DrJB

Are you buying the Porsche as a modding parts pack for your Unimog ?

I read somewhere, a long time back, that a measure of how advanced a civilization/technology is, is whether such civilization has produced a machine that can replicate itself ... It's like asking the StarTrek replicator to build its own copy. Though, in computer science, people have already written computer codes that when run, would 'replicate' themselves. The other 'obvious' example is from biology, where the human being (or all beings for that matter) are able to re-create a copy of one-self. By such metric/token we are very far from being 'advanced', and I'm not sure the goal is ever attainable. Of course, this leads to creationism and other ideas ... not sure if those are suitable for this forum/thread though.

Reminds me of my first summer job back in 1989 ... I was in Toronto (Canada), and one day after work, I stopped by a store that specialized in die-cast models. Of course, it being a summer job, I was wearing a suit and tie ... so I asked the salesperson for the price of a porsche, and he gave me a ridiculous price, to which I replied: "I'm gonna save my money for the real one". The look on his face was ... well, stunned.

Those are definitely very interesting suspensions, and the Wesll is worth replicating. Now I wonder how they implemented the self-leveling, is it some sensors or simply the driver leaning more to one side than the other. He seems to be riding straight up (not leaning) while left/right sides are at different heights ... Fascinating!

Let's face it: Would marketing have called it 90% ultimate? ... knowing (maybe not) the gearbox and other issues? Unfortunately, it seems (to me) that the technic functions have plateau-ed a long time back and now TLG is pursuing the 'looks' aspects. Maybe Ultimate refers to the most looks-authentic vehicle. Yes, there were other Lego sets based on actual vehicles (Ferrari), but the Porshe is much closer to the real thing. Of course, There is nothing authentic about the gearbox, suspension, steering, or fake engine ... TLG replicated the outer shape as much as they could, but then crammed whatever functions they could inside such envelope. To many of us that is not a genuine approach ... but this ship has sailed. And I'm sure they'll build many more because many people out there will buy this set, for its looks only.

Smooth hole only. Rather rare piece that appeared in the old pneumatic crane 8460 (below) and other sets http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=424&in=S

I guess it's like the real thing ... it's not put together (assembly) in a fancy / fully automated assembly line like the toyota/ford cars ... it's hand-built by skilled labor. Hence, the premium everything, especially the price.

Amazon now charges Sales Tax ... at least in the US

I see us easily going over the 100 pages of posts (2500) in this thread ... and I just contributed one more!

Bricklink also says that one of the racers got 2 such shock absorbers ... I bought such racer from eBay, then checked TLG< and the set does come with ONE, not 2 as listed on BL's site. Thus, I tend to 'double' check most information from BL.

Looks like I was hibernating for years and then, a new part?

Not quite. The axle connector was modified, but so was the new driving ring. As such, the latter cannot slide freely on the new axle holder but only assume 3 discrete positions. For everyone else's benefit, we're talking about old/new axle connectors + driving gears, as pictured below. +vs. +

I dump the whole thing in hot water + dishwashing liquid (it eats up the grime with little work) and let is sit for hours, sometimes overnight. I stir the parts few times when I'm nearby. Rinsing dish liquid is easier than regular soap which takes several water changes. Now, as for tires, I'm tempted to try Armor-All to see if they shine and to remove 'blooming' of processing oils, though I should try this on old/common tires just in case there is permanent staining. Anyone tried that? Armor-All for tires ... is like polish for your shoes.

I said this in a different thread (I think), but for $300, they should have made the book hard-bound ... As it is, on a coffee table, it would get damaged pretty quickly :(

Not to take this thread way off-course, but going beyond chemistry, how about biology? It's growing/gardening season here in the US, and many stores offer starter plants that you buy and grow in your yard. My point is: have you ever stopped and thought how plants make fruits? ... very simple: out of thin air ... plants use water, air and the energy of the sun, to make fruits (and vegetables) that we all need. I also often find myself wondering whether very complex machinery can be made with Lego bricks ... of course plastic by itself won't be abe to replace all the elements in the periodic table, but that's another discussion.

D=Drive ... lol, even in american/japanese cars :) But wait, aren't Porsche usually stick-shift i.e., manual transmissions?

Looks like a race circuit ... anyone knows which it is? Could be Porsche's own proving grounds.

Reminds me of a quote from the movie 'Cars', while Mater is driving backwards, he says: I like to see in the rearview mirrors where I'm going, not where I've been ...

Nicely done. You should put photos back-to-back showing the original version and the one you concocted.

Correct, though I'd add that the spirograph uses a polar set of coordinates that might be 'difficult' to replicate with the smart brck ... the math could get very ugly.

I'm not here to enlighten you or anyone. I have a PhD in mechanics and my statement was not based on 'lego' but more fundamental laws of physics. As for my comment on negative friction coefficient, I was being playful, and if you got offended, time to reconsider what this hobby is and does for you. Yes, we constantly see crazy ideas on this forum (e.g. perpetual machine) and some members have NO background in engineering/physics. Yes, I do come here to share/learn, and I also speak out when I read what you call 'stupid' comments ... *peace*.

Very nice. Reminds me of the spirograph. Now, I'm curious as to the programming/math behind this. Do you simply generate various patterns by changing speed/phase between the two motors or s it way more complicated? I'm already thinking 'Inverse Kinematics' and very complex math ... but hope none of that is needed.

Hat's off to you for pulling all of this together. As much as I'm happy to see instructions available, I'm not that excited about your instructions causing BL prices to go up and depleting the supply ... can't be always happy I guess.

I'm sure those who have sets with the 'old' flex-system can relate to this. The inner cables that came with many flex-system sets are notorious for breaking easily and availability on BL is not the best. Has anyone come up with a replacement option for the inner cables? Finding a cable is one thing, making the indentations is another ball game. Yet, I'm hoping someone out there already figured this out.

I care to differ. I stand by my statement that the helix angle must be larger than the friction angle for the gear set to be reversible? Now, maybe you have some super-fluid with zero (or negative) friction coefficient, in such case, care to enlighten us?