DLuders

I would imagine that the B-model images would be released in June, and the 2nd-Half 2013 (2H2013) Technic models be available for sale in mid-August 2013. Europeans seem to get them before North Americans do. The B-Model PDF Building Instructions sometimes takes weeks to get posted on the Lego.com website(s); we'll see if The Lego Group has learned from past neglect and gets them posted pronto (when consumers expect them to honor their 2-for-1 deal when buying the A-Model model).

@ Saberwing40k: One can actually take the two halves of a Technic Turntable apart (using a butterknife slipped in between the two surfaces) -- see . It's not a "bug". In fact, efferman used this characteristic to make this unique wheel assembly.

@ Boxerlego: That's a good idea -- did you find those nylon washers at Lowe's, Home Depot, ACE Hardware, or another national store chain?

I like it!

On the LEGO.com TECHNIC Designers Blog, Markus Kossman was interviewed about the 2H2013 Lego Technic 42009 Mobile Crane MK II: "April 29, 2013 New Mobile Crane 42009 is the biggest we've ever built! What did the Technic Team plan to do with the new Mobile Crane? With 2606 elements, the LEGO Technic Mobile Crane 42009 is the biggest, and most complex model we've built so far. It took a year to develop, from the first rough sketches, to the final model was approved. The last crane we built was in 2005 (8421 Mobile Crane). That was a very cool model, too. It had four axles, pneumatic linear actuators, manual outriggers, and it was very open. Our goal for the 42009 was to make the model even more sturdy, real life-like, and give it all the functions a real mobile crane has. The new elements and improved functions include: - Cross-axle with 8 tooth gearwheel without friction - Five axles, including four-axle steering - 8-cylinder engine - Power Functions - New outriggers controlled by gear box (up, down, in, out) - Motorized telescopic boom that extends in two stages - and it can lift heavy loads even when fully extended. - Seats and opening doors in crane and cockpit - Large linear actuators - Smooth surfaces gives it a very life-like look. How long does it take to build? I think an experienced LEGO Technic builder will probably be able to build it in 10-12 hours. So lots of building value! What can you tell us about the B-model? It's a container stacker, plus a container and a truck. The truck has four-wheel steering, and the container stacker has an extendable boom that can lift the container. When the grab arm is lowered onto the container and locked, it automatically centers the container into place, and you can lock the container onto the stacker arm. Not all the elements in the box are used in the B-model, but you actually get three models and that adds really great play value. We actually check the Gallery, so if you want to show off your Mobile Crane when you're done building, or if you build something else from the box, we would love to see it. So keep building, and go show off in the Gallery."

Nice tow truck -- is the cab-forward design prevalant in Australia?

Try Rebrickable.com's "Add Private MOC" feature. It creates a nice Parts List for your LDD .lxf file.

[bUMP] On MOCPages, Jonathan Petersen presented this idea for using the inexpensive Lego 55817 "Wheel Wagon Viking with 12 holes (55mm D., 7 studs Dia.)" to fit inside the standard Lego 54120 "Tire 94.8 x 44 R Balloon". That combination is not shown in "Match #280" in the Bricklink Tire on Wheel Relationships webpage. You need two Lego 4032 "Plate, Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole" and a Lego Technic Axle of your choice of length. I had these parts and tried them out -- they offer a nice tight fit and are an attractive alternative to the same-old Lego 44772 wheels that you usually see on those big tires.

