My book available now
My book on building with LEGO Technic is available now at Amazon and elsewhere! Update: list of reviews included.
I’m happy to announce that my book: The Unofficial LEGO® Technic Builder’s Guide is available for sale now. You can buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, directly at No Starch Press website, at BookDepository.co.uk, or you can check the distribution network to see who sells the book in your country.
The book is also available in:
Reviews (in English, unless stated otherwise):
- Amazon reviews
- Brick Fanatics
- BotBench
- Eurobricks 1
- Eurobricks 2
- Gimme LEGO
- ItLUG (Italian)
- LUGpol (Polish)
- Mao de ABS (Portuguese)
- MicroBricks
- Model Building Secrets
- Robotica recreativa y educativa (Spanish)
- Seaside Book Nook
- SeTechnic (French)
- TechnicBRICKs
- The Brothers Brick
- UtahLUG
- What is best, review by Jennifer Clark
- Wired.com GeekDad
- Yahoo! Voices
The book, published by No Starch Press, focuses on explaining the theory and principles that rule the world of LEGO mechanisms, while providing plenty of practical examples. With over 350 pages printed in full color, showing more than 500 figures and 40 building instructions, the book should be helpful to any LEGO Technic enthusiast, regardless of his building skills.
While the book uses vehicular LEGO models as primary examples, the theoretical knowledge and working principles it describes can be applied to any sort of mechanism. The 20 chapters start simple for first-time builders, but quickly move to advanced material. The book covers subjects like:
- gear wheels and gear ratios
- levers and linkages
- pneumatics and custom pneumatic devices
- LEGO motors and their characteristics
- suspension and transmission systems
- the modern LEGO Power Functions system and its elements
- reinforcing your builds
- studfull system vs. studless system
- methods of scaling and modeling of various vehicles, from bikes to helicopters and airplanes, including challenges and opportunities that come with different types of vehicles
What the book does not include are complete instructions for any models that I have built. Instead, it introduces you to a vast array of mechanisms and provides examples of how to use them in your own constructions.
Eric Albrecht (Blakbird), the world-renowned collector and expert on LEGO Technic, has provided technical review of the book, and it comes with a foreword by Fernando Correia, the TechnicBRICKs editor-in-chief.
@Artwodeetwo
Probably. Sorry about that.
@Sariel
Hi Sariel, the description for picture on the large LAs talk about small LAs. Error?
@Artwodeetwo
No, I did not use it for sequential gearboxes.
@Sariel
Thanks, that’s a much better solution. However, did you ever manage to control a sequential gearbox with this setup in the book? If so, could you post any pictures? (I know you usually don’t, but I’m trying to make a relatively small gearbox myself, and I could do with some help for controlling it evenly)
@Artwodeetwo
Sorry about that. If you need a two-way stepper motor, one of solutions is to put a square brick on the output axle and squeeze it symmetrically from two sides with rubber band. In short, as long as the squeezing is applied symmetrically, the mechanism should work in either direction.
Hi Sariel, I have recently built your stepper motor in this book – and I’m sad to say that it is really hard to get it to work. Firstly, the rubber bands are far too weak, and secondly (when the correct tension is found) the motor will only rotate one way (due to the fact of the leavers acting on the rubber band). Have you any solutions/have I got the tensions too tight?
@Sariel
I found this too, and it’s definitely an error: the pulley pictured in fig. 6-22 pulls the rope up on both pulleys, large and small. I.e., but pulling the rope by 10cm you lift the load by 10cm too – unless you figured out a way to circumvent law of the conservation of energy.
The actual differential pulley is supposed to release the rope over the smaller pulley rather than pull it up – and do that synchronously at the same angular speed as the larger pully pulls it. I saw the diagram in the Polish version of that Wiki page that you referred to, and the “P” array indicates that the looped chain is pulled over the large pulley – it does not show a rope pulling both sides of the chain.
I’m korean and i can’t english well..
but i’m loving your book and your cars.. it’s very good
your book is very useful for my car, and i’m so happy for your book can read in korean.
eh something is wrong.. lol
@PROlego
The round bottom version is better because it allows more movement for the cylinder. The square bottom version can get stuck in some situations. As for valves, there is really no difference in resistance.
@PROlego
Sorry for triple post but now I realise I have written this comment in your book section instead of putting it in the FAQ section. Well, if you want answer my question and delete it but please answer.
I’ve also got another question: Which kink of valve should I use (one that is cheap and provides quite low resistance). I was going to buy the standard valves (the ones you use in your video).
Thank you for your help and sorry for disturbing you from building.
@PROlego
I mean the old version which has two outputs not the first of all.
