Money, money, money
Money is a problem for most of the people, and I am no exception. Even though I build a lot of complex stuff, there are strictly financial limits keeping me from building just anything I want. And even within these limits it’s still expensive to build well – that is to achieve desired functioning, shapes and colours, which results in the need for specific parts. I wouldn’t call myself a professional builder, but I wouldn’t call myself an amateur neither – that’s because I keep spending money to please viewers. Even the most technically advanced construction won’t impress you much if it consists of mixed colours and gaping holes.
Just to give some example, I am going to present a small model of the Dodge Tomahawk concept motorcycle sometime soon – it will be most likely not motorized due to the size, but it should be fitted with realistic suspension and a functional model of the engine. I’d like to make it partially black and partially metallic silver, so I’ve spent some money on the metallic silver parts and on some wheels that look very much like the real ones. I was able to afford it, but I keep thinking that if I had four front wheels from the 8420 set, I could build a much larger and fully remote-controlled model. Except that these wheels are rare and expensive beyond my financial reach.
That’s why I took a liberty of enabling you to help me with my hobby. To make everything clear I’ve made a list of expensive parts that are crucial for some of my projects in the Future Projects section – there are descriptions on what exactly are they needed for, there are estimated prices and even links to the Bricklink’s parts catalogue so that you may see what your money may buy.
I am not going to change anything in the way I publish my constructions or explain my ideas – some people choose to sell theirs, but I have a different point of view. I will not try to force anybody to pay for anything – it’s just that a lot of people seem to enjoy my activity, and perhaps some of them are in position to give some aid. If you don’t feel like it – it’s perfectly fine, I still have a lot of other projects to build. It’s just that I could create some really impressive stuff if I could afford certain parts.
After a careful consideration I have decided not to credit donors by name – I feel it would create a space for misunderstandings, as some people may want to be credited more explicitly than the others plus I may happen to e.g. accidentally omit somebody. I want to avoid it, so only general credits will be given.
With all that in mind, you may use the button below (the donation’s amount is entirely up to you) or visit the Future Projects section to see what parts I need, or simply forget it and browse through the website. In any case – thank you 
@charles
For 1000th time, I DO NOT MAKE INSTRUCTIONS.
why don’t you print them in cad version with copyright and sell them that way?
I see too many reasons against it. If I sell a project, the shipment will be a pain in the ass, the buyer may find himself disappointed, and I’ll have to buy again many rare and hard to find parts. As for ideas, I want to share them freely on a principle. Besides, any digital form is easy to copy once a single person buys it.
I have heard this idea many times, and I have explained my view on it in the FAQ. In short, building is my hobby – not my job, not my duty, just a hobby. I want it to stay this way in order to keep deriving a pleasure from it.
Hi Sariel,
Before anything, congratulations for the fantastic creations you present here for our pleasure and inspiration. I wish onde day I could build half of the models you have displayed here!
So, IMHO I think asking for donations is avery fine way to finance your very complex and expensive projects. But I think there’s another way much more faster to achieve financement: sell your projects and ideas. You could agregate plans and information on every creation you have, combien all in a PDF or any other digital form, and sell it for the LEGO community for, say, US$ 10.
Myself would certainly be one of the buyers! =)
Keep up the good job!
@crawlerdude
I can’t build anything I want. I don’t have much money, and my workshop took like 4 or 5 years to complete. And I have to take apart every single creation I build just to have parts for another one.
No offense intended whatsoever, but why do you need more money? you have the ULTIMATE technic “workshop”, i sure do wish i could have that kind of parts, and be able to build just about anything i wanted,
@Murcielago53
I have these wheels and they are way smaller than the 8420′s, plus way too wide. A narrower version of these wheels exists, and I’m going to use exatcly that version in the small, not-motorized model of Tomahawk.
you want the front wheels from the8420 set? maybe the 32077 / 32078 combo would work better. Those are the wheels from the 8428 set. They are easier to come by and go for a cheaper price.