Saberwing40k

Hot. Damn. I was about to post my theories, and I thought wheel loader and forwarder were unlikely, but here they are. As I was typing this, I got a PM with the pictures. I can't repost them, but I can describe them. 42079 Forklift: It's yellow. I can't tell if the mast uses ropes or not, but it does have at least 1 stage with the gear rack holder in gray. It comes with a pallet with a canister of something dangerous. The mast also tilts. Looks to be in the 700 part range. 42080 Forest Harvester: This thing is weird. I_Igor got the general machine type right in his post above, but this ain't a deere. The cutting head and back are kind of out of proportion, and the grab arm is mounted above the cab like a Ponse Scorpion. The wheels are smaller balloon tires, I don't remember the size off the top of my head. The model is lime, white, and another green that is probably dark green. It has articulated and front wheel steering, and it looks like the cab rotates. I see an orange piece on the side, I'm guessing it's a switch of some kind, but of what type? The grab has some new 2x2 round pieces with spikes on them. It also comes with a tiny log, and a tiny chainsaw. By the cab, I see some possibly new panels, but it's not a good enough image to tell. 42081 Volvo Autonomous: WTFBBQ? I immediately thought of the Volvo Sphinx concept wheel loader, but this is something completely different. It has no cab whatsoever, and comes with a quadcopter drone. There is also a weird arm of uncertain function on the back. I'm willing to bet money this concept is going to debut at a construction expo sometime in 2018. I have never seen anything like this, ever. It looks to have 4 wheel steering, and a couple of recolors, like 3x11 panels in light gray, and 5x11 tapered panels in black. Functions and other parts are a mystery. 42082 Rough Terrain Crane: Hot. Damn. This is not just 42009 on big tires.The outriggers are somewhat unexpectedly not telescopic, but Lego's more traditional folding ones. The boom also has only one extending section, as opposed to 42009, which has two. To me, this means that Lego wants it to be more reliable, so you can actually lift things. It includes an XL motor, and a battery box, and is thus presumably not remote control. The functions are run through a selector box, and one part of that can be seen between the wheels. It sits on Unimog tires, on red rims. The whole thing is red and black, in fact. I'm slightly disappointed, I would have liked it to be colored like 855. There is also a V8 engine, just hanging out in back. That is slightly janky looking. It also comes with 4 wall sections and lifting chains, so that you can assemble a nice prefab house. It's not often that Lego includes a load in crane sets. All in all, it's a pretty nice flagship. 42083 ????: Unknown, box is slightly smaller than 42082. No picture available, so it's... Something. Likely to be a supercar, but it could be anything. Single set per case pack, so it's likely to have premium packaging. If it's a supercar, it's not likely to be anything currently on the streets. Again, going by Porsche precedent. I_Igor got the pictures right, for the most part. Have fun with my information, and if you have any questions, I may not respond right away, as it is 1:30 AM where I live, and I should be in bed.

Can't you provide a little more information? Like, number of sets, and names? Even if there isn't an image for the flagship, there should be a name. Also, can you identify what the sets are? What we know so far: 2, perhaps more sets with PF At least 1 set has CLAAS tires Flagship is blacked out like Mack Anthem.

How about a contest to invert a set's building style? Like, take your favorite studded set, and make it studless, or a studless set and build it with studded bricks. Having those options would enable a broad range of models, yet it makes the goals a lot more defined. Another one could be a contest where Jim picks a diverse brand, like Liebherr or Terex, and the goal is to replicate a machine from their stable. It would be a lot of construction equipment, but after the last 2 contests, I would like something real world. In spite of some people stating a want for it, I don't think a non vehicle contest would be that popular. Non vehicle creations are rare for a reason. Honestly, the last two contests were a little too broad, I would like to see something more focused. Actually, how about a technical challenge? The contest has specific goals, and contestants are rewarded for how creatively they meet them. For instance, build a vehicle that can self load a container of some agreed upon size, traverse a 5cm high obstacle, and cross a 15 cm gap, via remote control. Bonus points could be awarded for looks and cleverness, or their could be stretch goals in addition to the minimum ones.

