richthelegodude

I will also be buying this set mainly for parts too, but BrickLink maybe too tempting

Sorry my academic mode is kicking in . Is this opinion or fact? None of my friends had problems building the old sets - and we would be about 10 when building our 8880's. Plus as previously mentioned, if a members 5 year old can build the latest flagship model with little supervision surely something is a amiss . Also if kids can not build it themselves surely its a great teamwork exercise to get Mom or Dad to help out Sorry but this 10% is a guesstimation (as I like to call it in Academia ). Perhaps I am too much of a technic purist (I am a Meccano purist as well), but I want technic to push my kids (when I have some hopefully!) a little bit rather than being too easy. This process I have discussed is called disfluency, and I honestly believe all the technic and meccano sets (dare I say meccano on a technic board? ) I had as a kid have helped me to become a real life engineer (I am about 12 months from getting a Doctorate in engineering). In my opinion making it all too easy (and removing the problems, and hence problem based learning) is reducing Technic's educational advantage. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/01/the-benefit-of-ugly-fonts/ Don't get me wrong though, I do like the 8043 and I still love Technic

I guess this is aimed at me . By return I meant the return of large pneumatic sets in a similar ilk to the 8868. The last pneumatic set I really liked was the 8439 and that was 6 years ago... I know TLG stated LA's are not the Pneumatic's systems replacement, I just wish they would hurry up with more pneumatic sets (and hopefully new pneumatic parts!)

But what was the problem with the old instuctions exactly? I can not remember any of my lego friends ever having problems. Plus as RockeTeK has already stated, it helps kids visualise how to put multiple parts together, plus they still have to learn how a single part can lock the build all together (bracing beams anyone?). Something far more useful in my opinion than knowing how a singular peg works or how a singlular gear works ! If anything I think the older style instructions will help promote understanding of the build, over the instructions of the 8043 for example (with such small build steps would a younger builder fully see the bigger picture?), and on this note it has actually been proven in an academic study (I will get the links if you wish) that making the learning just a little more difficult actually helps promote long term understanding. Put it this way hopefully one day richthelegodudejunior will come along and I will be giving him some of my older sets for him to build first

Hi Dan, welcome to EB , enjoy your stay here and the building !

It just feels so dull and repetitive to build with such simplified instructions. I want to feel as if I have done something when building an off the shelf model . For example the 8865 test car is 892 pieces (almost 80% part count wise to the 8043) and uses 24 steps over 23 pages. I had no trouble building it or similar models (8880) when I was young, why can they not just carry on as they was ?, plus surely its best to have a little bit of a challenge in the build process itself for the younger builders and us AFOL's . @RockeTeK - just telling it how I found it

I have built this set, and it's sitting on my desk . My opinions / comments are : * Fun build (only about 5 or 6 hours so not too tedious) * Some of the design feels a bit sloppy, like axels going into beams by half a stud or the axle in the bracket (book 1, page 47 step 39) not full using both bracing points . * Instruction book 1, page 79 Step 35 uses a blue axle/peg connector (I did think of this problem while building but assumed it would be ok as the lego instructions say so). This causes a lot of friction and even on fresh batteries my motor is having problems shifting the driving rings. Sometimes it works sometimes it only half engages. I will change this with a tan peg and hoepfully it will clear up. I just read that this is not a mistake (not sure on this) but I will experiment for the good of lego kind! * Modern technic instructions are a real drag. Lost count of how many single piece steps there was! Come on TLG - I think technic users of all ages can handle more than 1 piece per step! * The how to sort your parts page, and how to not to drop parts on the carpet page in the instructions amused me , we have all been there... * The turntable is really quite stressed with all that weight, even though the designer has done a really good job trying to counterweight the superstructure. I think TLG needs to think about "extra beefy" turntables. . * Although I love the sets playability as an engineer I can not help but think Lego has strayed from modelling real life machinery (the Bulldozer 8275 I feel was particulary bad in this respect). No real excavator uses LA's, and I am looking forward to the return of pneumatics with the Unimog! Overall I like the set and it is very good, but it's not my favourite set - that crown probably goes to the 8480 and the 8880. Hopefully the unimog will really push the boundaries of lego sets N.B. I can confirm that changing from a blue axel/peg connector in book 1, page 79 Step 35 to a tan one (one spare at end of build) has solved all my problems, and there is sufficient strentgth in the structure

I wish I could have submitted some ideas, I would love to see the return of a monorail in a futuristic setting.

I prefer models which model real life, a 6 speed and reverse box would be nice, or even a seven speed + reverse. Plus this model looks to be stepping back to Space Shuttle type functionality (8480) if you think about it, so is it a step forward? Interesting yes but it's far from modelling a real car . I just wish lego technic sets would push the boundaries of what has been done before, whilst modelling real life as closely as possible. There is a lot of improvements Lego could do in modelling a real life supercar. Plus I want lego sets to inspire me like the 8880 did. I do not want the 8880 again, I want something that improves on it a lot , and although I will probably buy this model I have the terrible feeling it will dissapoint me. There is so much that could be done in the supercar and car line whilst modelling real life. Anti roll bars, power functions adjustable suspension, 4 wheel drive + steering, limited slip differentials (can be done, but seeing it an official set would be awesome!), proper shock absorbers (I have thought of using a pneumatic cylinder with the two ports connected and something compressing the hose), larger bigger and better gearboxes (powerable!), leaf spring parts (for modelling older cars), macpherson strut (can be done out of normal parts) but seeing it on official lego sets would be nice!, brakes using pneumatic 'cylinders' (I think drum brakes would be easily doable but they are not exactly sports car material ) with special lego felt lined brake pads and shoes, clutches (again probably felt lined friction plate) and pneumatic or flex actuated. There is so much that could be modelled in the car world On a side note I am designing a car with front torsion bar suspension, a rear live axle, and a 5 speed gearbox plus reverse (the real car I am modelling has a 4 speed + reverse but that would be a waste of gearbox space unless I could make a 1st gear idler type system like real gearboxes use). Still collecting parts for it

