DLuders

TO ALL: Do you think that it is POSSIBLE to do something like that (launching a rocket from a vehicle) using ONLY Lego Technic elements?

Actually, I did not have anything to do with the MINDS-i development (other than buying the entire Lego Technic collection from one of the MINDS-i developers, who needed start-up cash). Here is another showing the MINDS-i system:

MINDS-i posted this -- "In this Video we took MINDS-i to the next level. Remember when you launched rockets in middle school? Take your school science project to the next level with MINDS-i. This 6x6 Chassis was decked out with dual suspension, a dual motor case upgrade, camo panels, and Estes Rockets that are mounted on a turntable for pan and tilt capabilities. With a security camera on the back you can safely explore foreign terrain. All this is built upon the elegant and durable MINDS-i quick lock system."Are You Ready for the Next Level in Robotics?!" See more at http://www.mindsirobotics.com .

The cover art on Sariel's LEGO Technic Builder's Guide has been updated:

On his website, Han posted PDF Building Instructions for a "Twin wheel modification for 9397 Logging Truck: Modification to apply 'Twin Wheels' and a double differential unit on the rear axles (2nd and 3rd axle); whereby the wheel width stays the same as the original set."

@ VFracingteam: Besides showing it at LowLUG meetings, are you planning on showing this marvelous creation at a Lego convention? Please don't say that you're going to take it apart!

@ Nico71: Mon erreur -- I switched out the photo above to show the correct drivetrain. Thanks for sharing your Wheeled Snake MOC -- your website is full of great Lego Technic creations!

Chicago AFOL Thirdwigg has posted many fine Lego Technic Creations on his Thirdwigg.com website, including his recent Lego Technic Zil 132 Trial Truck. He wrote, "A couple of months ago I was struck by a new design by Waler. It was refreshing to see a well made Trial Truck based on something a little different. I wanted to make a model of my own. Thanks to him for the inspiration, and for the great ideas on the cab and the fenders. "...I decided to go with a pendular suspension for the first and second axle and a trailing live axle for the third axle. All three axles would have a differential and a a set of portal axles. The first and the third axle would also have steering linked together. As is often the case with my trucks, I had the pendular axles held by a turntable with the steering function passed through the turntable by use of a differential. The second axle was held by a turntable in the front, and the steering differential passed through to provide steering to the final axle. The drive function powered all three axles and would connect to the transmission and motor in between the first and second axle. "The third axle was a suspended live axle that had a trailing setup created with the new 8110 pieces. This would allow for rotational and vertical articulation while connecting the drive shaft and giving space to the steering function above. The steering shaft would allow for movement via a CV joint. The Power Functions M steering motor was placed in the rear, and used a simple 1:9 reduction. "A Power Functions XL was used for the drive function and was placed between the front two seats. The motor was mounted on a sliding assembly for the gearbox function, much like the design pioneered by ATRX. I used my to move the motor through three gears, for a final ration of 1:7.5, 1:4.7, and 1:3. The gearshift worked perfectly. While the drivetrain was a little complicated, the gearing was rather simple. The battery boxes were place above the second axle side by side. This kept the weight centered, and as low as I could get it. "Finally I added a cabin and a cargo area. The cabin was straight from Waler’s design, as was much of the fender area. I used technic panels to create the cargo area, which also gave me a space to place the two IR receivers. This also hid the two battery boxes, and the wiring, and generally cleaned up the truck. I created two small doors in the top to assist with picking up the ZIL. I was done."

On his website, Nico71 posted a detailed description of his "Wheeled Snake" MOC. He wrote that "The building instructions as a photo sequence are going to come."

[bUMP] rottemannen recently posted this new photo on his Flickr photostream: "Finally managed to lift >10 kg, 10.8 kg (23.8 lbs) to be exact. Complete description here: ."

@ Flipz: Yes, you should upgrade to Lego Digital Designer 4.2.5 now. Here is a list of the improvements (and new LDD parts), here is a LDD file containing the pictures of those new parts, and here is a LDD file containing pictures of the bug fixes.

osuharding1 posted this -- "A brief video demonstration of how I have incorporated additional [Lego Technic] Power Functions to make Lego Technic 9397 Logging Truck fully remote control. 1 XL-motor drives both rear axles 1 M-motor for steering 1 IR Receiver 1 Remote Control 1 Set LEDs"

@ S.I: Well, you may have missed some good bargains on the four German eBay auctions you listed: Lego Technic 8421 Mobile Crane in Auction 1: 65,00 Euros (equal to US $84.99) Lego Technic 8297 Off-Roader in Auction 2: 42,95 Euros (equal to US $56.16) Lego Technic 8297 + 8466 + 8048 in Auction 3: 83,00 Euros (equal to US $108.52) Lego Technic 8455 Backhoe in Auction 4: 56,00 Euros (equal to US $73.26) You should keep looking -- there may be more bargains coming up!

Wow, what a generous guy Paul Boratko is! For those not familiar with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, "...the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors, and entire communities." Some child will have a BIG SMILE on his/her face after Paul's auction proceeds allows him/her to fulfill their wish....

What a nice Lego Technic Porsche Turbo S model! Here is what Spiderbrick wrote on his Brickshelf gallery (translated from Spanish to English): "Porsche Turbo S Black Edition" "Designed by Spiderbrick May 2012 Mechanical Version (without Power Functions) Typical: - Based on its line and original mechanic in the Porsche Turbo S - Motor Boxter of 6 cylinders I biturbo - Motor easily detachable (fight with 2 pins) - Reverse Gear box of 5 speeds and (original idea of Crowkillers) - Independent Suspension in the 4 wheels - Traction AWD" As Paul Boratko pointed out, here is Spiderbrick's original Hispalug topic (in Spanish and in this English translation).

AndyC has found the "Superman hair" part on Bricklink. You can type that number into LDD's search window (at the top of the Parts Pallette). If you start typing in "2429", that "Hinge Plate 1 x 4 Swivel Top / Base Complete Assembly" pops up. You don't have to pore through 1,000+ parts on LDD to find it.

@ Paul Boratko: Even IF your excellent Lego Technic Vampire GT model does not make it to 10,000 votes in Lego Cuusoo, folks can still make one like it (using your Building Instructions and Bricklink). You and many other Technic AFOLs on this forum have been MOST GRACIOUS in the time & energy it takes to share your creations with others. Don't be discouraged -- I bet TLG's Technic Designers have noted the Vampire GT, and maybe they'll produce a set like it soon!

That comment should have been done by Eurobricks Private Message (PM). There's no need to squabble here (where we are supposed to be "Uniting LEGO Fans Around the World")....

Actually, you are demonstrating the fine art of "Patching Out" (laying a patch of rubber down). A proper "Burnout" requires burning rubber (and lots of smoke):

On MOCpages, Leg0steen (Sjoerd Nieuwenhuis) posted many pictures and a Lego Digital Designer (LDD) .lxf Building Instruction file for the swiveling axle design:

Maybe if TLG releases new Lego Technic Figures, they will come with "Power Suits" like the one Sparkytron (Dylan Mievis) made, as shown on Flickr and MOCpages:

Who would have thought that a simple piece of plastic would cause so much consternation?