DLuders

On his Brickshelf gallery, mbmc137/ 1hengeresVmotor posted 15 pictures and a link to this of a Lego Technic Gaz 66 -- his "16th mini truck. Compact design with linked suspension, XL motor for propulsion, Medium [motor] to steer. I tried to make the cab as realistic as possible in this size."

On his Flickr photostream, Mad Physicist (Ralph S.) posted 8 images of his Lego Technic JCB 3CX Backhoe Loader. He wrote, "When I started building my Scania truck a few months ago, I decided that I was going to build some sort of construction vehicle as its load. "Then, along came this month's LUGNuts' challenge is called 'snowed in'. I figured that sometimes you need something big to dig you out of the white stuff! "The British use the word 'JCB' for a backhoe loader like many Americans use 'Xerox' when they mean a photo-copier. My model represents an actual JCB, a JCB 3CX to be precise. "The front loader is articulated. Sometimes the best way to make a model look like the real deal is to make it work like the real deal. This applies to the landing gears of the aircraft I build, but I also applied it to this model. "I also spent a fair bit of time to make the rear excavator arm properly articulated. Unfortunately the small pneumatic cylinder that holds the arm up doesn't allow a lot of travel, so the arm cannot be lowered more than is visible here. Still, it looks good! "In addition to folding/ extending and whatnot, the mount point for the excavator arm can slide from side-to-side. "Here is where this thing got complicated. I wasn't happy to just have a little 'glass' house sitting at the back of this thing. I felt it needed doors. Unfortunately the doors on a vehicle like this swing open over the mudguards towards the rear. Making that it all fit took several hours of fiddling. "LEGO makes very nice buckets for this sort of vehicle and I actually have a few. So, you might wonder, why have I gone for a much heavier and complicated brick-built version? The answer is simple. LEGO doesn't do them with a width of 13 studs :-( "I'm not much of a Technic builder and generally don't like the aesthetic of all the open beams. This build involved more Technic parts than most that I've done, and I've tried to give it a more realistic look. I haven't quite succeeded on the front of the loader, but I am very happy with how the rear looks."

It seems that TLG has been listening to their (potential) customers. I already have a 1-year subscription to Lego Universe, but I got this e-mail today from the "Lego Universe Team": "Special Offer: LEGO® Universe Game only $9.99!‏" "For a limited time, you can get your own copy of LEGO Universe for $9.99! Your first month of play is still included! Place your order with LEGO® Shop at Home today, this offer won't last long!"

On TheToyChannel , Mike Mozart poses this question: "Were Lego Technic Products Based on Philiform? Lego Technic Products, which began around 1977 look VERY SIMILAR to the Philips Company's Philiform Building Sets of the Late 1960's and Early 70's. A Hilary Page 'Self Locking Brick" Set no. 00 makes an appearance too. " To learn more, see the Philiform.com website. Check out these Philips Philiform ME (Mechanical Engineer) sets from 1965 (a full 12 years before Lego Technic):

If you are using LDD 4.0, I would make an overall parts list for your .lxf file by using LDD Manager. Then, when you look at each step of your model in LDD's "Building Guide Mode", you will recognize the Bricklink Part Number and color of each part you see.

bekesizoltan posted this of his Lego Technic Porsche 911 Turbo car. It has Power Functions 4 Wheel Drive (4WD), steering, independent suspension, remote-controlled lights, remote-controlled doors, remote-controlled hood (bonnet), and working Boxer engine. The venerable Porsche 911 has been around for decades and has a timeless design. bekesizoltan wrote that it is his "first real attempt to build a Lego car." This is really good for his first try!

The correct parts are in that Bricklink Parts Inventory I mentioned in my previous reply. You need 2 ea. x89 white rubber bands, not x90 rubber bands. You can get all of the other broken/missing parts you need by clicking on those part numbers in that inventory and following the procedure I outlined above. You can get everything from some Bricklink store. Try Bricklink -- you'll like it.

Some time ago, Conchas had this TechnicBRICKS post that discussed the Lego Technic 8448 "Super Street Sensation" set's four alternate models. These are not the two models that came with the original set -- we're talking about 4 ADDITIONAL MODELS. Alas, Brickshelf does not host PDF building instructions anymore. I have offered to e-mail the PDF Building Instructions on this Eurobricks post, and about 10 AFOLs have done so. For those that want a direct link to these same files, I have uploaded them onto MegaUpload SkyDrive. Click on the hyperlinks below to download them. These files have been "lost in cyberspace" before, so get them while you can! They are hard to find nowadays. Alternate 1, "Concept Car" (3 MB PDF Building Instructions) Alternate 2, "Racer" (3 MB PDF Building Instructions) Alternate 3, "Hot Rod" (3.3 MB PDF Building Instructions) Alternate 4, "Buggy" (3.4 MB PDF Building Instructions)

@ davidmull: If you scroll down this Bricklink Parts Inventory for the 8868 set, you will see what rubber bands originally came with the set. If you click on the hyperlinks for those rubber bands, you will get the Bricklink part page. Then, click on the "Price Guide Info" for the correct color you want to see the Bricklink stores that sell those rubber bands. It looks like you need 2 ea. white x89 "Rubber Belt Large (Round Cross Section) - Approx. 4 x 4". There are a few available, or maybe you have some in your spare parts bin.

