Erik Leppen

This looks lovely! On the small images, I don't even notice it's Lego. That's a sign of how well built this is. My favorite parts are the curved windows, and the slight incline of the whole upper sides. Also, it even has windscreen wipers. All those black "greeblings" makes it so realistic. The interior is nice as well. The color for the seats also works really well. And all this was before I noticed it has all those Technic functions inside.

I agree with this. I only realized a few weeks ago that TC12 is very similar to TC11 in that it's "vehicles" but not normal vehicles. I think it's time for a realistic contest again. Whether it's subject matter-based (such as "build a crane"), or other, I don't know. Maybe something as simple as "build a truck" and require at least 2 functions besides steering and drive. That gives a lot of freedom so that everyone can build along, whether large or small. The great advantage of the crane contest was that it allowed for very conventional builds (mobile cranes, truck cranes) as well as more original builds (such as harbor cranes and all the other things that we have seen). Also, maybe check out the competitions that Techlug.fr has had, they have had some very good themes. They were a bit more specific than Eurobricks Technic contests (which makes the entries more similar), but this makes it easy for people to get started quickly. For TC12, I spent most of my time waiting for a good idea. I think for "build a truck" many people will have a few starter ideas popping up almost instantly. At least they can start working on e.g. a chassis or a cab and specify later what kind of truck theirs is going to be. I dont really mind what theme, but I do think it's good to avoid a fantasy theme, because we had two of those in a row now.

Congratulations to all entries, and to the winners. It was a good contest that saw many interesting, original, different builds. In that sense, it is like the battlebots contest, that was a bit similar. I do notice that there is exactly one entry having 0 points. What's most interesting though is that it is the 25th and last entry. The only entry that landed on the second page in the entry topic. In this particular case where there were exactly 25 entries, I think this may have played a role in the vote. Also, why was there staff voting here? Was there are particular reason in this contest to have staff vote? Is this something that will return on future competitions? (No critique, I'm just wondering). As a last thing, I suggest making the results topic sticky. It took me a small while before I saw it, and I only noticed after the vote topic was closed without much notice.

I recently had one of these in white, break on first or second use. That was certainly not a matter of carelessness when removing axles - it broke on assembly, not removal. Oh, how I wish this part would be used more in sets. I think it's very useful, but I rarely use it simply because I only have a few. Sometimes breaks too, but it bothers me much less (except in rare colors) because the part is simply much more common. (I just noticed the Claas has a large amount of them in black, so I'm settled for life on these parts probably).

You hardly notice this in reality. There is play between the axle and the round hole of the 7L beam, and the play is divided over the two 3L axles. The axles rotate with only a little friction. @BrickbyBrickTechnic I'm not sure about that really. I really hate doing video (I only do it if it's required for a competition). Also, my fingers are itching from wanting to disassemble it and reuse the pieces for something new (I don't know what yet). But I will consider it. I will do instructions though, with which you can test everything yourself :)

I think the windows are an easy edit for anyone building the model to make. I found this number of windows the best, because it matches the width of the window at the sides. But yes, it's bulkier than the original, because it's brick-built. For me, realism isn't the main criterion - it suggests the correct shape well enough. About the rear crane's horizontal beam. I haven't tested, but I wouldn't know why not. Because the 7L axle that holds the strings is exactly in line with the 3L axles on the sides that hold the 15L beam, so rotating the 15L beam around the 3L axles won't change the posiion of the strings. So the force by anything hanging from the hook should't rotate the 15L beam. But that's the theory. In practice, I haven't tested, because I don't really care about the lifting capacity. For me, the challenge is in making all movements possible. And it will work for small, light loads, so I'm happy. I see many people don't find the the side cranes the best idea. I know nothing about ships, I just googled some images and saw ships with cranes, so that's a mental image that stuck. I kind of thought that this "crowdedness" is part of what makes large ships have that majestic look. However this ship is maybe a smaller scale than those images I have seen, so it may not be accurate. Maybe this is because I didn't follow a single particular example model, but I just made a mental image using lots of images and went from there. I do think I leave the side cranes where they are though. I like it (I kinda like the "messy" look) and it's an easy change to remove them when building the model. I prefer them over a "sample load" because it offers additional movement, which I still feel is the idea of Technic. That's the plan, yes. I am working on the instructions. The digital file is going along very nicely. It looks to be about 1700 parts. Almost everything is in there, but the build order will be a challenge, because especially the internals of the gearbox, winch and steering module are pretty dense.

