DLuders

Good solution! If you turned the Archimedes Screw on its side, you could make a Lego Snowblower or Auger for farm machinery....

As noted by Sariel on this Eurobricks post, "The power output from standard AA or AAA batteries drops rapidly over the time, especially with high-current-consuming XL motors. Basically, the difference you've shown is true only for fresh out-of-the-box batteries. The rechargeable AA or AAA batteries are much less prone to this effect, and the 8878 battery provides practically constant output until it runs out dry." However, Johanby added that "Rechargeable NiMH AA batteries have a voltage of only 1.2V yielding a total of 7.2V, even less than the 7.4V of the 8878 LiPo battery." Since the 8043 set NEEDS LOTS OF VOLTAGE for maximum performance, recommend just buying six of the standard, non-rechargeable 1.5V AA batteries to yield a full 9V. Rien has run his 8043 on a (non-Lego) 11.1V LiPo battery pack like you would use on an RC buggy, but some folks think that using 11.1V will damage the PF motors.

Are your Lego Technic MOCs limited by TLG's wheel and tire selection? Is your snowcat sinking into the snow? Well, BrickVista has this two-page article about how to build ROVER WHEELS for driving on loose snow, sand, or dust. They have 11 Wheel Designs that you can download in LDRAW format. They are designed for the BrickVista Models which you can download. Here is a brief summary: "Solid wheels need a fairly large LEGO® wheel as a starter. The large Technic Motorcycle wheel and tyre combo is a great ‘seeding’ wheel. Often the tyre is left on and built over as it adsorbs the slight variations in circumference generated by an outer layer of LEGO® elements. In some cases this can be used to give your wheel some internal dampening": "Spoked wheels are truly LEGO® wheels. They are constructed entirely from LEGO® elements: Technic elements for bracing and standard LEGO® elements for tread and cleat detail. Due to the internal structure of a spoked wheel the smallest working diameter available is about 100mm with no theoretical upper limit, however practicality suggests a functional wheel diameter of about 200mm as being quite achievable": "The spoked wheel building method offered the most versatility in wheel diameter, width and tread configuration. Construction centers around a spoked core from which the wheels outer perimeter is supported. The rather odd looking Technic propeller found a very suitable home here": "The center axle holds three layers of supporting beams, each containing 6 spokes. The spokes are comprised of Axle joiners and 3 unit Axles (with stud) integrated to the outer wheel layer by 1 x 2 Technic bricks interlaced with 1 x 4 Hinge bricks. Intermittent Technic bricks housed a ½ Technic Pin": "The exterior of the wheel is covered with 2 x 8 plates pressed onto the exposed Technic pin and axle studs. A large Technic Turntable is fitted to the reverse of the wheel to allow for fastening and drive supply. Motors, and or gearing can be mounted directly to the turntable": "The feature of this design is that it allows for various tread and cleat configurations while maintaining a common wheel core. Wheels with very different tread configurations can be made with relatively simple modifications": "The design of the spoke layers also allows for various width wheels – The wheels illustrated above a are 8-stud wide wheels, but 6 or even 10-stud wide wheels would be quite feasible to build without losing any structural integrity. By adding hinge brick elements to the wheel’s perimeter you can also increase the wheel’s diameter. Again the wheels illustrated above have an outer layer comprised of eight 1 x 4 hinge bricks yielding a