TommyL

Is there a place that lists what parts are left over after building a specific model? I built the 8110 and that was fun but now I want to sell it and let someone else build it and I want to include any parts that weren't used in the primary model that I am guessing were included to build the secondary model. Looking back I should have just put them in a bag but I put them in "general population" instead. Considering how "geeky" (in a good way!) some people are about Lego, I thought there would be a website or resource that had that information. Thanks in advance, Tom

I sort by color and if the bags are numbered I only open one bag at a time.( Why couldn't they number the 8043 bags is beyond me...) In those color groups I do arrange them somewhat from smallest to largest. I also have 3 small bowls for the red axles, blue triple pins and black double pins since they are used so frequently and really love to roll off the table. I would be interested in hearing what others have done. Also, once I pull it apart, they go into various tubs based on size and type. When pulling it apart, I use a large sheet pan with turned up edges to contain any parts that usually fall off during break downs.

Just ordered mine, ships in 5 days.

Are the newer tracks (8043 and Snow Groomer) preferred to the older style treads like those pictured above?

Yup, mine was black but 1118 is the part number for the red one. As far as size goes, I already have a few full size ones. I have one for "Punkin Chunkin" that will throw an 8 lb. (3.6 kg?) pumpkin over 1600 feet (500 m). I wanted to build some replicas of the machines I throw against (it's all in fun) just to "own" a version of it. I wanted to use Legos just for the challenge and it's easier to work on at night while the kids are upstairs asleep. The welder and grinders are too loud for night basement work! That video you linked to of the trebuchet throwing a burning piano was designed by Ron Toms, a true innovator in the sport. His FAT and F2K machines are probably the first real innovations in trebuchet design in over 800-1000 years.

I am a big fan of trebuchets and I was wondering how many lego weights are available? I know of the heavy bricks found in a lot of boats. They are 6x2x2 I think and are the same ones used on the crawler crane 8288. I remember from my childhood a weight that looked like a keel of a boat that was to keep a boat upright while floating. Does anyone remember that one or was it another brand? Any others that you can think of? Has Technic used anythig besides the battery pack? Thanks Tom

Let me just say I love my excavator, it was a great time to build it and I even enjoy running it around. I have the parts ordered for the Ultimate 8043 and will start that when they come in. I initially thought I wanted the Unimog but lately i have been thinking the Mindstorm set would be a better purchase for the amount of possibilities and future enjoyment. I haven't seen much here on the forum about it but wanted to get a few opinions about the sets and how they compare (probably apples and oranges) but I'd thought I'd ask any way. Thanks in advance for your advice, Tom

Well, pulled it apart in 5 minutes, put the friction pin back in, rebuilt it in 30 minutes and it works flawlessly. I won't disagree with the advice that was given but with my 8043 the friction pin was needed to keep the change over switch from flipping back into neutral. Other peoples models may be different. I am going to use the Ultimate model as a way to get the hang of Bricklink but it is looking like it might cost me $100 in spare parts to build it so it might have to wait until after Christmas. Thanks to all for the help and wish me luck on the Unimog. Tom

Well, I think I messed up a little. I took the advice of leaving that blue pin out and now my change-over switch comes right back out of gear. I can switch it and then manually push it into gear or try switching a bunch of times and eventually it will "stick" but I think I am going to pull it apart and putt that friction pin back in. I am going to try ordering off of BrickLink to get the parts for the "ultimate" 8043 so eventually I won't nned it to work the same anyway. Thanks Tom

I'm a little ( ok a lot) rusty so I spent about 3 hours finishing book 1. I didn't want to make too much of a mess on the kitchen table so I was trying to just keep all the parts in their baggies but about 2 hours in realized I really needed to sort all the parts by color. I figure I'll have about 5 hours in it or so when complete. I'll check it out that ultimate thread, thanks! Tom

I started last night and finished book 1 and had a great time doing it. I love stopping once I complete a sub-system and really play around with it and notice all the small details that go into each step and how it works together. Thanks for all the help so far, Tom

Hello all, I am just getting back into Technic after a 20? year break (wife, kids, job, the usual...) and I went a bought a 8043 Motorized Excavator since I am a sucker for tracked anything. I have read about a few problems so I didn't want to get too far into the build if I needed to change something. Are there any recommendations that I need to know before I start? I have read about too much friction on the changeover but I am no sure if that was just one guy having problems and i also saw the recall of the linear actuators but that seems to have been addressed. Any help is appreciated and my next purchase will be the Unimog. Thanks, Tom