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Technic

alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
in Building and Techniques
I built my first Technic model this week.  Set #8446. Got it sight unseen from an auction, no guarantee as to completeness, for $27.  Missing no major pieces (not missing a $5 part after all).  It was missing a few minor pieces that I was able to replace from the pile I was sorting through yesterday, and I was able to complete the model while still missing one minor piece - that I may very well have sitting here somewhere when I’ve sorted through everything.  Final Analysis: Score!!

But to the point of this thread - building it - I came to the conclusion that the people who conceived, designed and manufactured the Technic line are freakin' geniuses!! It seems like they thought of everything! And this was an old set too (1999). I bet new stuff like the BWE is really something!

I wonder how much development effort went into creating and perfecting the basic Technic design elements and how they went about it.  Was it one guy thinking about it at night?  Or was there a room of people given the task of coming up with "a way to build stuff with gears and such", or what?

Previously - I always thought the Technic stuff was kind of lame due to the appearance of the models - all the holes everywhere and such.  But having built one now, I can say I find it far more interesting than building non-Technic Lego sets.

Hats off, to the Technic dev team!

sid3windr

Comments

  • HuwHuw Administrator Posts: 7,120
    Yep, Technic is awesome, but surprising that you should come to that conclusion too having built what's a relatively lame set released when the Technic theme was going through its weird 'futuristic' phase.

    I find the evolution of Technic fascinating. I think we can be sure that the original designers back in 1977 when they came up with bricks with holes, a connecting pin, a few sizes of gears, and not much else, didn't have any idea it would become what it has today.

    Even then, they were building on prior art: gears (the huge colourful ones) and axles appeared some years earlier.

    The ultimate Technic set, in my opinion, is the Claas tractor #42054. It packs in so much functionality into a small(ish) vehicle. Make that your next one!
    sid3windromnium
  • alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
    edited November 2017
    I dunno what's weird about 'futuristic' stuff, given some of the other stuff they've been pumping out.  I'll take original, futuristic sets over Hollywood "commercialize your children" or "violence-oriented" sets ANY day.  But yes, I have noticed that most of the Technic sets seem to be based on real-life vehicles.

    I will check out your tractor...it is at a good price right now too!

    I don't think I will be building anything soon though.  I only built this one to see if it was missing any pieces. Once I make it fully complete, it will go back into the box and wait for my 1 year old to get old enough to build it.  All the stuff I am buying will just get stashed for this purpose.....so it will be a while (:

    However, I've also bought a bunch of boxes of bulk Legos, and there are plenty of Technic pieces in them. I will have quite the chore sorting them out and organizing them.  However, having now actually BUILT one, I at least have a better idea of what I am looking at when trying to do so (:
  • FauchFauch Member Posts: 2,712
    so I took a look at #8446 and my first reaction : what the hell is this thing? (well, ok, it looks like a kind of truck).

    I was pretty impressed by the claas xerion too, like the designers must have headaches trying to figure how to make everything works and fit into the model.

    in another hand, many technic models seem to use rather basic mechanisms, well, maybe it's difficult to do better on small models. sometimes the crank to activate a mechanism is right next to what it makes move, that seems almost pointless.
  • alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
    Fauch said:
    so I took a look at #8446 and my first reaction : what the hell is this thing? (well, ok, it looks like a kind of truck).
    All I know is that if I could buy a real one, military surplus or something, I'd be all over it.
    Fauch said:
    I was pretty impressed by the claas xerion too, like the designers must have headaches trying to figure how to make everything works and fit into the model.
    I don't really have the money for it right now....but you guys are making me seriously considering taking advantage of the big sale on it at the moment. Ugh...just what I need, to spend more money (:
    Fauch said:
    in another hand, many technic models seem to use rather basic mechanisms, well, maybe it's difficult to do better on small models. sometimes the crank to activate a mechanism is right next to what it makes move, that seems almost pointless.
    I think the purpose of such things is the development of the linkages - the know how - not as a practical "play device" type of thing. I mean, strictly speaking, why use knob controls at all to move something, instead of just moving it by hand?
  • ColoradoBricksColoradoBricks Member Posts: 1,659
    I have a soft spot for the older Technic models, like the #8462 Tow Truck, it looks odd (in a good way) but having those little "extras" like the metal hook and the air tanks made it look that they didn't try to make it as cheap as possible.