Hi Sariel. First sorry for my poor English. I’ve seen the LPEs you have on youtube. I can reverse engineer everything (I don’t have your first book) but I am lacking the pneumatics. I am going to buy them from a trusted Bricklink seller and I was wondering if I can also use the square bottom ones (old version) since they are about 40% cheaper on that store or if I need to buy the round bottom ones.
PS: I’m also lacking a compressor which kink of hamster does offer more air pressure? 😛 😀
Thank you Sariel!
@Jose
Of course it works the way it is. I think you don’t understand how gears with clutches work – the book explains it. Even better, you can build it and see for yourself.
Hi Sariel,
I’ve just bought your book and have a doubt about the two speed synchronizes gearbox on page number 254. I think that it can’t work the way it is. The gears on the output axe are engaged with the gears on the previous axe, (24-8 gears) and (16-16) gears, so that they can’t move. Ami right?.
Thanks.
@Preston Kenner
What model? I’ve built a Ferrari Enzo already.
What do you start with when building a Technic model life the Enzo .
@JD430w
Lego Ideas is a bad joke invented by Lego marketing team to make the company look good. They reject great stuff for no reason, and they only accept things that are small, simple and can sell well.
I swear by this book. It has made studless building endlessly easier. I’m still terrible at it though.
You shoulda posted it on Lego Ideas. Then it could be a Lego set.@Sariel
@Tom
It does not exist, sorry. As for plans – it’s impossible without a French publisher who would be interested in making it.
I’m looking for a French translation for the school I’m teaching at. Does it exist? If not, any plans for a French edition?
@raymond
Contact No Starch Press. Is this you valid email address you provided?
If we are looking for translate this book into another language for publish, who should we contact for?
@Tim Hawkey
It’s not better, it’s different.
This is a fantastic book. Thanks so much for writing it.
I see that there’s a new lego worm gear part out.
More like an axle with one tooth (all it really needs I guess).
Do you know if this is better somehow, or just less expensive to make.
I ‘ve got your Book in the german version and I really like it. You can learn a lot and it’s really inspiring. Actually I found out about your Website with this book.
@Alexey
I think you can buy it at Amazon and have it shipped anywhere. I don’t translate anything – it takes a Russian publisher interested in the book to make a translation.
Hi! Thank you for a great book! How do you think, is it possible to buy the book somewhere in Elblag or Gdansk in English (I’m from Kaliningrad)? Or maybe you have plans to translate it to Russian?
@art
Of course it’s all Lego parts, and of course this will never be a Lego set.
will lego make a tow truck ll? is tow truck two made of all lego parts? very interested in trying to build one just like yours. thanks for your time.
@Myeong Mo Kim
I’m glad to hear it 🙂
Your book helped me a lot in understanding lego technic:)
At first, i thought about buy the german version, but i understand it better in english, and i dont wanna spend 10€´s for a translated version… Bought it yesterday at amazon, im curious about the book :DDDDD Ur da best, man! 😀
@Sariel
How do you want me to approach an explanation of why the second interpretation is the correct one and the first interpretation is the equivalent of a simple hoist?
Can you build the 2 different interpretations? And, for comparison also build a Windlass (the 2 connected drums with different diameter)
Can you mathematically derive the formula for the mechanical advantage?
If you want, we can discuss this by mail/chat/FB/…
kind regards,
Klaas De Smedt
@Klaas De Smedt
That seems to be the case. I’m strongly inclined towards the first interpretation.
@Sariel
From the English Wikipedia:
The English page clearly states that the 2 pulleys are connected to each other.
I don’t speak Polish so I translated the polish page with Google Translate so it is possible that I make wrong assumptions from the Polisch wikipage.
Some text fragments from the translated Polisch wikipage:
This fragment of text could be the origin of the disagreement we have. The translated text could be interpreted in 2 different ways:
– The sliding disk and a fixed disk are on the same axle with different radius (this is the system that is described in your book)
– The sliding disk refers to the pulley with the weight (hook) on. The fixed disk is composed by two pulleys with different radius. (this is the system that is described on the english wikipedia and how Betelgeux and I state the system should work.
Can you confirm that this is also the case in the original polish text?
Kind regards,
ing. Klaas De Smedt
@Klaas De Smedt
Like I said, the engineer verified it already.
The links are here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_pulley plus a Polish entry with another interesting diagram: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wielokr%C4%85%C5%BCek_r%C3%B3%C5%BCnicowy
@Sariel
Thanks for the quick response.
Can you provide the link to the wikipedia article so we are talking about the same mechanical system?
Also, can you ask your professional engineer to verify that the system is correct?
Regards,
ing. Klaas De Smedt
@Klaas De Smedt
Thank you. Now:
1. The pulleys shouldn’t be connected.
2. The pulleys rotate in opposite directions, friction is minimal.
The system I have described exists in Wikipedia, for example, and my description of it was approved by a professional engineer, not to mention that I have tested a working model of it. I believe the only problem you and Betelguex have is misunderstanding the description.
