Erik Leppen

I kind of like how Technic models are now becoming more "closed". So I think the current focus on panels is a good thing. What I don't like though is all those stickers. That's what I think Technic is currently relying too much on. I don't like how stickers are custom-designed per model, whereas panels are generic parts that are re-used in other sets (just notice the new angled panel that's already available in three colors). Also, I think that, with panels, models are actually harder to design well. So it's surely not laziness, IMO. Also, Technic models are having more parts than ever before, on average. So I doubt it's cost-saving. A panel needs all kinds of pins and connectors to connect to a model, maybe more so than beams. I think it simply allows for nicer flowing designs that the target audience is more drawn to. But I like it. Besides, I have plenty of liftarms already :)

100% agree.But I do think that author posts this topic to gather opinions. :)

Not sure why this has to be so huge. In my honest opinion, what makes this impressive is where you got the money to buy all the parts, where you got all the time, and how you got the patience to build something so repetitive. I think you could have had the same functionality with a 500-piece model. And as functionality is what Technic is all about, I just simply don't understand the reasoning behind this crane.

I fully understand the sentiments of topic starter and some other people. I haven't bought 42009 because after 8421 I didn't see the point. Yes, it has one more axle, and yes, it has the awesome double-acting outriggers, and yes, it is a marvel of engineering. But. On of the things I really disliked about it is that it's out of proportion. The boom is too small and awkwardly shaped, ()and just looks messy in general with all the panels). The position where the boom is attached looks odd, the boom doesn't fully retract, and doesn't extend as far as I would have liked. Also, and ultimately the reason I didn't buy it, was that for 2600 parts it didn't have a lot of interesting new pieces I didn't have already. Yes, a few red 8t gears an 16L axles, but all the rest is more of what I already have. So, not worth 150 EUR or whatever the price is. On the other hand, when I got 8421 I was really delighted. It looks much more "beefy" and imposing, and was the first crane I know of with a two-stage extension mechanism, and offered a lot in terms of cool parts for me at the time. That said, I think in general 42009 has a nicer design cabin, much better outriggers (with the added bonus of having power functions on them), and an actual alternative model. It is a great set. But don't forget thatin thw 42009 era other sets are also getting (much) better. Technic in 2005 was much worse than technic in 2013. When we got 42009, we had already had 8258 and 8043 for example. However, as far as mobile cranes go, in my opinion, nothing beats good old 8460.

Because this is a LEGO building competition ;)

A small update: Yeah, I might try that. Although it would mean more stress on the extension part, and less flexibility. But it might be the best option indeed. I tried this now, and it works like a charm. I have the rope running back and forth over the boom so the amount of rope needed is doubled, and it matches almost exactly. No picture yet, because it's hidden from sight anyway. When everything is done, I will post pictures in unfolded state. This means there's but one hurdle remaining to overcome, which is a trolley that will slide over the boom and contain the winch and hook. I made a first version, but it's too large for transport. So I need to devise a small and compact trolley with a hook that's heavy enough to keep the string taut. Also I made the final jib section 10 studs shorter. It's better in proportion now. It will still be mounted by hand though.

Thanks :) Yeah, I might try that. Although it would mean more stress on the extension part, and less flexibility. But it might be the best option indeed. Thanks. Yes, I like smaller models myself better too. I think with these type of cranes this is the best scale. Any smaller and it's not wide enough to fit things in, any bigger and things become really heavy really quick. That's why it's only three axles :) I made a cut-out of the digital file. The steering is linkage-based. Interestingly I spotted a few errors in the digital file when making this, so thanks :)

TC8 Folding Crane (not yet finished) I think it's about time to show what I have been secretly working on in the past weeks. It's not done yet, but it's getting there and I feel that this time, things might just work out. As you can see, it's not finished. The biggest question mark right now for me is, where to put the winch that will unfold the jib. There's no room anywhere! :D Of course, I'll be showing the unfolded state later (when everything works). So, what does it do? The carrier has two functions: 1. steering on all axles, driven from a gear on the back. Central axle has half the angle of the other two. 2. outriggers, all connected, driven from a gear on the back. Outriggers are the same system as those in 8460. There's no engine - no room. Slewing the superstructure is the same mechanism as 8421 - manual. The superstructure has two winches. 1. lifting the main boom 2. extending the main boom Both are worm-driven, to prevent backdriving. A third winch has to be fitted somewhere to unfold the jib. This will probably end up somewhere on the boom - there's no space on the supersturcutre to add a third worm-driven winch. Unless, maybe, I sacrifice the paneling. Last jib section has to be put on by hand. The actual crane winch and hook are also still to do. Might be that I make the last jib section a bit shorter to keep things in proportion a bit. Also, the controls for the crane winch might also be simple and close to the function itself. Controlling everything from the base is simply not possible. Sets do this too, so I don't see it as a problem. Building a decently-working folding crane is high on my wish-list for quite some time (think years), so I really hope I can get everything to work this time. I all goes well, I might do instructions (but without the strings). I keep a digital file, which tells me I'm at about 1400 parts right now. Any tips are welcome, especially as to where to put that winch :P

But what about all those wheels?

