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DrJB

Eurobricks Dukes
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Everything posted by DrJB

  1. DrJB
    Came across this set and thinking of getting it. Anyone with a 'positive' review or reasons why I should not bother with it e.g., would the software run on Windows 7 ?
  2. DrJB
    True, however that is only for automobile type of engines (where the space under the hood is roughly square). In large construction and agricultural machines, 6-Cyl diesel engines are typically in-line.
  3. DrJB
    Sounds like it's going to be a fun evening ... all the very best. P.S. Make sure the second set has some RED in it, just to reflect the 'special' time of year
  4. DrJB
    Very interesting perspective. Thank you for sharing. I can't help but ponder at the approach TLG has taken. The Japanese automotive has developed the JIT (Just-In-Time) manufacturing approach, where components/sub-systems are built/manufactured only on a per-need basis. Here however, it seems TLG has a stock-pile of 'standard' parts (and colors!) and you're somehow 'forced' to only use existing colors. It's a bit backwards but this leads one to believe that, within TLG, the parts manufacturing group is the strongest (politically).
  5. DrJB
    We're getting there, the use of LAs is a perfect example. It uses 'non-conventional' technology to mimic hydraulic pistons.
  6. DrJB
    I work on these machines for a living ... I wonder if I can 'expense' few copies .... but then have to share them with colleagues ... darn!
  7. DrJB
    I must have missed it. Did the red track inserts actually come with the set?
  8. DrJB
    So, you're essentially taking (proposing) the current fake motor, and trying to insert an electrical motor in it? ... neat, if feasible ... But I bet you can' isolate the laws of physics and won'be able to pack much in so little space.
  9. DrJB
    While I fully agree with your point (that you can do whatever you want with lego), I 'must' voice a point here. One of the first things they teach you in management is, they show you 9 small squares stacked together and ask you how many you see. Most people would answer 9, but others would answer 14, and others would include the rectangles as well and give a higher number. The exercise by itself teaches you that each person has a DIFFERENT point of view and that all those are valid, none is right/or wrong. They're all different yet valid answers. Same thing goes with what each of us wants from lego ... I just answered a different post where a user 'accused' me of pre-judging and picking 'random' details ... when in fact he forgot that it's all about opinions, nothing right nor wrong. If we all had the SAME thinking, the world would be a pretty boring place... Happy building, cutting/gluing, collecting, selling/speculating, or whatever YOU choose to do with YOUR Lego(s).
  10. DrJB
    Fair enough, let's try again (and I'm not pre-judging). Let's stay on the topic of transmissions. Granted, new ones are more complex, but if we focus on the actual gear reductions, you cannot mimic that same architecture with lego gears. And thus, lego transmissions (8448/8466) use MORE gears to mimic the ratios of real life transmissions. Typically, lego mechanisms are SIMPLER than those in real life (as you rightly pointed). In the gears for a transmission, it's exactly the OPPOSITE. I am looking for examples where a lego implementation is MORE complex (than real life) simply because of the limitations of lego parts. 'all of them' in the above post is simply not true. Makes sense now?
  11. DrJB
    If you want to build something really fun (not a car), then look-up Spirograph on this site. You and him, and the whole family, will have LOTS of fun.
  12. DrJB
    I am not sure I understand your point nor agree. I am looking for lego mechanisms that are MORE complex than their real life versions. Typically, most lego 'adaptations' are LESS than the original, as in examples below: Steering mechanism: lego uses pinion+rack, real life uses bearing-screw with recirculating balls. 6-Cyl engine: Lego crank shaft segments are shifted 180 degrees. Real life 120. Suspension: different size lower/upper control arms. Lego are same size. Tire/suspension angles: real-life uses (camber, caster, toe-in, ...), Lego suspensions are more 'simplistic' Differential: real life uses hypoid gears, Lego straight teeth ...
  13. DrJB
    I just got my copy and ... waow ... simply amazing. You and contributors have done an outstanding job. I have to ask one question: Was any thought put to make the digital models available on a CD (or download), even if it means incresing the price of the book as well? ... Or was that delegated to the second edition? Fantastic job, no words can describe it. Every serious AFOL has to have their own copy!
  14. DrJB
    Incredible is an understatement ....
  15. DrJB
    Have you tried the pneumatic one by Akiyuki? No instructions but challenging. Also, google up GBC akiyuki doktor-brick ... there is a German web site where users have 'reverse-engineered' many of akiyuki's master-pieces http://www.doktor-brick.de/board7-bauen/board1-lego-technic-und-nxt/448-gbc-sammelthread/8984161c
  16. DrJB
    You can tell who's been stocking up on red flex axles ...
  17. DrJB
    Yes, this another 'discussion' topic and there is no right/wrong answer. I've been pondering at the various designs (both Lego originals and MOCs) aimed at mimicking real-life mechanisms. While in real life you can build/design anything, with Lego, we're limited to the type/number/geometry of parts at hand. The most obvious example is the transmission (gearbox) in the 8448/8466 super cars. In real life, a 5+R gearbox needs only 12/13 gears whereas those in 8448/8466 use more gears than that. What mechanisms can you think of that are MORE complex (when built in Lego) as compared to their real-life counter-parts? Other extreme examples that come to mind are the various mechanical clocks and the antikythera. The Lego re-enditions use more gears than the original designs, simply because of the limited number of available gear teeth.
  18. DrJB
    Which one? OP's or mine?
  19. DrJB
    Hehe ... All the best on that journey, I assure you, it's lots of fun.
  20. DrJB
    I did not realize prices were higher in EU ... must be all the extra taxes (TVA?). In any event, I fully agree about the parenting comment. If I may share my experience. I started my son with Technic at 5 ... after so many sets (and $$$), I guess he's had so much of it that now (he's 10), that he does not want to touch it anymore. My point is, try to go slowly and do not buy all YOU think he's going to need ... and see whether he's curious for more or want to try something different. Kids have a very short attention span, and there is no point investing in many lego sets if they're not interested ... unless of course you're one of the AFOLs who just use their kids as an 'excuse' to buy more lego, and I assure you many of us are just like that. Happy building :)
  21. DrJB
    Lego already makes a 9V battery holder (below). Ok, may be difficult to get now (there are many on BL), as it is long out of production. All you need then is a converter cable from 9V to PF.
  22. DrJB
    Not trying to convince you one way or another, but just giving you one perspective. You could of course buy the motors separately along with the battery box and the IR Receiver. From the Lego website, those are: 2x Large Motor - $28.00 1x Servo Motor - $25.00 1x Battery Box - $13.00 1x IR Receiver - $15.00 For a total of $81.00 + Tax and Shipping ... Let's say $95.00 But then, you may need some additional parts to motorize the truck, not sure which are those but there are sites (e.g. Rebrickable) that can tell you which parts you need. Have Fun.
  23. DrJB
    If it's an option, get 9398, it's on sale at Toys-R-Us ($160 or so). It should have all the motors you need, plus a collection of spare/additional parts. Also, keep in mind that the 'new' technic is not the same as 40 years ago ... different buliding methods and a whole different set of parts.
  24. DrJB
    Comparing old vs new reminds me of the Unimog 8110. I do not recall the thread but there were several prototypes (on display at some Lego office) before the final version, and those prototypes looked VERY different than the released model. Can u show your LDD work?
  25. DrJB
    LOL ... Thank You ... I was just being a bit facetious.
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