Post by J1A3L5 on Dec 5, 2005 15:39:44 GMT -5
Name: Mobile Crane
Number: 8421
Theme: Technic
Year: 2005
Pieces: 1884
Figures: 0
Links: LUGNET, Brickset, Shop At Home, Bricklink
Price: $150 USD.
Wow. There's a lot to say about this set, simply because there's so much of it!
On a Canadian catalog code we were given (I'm not sure if it was intended for everyone's eyes or what,) I picked this up for $150 Canadian. ($50 off) I helped Nathan partly build his set at NWBC, doing the differentialed axle section, and a couple other parts...I hadn't build serious technic in a long time, and realized this set was incredible! Unfortuantely the build time was so long it never even got to completed.
About the build time, I understand it was speed built by 10 people in 1h40. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it wouldn't surprise me. This is a massive, complex set. I built it slowly over several days, so I don't know how long it took...if I had done it all straight-through, it would have taken all day, literally!
So, about the model and it's features:
-6 wheel steering, driven by a large gear at the back.
-2 fixed wheels that drive a V6 engine, and have a differential system.
-Working outriggers, activated by a small gear at the back. They actually do lock down somewhat, so they can actually be funtional.
-Pneumatics that lift and lower crane arm. The pneumatics are pretty simple setup, just two opposed pistions. They are a new type though, and have two cool connector pieces.
-Manual swinging motion. You just push it back and forth to move it. It works. It uses a new-style turntable. I understand these new ones are somewhat inferior, though I don't own any old ones. I hope to change that soon though.
-Motorized winch action, as well as boom extension. This feature is probably the most complex, so much so that I'm not even sure if mine is working right. It involves a clutch which is switched in and out with a lever: It engages either the boom length, or the string for the winch. The trouble is, for me it never actually disengages the winch. I can do just-winch, or boom-and-winch, but not just boom. I already had to slightly realign it because I'd somehow slightly moved the slip-engage piece, during construction, and someday I may take it apart and see if I can cure this, or modify it.
Anyway, that's a pretty long list of features. That's all the important stuff, as far as I can tell. The string used in it is far more than an average LEGO string: It's more the thickness of the string used on the LEGO gaspumps, or the string with a round stud at each end. Another cool thing is the fact that the hook piece is in fact solid metal...it weights itself so there's never much slack in the system.
Also, perhaps my favourite part of the set is the design of boom extension. A geared-down 24L technic axle drives a gear along 8 steering racks, which extends the first section. Through a tricky system of strings they have it so as that extends, it pushes the third boom stage out at the same time, at the equal speed. At first I thought the idea of strings for that was sketchy, but it works perfectly.
Now, for my one huge complaint. Right now my pneumatics aren't working. They tell you to cut a 12cm blue length to connect the pump to the switch. Later, I suddenly noticed the pneumatics were totally slack, and whenever I used the pump I could hear the air hissing out. I thought that was especially strange because it happened on all switch settings. I checked all the connections, then came across an even worse fact...the 12cm length had been caught in the main turntable gears, and almost been shredded in half. It needs only be 10cm from my estimates, and that would keep it away from the turntable. Sometime I'll write LEGO and get another blue hose length...until then I'll substitute another from my collection. Perhaps put a piece of that huge axle-size "tubing" from technic over it...the gears can't eat that!
Well, that's about it LAML'ers. A masterpiece of a set. There's probably more I could write that I'm forgetting...but how many of you have really even gotten this far through reading the whole thing in detail!? Anyways, enjoy. This set is a masterpiece. It proves LEGO can still build well, even these days. It's a big pricetag, but it's a big set...and worth it, in my opinion.
-John "J1A3L5" Langrish.
Number: 8421
Theme: Technic
Year: 2005
Pieces: 1884
Figures: 0
Links: LUGNET, Brickset, Shop At Home, Bricklink
Price: $150 USD.
Wow. There's a lot to say about this set, simply because there's so much of it!
On a Canadian catalog code we were given (I'm not sure if it was intended for everyone's eyes or what,) I picked this up for $150 Canadian. ($50 off) I helped Nathan partly build his set at NWBC, doing the differentialed axle section, and a couple other parts...I hadn't build serious technic in a long time, and realized this set was incredible! Unfortuantely the build time was so long it never even got to completed.
About the build time, I understand it was speed built by 10 people in 1h40. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it wouldn't surprise me. This is a massive, complex set. I built it slowly over several days, so I don't know how long it took...if I had done it all straight-through, it would have taken all day, literally!
So, about the model and it's features:
-6 wheel steering, driven by a large gear at the back.
-2 fixed wheels that drive a V6 engine, and have a differential system.
-Working outriggers, activated by a small gear at the back. They actually do lock down somewhat, so they can actually be funtional.
-Pneumatics that lift and lower crane arm. The pneumatics are pretty simple setup, just two opposed pistions. They are a new type though, and have two cool connector pieces.
-Manual swinging motion. You just push it back and forth to move it. It works. It uses a new-style turntable. I understand these new ones are somewhat inferior, though I don't own any old ones. I hope to change that soon though.
-Motorized winch action, as well as boom extension. This feature is probably the most complex, so much so that I'm not even sure if mine is working right. It involves a clutch which is switched in and out with a lever: It engages either the boom length, or the string for the winch. The trouble is, for me it never actually disengages the winch. I can do just-winch, or boom-and-winch, but not just boom. I already had to slightly realign it because I'd somehow slightly moved the slip-engage piece, during construction, and someday I may take it apart and see if I can cure this, or modify it.
Anyway, that's a pretty long list of features. That's all the important stuff, as far as I can tell. The string used in it is far more than an average LEGO string: It's more the thickness of the string used on the LEGO gaspumps, or the string with a round stud at each end. Another cool thing is the fact that the hook piece is in fact solid metal...it weights itself so there's never much slack in the system.
Also, perhaps my favourite part of the set is the design of boom extension. A geared-down 24L technic axle drives a gear along 8 steering racks, which extends the first section. Through a tricky system of strings they have it so as that extends, it pushes the third boom stage out at the same time, at the equal speed. At first I thought the idea of strings for that was sketchy, but it works perfectly.
Now, for my one huge complaint. Right now my pneumatics aren't working. They tell you to cut a 12cm blue length to connect the pump to the switch. Later, I suddenly noticed the pneumatics were totally slack, and whenever I used the pump I could hear the air hissing out. I thought that was especially strange because it happened on all switch settings. I checked all the connections, then came across an even worse fact...the 12cm length had been caught in the main turntable gears, and almost been shredded in half. It needs only be 10cm from my estimates, and that would keep it away from the turntable. Sometime I'll write LEGO and get another blue hose length...until then I'll substitute another from my collection. Perhaps put a piece of that huge axle-size "tubing" from technic over it...the gears can't eat that!
Well, that's about it LAML'ers. A masterpiece of a set. There's probably more I could write that I'm forgetting...but how many of you have really even gotten this far through reading the whole thing in detail!? Anyways, enjoy. This set is a masterpiece. It proves LEGO can still build well, even these days. It's a big pricetag, but it's a big set...and worth it, in my opinion.
-John "J1A3L5" Langrish.
. The box was damaged, but I can't store them anyway. 
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