EMI94100 posted this of what is his "smallest Lego 1x2x3, but still it is really fun to play with (solving is extremely easy). You can get it here (search for: "mini 1x2x3 cuboid") : http://designbyme.lego.com/en-US/Gallery/default.aspx . My [larger] 2x2x3: ." Note that the LDD File is available for free download; you don't necessarily have to buy the ~US$61.41 DesignByMe custom set. Using LDD Manager, I have made a Parts List of EMI94100's Mini 1x2x3 Cuboid -- you can download the PDF file here via SkyDrive. Just use your spare parts on hand, or shop on Bricklink.

On his Flickr photostream, Veeborg (Vibor Cavor) posted 6 pictures and a video link showing his Lego Technic 3S Bus -- "A kind of futuristic bus which functions are mentioned in it's name. 3S stands for Sightseeing, Speed, Shapeshifting. To explain it better I had an idea to make a bus for tourists who want a whole new sightseeing experience. It would be fast and it would be a shapeshifter - it can be low for cruising the highway and it can be high when there is something interesting to be seen. As for that 2nd high position I don't know if you noticed it but passengers are in the same position when it transforms. They are not bent over following the slope that platform makes. Their seats are straight and since they are heightened they see all around better. That's why the roof is made of glass. The bus is shorter when in that mode so it's a perfect cruiser for the city streets crowded with cars. As for the construction it is very light even though there are 2 medium PF motors, one XL motor, battery box and 2 sensors. I had an idea in my head so it was done pretty fast. The body was a problem. I started to do a brick body but it failed every time. So I gave up and did a technic one and it works for me. I hope you like it." Below is a photo sequence of the bus "shape-shifting" -- it is illustrated on this Flickr video.

You could visit your favorite hobby shop and get foam inserts for RC buggy truck wheels. They slip right inside the tire and don't weigh much, but offer some support.

Yes, the loop adds height to the INNER rims of the wheel, but not the outermost rims of the wheel. The breadth of the Technic Treads does not extend across the entire wheel. They only touch the tops of the innermost rims. Let's talk about the "constructability" of your proposed assembly. If you place the unhooked Technic Tread loop inside of the tire, then mount 1/2 of the tire onto the wheel, how are you going to CLASP the two ends of the loop together? I'm not sure there is enough room for two Needlenose Pliers (one in each hand) to grab the sides of the Technic Treads. There may not be enough space to get past the other side of the tire. Since I don't own the special F1 Williams tire, I don't know. Again, I don't see what good adding a loop of Technic Treads to the inside of an expensive tire. All it does is add weight, expense, and aggravation. If your aim is just to "stiffen" the tire, just get a can of NON-EXPANDING foam (like the foam used to seal around windows) in a spraycan. Spray a layer of the eurethane foam inside the tire, mount it on the wheel, place an axle through the wheel and rotate it for an hour using a drill. The inside coating will be nice and uniform.

No, the loop of Technic Treads will not fall off the rim because the innermost connecting links project downwards to catch the innermost rims. However, the loop is LOOSE and slides sideways (back and forth). If you are going to put a rubber tire on the rim, the sideways sliding will not occur. Again, the links should not interfere with the mounting of the tire between the two rims. I really don't understand WHAT GOOD the Technic Treads would provide. Could you explain what you're trying to do? I don't have the special Williams F1 tire to test it out, so you may have to get one from Bricklink and try it out yourself.

Yes, I tried taking a link out. The circumference of the Technic Tread circle is different from that of the wheel. If I remove a link, it won't make it around to the other side and if I add a link, it's too loose.

Yes, you can buy any of those pieces from Bricklink. Just click on the hyperlinks I provided in my previous reply above, and then go to the "Price Guide Info" link to see the prices from various Bricklink stores. It turns out that the wheels are used in the 8466 Off Roader set, which I have on my shelf. I pulled its tire off and wrapped a bunch of the Technic Treads around the bare wheel. The tread links DO extend past the innermost rims, but do not extend to the outermost rims. They are too loose to form a tight circle around the rim. In fact, I can see daylight from underneath the circle of Technic Treads when I grab them tight. I don't believe that the Technic Treads will interfere with the mounting of the tire, but they are LOOSE and won't really work.