I have had the old 9V motor (74569) power some quite impressive (power wise) MOC's and official models. In fact the mechanical output power of this motor exceeds the 71427, 43362, and it puts out 86.53% of the mechanical power a small power functions motor. http://www.philohome.com/motors/motorcomp.htm Anyway enough of my short but pointless analysis haha, I can not see lego reissuing these old sets due to the motors. They have not made them for ages now and sourcing the motors would probably be a challenge. I do wish lego would offer PF motors with or without internal gearing down though. Making compressors becomes a very inefficient affair with so much gearing already done

Would love to see a scan of that magazine. It would be nice for lego to document the designers of the past too - even if it's just listing their names.

Why is it outdated ? I love the look of it, and its took TLC 17 years to catch up with similar functionality with the 8258. I don't understand why people dislike things purely for their age. Its a very capable set even today - but I think we all hope the Unimog beats it whilst also using pneumatics AllanP said the first set, the Air Tech Claw rig was released 1992

I already have an 8868 - but I would love to have one brand new MISB at a respectable price

I suggest we stop talking about it, and start building with it.

I was not around in the early 80's . Not too sure if it was on the old "service" sheets I had as a kid, I never really read them to be honest .

Thanks Ratshot! I also came out of the DA with Mindstorms set, I am currently building the 8043 excavator (its quite fun build) but I just can not get over the number of connector pegs used in studless. I have two tubs full of pegs just for this set. I rememeber my hands was starting to hurt at dissasembling the bulldozer for the same reason - so many pegs. I guess its that or struggling to get 1x2 plates apart for example . Some of the new parts are quite neat in the studless sets (like the brackets for bevel gears used in the base of the excavator). I guess I just wish lego would use whats best for the job at hand. Sometimes that will be studless sometimes it will be studded, but they seem to shy away from studded technic parts for some reason. I guess at the end of the day everyone has their own preferences

I agree there. I do wish TLC would re-release some of the old great sets, like the 8868, 8880, 8480 to name a few. I think they would sell well, but TLC seems to be shying away from studded technic, and I have no idea why ( perhaps studs and holes incurred higher cost due to the added complexity of the moulds? I have no idea to be honest) and I love the stuff

I do not think the security issue is true. If somebody that way inclined wants to pinch lego, with either boxes all they need is a penknife... With the modern sets they will just get a random bag rather than any particular parts / or the whole set though. Plus why should we let crime dictate the way we live? Catch and punish the blighters that do plunder things in shops and let us live nice lives again .

If lego sold the pneumatic one today I would buy it!

I wish to do some Futuron MOC's in the future (I can forsee another BL order on the horizon...). Not strictly futuron but I do remember an Ice planet set (I think anyway) in the local toy shop as a kid in the early nineties. I'm sure it came with a tray to freeze a mini fig - is my memory correct or have I dreampt this up ?

DrNightmare you fiendish lego thief! **hides his lego** Anyway I really doubt a couple of vacuum formed trays (say a yellow one plus a clear jewel tray) added that much cost in the grand scale of things. It's not precision moulded ABS or anything! There was a a fair bit more carboard in the old boxes mind, so a bit more cost there too. I agree with Allanp though, these cheap "kellogs" boxes (as I call them, just a big flimsy box with a bag with the stuff in!) really could be a doubled edged sword - they have little or no appeal to me, and I think it pureley is a cost cutting exercise. Considering TLC is now back in a financially healthy position (or so I was lead to believe) surely they could treat the fans to decent boxes again . I am also going to throw some of the new boxes that have collapsed in on themselves away - they are just too weak to be of any use . I know the internet is partly responsible, but a lot of people (myself included) still prefer going to the shop and having a look before handing over our hard earned cash. Plus seeing as TLC main source of money is kids, surely they should want to make kids choose Lego over what ever else is in the shop. I think some of the really old boxes was awesome too such as the boxes of the 744 and 733 universal building sets.

As much as I would love to see a Lego Ghostbusters set, I am a bit of a lego purist. I think the fun in lego comes from making the pieces you have to hand do a good job of representing the object your modelling. I guess I am nostalgic for the time where the Lego themes was a big enough brand in their own right .

Finally Lego have confirmed what I have always said. I really dislike it being called "Legos" . It is Lego or Lego Bricks/blocks/pieces.

As a kid, I always great fun doing Lego "window shopping". Walking around toys r us, looking at the "special parts" trays (as I called them back then , now known as jewel trays) to see what new and awesome parts was on offer in the set. Even smaller sets like the 8044 universal pneumatic set (my first technic set! ) had the almighty liftable lid and jewel tray of magic "special parts" goodness. I really miss the liftable lids / trays / jewel trays and viewable sets. The old boxes was also much stronger, my 8275 bulldozer box collapsed pretty much instantly after putting a light small set on top of it. I wish lego would bring the old style boxes back...

Hmm a fine abrasive polish might work like t-cut. Unfortunately most of these polishes contain petroleum distallates, so its suitability on ABS is very questionable. It might also loose its gloss. I did use this method to get a CD working the once, not something I recommend though