    Still have to build the Class Xerion, right in the middle of the BWE right now :)
  • FauchFauch Member Posts: 2,712
    122$ ? I agree about not cheap.
  • Addicted2OxygenAddicted2Oxygen Member Posts: 470
    @alaskaguy sounds like you are in a similar place to me. As a kid I was put off technic because of the holes and the appearance, and not for minifigs. But I have always been fascinated with the engineering and mechanisms - #8002 is one of my favourite sets. I love building the technic frames and mechanisms in 'normal' system lego sets, and thanks to @Huw I have taken the plunge into technic. #42065 RC Tracked Racer will probably be my first proper build when I start on my technic stash.
  • alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
    RC Tracked Racer is on my list. I'm sure I will have it before the year is out. THAT one might actually get played with sooner than later. Even though he can't build it, he can have fun chasing it around (or being chased, however it works out).

    Meanwhile...this green monster that I just built may be an "experimental platform" for learning various things.  I might try to re-engineer the steering to make it suck less, build boxes for the gear sets, put an engine in it, give it power functions, etc.  I've got $27 into that set, and a boatload of bulk Technic parts here.  I bet I can do some interesting things with it.
  • CyberdragonCyberdragon Member Posts: 551
    You can put minifigs in technic. Just tie them to the seats and make it look like seatbelts. Of course, this only works for sets with the right scale, but you could also use the mini dolls since studs don't matter.
  • MrJacksonMrJackson Member Posts: 454
    The RC racer is cool; I usually play with it for at least a bit each time at at work. Certainly helps sell them. And I agree about the CLAAS; technic has become my favorite sub-theme after city/modulars. And there's some good technic sets out right now. 
  • alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
    edited November 2017
    OK, OK, I'm convinced. I just bought the #42054 on Amazon@ $132.51. Minus the 5% I get back from the Prime credit card, and that yields $125.88!

    Thanks a lot!
    HuwAddicted2Oxygen
  • drdavewatforddrdavewatford Administrator Posts: 6,756
    alaskaguy said:
    OK, OK, I'm convinced. I just bought the #42054 on Amazon@ $132.51. Minus the 5% I get back from the Prime credit card, and that yields $125.88!
    Excellent set - I don't think you'll be disappointed.
  • BooTheMightyHamsterBooTheMightyHamster Member Posts: 1,560
    Good choice, @alaskaguy
    While I do build a bit of Star Wars / Architecture stuff, Technic is my 'thing' really, when it comes to Lego.  I've been building it off and on for about 5 years now (so nothing like as long as Huw et al), but I'm still amazed when I'm building a medium to large set.  It can be difficult enough to build when you've got instructions to follow - I'm completely in awe of the people who design this stuff from scratch!

    And if you find you're interested in how this stuff works, can I recommend you pick up (ideally via one of Huw's links!) Sariel's Book - The Unofficial Lego Technic Builder's Guide:


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unofficial-Lego-Technic-Builders-Guide/dp/1593277601/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510996771&sr=1-1&keywords=unofficial+lego+technic&dpID=519qv7GmRVL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
  • alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
    edited November 2017
    See my post in the TRU shopping thread for details, but I just got the CLAAS tractor for $100 at TRU! 

    I cancelled my order with Amazon (;

    poster above: have that book already - thanks (;


  • BooTheMightyHamsterBooTheMightyHamster Member Posts: 1,560
    I am liking the look of the 2018 Technic line up so far.  The #42078 Mack truck looks impressive, the #42077 Rally car looks good fun, and I'm glad there's some alternatives to contruction equipiment with the #42077 hovercraft and #42074 racing yacht.