OK guys, I haven't posted here in a while, but I haven't sit still. On the contrary - after finishing my TC12 build, I went back to this, and made a lot of changes and additions. I'll show them in a bit. It is around 1600 pieces though, wich PF, and a rough calculation shows that it would be about EUR 140 if this were a set. Still it's my view on how the set could (and should) have been. OK, so, what has changed? Well, what hasn't ;) First, the dark blue color. Over the last months I collected some more parts in that color via Bricklink and used as much of it as I could. My guess is that it has ate last 80 dark-blue parts (the set has 24). It would have been a much nicer parts pack; and I only used pieces that have existed, so no cheating. The rear gantry has become yellow. The reason is the bridge. I have always hated the windows-by-stickers of the set, so I changed it to pieces, using the new yellow axles to good effect. Which adds yellow as a color, so to make the color return elsewhere in the set, I decided to have the rear crane yellow too. Also, as you can see, I used small LAs, which is indeed better (thanks for the suggestion!). The lifeboats are now orange, without any white. The long red vertical axles control the gerabox. They were intially yellow, but swicthing to a single axle made it even-length, hence red. Personally, I like how the red color of the hull returns somewhere else in the build. Also on the roof is a yellow "rader"-like thing. What's nice is that it rotates with the front wheels. Again, a tiny extra bit of Technic-ness. The panels originally in the rudders, are reused at the top of the bow, making that a little bit taller. I added some studded blue slopes for a better shape. What's more interesting, is that there's a little crane on the bow. I found that a nice touch. The most interesting bit though is that the crane is functional. Of course, it's not controlled remotely like in the set (there's no room) but it has three degrees of freedom (rotate, raise, winch) and the last two are controlled by a knob (rotation has no knob, just friction). This makes this little crane more functional than that in the set, because that doesn't even have a winch! As a nice touch, I added two tiny dummy cranes on the sides, that aren't driven in any way but can still move. The red beam sticking out on the side of the bow is the battery box on/off switch. (As a nice coincidence, it has the same color as the gearbox switches.) You may also notice that the engine has been covered by beams. This is the fourth motorized function: these panels can move up and down to show the engine. Here it is with the functions deployed. So that's it. What I'm currently doing is digitizing this into MLCad and I'm planning on doing instructions. This will take some time though. All pictures will be here (after moderation): http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=568578

Where do peoplesee the 2L axle pin in red? I only see the 3L axle pin (with 2L pin) in red. Not sure what justifies the recolor, it was fine in dark gray, but we're not gonna stop it, I suppose... None of the sets look really enticing, maybe the sailboat the most so, but it depends on two single-purpose pieces and relies on stickers for looks. Too bad. But at least it's an original subject with, as it seems, interesting functions. But the stickers and sails seriously limit the options for B models (as you can see). I'm very glad though that dark azure is extended. So I might be getting it just for that. The other sets don't seem to contain noteworthy parts, except maybe the dozer.

7: 10 9: 6 16: 4 18: 3 2: 2 1: 1 It was, as always, hard to choose. There are many great entries and several really surprised me. Well done to all contestants!

That's offence, even with "no offence" before it. The reason it's offence is that you don't explain your position, making your remark useless to the receiver. But let's not have this discussion here - take it to the topic of the entry in question.

This is not fun. This looks so good that you wonder whether any of the others have any chances left in the compo. The only thing I find a bit less succesful is the wacky function. It feels a bit too simple for me. But for the rest, it looks awesome (and I don't know anything about the original). Some great parts usage (indeed, the wheel arch panels are wonderfully used here) and seeing this new color being used so well makes me want it even more. Wonderful, and the chassis seems pretty intricate too. I love creations like this - modest scale, original, colorful, no wasted space. And your photography skills are very good as well.

Was it ever very common? I can remember it took a while before I had a sizable collection, and ever since I bought 25 in one order on bricklink I can't remember ever having a shortage of them. I don't seem to need them in huge quantities. (But I don't build huge models, so that may be a factor.) What worries me more is that 1x2x0.5 beams seem to become rarer as well, and that's a part I use a lot. However, this is just a feeling, and using @Gnac's link and changing some numbers show it hasn't been very common since 42000, and that 42069 and 42070 contain some again. (By the way, cool to see you can use Brickset like this. I never knew this.)

