DLuders

There is a four-door Ferrari: "Since everyone else is getting in on the four-door supercar game, Ferrari might as well give one of its cars the taffy pull treatment. Rather than wait for one of the design houses classically associated with the Prancing Horse to apply masterstrokes of design, Russian enthusiast Krasnov Igor came up with his own quad portal thoroughbred. We're not thrilled with the results, but we'll bestow an A for effort. Looking like a Scaglietti that got tossed in the blender with an Elise's roof and a Lamborghini tail, the wheelbase and proportions just don't look quite right. Perhaps the Lambo tail is a nod to the car's intended role as a competitor to the Lamborghini Urus/Estoque/whatevertheywannacallit, but we're thinking that car's styling will be far more cohesive."

The website NXTprograms.com has many free Project Instructions for Lego Mindstorms NXT 1.0 and 2.0 sets. They come with the PROGRAMMING code too! "If you have a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT robotics kit, then this site provides free building instructions and downloadable programs for lots of fun projects. Projects designed for the young and young at heart! Only one NXT kit required, no extra parts are needed. Full building instructions with color photographs. No programming experienced required! You can simply download and use the programs provided. "Know some programming but want to learn more? Study the fully commented programs to learn how they work, modify them, and use what you learn in your own programs." There are DOZENS of projects, sorted by category, for NXT 1.0: * Fun and Games * Music and Sound * Cars and Vehicles * Weapons * Machines * Sensor Systems * Animals There are also dozens of projects, sorted by category, for NXT 2.0: * Fun and Games * Cars and Vehicles * Music and Sound * Weapons * Sensor Systems Projects are rated for Easy/Intermediate/Advanced/Expert Building. They even have a YouTube Channel!

On this Minipix blog, Matthew Dawkins ("MatthewMiniPix") explains in detail his Lego "Tumbler" car inspired by the "Batman Begins" movie. He wrote, "Each front wheel has its own steering mechanism, comprised of a transverse rack-and-pinion system linked up to a custom wheel bearing joint. You can see a little of the mechanism in the photo below. Not only do you have hardly any room in which to put all that mechanism, but it also has to be solid enough to support the weight of the rest of the vehicle. With the offset of the wheel and the looseness in the bearing I actually had a problem with the camber of the wheels. To resolve that I had to put some spacing at the top, effectively angling the whole wheel downwards to counteract the camber. "Alongside the complications of steering, the suspension system used in the Tumbler is quite unusual. The wheel sits at the end of an arm, which pivots at its connection with the rest of the subframe, and it held in place by two small springs for extra rigidity. The placement of those springs actually means a lot of spring force is needed, hence two springs on each arm rather than two; it’s all to do with turning forces and suchlike – the springs would have been more effective at a different angle, but then they wouldn’t look right. Thankfully they just about do the job ok." The first YouTube video shows the "Working chassis for a Lego Technic model of the 'Tumbler' from the movie 'Batman Begins'. Work in progress, but this video shows the suspension working on all four wheels, and real working steering on the front! I had to invent my own mechanism for that, using transverse rack-and-pinion systems on each arm to steer each wheel. It's all linked together and you steer from the back using what will eventually be the rocket booster! "Still got lots to do, so might post a follow-up later. The next technical challenge will be the canopy opening, which again I'm going to try to make as accurate as possible, technically-speaking. Then it's just a case of dressing it up appropriately and using up all my black pieces..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WWpRUPfXxg The shows the completed "Tumbler model based on the batmobile from 'Batman Begins', made entirely from Lego. Has working steering and suspension. See http://www.minipix.co.uk for more details."

I came across this interview of Nathanael Kuipers done in September 2009 by A. Verde. Nathanael explains his experiences in designing the 8292 Lego Technic Cherry Picker set, and his other great Lego sets and MOCs. On Brickshelf, he's known as "Industrialdesigner."

On MOCpages, Filip Flejsierowicz just posted 6 pictures of his "4 door Ferrari. I took the Lego 8145 and stretched it. It is a 4 seater now and has loads of space inside." This MOC has room for FOUR Technic Figures!