Now you have all those sets, what're you gonna do with, let's say, 30,000 Technic parts? What future projects do you have in mind? MOCs? MODs (modifications to sets)? Reviews? Are you going to do reviews on all those sets, now you have so many to compare? I mean, this isn't just a topic about buying things, right? ;)

I definitely think the shrink is for the better. Sure, the large version may be more impressive, but you don't buy anything for that if it's not finished or doesn't work. Detailing might be a bit harder at the smaller scale (although you can use studded parts maybe), but it's also much more likely you will have plenty of parts to do everything as you would like. But don't forget the crane's operator cabin. Also, there's maybe too much black. Maybe throw in some gray and dark-gray here and there to break the black. If you check the reference picture you see there's multiple shades of gray. Also maybe you could consider turning around the main boom, so the round panels are at the bottom and the flat panels at the top. This is more closely to real cranes. Anyhow, it's a very interesting model I think and I hope you can get everything done in time :)

Me too, but I also like the variation.

Not sure about the studded rear end. For the rest, it looks very nice. I like how it's not overly big. Curious to what you will to with the boom and superstructure.

This is starting to look quite great, really. Love your door mechanism. Also, the rear end pretty much says "Koenigsegg", so I'm curious how the rest of the bodywork will work out. Also, nice seats :)

I disagree. A model is not better just because it is larger and therefore more difficult to achieve. A model is better because it is better looking, cleaner, works better, more to scale, more realistic, has more functions, stronger, clever techniques, etc. etc. And to be honest, I think this crane looks very messy. The cabin is nice and well-styled, but the boom just doesn't look smooth with all the beams and shapes. The white of the cabin doesn't return anywhere else, the red of the boom stand is out of place, the bumper has two red beams and a few random yellow axle-joiners. For me, it just doesn't work. Also, the spare tyre is a different tyre from the ones on the truck itself, and the large square dark-gray fenders just don't work for me. The studded slements on the counterweight are also out-of-place. So, if style were decisive, I wouldn't vote for this. Lack-of-parts may well be the cause, and sure, I sympathise (although many people have this issue. Who ever has enough parts? ), but it's not a reason for me to vote for this. I see the model for what it is, not for what it could-have-been, and won't compare a model to the builder's part inventory (that I, after all, cannot see). Also, it's an issue that can be partly alleviated by simply building something smaller. So in this case, there was a choice between a large-scale but messy-colored model, or a smaller-scale but better-colored model, and the option Zblj has taken is different from the option I like most. This is of course OK, but it means I will probably vote for a smaller-scale but better-colored entry instead of this one. Which is unfortunate, because functionality-wise this thing looks to be pretty awesome, and I still really love the cool angled outriggers. You shouldn't be detered by this. Any creation is welcome.To speak for myself, I'm usually much more critical against people who I know have the experience. Sure, Zblj's crane is wonderful, but it has some very apparent flaws and Zblj is a really good builder, so naturally, I expect more from him/her. And sure, there may be all kinds of causes, but we can't see Zblj's wallet, nor his part collection. What we see is a crane, so what we comment on, is that crane.

For me, the reason is that I still don't know if I will make it. The biggest challenge has yet to be taken. If I have that nailed, then I might open a topic, but if previous contests are anything to go by, then I'll probably open the topic when it's done... I fully agree. (And my entry will be smaller than most.) But the problem is... will the voters think this way too? Looking at what many people build, they think bigger is better. And many voters are builders. (Yes, I know one doesn't take part for the win, but everyone still tries to win. That's the whole idea of a competition.)

Even then, an existing part in a new color is not what I call "New Technic parts!". (So, please change the topic title.)

Even the lettering on the boom is accurate :D Anyhow, it's huge, quite. However for such a beast, the outriggers do look a bit...puny. That's a bit of a shame, really. I am curious though how things work technically. How did you raise the boom, in particular. By the way, what about that smaller blue crane on the last two pictures? Is that yours too? Are there more pictures of that?

What surprises me most is that everything seems to work quite well. When I saw that render with all those gears the first thing I thought is, how is that going to work? I don't mean the four functions through the turntable problem, what I mean is the huge number of gears and all the friction that would bring. But apparently, miraculously everything works like a charm. That's quite a feat. I'm not really fond of the styling though, and the whole chassis seems to bend a LOT (really). There looks to be really much open space inside (above the front wheels). Why not add some more bracing? Or even the use of studded pieces to add rigidity? But that gearbox is a marvel of engineering, that's for sure.

What I mean is bringing the whole boom from being horizontal to being not horizontal. ;) With such a weight, this is a huge challenge, and I'm very curious as to how you will tackle this. I don't think LA's will do. Pneumatics, I have my doubts as well. Maybe you could consider brick-built cylinders using gear-racks? Or using strings? I don't know what's best here.

How will you raise the boom? If you get that right, then you have something really interesting.

Nothing wrong with the set. The problem you're describing is a consequence of running an axle through a turntable. However, the faster the axle turns, the less this effect is.

The top of the main section will separate because the pins are oriented lengthwise.

Build something smaller.

I think this is a really great model. The colors work really well for such a car. And even the stickers are fitting. Also, good use of the 3x13 panels.