With several recent sets, like 42070 and 42077, there has been a lot of controversy over looks versus functions. On the one side, are the people who think that Technic sets should have more emphasis on functions, and deride sets like 42077 for looking good, and doing little else. On the other side, there are the people who think that simple sets that look good are just fine, and "what the kids want". With that in mind, I think Lego should actually split off simple Technic sets into a reborn Racers theme. This would provide both groups of fans with what they want, and provide more options for consumers. However, can you even make a business case for a new Racers theme? I don't actually think so. But first, I'll make a case for a new theme, and then provide all of the reasons I don't think it will work. Lego has had, for the longest time, a Juniors theme by some name or other. Now, some people, myself included, might think that it would be unneeded to have a theme between Duplo and regular System, but Lego did their research, and Juniors exists, and sells enough to justify keeping around. Now, you could make the argument that the same could apply between System and Technic, but I say otherwise. I say that Technic should not focus on simpler models at all, and there is no need for a new Racers theme. Why? I don't know if I have the answer, but I have something. What is the point of Technic? What niche does the Technic line fill? I say the point of Technic is for authentic, technical models. That's not opinion. Lego themselves say that's what Technic is about. Not only do simpler models undermine the entire reason for being of Technic, they do no provide any meaningful step up from System sets, if they don't have any sort of draw. If you want a set that is playable, you get a City or Star Wars or other of those themes, and if you want a good looking model, you go with Expert Creator, or UCS Star Wars, or Architecture. So, where does that leave Technic? That leaves Technic as the line of models for machinery fans. Making Technic appeal to younger kids, in my opinion, is a mistake from a business standpoint. Lego already has plenty of themes to appeal to children, so I don't understand this mentality of "Every them has to appeal to everybody." So, that's what I think. But, you might say, wouldn't Lego do research on this? I say focus groups only go so far, and they can be done wrong. But, I say that there is no need for simpler Technic sets, as a large number of System sets are quite complex on their own, and moving Technic down would only cannibalize sales, as then they'd be competing directly with other System sets. I think that Lego needs to keep Technic more complex, and do more to keep people interested, rather than try to capture a market that is already well handled by their other themes. So then, why did i propose this question if I already think it's a bad idea? Because I am but one data point. I want to see what you guys think.

I actually built a prototype that covered the cylinder bodies, but that did not actually provide any strength. The blocks at the back should be sufficient. If you're putting more load than what those can take, I'd be worried about the cylinders breaking.

Thank you. i couldn't agree more.

Is my post invisible or something? I posted an alternative that does not require brackets like 3 replies down.

Meh, this set just seems kind of empty and boring. Not wanting to go on a rant, but surely Lego realizes that form and function can exist in harmony in a Technic set? I don't even want a gearbox at this point, I just want something, anything different, like different suspension, or actual features beyond opening doors. On the plus side, it has some nice recolors, and looks pretty good.

I just built it, to test it. I didn't think it would work, but it did.

Wait, what? Where? In what set? I'd like to see this.

I just tested it, and while it technically works, it is rather flexible. My version does not flex at all. Nice try, though. That's really what makes digital building hard. You just can not tell how a mechanism flexes.

So, @Fieldtest requested a device to link two of the large V2 pneumatic actuators together, end to end. this is what I came up with, and it is so potentially helpful that I thought it would be worth sharing in its own topic. Pneumatic Cylinder Connection by Saberwing007, on Flickr It's pretty easy to make, but it was a real pain to figure out, because Lego, in their infinite wisdom, made some of the dimensions not a whole number of studs, which is really odd for them. Thus, this build needed some very illegal connections in order to work and be stiff. I've also got some more construction pics: Step 01 by Saberwing007, on Flickr IMG_20171214_180212047 by Saberwing007, on Flickr Step 03 by Saberwing007, on Flickr There you go, I hope you all find this to be useful.

I did the thing: It required some arcane, and not quite legal building techniques, but it works.

Yes. It is possible, but many builders now prefer to use a device called an Sbrick. It's a third party Bluetooth controller compatible with Lego motors. It is a lot more controllable than even using the train remote.

Or it could be a troll with Photoshop. I'm not thinking this is legit. I'd take this with a grain of salt. *Me, liberally applying salt to the speculation.* Not that I would be opposed to a Mclaren supercar of any kind. I think it would be really cool if Lego did some approximation of the trick Mclaren hydropneumatic suspension. But, given the Porsche, I'm not holding my breath.

Aaand I've just kicked the hornet's nest, haven't I? The argument between Technic and system is rather broad, I just picked the simplest solution, which makes a lot of sweeping generalizations. Also, that dolphin does not count, even under my simple definition. It has no studs, yes, but it primarily connects to studs, so it's not Technic. I'd say there are ultimately 2 categories, but they have a lot of overlap. A chart of Lego pieces would work best as a Venn diagram, with Technic on one side, and System on the other, because there is an amount of overlap. For instance, under my rules, Technic bricks are System parts. But, they can be connected without studs, hence why the opposing category system does not work. Technic is not nearly as separate from system as some might think. But, you're right. Bricks are bricks, and it should not really matter which is which.

Here's the easiest one: Technic=no studs, System=studs. There are other ways to define it, but that is simplest and least pedantic.

It sounds like a motor. I don't have one, but if this kind of motor is known to be noisy, that might just be it. You could try to find some plastic safe grease, and re lube the gears.

Well, I stand corrected. I didn't realize 53' containers were a thing.

Yeah, there is no such thing as a 53 ft container. Trailer yes, but the containers are only 45 ft long, and that is rather uncommon. The most common kind of containers are 20 ft or 40 ft ISO containers.

Not even a bit. You would not be able to have differentials. Also, a dually mode is not needed. Trucks like this can have single tires on the rear axles, which are about as wide as these are proportionally.

#itsnotdoneyet

Did you see it on Youtube? Can you provide a link?

What model do you want to see from the book? Depending on what it is, I might be able to reverse engineer it.

Here's one, by SevenStuds https://www.shapeways.com/product/XMQSBZSJS/rc-wheel-to-technic-3-pin-adapter-heavy-duty?optionId=57216029