DLuders

If I had a choice between using Lego NXT or Power Functions (PF) for REMOTE CONTROL vehicles, I'd pick PF every time for these reasons: 1) The motors are more powerful and compact (see Philo's excellent Power Functions Presentation and Technic Motors comparison at http://philohome.com/tech.htm ). 2) It's much more "user friendly"; one can just "build and go" without having to learn NXT programming . 3) There's EXPANDIBILITY with PF (one can just keep adding PF Battery Boxes and PF Receivers to make more complex MOCs; this is difficult to do with $100+ NXT bricks). Check out Blakbird's Technicopedia at http://www.ericalbrecht.com/technic/ to find a set you like. Most of the Power Functions sets are available on eBay or at Bricklink ( http://www.bricklink.com ). Just type in the set number and see what pops up.

OK, I just spent a few hours typing up the complete Parts Inventory for Jurgen Krooshoop's "Little Devil" RC Sportscar. I added in the parts that Brickstore couldn't import, and was careful to capture all 1,609 parts. If you want a copy (in either Excel or PDF format, or both), please e-mail me at LudersDG@MSN.com and I'll be glad to send it to you. Legoman777 and Blakbird, an e-mail is on its way to you. The car functions are further explained on Jurgen's MOCpages site http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/181099 . Thanks, "Jurgmeister"!

From the website http://finance.yahoo.com/news/LEGO-Systems...ml?x=0&.v=1 : * +31% increase in consumer sales over 2008 marks fifth consecutive year of U.S. consumer sales growth * Gained nearly one full share point in overall U.S. toy market, to a record high 3.9%, moving up in manufacturer ranking to #4 * #1 rank in U.S. construction toys further bolstered with category share increasing +5 points to 78% * +90% increase in U.S. preschool construction and +33% increase in 4+ construction sales * Strongest growth rate of any top 10 U.S. toy manufacturer Playing in a new category The company announced that it is taking its play pattern and values into a new U.S. toy category in 2010 with 10 premium constructible board games aimed to capture share of the children's games category. Each of the 10 LEGO Games leverages classic board game play of guessing, strategy, memory, logic and chance to offer a new way to play with the LEGO brand. The first five LEGO Games are due to release online on March 1, and all 10 will be available August 1 in the board game aisle at retail. "With the core of our business stronger than ever, we have the good fortune to explore ways in which to translate the LEGO values into new ways to play with the brand," Laursen said. Â "We are confident that the LEGO brand will bring new energy to the board games category, and we're bullish about our ability to grow the brand beyond construction toys."

Blakbird, there is a problem with using Brickstore ( http://www.brickforge.de/software/brickstore/index.en.html ) to open the Little Devil's LDraw file to generate a parts list. I imported the LDraw file named littled.mpd , but there were 32 ea. parts that were not recognized by the Brickstore program. When I tried looking up those parts using Bricklink's Catalog function, it said that the items could not be found (i.e., those part numbers don't exist). So, I "skipped" all 32 parts by "deleting" them from the Brickstore parts inventory list. After the (now incomplete) parts list was displayed inside the Brickstore program, I selected all of the elements and tried exporting the list to an XML file. However, it "bombed" and went to an Internet Explorer "Page could not be displayed." I used Windows Explorer to see the "Brickstore cache" on my C-Drive (under my User name), but there was no XML file there to open up in Excel to print out the parts list. I tried the "Ctrl+E, Ctrl+I" key sequence to try to export the parts list, but that didn't work for me either. So, I just printed the list directly out of Brickstore but I have absolutely no idea what the missing 32 different parts are. Can somebody who's successfully exported the COMPLETE parts list please e-mail it to me at LudersDG@MSN.com ? What I'm after is not just the quantity and PICTURE of each part, but the BRICKLINK PART NUMBERS, quantities, and colors needed. I'd really appreciate it; thanks. There are two Lego Power Functions (PF) remote control (RC) units you can use to "drive" the Little Devil: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=8885-1 or http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=8879-1 . The first one makes the PF motors go FULL ON (with no speed modulation); the second one (used for the Lego RC trains) can allow for a more realistic SLOW START and SLOW STOP with its speed control dials.

I never could solve the standard Rubik's Cube the old-fashioned way. You might as well put my head in the Rubik's Solver contraption and twist my brain around, because it's too hard for me!

The instructions for the "Easy Rider" #8202 Bungee Chopper set are available at http://us.service.lego.com/en-US/BuildingI...ns/default.aspx . After you type in the set number, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of that webpage to see the downloadable building instructions (for both the Main and Alternate models).

