and would they get scared instead. Maybe they wouldn't take me seriously. I have been to an interview for a software developer position (business and financial applications) without the Lego thing in my CV, but they said (without me even mentioning Lego) that all people in the company are big Lego fans. Is it luck? Or "cultural"? Maybe I should only mention it on the interview where I can explain it? Maybe I should seek out the age of the staff at the company then decide it? If I could put it in my CV, how should I word it to make it clear that it's technical, and I build my own creations? It's not a cardinal question, fortunately I have stuff to put inside my CV, but I'm very curious about this one, and I guess a lot of you guys and gals have already faced this question. Thanks for any feedback in advance!

It's a very good thing that you can stop and say it's finished then move on, but in my opinion, it's not too good to get caught up in this. After some models, you DO have to start perfecting a model and spend the time required to make things as good as they can be, especially if they are functions or visual features. This model (IMHO) is a big step from your previous one, I didn't really like the body of that and that you tried to fill the gaps at all costs, but this one is very good in that respect. Anyway, this model would definitely worth spending time with and being perfect as it could be among the best Lego supercars, I think we all agree about that. (and this model would also worth making top notch instructions for).

I can say I grew up on Technic, that must be a mayor factor in me being a mechanical engineer now...

Well, I think the upper jaw should open, since it's a shark. And steampunk drivers are always into a bumpy ride! This thing is so fantastic, it could easily make a Lego set and start a brand new theme (um... or was there a theme like this already? It's so authentic). Ooo noes... I wanted to win

If you put some powder/sand on it, it will have the function "archaeology game" Anyway, nice entry and I envy you the inventory you used

Well, I asked once about "how can one be sure it's all Legos if one can't take a look into it" thing, but I felt I was laughed at...

Sorry, I meant my connection is too slow to watch the video you already made. Yeah, I have a similar problem but luckily (and a intentionally) I have a more consistent color palette to work with. The 9394 was a very good purchase, I almost have every red piece I need to finish the body (only almost, of course...). I'm using 9394 (I only bought that for its inventory), 8052 and 8265 for building (and some studeless pieces and pins from 8880). Anyway, mine is almost complete, as I have tons of time since my current job gets totally screwed... I wish I have had money to buy 8070 (which was planned before the job shit), because I could have built a full featured red quad to tow the jet-ski. It would have made a perfect "coastal rescue lifeguard whatever unit" entry.

Curse my slow connection. I cannot wait to watch the video. So many features stuffed into that small place and the shape came together quite well too. What do those yellow wheels do on the front? Are the colors intentional? Or do you only have those pieces? Some consistent coloring would help a lot to see how many functions there are. Now, if we haven't seen the progress and the video, it would be very hard to guess what that model can do.

It's interesting that you can build the stuff from inside to out. I always have problems with the right proportions and stuffing all things into the thing. I always have to start from the outside otherwise the outcome will be totally random... How can you build these cars with the right proportions without making the body first? And the bodies of the cars you make would be very hard to build before the other stuff so how do you do it? Is it experience, or is it luck ? I still struggle with all these arbitrary angles and spend hours with shitting around with placing just one panel... I guess my English degrades even further at 11 pm...

I only have red panels and some yellow beams... Anyway, I didn't know the "jet ski" is really a brand name and I didn't know the term "personal watercraft". I wanted to make a jet ski then I saw someone is just making the same thing already. So the moral of the story is... there's no moral to this story

I want to build a personal watercraft for the contest too. Would it be unfair to look at your pictures? The idea came independently from your entry, and I would do things differently (I guess my conception in different). But the scale would be about the same, and the colors too, since I also have those pieces.

Well, the body has big gaps because pretty much all the red pieces I have are built into the body. I don't think this model is worth improving either, because it uses obsolete and hacky solutions due to the lack of pieces (like that driving ring expansion thingy). I'll buy the 8070 in a few days or weeks, then I'll build a completely new car. BTW, does anybody try to build this model? It shouldn't take too much time. If so, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.