See entry post for a video. I's the most boring video of a Lego model ever, though.

I have finished and added the entry post. I went for the name Arachne, meaning "spider". Also, I changed a few details. I changed the color of the seat to purple, and added a headrest to the seat. This required moving the HOG two studs further back, unfortunately this makes its desing less "clean" because I had to add 3 8t gears to move two studs backwards without reversing the direction It did enable me to change the design of the back half of the cabin. The gray is replaced by black and the large blue beams made place for a more intricate design with smaller parts and some panels. Personally I think it's an improvement. Also, the HOG is now black instead of tan and I added some more purple parts to the bottom part.

15. Arachne Functions The vehicle has 8 bogies with 2 wheels each, totalling 16 wheels that can roll freely. All bogies are always parallel with each other and with the superstructure. Steering works by rotating all bogies simultaniously, along with the superstructure. The wacky function is an ejector seat that launches the driver forward, gaining a small bit of time in the last seconds of the race (and saving the driver in case of emergency). Images Video Discussion topic

Wow, you managed to create a vehicle with a steering radius that's worse than 42070. But yeah, it is a bit of a stretch (yep). Let's hope that the race track doesn't have curves tighter than the Moon's orbit. Or height differences. How long did it take to take that picture? It must have been quite a while before the light coming from the rear end of the vehicle arrived at the camera lens... But I would like to see a side view... of the front and rear part I mean... ;) It will be interesting how to judge this as a racer though. I mean, people standing at the finish line will think you have already finished, while at the same time, people at the start line think you haven't even left off, because the back of the vehicle hasn't passed the starting line yet... Oh well, at least it's hard to overtake this thing.

I have some progress! I added a cabin, with two movable side panels. This is neede becuase the cabin needs to "open" in some way to let the driver pass through. So it's linked to the ejector seat mechanism. I think it's rather cool. Also, I decided on a color scheme, using colors I think are rather original; I can't remember having ever seen these two colors together in a MOC. In case you're wondering, the purple is the old color from the Technic Competition sets of around the year 2000. During last and this year I have done a few large Bricklink orders and with every order I added various parts in cool colors, among which both Competition colors. Fortunately, when I order parts I always think in numbers of 2, 4, 8, etc, so I happened to have exactly enough of each beam type for this project. (16 of 4x6bent, 8 of 5x9bent, 16 of 1x7x0.5 is currently all purple that it uses) I could add a lot of extra connections and more strength to the frame, but I'm considering leaving it as it is now. It's relatively few parts and still relatively rigid (and it doesn't have to carry a lot of weight). And I kind of like the open structure. It would have been cool though if 5x7 frames existed in black. The central structure with the turntable was very weak, I replaced it by something stronger; even though it's less modular now. (basically, there's 2 modules) I'm not entirely happy with the back half of the cabin (the blue 4x6 and 5x9 beams), so I might change that into something cooler. The blue stud at the back is a handle for activating the mechanism. I will, but don't expect too much of it. It's powered by two of 8880's springs, and (now) it also powers the two side panels of the cabin that have to move out of the way. The mechanism does cheat a little though, by using those rubber 1x2 beams where you would expect a normal beam but then it doesn't fit. Thanks. I spent a lot of time just thinking of an idea, and when I thought of this I found it my best idea so far, so I went with it. I'm not sure about adding more details. Deadline is nearing and I want to keep it rather simple and focused. I have added some colors now that, I think, make it stand out more already. Also, about the name, what's cool is that without the wheels on, it looks as if you're operating eight dancing puppets that move in unison when you turn the upper knob. So I was thinking of something along the lines of "choreographer" as a name theme. But something spidery may do great as well. Not sure which way to go yet.

