DrJB

Sorry guys but ... the more I read about it, the more 'bogus' it seems to me. Everything I know/learned tells me this is not possible. As for the 90% lego claim, is the percentage weight-wise or based on the number of parts. It looks to me that the lego parts are just a skin over some metallic structure. I'd love to hear about those involved in actual vehicle design (as I) and get their take on this. Furthermore, one missing piece of information is what is the source of energy? Granted, the vehicle runs on air, but where is the compressor that provides such air? Is it made up of small tiny lego compressors too? If so, those need electric motors to spin them. Then, where are the batteries? .... must need SEVERAL motors and batteries as well. Unless the vehicle starts with a canister of compressed air, runs 20 meters, then stops. Can't go against some fundamental physical laws ...

I find it hard to believe ... and the whole idea seems rather bogus. The vehicle has real tires/wheels and most likely axles as well. Now, one should be able to run some simple calculations to obtain the kind of power the pistons deliver. It does not really matter how energy gets converted from pneumatic/electric into kinetic/mechanical (motion of the vehicle). What is important is the second law of thermodynamics (Yes, it does hold, even on Lego). The total power generated by the 200+ pistons must be larger than that needed to run the vehicle (thanks to fricion and other losses). I simply have a very hard time accepting only 250 pistons were needed. When you think of it, 250 pistions = 25x 8455 ... I should complete my calculation of energy balance and come back.

I bet you qualify for a part time gig at a lego store ... U get first dibs at latest/newest sets, and most likely with a hefty discount too ... And, most importantly, you can convince parents and grandpas to get second sets for themselves too ... Now u got me thinking :)

well ... then there is Playmobil .... for the 'youths' of course.

One thing for sure, the 'joints/gaps' between parts get blurred when using black, and provide for a 'smooth' vehicle/lines. I bet if I were to rebuild Madoka's SUV in white, all the surface gaps/openings would be rather distracting. SO, in this case, Black is good, as it smooths out gaps between the various parts.

I guess my P&S (Point&Shoot) camera does not qualify for the job then ... Wonder if I can justify a new SLR for christmas ....

Some people would 'cringe' just at the thought of comparing Technic to Meccano ... though I perfectly see your point. Those toys somehow 'defined' our younger years and some memories are well entrenched in them (or vice-versa). My problem with Meccano is that, after assembling many bolts, the fingers start to hurt ...

The one thing you need to be careful with is the orientation of the front/rear differentials. I initially built it wrong and had to start over.

I must reckon that all this 'commotion' has generated quite a bit of work for our recently appointed Moderator. In light of this observation, and for both Jim and Ted to keep their sanity, I'm available to help in, for example, tallying up the results of the poll or anything 'data management' related.

Three answers: 1. What some call 'mistakes', othes call 'innovative ideas' ... 2. Yes, I 'floated' the idea of a 'lounge' a while back .. as I'm sure many have done before me. Do I see a shimmer of hope? 3. Fully agree, let's start a "Future of EB Technic" thread. Might be useful to set the proper scope and some rules, for example: Revamp is for basic improvement, not a total rewriting of the whole forum structure...

Now this is becoming 'personal' , as I have certainly initiated a large number of 'general/social' threads ... be it 'black parts', your 'other hobbies', an 'AFOL perspective', or 'When do you call it Quits?'. All were intended to generate some discussion, gather various opinions, and 'enliven' this forum. Granted not all of us come here for the same reasons (of course) and see value in such discussions. I am happy with the way the forum is, as I do not see anything 'broken', though this is a hobby and it's meant to be enjoyable. If it's too much of a headache for either the readers or the moderators, then we're doing something wrong (or at least our expectations need be revisited). Nonetheless, here are some thoughts, based on my own experience on here, and on various other forums (e.g. reefcentral.org). 1. A 'general technic thread' is too vague, many questions get asked at once, and difficult to have a 'focused' flow ... Instead, might be better to have a 'short Q&A' thread. 2, While threads are sorted by 'newest' on the main page, might be worthwhile to enable different sorting options (under preferences/settings) - e.g. threads I'm following/contributed to/... 3. General/Social' type threads could be all grouped under a sub-forum... e.g 'The Lounge' as others forums call it 4. While some questions/discussions seem deja-vu, we must keep in mind that user-base is dynamic, and the focus changes/evolves as well, be it because of availability of new parts/sets, new software platforms for mindstorms, or new building techniques/solutions as in efferman's and sequential gearboxes. All in all, I'm happy with the way the forum is ... but possibly a poll with 10-20 questions on what we like/dislike about the forum might provide valuable input to those in charge.

I would build the Stata Center at MIT ... But that's just me.

Either that or you can do a Pontiac Aztek ... Believe it or not, this is how the target customers called that vehicle ... But, I digress. Would be neat if u could include some PF e.g. A compactor ... Etc.

Sure there are ... However, these topics are NOT taking away from other/more interesting topics. Maybe it's the holidays and the free time, where many of us sit and talk/type about our favorite hobby. Sorry, can't please everyone Good point. A while back if I recall, even Lego instructions had black parts with a white outline ... not lately though.

Why not build 'that' MOC car in Red or even yellow, where 19L flex are abundant ... ?

Pictures or it did not happen ....

Forget the brush ... Remove electrical components if any, then run under hot-water spray in kitchen sink. Works wonders, and its kinda like a 'touch-less' car wash ... where the bristles do not touch the lego, and hence no scratches (no matter how small). Then, if you want to disassemble them, I'd put all parts in a tub with a dishwasher detergent ... that literally eats-up the dirt. Note: typically stickers won't survive H2O+Soap.

Ahem ... That is definitey ... 'off the wall' ... pun intended.

'Sorry', my intention was not to get unanimous 'like me on facebook' type of answers. Some people are adamant about black (flex axles on 8450 are an example). I second aol000xw's position. You do NOT have to read/answer all posts/threads. If it does not interest you, move on. I only answer threads that are relevant to my interests and ignore others .

Technic only ... please.

There seems to be quite a divide between black parts haters/lovers ... I for one find them very difficult to work with, especially when being sorted. Yet, some people just love them for chassis components and the 'mystique' look .... Of course, we can always extend to the 'neutral/boring' grey/bley. What's you take?

Just realized there was a video. Looks very nice indeed. I sometimes get carried away and forget this is a toy as my comments above were more likely for the real Toyota vehicle. In any event, nice build that you have here. Any plans for instructions?

You forgot Canada ... Where it's split 50/50 ... Really confusing sometimes, as no matter what, you're bound to be wrong ... 50% of the time, eh?

It seems we have few passionate engineers on the board here, which is a good thing. I'll rephrase my statement and say that the tilt as a function of speed cannot be achieved EASILY by pure mechanical means. The reason airplanes can 'afford' such fancy mechanics is for several reasons: at least years ago, mechanical systems were deemed more 'reliable' in terms of their performance/behavior ... Nonetheless, and back on topic ... in this modern day and age (features such as RSC, AdvanceTrack, and others available on cars) I highly doubt the Toyota has a full mechanical tilt vs. steer vs. speed mechanism ... I'd love to learn otherwise though, as I'm sure a mechanical solution is always more elegant than a mixed one ... and at least it could be reproduced with lego. Cheers.

That's what I call lego surgery ...