It won't be long before The Lego Group says, "And the winner of the LEGO Technic Challenge Competition is.... allanp!" What a well-designed model! Although I had submitted a contest entry (a 4-engine cargo plane), your MOC is MUCH BETTER than anything I could do.

Wow! What an expert job in creating the building instructions & parts list! Thanks, Jurgen! You're a mult-talented man (creating the car and the YouTube video's MUSIC too)! This car has all the features a Technic fan would want -- Power Functions driveability, lights, working engine and steering wheel. This is easily the coolest Sportscar MOC I've seen, so I'm gathering needed parts to build it!

Yes, the #8868 Air Tech Claw Rig set from 1992 is very good, but you made it better. Be sure to see Blakbird's review of the original model at http://www.ericalbrecht.com/technic/8868.html . I wish I had that set!

OK, I've been wrong twice on this topic, so I give up. My advice to "habit" is to just buy a threaded rod from a hobby shop and be done with it. Legos can do a lot of things, but they can't do EVERYTHING. Build your machine and don't get hung up on making it 100% Lego.

Here is a link to "Inex Lego-Compatible Axle Connectors" (stubs, 10 per pack): http://www.robotshop.ca/inex-lego-axle-hub-connector-1.html . You could use a round metal axle from a hobby shop and stick the axle connectors on the ends. Polulu Robotics and Electronics has "LEGO Wheel Adapters for 3mm Hexagonal Shaft (pair)": http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1011 . Alas, "The LEGO wheel adapter is made of ABS plastic, similar to the plastic used in LEGO blocks." It seems that in 1970 (according to Peeron.com), Lego produced an x1208a "Technic Metal Axle Short": http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x1208a . However, when I tried typing that number (x1208a) into Bricklink.com's Catalog, I didn't get anything. However, there are 8 ea. x1687 "Train Wheel RC Train, Metal Axle" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x1687 ) in the "Emerald Night" Set #10194. It appears to be METAL since it only comes in a Chrome Silver color, and it's 5 studs long (5L). From the large picture on that site, it's hard to tell whether the cross section is ROUND or x-shaped. The #85489 RC train wheel (flanged driver) has an x-shaped hole (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=85489b ), and according to Bricklink.com, 4 ea. of them come in the same Emerald Night Set #10194. It appears that the 5L metal axles go onto the flanged driver wheels. There are only 7 ea. x1687 metal axles for sale at Bricklink.com right now: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=x...&colorID=22 .

If you want to keep your model "100% Lego" (and not just go to a Hobby Shop to get a threaded rod for a model airplane or something), be advised that Lego DID make two steel THREADED axles. Here's a link to both the 10-studs-long (10L) and 4L types: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?q=threaded . They both used the Technic Axle Nut http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4698 . You could also consider using Lego-compatible custom ALUMINUM parts (click on the "Show All Custom Items" link at the left edge of the screen): http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=InanimateReason . With them, you could easily build a robust model that could handle the torque.

One could also use a Linear Actuator ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=61927c01 ) , connected to the Power Functions Medium motor, to move the steering left and right. This setup results in slower steering movements (with no sudden lurching left and right). There's an internal clutch inside the Linear Actuator. I must admit, though, that the simple Clutch Gear ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60c01 or http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6542 ) is much simpler and less expensive.

Be advised that Han's website is now located at http://www.designer-han.nl/lego/index.htm. It contains excellent instructions for modifications to various Lego Technic models.

Your wish has been granted for Lego-compatible liftarms that have holes on ALTERNATING SIDES. There are 3L, 7L, and even 21L versions available from this Bricklink store: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=InanimateReason (look on all three pages).

OK, there are some good suggestions on the "Embassy" thread from May 2009, but there are too many non-Technic parts mentioned. My thread is concentrating on Technic. I'd like to see the phantom Power Functions SMALL motor. There's already a LARGE ("XL") PF motor and a MEDIUM PF motor, so it's logical to expect a SMALL PF motor. It sure would be ueful to attach on the ends of liftarms (high speed but low torque applications).

If you could ask The Lego Group (TLG) to create a new part for your Technic MOCs, what would it be? "Hi-Lift" wants "a heavy 64T turntable made with 4 main parts 32 screws 32 nuts and 3 mm diameter balls": http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=385425 . "ErikLeppen" has many wishes for new parts: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=396420 . "Jamavamo" wants new differential design: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=382952 . "Radbot" wants various geartrain, drivetrain, and suspension elements: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=196086 . "Barman" has designed new parts to fit the Lego pneumatic system: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=376243 . He also has designed "Parts to couple 2 linear actuators. See the examples and the gif animation how it all works": http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=376249 . Finally, "Barman" has many other unique part designs that would be COOL if Lego produced them: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=376235 . Do YOU have any designs in mind? Sketch them out or describe them here -- TLG may be listening!