@Sariel
Thanks Sariel for this great peace of work. I just got the book and started reading it. But I’m stuck on page 63. (differential pulley system). I read the paragraph several times but every time I come to the same conclusion of @Betelgeux .
I see 2 problems with the suggested system in the book:
1 – the 2 pulleys should be connected.
2 – the friction between the rope and the pulleys won’t be enough to make the system work.
The solution that Betelguex proposes (with the 2 connected drums with different diameter) will work as a differential pulley system.
Kind regards,
ing. Klaas De Smedt
@gleipnir
Nie.
Jest dostępna polska wersja językowa?
@Sariel no po 2 miesiącach się już trochę wkurzyłem, więc postanowiłem się ciebie spytać o poradę.
@artur
Może problem w tym, że piszesz zamiast skupić się na budowaniu?
hmmm. ostatnio ciagle mam problem ze wzmocnieniem konstrukcji, mimo iz stosuje sie do porad z ksiazki, to konstrukcja rozpada sie po kilku przejechanych metrach, jestem otwarty na porady
@artur
Dżungarskie.
a jakie wg. ciebie rasy chomików są najbardziej przyjazne?
@Sariel dziwne, mój jest całkiem dziki, teź dźungarski, samiec, ma 3 mies. nic się nie da z nim zrobić, ciągle gryzie po palcach. byćmoźe ktoś go kiedyś przestraszył i teraz nie jest przekonany do ludzi
@artur
Całkiem łatwo.
@Sariel a łatwo było go oswoić?
@artur
Dżungarski.
jakiej rasy jest twoj chomik?
@shreck
You can buy it at Amazon, for example.
Hi !
I have the printed version of your very good book.
How can I get the pdf version?
Thank you.
@Crack
Sure, go ahead.
Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long
as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and my users
would genuinely benefit from some of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!
@olc1984
Polecam Empik: http://www.empik.com/the-unofficial-lego-technic-builder-s-guide-kmiec-pawel-sariel,p1051010655,ksiazka-p
Witam mam pytanie czy mozna ta ksiazke dostac na jakis polskich serwisach tudziez od Ciebie ??
amazing book thanks sariel
@Sariel
@Sariel
Sorry, I’m the last one, who would want to criticise the contents of the book, because I love it. Its a really good job. Only this part is somehow foggy to me. What I wrote as a working sollution differs in that not the pulleys but the reel drums on the driven shaft are which produce the difference of string pull speed.
The version you wrote is based on the real life “Weston” differential pulley system, which is used every day in workshops with chains. But there the main concept is exactly that the two pulleys (sprockets) are bound together rotationally, and also there is an anti-reverse lock. The person using the system just pulls the chain with a faster speed from the bigger pulley (or sprocket) and the loop in the other direction is a bit slower going up to the smaller sprocket. So the loop the guy holds on the pulling end always earns new lenght and on the other end always looses lenght but a bit less than the other ears. So the loop gets bigger and bigger.
@Betelgeux
I think you misunderstood something. What you describe as a working solution is EXACTLY what I describe in the book: the discs are independent, they rotate in opposite directions, and the advantage relies on the difference in their radii. Maybe you just didn’t notice that one of the discs shown in the book rotates freely on the axle. In any case, the book was checked by a professional engineer, so you can trust it.
Greetings!
I’m just reading the book, which is very good.
At the part where the differential pulley system is explained on page 63 I think I’ve found a troubling part. I think, differential pulley system should not work that way. It says “Instead, it uses an upper group with two independent pulleys that can rotate at various speeds in opposite directions.” The point of differential pulley system is that the two pulley discs are bind together and rotate together the same direction and same speed. They cannot be independent. If the thing the author described with the picture would exist it would produce no advantage at all, it would be the same as a single pulley crane.
On the other hand I think a differential pulley system could be made with lego with much more simpler and working way. You just need to use two reel drums with different diameters on the same axle, but with an opposite roll direction. Both stings go on a separate upper pulley disc which can be same diameter but really independent this time. And the lower group consists only of one pulley disc the same way. The adantage depend this time on the difference between the reel drums, but this is not really a coherent system for long strings because the drums outer diameter changes as the strings rolls up or down. Anyway if the diameter is the same then nothing happens when the driving axle is rolling other than it rolls the string from one reel to the other. It starts to actually do something when there is a difference between the outer roll diameters, and the larger the advantage the smaller the difference.
@Sariel
finally got from Amazon… amazing book! Thanks a lot. Worth every penny.
i like this website
i like your hamster
i like your creations
you are best
i am 12 years old from Lithuania
Arrived yesterday .. it’s amazing! Thanks!
@Felix
The book is in English only.