On his Brickshelf gallery, GYUTA posted 10 pictures and a video link to his Lego "Motorized Convertible Vehicle." It's 4-part convertible hardtop roof folds into the trunk (boot) with a very nice, 4-panel system powered by an older Lego Technic motor. A full-size Windows Media Player .WMV video file can be accessed from the thumbnail in that Brickshelf folder. If you can't open a WMV file, you can view this smaller, (nearly identical) instead, where GYUTA shows how his various prototypes were refined into the finished, studded model: He wrote on his MOCPages post: "Sometimes people makes what they want to have, so do I. This is the one in my wish list, HARD TOP convertible vehicle. This car is referred to the Volvo C70. So my convertible design is so simple. But I tried to make the convertible function as similar as I could. "To open a loop needs 3 functions at least. First, folding sub parts of the roof. Second, open the hatch for the folded roof. Third, let the roof into the hatch. My convertible works these functions with one motor at the same time. You can watch the roof-folding process in the video. And the other veiw points are the hood and the trunk can be opened manually. Also, A power-train is made in the engine room. 4 passenger seats, a room mirror, door pockets, shift gears, a drive wheel, a side brake, pedals, a navigation, air-con, displays, a glove box, and many things are in the passenger room."

If you see them side-by-side, the 8421 Mobile Crane from 2005 is much more "capable" than the 8053 Mobile Crane from 2010. The 8421 has more parts (1,885 vs. 1,289), so it cost more (US $150 vs. US $100).

On this Chinese blog, Johnny Tang posted 13 pictures of his Lego Wall-E robots. He's built it in five different sizes! The biggest one (Height 195mm, Weight 405g) is well done. Here is a rough Babelfish translation of the Chinese text into English: "Wall-E modelling is very simple, but moves joint's arrangement to be very actually ingenious, therefore also places this aspect with emphasis, both eyes have the active joint, may make the expression, both hands breaks by twisting in hands may install in the both sides different position, imitates the work which in the play can skid to break by twisting in hands, foot department (caterpillar band) the connection supposes in the base, has the multiple joints to be able to make the large scale movement, acts as far as possible again each kind of lovable shape." There are 10 pictures on his Brickshelf gallery. I can't cut/paste the Chinese blog's pictures here, but if you go here, you can see the five different sizes.

@ Squizz: Welcome to Eurobricks. "legolijntje" is correct -- Han does not have Building Instructions to convert the standard 8421 Mobile Crane to a "8421 XL", but he does have the Parts List (as you noted). It's on http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/ ; look for the "8421 XL" button on the left side of that webpage. I would accept legolijntje's offer to make a PDF file from the MLCAD file available on Han's website. You will have to exchange e-mail addresses somehow, or wait until you have at least 10 Eurobricks posts so that you can send "Private Messages" (PMs) to each other. The 8421's Building Instructions can be downloaded (page by page) from BrickFactory: http://www.brickfactory.info/ (search for the set "By Number")

TT's use of Bluetooth means that one doesn't have to crouch 2 meters away from your Trial Truck and block the infrared rays of the sun. His control diagram is interesting: From the Polish-to-English translation that Sariel provided, TT wrote, "Truck is equipped with two sets of NXT. One of them is a pilot. The control unit includes a fluid power control propulsion engines. Torsion coupled with a scoop on the remote control. And buttons to change gears. All parameters are displayed on the screen NXT. The big advantage is Bluetooth communication. The range is several meters, and has no impact on the sunlight. "The second NXT system is built into the vehicle and manages all machine functions. Over the in-vehicle system is PF, which also controls the sensor to the NXT HiTechnic IRLink. To drive the two motors are built with FP medium with the gearbox on the last bridge. Transmission in a version had 4 gears and pneumatic control actuators four young triggering the two solenoid-operated two PF medium. "In the second version of the gearbox with 3 gears. I managed to get rid of a bunch of gears. He was also removed all the pneumatic system, which replaced the one built into the NXT motor frame. The gear changes are mediated by tendon flex system (combine engine in the frame of the bridge). "Torsion in the vehicle is operated by a motor mounted on the frame NXT. Dummy engine is powered by one engine PF medium." More from TT's Brickshelf gallery, where there are lots of pictures:

Maciej Drwiega just added a new Peterbilt 359 Logging truck to his Flickr photostream photosets. The story accompanying the first picture below says: "When I was finishing the Pete logging truck it was obvious that it need an outdoor photo session. For several weeks I couldn't find a suitable time and idea how and where I should take these photos. "The best will be Snoqualmie or North Bend (WA, USA) as the model was inspired by the Twin Peaks TV series. But... it's ca. 12000 km from Warsaw... And even if I would be going to visit this area in nearest time, taking 1:13 scale Lego truck with me would be a real challenge :) I chose easier option and 420 km later I arrived to Bieszczady Mountains on the South of Poland. Nice place when you get few sunny days free and also not bad scenario for the Pete session. And here they are – some fresh pics from today. "Enjoy the photos and some more you can find on the BS folder: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=422501 ." Pictures of some of his other trucks were featured on the Espvisuals website. Click on the hyperlinks below to see the entire Flickr picture spread and stories about each of these vehicles: Kenworth K100 Aerodyne: "Built in 2006 and based on my first 1:13 scale truck. It's a model of late 70s / early 80s famous K100 Aerodyne. Under the cab replica of the Detroit Diesel V8 turbo charged engine. I have no idea how many bricks were used, but I remember that package with bricks for walls of the trailer was 3kg. The model -as almost all of my 1:13 trucks - still exists. The original brickshelf gallery is here. Kenworth W900 Longnose: "1:13 scale model of Kenworth W900 truck. It's 3 years old now. On the photos equipped with R6 Cummins BigCam engine, now it has Yellow Caterpillar 3406. 60" sleeper, long nose, white roof and high exhaust pipes. Something like a chopper truck." Jelcz 315: "It's a 1:13 scale Lego model of a typical Polish working horse from 70s and 80s - Jelcz 315. I finished it in the second half of 2007. Working turret and crane, replica of big R6 diesel and some details." Here are more from his Flickr photostream: Kamaz 5320: "After few US trucks I decided to turn into something completely different. Here it is. Built in 2008 1:13 scale model of one of the most popular working trucks in east Europe - KAMAZ. It's a 5320 model from 70s. V8 engine, working rear suspension etc. Enjoy the photos !" Kenworth K100 Day Cab: "... I started the model in the end of 2006. It had to be a standard working tractor with 60" cab. The color scheme had to be a tribute to my first 1:13 Lego model. In September 2007 I presented unfinished truck during Lego show in Kielce. Then the truck was to be a carrier for Holmes 850 towing machinery. After this time I discarded the project, disassembled the chassis and moved the cab to my "scrap yard" - a place for unfisnished MOCs. This year I found time for it again. Decided it will be a single axle lightweight tractor, maybe a hay truck. "It is powered by V6 turbocharged Detroit Diesel engine. The V6 made of Technic cylinders fits pretty well under the short cab. The general idea was to build just a simple truck. I've got almost ready single axle flatbed trailer for it. Needs only some detailing and will be ready for outdoor session." Peterbilt Trike: "I suppose some of you remember TV show called Monster Garage. In one of the episods the crew rebuilt an old Peterbilt semi into a trike. And here it is in Lego. I built it in 2007 just for fun, then it was published on brickshelf.com gallery." Detroit Diesel 6V92T: "Ca. 1:13 scale model of Detroit Diesel V6 turbo charged truck engine. It has working pistons and radiator fan - like all engines built for my large scale Lego trucks. "I decided to build a V6 for a truck for several reasons. The major one is that I consistently use Lego Technic cylinders which are too big for 1:13 scale. R6 engine will be too long for a day-cab truck (16 studs of head, fan and radiator, more than the total lenght of a cab). V8 will be too powerful for a single axle lightweight semi. Screaming two stroke V6 from Detroit shown as a perfect choice. More truck engines I have built you can find on a Brickshelf gallery: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=186800 ."

