DrJB

Well ... when you built the ultimate, did you borrow parts from OTHER sets or got new parts from BrickLink? If you borrowed from your other sets, it makes sense (to me) to sell it as basic (the way you bought it). Of course, there are many right answers to your question and others will have different opinions.

I've seen that happen to those that shipped with the Mindstorms RCX Add-On set (Ultimate Builder's), those with a clear body. You can clean the outside part, but inside, not sure. Has anyone successfully disassembled such cylinders without damaging them? Also, alcohol might dissolve the silicon grease so, if you wash with alcohol, make sure you replenish the grease.

It seems you got the wrong link.

I've seen Lego renditions of a blue Volvo many years ago, and many of known structures/buildings. But, to my knowledge, this is the only other vehicle made out of Lego. Do you know of others? Note: Rather refreshing to see something made west of Greenwich, out of Lego.

This has got to be the second GBC (after Akiyuki's factory) where a container of balls gets moved across modules. Very nicely done! How do you even get started on a project like this? Paper and Pencil? Simulations/calculation of gear mechanisms? Also, I'm sure all the mechanisms are sunchronized/keyed and yet, in the video there is a lot happening and it's difficult to 'capture' such repetition/cycle. All in all, very nicely done. Oh, and the music is by ... Yanni?

Very nice! Where did you get the RED sand?

If you combine the above with the RCX remote, you'd have the very first Lego RC car!

Complex? Try 8043, 8455, 8258. The transmission/gearbox of the 8258 is truly one-of-a-kind. The 42009 pales in front of it (my opinion only, of course).

This is the set that brought me out of my dark ages. I was in Hanover Germany for a summer assignment in 2006, and saw that set displayed along with the Mindstorms RCX at the Galeria Haupkaupf ... did not know you could build such large sets with lego. It was the first time I saw friction pins and understood then it is they that give the car its rigidity.

Very Nice! I bet it took a while to figure out the kinematics. I'm really impressed at how you included 'dead-spots' in the kinematics where some parts literally stop moving long enough to pick-up the balls. This is typically implemented with Geneva mechanisms and the sort but with Lego, that's quite an achievement. Keep up the good work

I discovered his brickshelf account few days ago and started making an LDD. But nw very pleased by his LDraw model instead. Plus, those rare spindles (8070/8466) are NOT available in LDD. IN any event, makes you want to slavage parts from the Murcielago ... unless one goes for a black&white Aventador.

I certainly can share your frustration, and 'commend' you for being very 'open' about how/what you do. It takes courage, for sure. Unfortunately what you call piracy is rampant in other forms wherever humans are. People at work regularly copy my slides (which I've spent hours generating), include them in their presentation, and never give credit. Sadly, there are many artists who got disgusted by piracy and decided to try something else. If it's any consolation, the people who are using piracy would most likely not spend a penny to buy your book in the first place. So, it may never really put a dent in your 'revenues'. That said, I did buy the print copy of your second book and an e-copy of the first one. Amazon and Apple have made the e-books very 'convenient/cheap' but in all honesty, nothing beats the feel of a REAL book. The 'real' lego AFOLs out there, those who spend hundreds of $$$/Euros would most likely not go for a 'free' e-book. What's $10? It's less than a 'Pick-A-Brick cup for Heaven's sake ... Lastly, keep up the good work, for you have given many of us hours of enjoyment with our colorful bricks.

It's very easy. If you can prove to eBay that what you received was not what the seller advertised, file a complaint and you'll get your money back. They'll even send you a free shipping label. End of story. As to what others are trying to tell you: No one has ever said/claimed that buying off ebay was safe nor guaranteed. It's a risk you're taking and learn from others mistakes. Complaining about eBay won't get you anywhere, though it may help you 'vent-out' a bit ... c'est la vie. Escalate the case to eBay and get your money back. You do NOT have to keep the item if it has no handles.

Look at it this way: Technic allows you to build sturdy/hollow/lighter constructions than if you just used plain bricks. The Millennium Falcon and other notorious StarWars Sets would not have been possible with the classic non-technic bricks and without the Technic Skeleton Structure.

Here is where I see those light blue panels come in handy ... along with a collection of many other light blue pieces and flex axles.

The real question is: Will TLG make a new micro-motor? Sadly, the majority of us are 'convinced' this will never happen. Corporations are not keen on repeating mistakes of the past. If we're after a motor to control a valve, why not go for an electrical valve instead?

We all got burned one time or another on eBay. Once I purchased 2 copies of the old RCX brick, and the vendor assured me they were both working. One had leaked batteries and the acid ate-up the circuit board. It was not worthwhile to ship back the item and get money back. Another time I bought a technic helicopter (recent one) and it was advertised as MISB. When I got it, box was sealed but pretty beaten up. Since it was meant as a gift, I had to return and ended up paying for return shipping as eBay would not do anything about it (Yet they're happy to charge you 10% of the sale). In the end, what you learn is: When you buy off ebay, you're taking risks, and make sure the price you're paying is low enough to 'compensate' for such risks. You can't go after the sellers as many of them know very little about what they're selling, it's just the demographics over there.

updated first post

Looks rather impressive. Now, I tried to open the LXF file but LDD keeps o complaining that there is an error in the file :(

looks very nice. What are the gears for? an adjustable recline?

I've never liked the mix of studded, beams, and classical lego parts that much but, you have convinced me otherwise. You've done a fantastic job integrating all the different parts and the build looks solid. can't wait to see the final MOC.

www.bricklink.com Create an account there, and off you go. Careful though, it is VERY addictive, and your wallet/purse may not like it. Consider yourself WARNED!

Well, given that it's an EV3 event, makes sense, doesn't it?

This is really awesome, and brings me back many many years ago. I recall during that high-school course, we started with electrical circuits/logic, and then moved to pneumatics, all of this with truth tables and actual hardware implementation. One of the 'ideas' that I remember vividly was that while x = a + b is possible with electrical switches, it is not possible in pneumatics. There, one must instead use x = a + not(a)×b. What this means is that you need a path for the return air/fluid. I can only appreciate how complicated this becomes when there are more than 2 variables/states as in your multiple implementations. In any event, your discussion/exposure is very refreshing, and a pleasure to read. Together, of course, with your brickshelf folder. Cheers.

There is a couple of threads similar to this one. Might be worthwhile to check them put for additional 'opinions'. http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=104656