    That #42084 Hook Loader though - that'll need to be under £10 if I'm going to pick that up.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    The Mack truck looks very good - it reminds me quite a bit of #5590, which was the best set I ever got when I was young. I'll definitely be getting it. Plus, all those metallic grey parts!

    I thought the rally car would be quite good, but I'm really not feeling it.
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,730
    The B Model for the Mack truck is just as good if not better than the main model and that is really saying something. I really dig the rally car too. Haven't ever been too big into Technic but that might be about to change.
  • theLEGOmantheLEGOman Member Posts: 1,524
    The rally car looks like it has the orange GT3 Porsche front wheel arch in blue holding up the rear spoiler, so orange, purple and blue for that part now.

    @BooTheMightyHamster The Hook Loader will probably be the years £8-£9 set.

    It's a massive shame that these were not released as the 40th anniversary sets.
  • theLEGOmantheLEGOman Member Posts: 1,524
    Gold dog mascot on the Macks bonnet as well. Nano animal, Nanomal?
  • AstrobricksAstrobricks Member Posts: 5,566
    BooTheMightyHamster said:
    I am liking the look of the 2018 Technic line up so far.  The #42078 Mack truck looks impressive, the #42077 Rally car looks good fun, and I'm glad there's some alternatives to contruction equipiment with the #42077 hovercraft and #42074 racing yacht.

    That #42084 Hook Loader though - that'll need to be under £10 if I'm going to pick that up.
    Hovercraft is #42076. I like it.
  • george_pgeorge_p Member Posts: 1
    I wanted you to show Racing Brick's comparsion: http://racingbrick.com/2017/11/lego-technic-42078-mack-anthem-proportions/
    You can see what's the difference between the real MACK Anthem, and the LEGO version of it. I hope he doesn't mind it...
    Great job from him, thanks.



    (Szia RB, remélem nem baj, hogy linkeltem a cikkedet. Úgy gondoltam, ide kívánkozik. Jó ötlet volt és remek a kivitelezés. Köszi!)

    Mynattkiki180703TXLegoguyTechnicNicksid3windrJohnyk668
  • alaskaguyalaskaguy Member Posts: 335
    theLEGOman said:
    It's a massive shame that these were not released as the 40th anniversary sets.
    What would the advantage of that be?
  • omniumomnium Member Posts: 831
    edited November 2017
    george_p said:
    I hope he doesn't mind it...
    Personally, I've never minded other people linking to my photos. But downloading them and uploading them to another website always bothered me.

    That aside, it's a great comparison. The Technic version looks fabulous and I'm pretty sure I'll be buying it.

    As per Huw's comment about the Claas tractor #42054 - I agree, it's fabulous. I don't keep many Technic sets built, but this one has pride of place.
  • pharmjodpharmjod Member Posts: 2,916
    The claas was @$92 or so this morning at Amazon. I hope some of you got it.
  • andywilsonandywilson Member Posts: 63
    Probably hijacking the thread - but how on earth do you remove a 4274 pin when you can't get to the rear and you don't want to use your teeth?

  • kendalbrickskendalbricks Member Posts: 49
    andywilson said:
    Probably hijacking the thread - but how on earth do you remove a 4274 pin when you can't get to the rear and you don't want to use your teeth?

    Could you insert a 4L bar (30374) into the exposed end of the pin, and use a little sideways leverage to pull it out?
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,270
    edited November 2017
    andywilson said:
    Probably hijacking the thread - but how on earth do you remove a 4274 pin when you can't get to the rear and you don't want to use your teeth?

    Push a 6L/4L bar into the centre of it and pull it out :) If it doesn't want to come out, angle the bar slightly when pulling.

    EDIT: Ah, great minds... :)
  • SithLord196SithLord196 Member Posts: 1,161
    I'm actually working on #42054 right now and I must say that the steering mechanism is so simple and yet clever at the same time. 

    Another set I particularly loved was #42053 Volvo EW160E. I didn't think much of it until reading Huw's review on the main page, and decided to purchase and build it, and it was one of the more enjoyable sets I've ever built. 
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