Here's a short 1995 TV commercial about Lego Technic. Admercial's is titled "Turn You On": Chaz2727 posted about the Lego Technic 8480 Space Shuttle set's TV commercial (from ~1996):

The fans attending LegoWorld in Zwolle, The Netherlands are going to really like seeing this special MOC!

Lyyar posted of a Lego Technic Trial Truck (TT) ZIS E154 built by "TT". It was driven at LUGPol's "Lego Truck Trial Mazovia Grand Prix 2010." There is no description accompanying the video, and I could not find any mention of it on the LUGPol forum (English translation), so could any LUGPol members tell us more about this MOC?

12csun just posted this YouTube video entitled "Lego 8043 modified Linear actuators". From the sound and the range of motion, the 8043 (repaired with the Service Pack) SEEMS to be operating as well as the TV commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBFgb4DYbI

On the TRX Project website, somebody created a motorcycle's "Hossack suspension" with Lego Technic parts. BMW uses this suspension (also known as "Duolever") for their K1300S motorcycles. "DrSlumper" wrote, "This suspension system is geometrically is a double wishbone system in wich the steering and suspension are both independent where the shock damper and the suspension links are not steered and the steering parts are not under efforts." There are 12 pictures of the motorcycle on DrSlumper's Picasa gallery.

Yes, the downloadable PDF versions are still available, but one must pay for them: http://www.isogawastudio.co.jp/legostudio/toranomaki/en/ . "If you are enough just to look at the PDF book on the screen of the PC, please get "Tora no Maki" from the Download page. Then please pay for it from the Payment Methods page, if you like it. If you would like to look at the printed books, please purchase them from "no starch press".

Yes, I got my 8043 Service Pack on September 27th. I live in Spokane, Washington. Perhaps TLG is supplying the replacements on a "first-come, first-served" basis. I contacted Lego Customer Service in early August 2010 when the problems were first identified on this Eurobricks forum.

I got my 8043 Service Pack (with the 4 replacement Linear Actuators) on September 27th. Being in Spokane, Washington, I live even farther from Europe than you do. Recommend keep telephoning Lego Customer Service.

Paul Boratko ("Crowkillers") e-mailed me and said, "I did not build those MOCs. It looks to me like that Fickr account was set up by someone who compiled pictures of MOCs that they liked. You may want to axe that thread so someone doesn't think that I am stealing other people's designs. I have been having enough of those issues with my own models being swiped. :) -Paul" I have modified my original post's title and opening lines. I believe that EXPOSING plagiarism, fraud, etc. is better than just deleting (or hiding) the problem.

No, I am not sure that "rolorun" is Crowkillers. From the Flickr photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/39946546@N04/ , one can see the Crowkillers Lamborghini Gallardo auction description. I ASSUMED that it was him. I have sent Paul an e-mail to alert him about my post; maybe he can reply to it definitely. I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest, but if Paul didn't know about "rolorun", he does now.