That's a very nice car. I think the front view is the best. What I miss most is something that defines the windscreen. The side view looks a bit odd because the windscreen is completely missing, so it looks as if it's vertical. Personally I would add one or two additional axles to suggest the outline of the windscreen. If you google "Lego Technic Koenigsegg" you'll see various models of Koenigsegg cars (that usually also have very curved windscreens) where the same thing is done. For the rest, I really like it. I think the engine detailing is very convincing, and I like the color scheme. A wonderful way to start your stay at Eurobricks :)

If the topic starter has decided to sell, the advice in the topic should be how best to sell. Not, whether to maybe not sell after all. And even if the topic starter is only thinking of selling, then still, noone on this community can judge the sentiment of the topic starter. Whether to sell, is up to only one person - the topic starter. But if you happen to have kids in the future, there will be Lego to rebuy then which will be new and up-to-time, so this can't be a reason to hold on to stuff you don't want anymore. Having a large amount of Lego lying around unused seems like a waste to me. I sold about 15,000 pieces or so a few years ago. I sold it all at once to another AFOL with a Bricklink store. That way, the store owner had a bit more inventory, and people who buy there can enjoy those pieces. This was the least time-intensive way for me to get rid of it. I think I got about 5 cents a piece, which I found very reasonable given most was used, and huge quantities of it was common Technic axles and pins (there were also rare pieces, like Train rails or City road baseplates). Putting it on Bricklink would have gotten me more profit probably, but I would probably still have had those pins lying around and it would have cost me a lot of time (and I would have had complaints all over because most of it was more used than what is common on Bricklink). I chose time over money (having a store is not my hobby). What someone else chooses over what, is something they can only decide themselves.

I know I'm late to the party, but I had this idea for a few weeks already and did some tests, and yesterday I had time to start building on the real version. I think it's wacky enough to partipicate, although the "wacky function" is not the most original, I admit. There's no drive, just rolling, and there's no suspension. It's fully manual. It can roll (no drive, no fake engine whatsoever); and it can steer all eight bogies simultaniously. This means the vehicle doesn't "turn", the body keeps always facing the same way, but the wheels turn so it can drive anywhere it wants. There's also no "steering radius" - it can turn on the spot, which of course is an advantage in the race. Obviously, the top part (where the driver sits) turns the same way as the wheels. The "wacky function", as you may have guessed from the springs you see behind the seat, is an ejector seat. Launching the driver forward gives a tiny advantage for the last few meters before the finish (assuming the winner is the driver who crosses the line first). And of course, it's a nice way to leave the vehicle quick and clean (how to enter the vehicle, I don't know). I don't want to make this thing much more complicated, so I will be adding a nice cabin, and I will decide on a color scheme (I have some ideas already), make it a bit more sturdy and add a few details here and there, and that's pretty much it. It sounds doable to finish this before the deadline.

This looks like it comes straight off one of those futuristic RTS video games as a resource-carrying truck. That's what it makes me think of. I like it. The use of lime is nicely laid out. The bed may be a bit small but I think it matches the rest of the vehicle nicely. Making it bigger would pull things out of proportion maybe. The seat could be a bit further backwards though. If you sit in this, it's almost as if you're outside of the cabin. I think if you swap the black 2L cross blocks that hold the seat, so the seat is 2 studs backwards relative to where it is now, it would be better. (But I don't know if there's anything in the way for that). Also, if parts availabilty permits it, I'd put two seats instead of one, to the left and right of the steering HOG axle. Then, seats can be even further backwards, so the driver can actually use the small side windows of the cabin. Also, maybe you can swap the two 2x3x5 panels with the two 2x3x7 panels in a way, so the Claas stickers aren't upside down :) For the rest, nice model.

42064 B isn't very good either. It depends on your definition of "ugly" of course, but to me, 42064 B is a box made of panels, with a movable ledge that holds onto another box made of panels. 42070 B isn't much, but at least it's a single thing, and at least it has functions, so at least it can be classified as a Technic model (even though the weird gap makes it look as if it is extendable). 42064B has fewer moving parts than many City models. (Also, it's very boring to build.)

I'm not so sure this is allowed. But maybe a moderator can tell more about this. Pictures will come, when time is due.

It depends on what you value. Sure, the price goes down if you start using it. But the value of the Lego can only be "consumed" by using it. After all, Lego is meant to build and play with, so the value of Lego is that it can entertain the people who build/play with it. So my thoughts are, I don't care that that number called "price" goes down, because I don't intend to sell it. I intend to get value from it and that can only be done by using it.

My guess is the parts budget has simply been used to add two new colors to the Technic line. There's about 20 new recolors just in dark purple and dark azure.