diameter of approximately 120mm. The next size up, would use ten, the next twelve, fourteen and so on. The tread connection detail of each wheel type would be consistent, so your tread elements are reusable, however each wheel size would require a unique spoke configuration and design. However the system is scalable, Just imagine!" LUNA EXPLORER (LDRAW file) -- Ideal for that last minute Luna saunter, the Luna Explorer wheel has large open tread with a deep bite – great for climbing crater walls. Built over a solid wheel core these wheels are super wide and have great lateral strength. Now you can really find out what it’s like on the Dark side: ARCTIC REACH I (LDRAW File) -- Designed specifically for snow and soft surfaces this wheel offers a large, wide footprint. Specially designed cleats provide lateral wheel stability while stationary, yet enable you to carve it up on the slopes when a crowd is around. With 6 point fastening per spoke layer, even the heaviest of Rover will not stretch these babies: ARCTIC REACH II (LDRAW File) -- A true snow boot. Arctic Reach II is light (reduced 4 point spoke fastening) wheel designed for hard, low resistance icy terrain. With a smooth tread pattern to reduce point loading, straight line cursing is the order of the day: SAFARI SPRINT I (LDRAW File) -- A wheel designed for rough rocky terrain. Linear cleats provide for aggressive grip while the thin wheel width (4-stud wide) reduces overall resistance. Built over a solid core this wheel is a great outdoor all rounder: SAFARI SPRINT II (LDRAW File) -- Need a wheel that’s light, sturdy, doesn’t slow you down? The Safari Sprint II has a 6 point spoke design with light, low resistant cleats. Good on and off road: ROCKY'S REVENGE I (LDRAW File) -- The wheel that started it all, Rocky’s Revenge is the ‘classic’ rover wheel. Built over a solid core, this wheel has massive deep linear tread and a recessed hub with conical fastening. Your Rover will know no bounds. Suitable for four, six, even eight wheel rovers. Be adventurous, try a pair on, and see where you can go: ROCKY'S REVENGE II (LDRAW File) -- This wheel is a gumboot – It loves the wet. An optimized tread design allows for increased maneuverability, more accurate steering and mobility control without loosing any of the features of the original. Built over a very hefty solid core with a massive 8-wide tread design, a webbed hub allows for added traction when submersed or traveling through wet muddy ground. Hold you breath and give them a go: YOGI CUB (LDRAW File) -- An adapted design of Joe Nagata. A simple solid wheel construction, with an exterior tread wrapping. A light wheel with great maneuverability and bite: YOGI SCOUT (LDRAW File) -- Your all round street boot, designed specifically for urban (and social) environments this wheel offers a large, wide footprint without sacrificing mobility. A unique wheel construction allows for interchangeable tread profiles to suit every occasion. With 6 point fastening per spoke layer, this wheel is tailor made for urban exploration: ARCHIMEDES FLOW (LDRAW File) -- Ever get that that sinking feeling? The Archimedes wheel has a unique, interleaving spoke design which is mesmerizing to watch in action. A supper light, 6-stud wide wheel, the Archimedes performs best over loose rocky ground, Sand and light snow (and large piles of LEGO® ) – They just shred it up. The only thing these wheels won’t do is go slow. Available in funky ‘flex’ colours, and custom widths: SKATA BOY (LDRAW File) -- A hard in-line wheel built for polished timber floors and smooth concrete half-pipes. Super low profile tread and massive rims ensures maximum expression – take them for a spin and have instant cred:

Per this Robotics Realm article, the Rotacaster Omni-Wheel "is now available from http://www.rotacaster.com.au/robot-wheels.html . Cost is $21.45 for (one)."

In regards to the Lego Technic Archimedes Screw visible in Video 1 above, how can one make the subtle spiral with the pieces that tmumme noted?

At the Lego Kidsfest held December 3-5, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, "Alfred Jr." documented a HUGE Great Ball Contraption (GBC) with some interesting modules. The show was sponsored by the New England Lego Users Group (NELUG). The largest GBC module there is a Ferris Wheel that carries the Lego balls up and around. Video 1 and Video 2 shows it in action. From the Flickr "LEGO Kid's Fest 2010, Hartford, CT" photoset: More footage appears on Video 3.

On his Flickr photostream, Ming Thein recently posted 10 pictures of "The second 917K, ready for packing and delivery." On MOCpages, in the "Comments" section there is recent correspondence from a gentleman from Austria who wanted one, so Ming Thein just built one for him. I wonder how much he sold it for? It appears that Ming Thein can commission one for you, if you post your request on MOCpages....

On his Flickr photostream, Australian AFOL Lego911 posted 11 pictures of his Lego 1998 Ford Crown Victoria police car. It has an onboard Donut Shop and Coffee Maker, built like the hit TV show, "Monster Garage." He wrote, "Monster Garage - Cop Car Doughnut Shop - 1998 Ford Crown Victoria" "My third installment in [Flickr] LUGNuts' 38the Build Challenge - 'By Random Appointment' is another from Lino's 'Big Book of Imaginary Cars', more specifically, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruiser modified from the team of 'Monster Garage' into a mobile Donut Shop. Very Amusing. Although interesting to research, there were not many images of this car to complete the build from. I do not know if the passenger side doors open normally, are both hinged from the one point, or open suicide format (as built - which would be the logical manner). Anyway. Modifications include large 20 in wheels and tyres. Built-in doughnut making machine (robot) replacing the front passenger and rear seat, coffee machine and donut display shelves. The driver does not miss out, receiving a sports driving seat in black and white checkerboard trim. I enjoyed building the car (originally as stock - then modified), but also the consideration of what the Monster Garage team were attempting - I really like the idea of in-car coffee making (some toast would be great too). It is interesting to think of what could be added to car if desired. The Police cruiser / doughnut shop was built for Monster Garage Season two, episode two, though I am not sure when that would have been, specifically. As a build, I wouldl ike to dedicate it to my wife's cousin's partner, a Police officer in Washington State, USA. Sorry I couldn't end up coming for the patrol whilst visiting. I hope you like the Crown Vic (with modifications)."

Bricklink has a Catalog feature for "Relationships". There is the "Item Relationships: Similar Parts with Different Molds: Technic, Axle" that shows the different parts; if you click on the Part Number hyperlinks you can see all of the colors that they came in. If you click on that color hyperlink, it will tell you what set(s) they came in. Below, each part's picture appears first, then the corresponding description: 43093 "Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise" -- the "Known Colors" are Black, Blue, and White. 3749 "Technic, Axle Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise" -- the "Known Colors" are Black, Light Bluish Gray, Light Gray, and Tan. Here are the "Item Relationships: Similar Parts with Different Molds: Technic, Pin": 4459 "Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise" -- the only "Known Color" is Black. 4459a "Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and NO Center Slots" -- the only "Known Color" is Black. 3673 "Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise" -- the "Known Colors" are Light Bluish Gray and Light Gray. 6558 "Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise" -- the "Known Colors" are Black, Blue, and White. x202 "Technic, Pin Long without Friction Ridges Lengthwise" -- the "Known Colors" are Light Bluish Gray, Light Gray, and Tan.

If you like the classic look of studded Lego Technic models, you can appreciate Silcantar's Audi Quattro model. On his Flickr photostream, he posted 7 pictures and wrote, "The Audi Quattro, manufactured from 1980 to 1991, was the first rally car to take advantage of all-wheel drive and was among the first production road cars to use it. This model includes: All-wheel drive Inline 5-cylinder engine 5+R manual transmission working steering working suspension locking center differential"

On his Flickr photostream, rottemannen posted 24 pictures of his fantastic Lego Mobile Crane. He wrote, "LMC w 1kg counterweights 7 axle mobile crane made of LEGO, loosely based on Terex-Demag AC1000 and Liebherr LTM11200. Boom with 3 sections Scale 1:21 Width: 18 studs Length: 124 studs w/ boom, 102 wo/ boom Counterweight capacity: 2kg Lift capacity: 4 kg @ 20 studs radius Functions (tested and working): -Steering 4 front axles and 2 rear axles -Independent suspension (except on 5. axle from front) -Outriggers -Extract/ retract -Jacking -Slewing -Boom erect/ lowering -Winch -Counterweight lift/ lower (maual extraction/ retraction of boom) No room for propulsion (axles with propulsion and steering too wide) " If you don't get the angle or weight correct, this is what happens:

You could build Mahjqa's "Intermediate Power Functions Chassis" with PF parts you can buy on Bricklink.com .

Could you thread an 8L x1739 "Technic, Axle 8 with Stop" upwards from the bottom, and place the Axle Joiner higher up?

Have you looked in JunkstylegGio's Brickshelf gallery for the pictures you need? I found this one, but there could be more:

Recommend reading Sariel's "2010 Roundup" article on is website: http://sariel.pl/2010/12/2010-roundup/ . In early 2011, he plans on building this Tow Truck "which may pack as many as 13 to 14 motors and probably won’t be complete until February. It’s going to be a model with loads of functions and loads of details too (including, for instance, 40 Lego LEDs and 12 Lego light bulbs), and will be closely based on this truck": He is a most prolific Lego Technic builder:

Whoa, this dirt bike has a lot of features! I don't know if I've ever seen an "all wheel drive" dirt bike modelled in Lego Technic before. This dude wants to take it out for a spin:

In comment replies to his YouTube video, Crowkillers wrote, "This car doesn't actually have a Drive train transmission, it is a rerouting function box that alters the rotation and sends it into different directions to operate the different functions, and as far as I know, this is in fact My Design. I am 100% sure that the upcoming Lego 8070 works different than this and it also uses a motor and battery box." "I spent about 3 months working on this car and although I did get inspired by the upcoming 8070 set, I have done the best that I could to keep this model as different as possible. Sure the functions are similar, but i am sure that Lego has everything done in a completely different way and probably used worm gears to slow things down for the motor." There are 29 pictures on his Brickshelf gallery.

On MOCpages, Firas Abu-Jaber posted this Lego Morris Minor Hotrod. He wrote, "The Morris Minor was a British economy car that debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, on 20 September 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, over 1.3 million examples were manufactured from 1948-1971. Initially available as a 2-door saloon and tourer (convertible), the range was subsequently expanded to include a 4-door saloon in 1950 and wood-framed estate (the Traveller), panel van and pick-up truck variants in 1952. The Minor was manufactured in three series, Series I, Series II (1952) and finally the 1000 series (1956). One author described the Minor as typifying “Englishness.” Eleven pictures appear on his Flickr photostream. "I would like to thank the great group LUGNuts for this amazing challenge; it was a lot of fun to build this model, and definitely build a classic car again. Hope you like it, thanks for visiting my page. P.S. Thanks for my friend Bricksonwheels for the great chrome rims :)"

Mahjqa added this picture from his Flickr photostream: "Stilzkin Indrik - Camera sled -- I didn't go for self-propelled camera vehicles this time. Still, in order to get some nice moving shots, trailers of any kind can be very useful. The 24z gear with clutch allows the turntable that has the camera on it to turn, but keeps it in the right direction once it's there. Rubber bands, the easy way to fix cameras to other things. The front skids are 41671pb01 "Bionicle Bohrok Windscreen 4 x 5 x 7 (Color Streaked into Clear)" or 41671 "Bionicle Bohrok Windscreen 4 x 5 x 7 (Solid Color)."

Legoman104 (Owen ____ ) just posted this of his Lego Technic 6x6 Trial Truck. Although the camera work is a bit jiggly, the closeups show the sliding Universal Joint, three Lego Technic turntables, and two Linear Actuators that make the articulated joint.

Alban/ Alban42800 just posted a of his Lego Great Ball Contraption (GBC) "2010 Killer" -- "Special Setechnic GBC challenge without motor in 80x80x100 studs." He describes the creation on his original Blogo Technic (in French), and here is the Yahoo Babelfish translation in English:"There is almost 3 months the Setechnic forum launched the challenge “a a little special GBC” (here) with an objective not banal: To create an autonomous GBC not motorized holding in one limps of 80x80x100 tenons. Anio, administrator of the forum and initiator of the contest in additions a layer by reporting the “incredible machines” (here). Here thus my participation which become also my larger moc cuts some but also most useless. Let us start with the video available in HD: And of the photographs [there are 16 posted on his Blogo Technic; three are provided here]":

No, it is not there, but LDD Master Zblj has made substitute "LDD Custom Bricks" .lxf files available on this Eurobricks post. As mentioned before, in order to have the greatest selection of Technic parts, be sure to use LDD "Lego Universe Mode".

@ Ralph_S: Le Citroen est bon! I remember seeing lots of these in Paris in 1986 when I spent the weekend there. The hydropneumatic suspension allowed the car to "kneel down" when parked -- the original "low rider"! These French cars were quite advanced for their time, and your Lego model captures the curves well:

TheScooterGuy has made a Seed Drill attachment for the 8063 Tractor, and posted the Lego Digital Designer (LDD) .lxf Building Instructions file on his Brickshelf folder: JunkstyleGio had also modeled a Tailgate for the 8063 Trailer's bucket, and posted the LDD .lxf file on his Brickshelf folder:

The new blue colors could help distinguish between (black) Technic Axles and Technic Pins. When there is a pile with both of them, the different colors help sort them. There is no difference between RED 2L Technic Axles and the (older) black ones, but the red color helps distinguish them from 2L Technic Pins.