Is the book in german available in an other language, like german too?
@mel
It was selling it in December. I don’t now why it doesn’t now, ask them perhaps?
Hello,
is EMPIK going to sell it finally? I’m waiting for this fantastic book since months…
Cheers,
Mel
Got it for Christmas, and I must say, it is literally the most helpful LEGO-related thing I have ever read. Absolutely loving it. I’ve already incorporated many designs from it into some of my models and tested them, and there are some solutions in there that I never would have thought of. Thank you, Paul, for all the long, hard hours you have devoted into making this book, so that others can share and read into your knowledge of LEGO. Keep making those unbelievable models and constructions!
I like the way you used the hamster as a scale for the power functions lights
I got your book for Christmas, it really helped me build my small robot arm
@AJ
Nearly 2 years.
I love your book. It’s just brilliant! One question, how long did it take you to wright it?
I have it and i just want tonsas that this book is great i love it very much 😉
In my oppinionnit is one of the best books i have ♡☆
Thx Sariel go kn with ur fantastic creations i love them
Greetings TexhnicWolf
Just bought as my Christmas present at The Book Depository 🙂
I got your book for Hanukkah, and it’s awesome! I built your amazing live axle design. Since there is only one u-joint in the driveshaft, I realized that I could make a version with the unimog’s ball joint, and it worked very well. Although, as you said in the Sandrail post, the suspension is affected by the driveshaft. Anyway, keep up the good work! 🙂
Finely I have it in my hands and I love it
@gabry
Well, it took nearly 2 years to write. That’s why I have built very little MOCs this year.
where could you find the time to write it? I could never imagine how many hours you needed to realize (is this verb good?) it… You’re an idol XD
@Kevin
No. Check the links in the second paragraph.
Is Amazon the only place to buy your book?
@gabry
Thanks. English is the original version.
I just got a copy of the book… it’s only… AWESOME! But I have aquestion: is English the original version of your book or somebody translated it? However it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen
I recieved my copy of the book. It’s fantastic. Many thought provoking ideas
Sariel, I loved your work since I found out what lego technic was. I found you on youtube, the chainsaw that you made (which is epic). Your book I ordered is very nice, a lot bigger than expected, and it has everything needed for planning future builds.
There is just one thing I have always wanted to ask you, what got you into legos? There must have been some type of drive, I love technic because of the mechanical aspects of it. Thanks for reading this, and good luck 🙂
-Dubesta11
I recieved my copy of the book. It’s fantastic. Many thought provoking ideas.
@hamlet
love the hamster by the way!
received you book via amazon today!
after 30 pages of reading I know a christmas present for my brother…;)
greetings from germany,
hamlet
Your book just arrived. Can’t wait to start reading.
Just flipped through the pages, it looks awesome!
@Ashir Mittal
I think the best solution is to contact the publisher at help@nostarch.com and work it out.
Hi!
I am unable to buy your book due some restrictions on Indian cards (Visa and Master both) Pls mail me so that we can find some solution please !! I cant wait to get my hands on the book !!
P.S. PayPal is also not possible due to same issues
“https://pnb.electracard.com/pnb/enrollment/enroll_welcome.jsp” for details on problem 🙁
@Sariel
Okay, thank you. I look foward to your book, it looks like it will be alot more helpful than the one i have right now. And i’ll be able to hopefully work up from making what i make now:
http://morrow250.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d5i9b02
To making something more complicated.
@Cody
I don’t know shipping prices. You can check them at http://nostarch.com/technicbuilder, or Amazon should list them as you place an order. But I imagine shipping within US can’t be expensive.
Hey, sorry if im just new to finding out shipping and handling prices, but i looked on amazon and coudlnt find any, how much do you think it would cost to ship to idaho?
@max
You can try here: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Unofficial-LEGO-Technic-Builders-Guide-Pawel-Kmiec/9781593274344
As for release dates – it’s depends on the seller, not on me.
Sorry but if I go to buy on amazon.co.uk it say that is not yet release how many days I have to wait you know?? buying in amazon.co.uk it’s the only way for me to save money and shipping cost because I’m from italy
@George
Thank you. I don’t know this user and I don’t think he should be selling this book. From what I know, the electronic version is not public yet and he can’t have it – perhaps he is trying to cheat you. I never gave him my consent, and I don’t think the whole thing is legal. I will let my publisher know about this. Again, thank you.
Hello Sariel,
I’m from a LUG in Romania, RoLug, and it seems a new user there is trying to sell your book, in electronic format with a price of about $10 or less. He says he knows you and it’s perfectly legal. I’m curious if this is actually true.
http://forum.rolug.ro/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1603
I hope to get a chance to review this on Burf.org.uk. Looking forward to learning some new stuff. I wonder if there is anything I can use for my next giant project!