Great review of the first PNEUMATIC set in years! I'm going to get one soon, and then mod it with some spare pneumatic parts that I've had for years. I'll try to add the mini-pneumatic cylinder to the claw and maybe add some "teeth" to better hold onto the logs.

For ease of 3-Dimensional building, my favorite is the #64179, "Technic, Liftarm 5 x 7 Open Center Thick" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=64179 ). It has holes on ALTERNATING SIDES, and can house the new-style Technic Differential #62821 ("Technic, Gear Differential with inner Tabs, 28 Bevel Teeth", http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=62821 ). Gears don't slip at all when everything is housed inside the 5x7 Open Center Thick Technic Liftarm!

Yes, Lego Technic has come a long way from the Year-1982 Universal Set #8090 (which you have pictured next to the #8258 Crane Truck). See Blakbird's review of the #8090 set variants on the Technicopedia website http://www.ericalbrecht.com/technic/8090.html .

What Lego part is the MOST USEFUL for your Technic creations? Which single part do you use that is a KEY PIECE that lends the greatest benefit to your MOC? I'm not talking about simple, common items like Lego Technic Pins, Bushes, or Technic Axles. Since it's movie Academy Award season and there are 10 nominees for "Best Picture", here are 10 nominees for "Best Lego Piece" for Technic MOCs. I picked one from different categories of parts (electric motors, Technic panels, Technic gears, Technic Liftarms, etc.). If you add your own nominees, please describe the item using Peeron.com or Bricklink.com or Bricklink's "Parts Catalog" dropdown list at http://www.bricklink.com/catalog.asp . The nominees are (in no particular order): #58121c01, "Electric, Motor 9V Power Functions Large with Dk Bluish Gray Bottom" [Power Functions XL Motor]: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=58121c01 #64782, "Technic, Panel Plate 1 x 5 x 11": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=64782 #32269, "Technic, Gear 20 Tooth Double Bevel": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=32269 #64179, "Technic, Liftarm 5 x 7 Open Center Thick": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=64179 #32009, "Technic, Liftarm 1 x 11.5 Double Bent Thick": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?q=32009 #48989, "Technic, Pin Connector Perpendicular 3L with 4 Pins": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=48989 #40345, "Technic, Brick 6 x 8 Open Center": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?q=40345 #57518, "Technic, Link Tread Wide with Two Pin Holes": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=57518 #32195b, "Technic, Steering Arm 6.5 x 2 with Towball Socket Rounded, Chamfered": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=32195b #48452cx1, "Technic Turntable Large Type 2, Complete Assembly with Black Outside Gear Section": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=48452cx1 Please say WHY you like the part and how it's MOST USEFUL to you.

Yes, the Lego Education website sells lots of robotics-related gear that is compatible with Lego elements. For US users, there are 5 pages of goodies listed (some of which is TETRIX) starting on the website http://www.legoeducation.us/store/default....;c=1&bhcp=1 . The TETRIX Robotics system is explained on the website http://www.legotetrix.org/ . I know, I know, some of this is "not Lego". Well, so what? Lego doesn't make (and has not made) everything it endorses over the years. Remember the large Samsonite gears? They're just as much "Lego" as is HiTechnic.com sensors and Mindsensors.com stuff. If you simply dismiss TETRIX and other robotics stuff as not being "worthy" of Lego, you're missing out. If it is directly (or indirectly) sold through the Lego Education website, isn't that enough for the Lego "purists" out there?

I did a search under the term "Limit Switch" in the TechnicBricks Blogspot http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/search?q=limit+switch, and came up with several interesting articles on how the Lego Linear Actuator's internal clutch could be used as a "limit switch" in Technic Power Functions applications. There is also some good info on Philo's website http://philohome.com/tech.htm .

"What's That Coming Over the Hill? Is It A Monster?" Well, YES IT IS! Wow, that's a big MOC! You can easily clean up the debris from the "Brick Truck Trials" with this loader! I like the X-16 engine, air compressor, and valve actuator setup -- all easily accessible with the hinged access panels. Great job, and thanks for sharing the pictures and video!

Thanks for the pics. My son and I have a Lego 8421 Mobile Crane that's just BEGGING to be motorized. If you want to finish your project, you can buy the needed 20cm Power Functions Extension Wire and PF Medium Motors NEW from Bricklink at reasonable prices: Extension Wire: http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID...85&invNew=N . Power Functions Medium Motor: http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID...86&invNew=N .