THEFT of "Crowkillers" and "AndreaGrazi" designs: On his Flickr photostream, Crowkillers/ rolorun (Paul Boratko, e-mail PB3@CROWKILLERS.COM ) has posted a series of pictures of his OTHER Lego Technic MOCs -- ones that are not shown on his Crowkillers website. I'm not talking about his Lamborghini Gallardo or Lamborghini Murcielago MOCs. He has building instructions for several other MOCs. Starting on this Flickr webpage, there is a series of 14 photos where he wrote which say: Lego Technic Racers Custom MOC Monster Truck III Lego Technic 4x4 Monster Truck III - MOC inspired by an idea by andrea grazi. In black and red as pictured. Built mainly from brand new lego parts. This set is not in shops. Fully revised version III of the Truck. Fully active suspension 4 Wheel Steering. Working V6 Engine. With two - 3v Red LED Lights with Fibre Optic Leads. Full independant 4WD using 3 differentials including the new diff from set 8297. approx 1400 parts. 2.2 kg Shipped unbuilt. Will ship international. With fully revised detailed build instructions on PDF file Starting on this Flickr webpage, there is a series of 5 pictures where he wrote which say, Lego Technic Racer Ferrari Enzo 8653 MOC Custom Black LEGO MOC Technic Enzo Ferrari in Custom Black - 8653 Custom Black Enzo Racer as pictured Similar to set 8653 with custom chrome wheels approx 1352 parts 2.2 kg With build 8653 instructions on CDrom 99% Identical to 8653 with colour change to main parts. Will post fully built Starting on this Flickr page, there is a series of 9 pictures where he wrote which say, Lego Technic Monster Truck MOC - 8466 off roader 8466 4x4 off-roader MOC Monster Truck - As Pictured Weight 2.5kg over 1300 parts. Mainly new lego parts, rest used parts in excellent condition. Fully working suspension 8 x shock absorbers Working V6 Engine. Can be configured for 2 or 4 wheel drive and 2 or 4 wheel steering. Will ship airmail worldwide fully insured. Will be shipped unconstructed. Full build instructions in PDF format (on a cd)- 15 sections - 58 pages of colour step by step photos with full part inventory. 2 technic figures included red and blue from set 8300. set includes all the parts and instructions needed to make set 8466 4x4 off-roader. Starting on this Flickr webpage, there is a series of 7 pictures where he wrote which say, Lego Technic Monster Truck - Model Team Mindstorm Dacta Lego Technic Monster Truck MOC - As pictured, Modified from an idea by Andre Grazi. last one of these! 2.1kg . Approx 1320 parts. Fully active suspension - Springs from 8466 / 8475. Working V6 engine with red pistons. Shipped unconstructed 90% Brand New lego parts, Full instructions included to rebuild on cd 58 page 15 sections pdf. - Full lego parts list / inventory. Full steering, Huge 8466/8475 Tyres. From this Flickr webpage, there is a series of 9 pictures where he wrote which say, Lego Kenworth K100 Aerodyne This may interest Model Team fans. This is a Lego MOC Kenworth Truck based on sets model team 5563 and 5571. Refined from a model by Andrea Grazi. The Truck is a fantastic build! This is the only one avaliable in the world. All brand new lego apart from the 5563 window screen - excellent used condition With full build instructions 50 pages, 200 pictures on PDF file. With full part inventory. Detailed V12 Engine. Lifting Cabin. Posted worldwide fully insured. Truck includes10 Metallic wheels from set 8285 technic tow truck, the truck will fit model team wheels from 5571 or 5563. 450mm long, 170mm wide, 250mm tall. over 1200 parts. 2.5kg weight. Will post fully assembled, with delicated parts wrapped seperately carefully - item is as pictured. Even if Crowkillers has already sold his MOCs and/or parts to build them, if you write to him at PB3@CROWKILLERS.COM , he may offer you the Building Instructions....

"chmykh" posted a variant of the Lego Technic 8415 "Dump Truck" set from 2005 (which had 290 pieces). Instead of a rear-dump, he made a side-dump truck. His Brickshelf gallery has 26 pictures that show the vehicle in various stages of assembly. Here is the original 8415 set: ...and here is chmykh's variant:

Klokriecher has made a series of YouTube video REVIEWS of the various Lego Technic models. This may be a good resource to see the various Technic sets before you purchase them: "Small Technic Sets" (1257, 1258, & 1259): "Dune Buggy Comparison" (8296 and 8207): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWUm6rm2KiY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWUm6rm2KiY "8433 Cool Movers": "8465 Extreme Off-Roader": : "Go-Cart Comparison" (8256 and 8219): "8237 Slammer Racer": "8266 Mud Masher": "8241 Battle Cars": "8236 Bike Burner": "8246 Hydro Racer": "8216 Turbo 1":

So, with the 8043 Service Pack installed, does everyone's Motorized Excavator now operate as shown in this 20-second ?