Nexus Robot now offers a "60mm Aluminum LEGO compatible Mecanum Wheel" (the larger pictures of which are a bit too big to post here) -- "The 60mm aluminum mecanum wheel is the smallest size mecanum wheel in all of our mecanum wheels. it is a LEGO compatible mecanum wheel, it comes with an NXT compatible hub and an axle centre hub for the arduino motors and wheels. You can also use universal hubs to connect the wheels and motor. It will give you more choice, each wheel is comprised of 8 rubber rollers, these axles and rollers are sandwiched between two aluminum plates, use these mecanum wheels on your robot, it can be able to forward/backward movement, but also side to side. Using rollers set on 45 degree rotational axis parallel to the mai rotational axis of the wheel, all of you need to do is to add your drive motors, controller boards and batteries. Specifications: Diameter: 60mm Width: 31mm Number of rollers: 8 Number of plates: 2 Body Material: Aluminum Alloy Roller Material: Ruber Length of roller: 30mm Net weight: 86g Load Capacity: 3kg Download PDF Files: 60mm Aluminum Mecanum Wheel Nexus Robot also offers a " 58mm Plastic Omni Wheel for LEGO NXT and Servo Motor" -- "This is a latest design of 58mm LEGO compatible Omni directional robot wheel. It's useful as they roll freely. The 58mm plastic omni wheel is a robust, durable and double-row wheel that provides easy 360° movement with rotational and sideways maneuverability. It comes with an NXT- compatible hub and an Axle Centre hub for the Arduino motors. If you use this omni wheel on your robot, it can be able to [go] forward/backwards and rotate without changing its orientation. Specifications: Body&Roller Color: Black Wheel Diameter: 58mm Roller Diameter: 13mm Body Material: Nylon Roller Material: TPR Load capacity: 3KG Net weight: 60g Download PDF Files: 58mm -LEGO-compatible-Omni-Wheel

I try to build a Lego Technic MOC using real bricks first, then (maybe) model it in Lego Digital Designer. It takes a LONG TIME to model something in LDD first; I only do that if I'm away from my bricks and have no other choice.

Well, until The Lego Group offers a better selection of Technic Panels to cover up the "gaps", there's not much one can do. It's hard to make curved shapes with a modeling system that uses primarily right angles. If you don't like "gaps", perhaps you should do Lego "System"-type building:

Sorry, I totally disagree with you on this. Modern, currently-available Lego Technic parts have Technic Pinholes in them for the modern Technic Liftarms. Get used to it.

[bUMP] nicolas2k5 posted this about his fully "Robotic Lego Space Shuttle" 8480 set. The landing gear, flaps, cargo doors, cargo arm and satellites are all deployed via remote-control: He also posted this about the "Making of the Robotic Lego Space Shuttle":

@ Nico71: Thanks for sharing your PDF Building Instructions! The Rebrickable MOC webpage has been made public.

@ Tech-nick: You should consider posting your pictures on Flickr.com. The first 200 images are free, and one can easily select the 800x600 pixel size (the nominal maximum size allowed here at Eurobricks). One can also easily organize your pictures into Sets, add captions and tags, detailed descriptions, etc. Brickshelf often takes DAYS to get moderated and have your images "made public", and the length of the descriptions are limited to just a few lines. Try Flickr -- you'll like it!

@ Tech-nick: Welcome to Eurobricks! You can read why your pictures are not uploading correctly by reading this Eurobricks topic (for newcomers).

@ 1nxtmonster: Read this Eurobricks topic about "Posting" and other useful information for newcomers.

Nice MOC!

@ 1nxtmonster: Read this Eurobricks topic about "Posting" and other useful information for newcomers.

@ 1nxtmonster: Welcome to Eurobricks! I liked your Trial Trucks that you posted on BrickTruckTrial.com , and enjoy looking at your website. There are some good tips and Building Instructions on your website, like the LDD .lxf Building Instructions for your Lego Rock Crawler:

Welcome to Eurobricks! If you go to your local Hobby Shop, you should be able to get RC-type tire glue. All you need is a small dab of it to secure the tire onto the wheel. The Power Functions XL motors have more torque than the L-motors that came with your 9398, but you lose ~1/2 of your rotation speed.

Nice -- if you change the color scheme, you could make "Squidward"!

@ Lipko: Your model is great -- please e-mail your LDD file to me at LudersDG@MSN.com . Thank you.

The latest timetable was posted on The Lego Group's Facebook page and reported in this Brickset article: "More details about this have emerged on Facebook: Just 20,000 will be made, it will be priced at US$199.99, CA$249.99, £139.99, €179.99, DKK1499, and will be available from August 1st 2013, with pre-orders starting on July 1st."

Hmmm, the author (Mark Rollins) is in nearby Pullman, Washington (about 90 miles from me), but I never heard of him.