@ peter_m: From Match #264 on Bricklink's "Tire on Wheel" Relationships webpage, the 2H2011 8071 set looks like it will have 56145 "Wheels 30.4mm D. x 20mm without Pinholes, with Reinforced Rims". The tires will have either the 44308 "Tires 43.2 x 22 H" or the 61481 "Tires 43.2mm D. x 26mm Balloon Small". Since these tires don't look quite right, maybe TLG is making a NEW TIRE to fit that rim.

@ SNIPE: Your hyperlinks above were all messed up, but I think I figured out what you were talking about (using Match #286 on Bricklink's "Tire on Wheel" Relationships webpage). Do you want to wrap a series of 57518 "Technic, Link Tread Wide with Two Pin Holes" pieces around a 32296pb02 "Tire Technic Racing Large with 'MICHELIN' White Pattern", mounted on a 22969 "Wheel 62mm D. x 46mm Technic Racing Large"? If so, the only people who have that tire will be those who own the 8461 Williams F1 Team Racer set , since it only appeared in that one set.

It seems that victor288596/ vkyppwnsall is a TFOL (Teenage Fan of Lego). He has this VKTechnic page on Facebook which points to his YouTube Channel , on which there is a photo of him. He is quite talented -- I thought he was an AFOL. My apologies.

@ Jetro: Earlier in this same Eurobricks topic, we had these following suggestions to help avoid plagiarism: From RohanBeckett: "Would be good if they took up a suggestion I saw posted a few months ago: All entrants must take a photo with themselves - or maybe their model with a piece of paper, with a 'code word' for that competition... to prevent fake/stolen entries." From JunkstyleGio: "I do hope that TLC with change the way of "how to enter". A simple way of doing this would be an extra picture to be submitted which shows "you and the model you made". I know this wouldn't keep the whole sheet of entries clean but it would help a lot!" From Mortymore: "IMO, TLG should select a bunch of semifinalists and present them to the AFOL community to see if they find some fake entries, and only after, present a clean list of the 10 finalists, since seems that TLG by itself can't manage to do that. AFOL community is every day, every hour... searching the web for new works, designs, inspiration... so its easy for them (us) to have an idea if some competition entry was already seen before, were and to whom it may belong." From AndyC: "Requiring that model submissions include a "TECHNIC Challenge March 2011" or whatever sign would be a lot less hassle and equally effective at blocking out cheaters." From Sam42: "One idea that would eliminate such mistakes, (placing cheater's entries in the final 10 etc) would be to select a panel of technic based afols recruited from the fan community to judge the entries. As is shown here, a group of technic enthusiasts can quickly worm out all the bad apples, infact the eurobricks technic forum would be the ideal place to recruit them from...."

The National Geographic Channel has a cable TV show called "Megafactories", and they did an episode on LEGO. Here are the links to the five YouTube videos (posted by HatStacks) that comprise the complete episode. I can only display the first two of the 5 videos on this post, but you can click on the hyperlinks at the bottom to see the remaining three videos. Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCPGlM9TJyo Video 2: Video 2 Video 3, Video 4, and Video 5.

Here is the about the design of the 10219 Maersk Train set:

On his Flickr photostream, Firas Abu-Jaber posted 10 pictures of his Lego 1999 Chevy Tahoe 2-door truck. He wrote, "Here’s a replica of the 1999 2door Chevy Tahoe, one of the best SUV’s that General Motors made, this model features working elements like working steering, opening doors, hood and trunk, beige interior and chrome rims. "As usual, everything opens. Notice the tiny space I made behind the doors so you don't have to push hard to close the doors, it's one of the LEGO hinges as a lot of you already know. Notice the seat belts and the arm rest. Hope I did fine on the interior; I was very limited with the beige pieces. "Some front details, front grill, hooks under the bumper, chrome chevy emblem, license plate....And some rear details, rear window wiper, chrome exhaust tip., etc." "Beneath the hood sits a Vortec 5700 V8, rated for 255 horsepower. Two-door 4WD Tahoes with LS or LT trim can be equipped with a 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 instead of the Vortec 5700."

Here is the Brickshelf gallery (with 19+ pictures) of victor288596/ vkyppwnsall's "Tow Truck created for the March 2011 TECHNIC Challenge. Motorized functions include rotating superstructure, elevating and extending boom, working winch, lifting and tilting towing fork, lifting 2nd axle, and extending outriggers." Do you think that a 5-18 year old made this? It's one of the 10 Finalists. The picture submitted for the competition is in this Brickshelf gallery.

On his Brickshelf gallery, Coney/ Contech7 posted 18+ pictures and a link to his about his Lego Technic Defender 8x8 . His MOC is "A fictional vehicle with 8-Wheel Drive, High / Low speeds (3:1 high & 9:1 low), Full Independent (Tatra style) Suspension, Retractable Front & Rear Wheels for helping with Zero-Turning Radius Capabilities. Uses two rechargeable 8878 batteries and four XL motors for drive. Two M motors for gear shifting and two M motors for raising and lowering the front and rear wheels. Has a full skid plate along the bottom and a 7 stud high max ground clearance."