2012 Roundup & 2013 Plans
Summary of another year of building and plans for the year ahead.
I have spent majority of 2012 working on my book, which is why I only got a total of 13 MOCs done. It’s less than half of my 2011’s outcome, but while the quantity of my creations was low, I feel rather satisfied with their quality. I have managed to finally build my first proper supercar model, the legendary Ford GT40, I have pulled off a Kenworth truck model that was a blend of good aesthetics and NXT functionality, and I have finished a properly working and looking Batman’s Tumbler model, after years of trying. Some of my leisure builds turned out better than anticipated – namely the JCB 456 front-end loader, and the Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster – while some other, experimental builds, such as my Bugatti Type 35 or LIME Mk2, produced rather questionable results. All in all, I think the good MOCs prevailed, and I also got to play with the NXT system and with the combined power of four RC motors, which I have first put to use in my Pagani Zonda model, and which I still plan to use many times. My only regret is that I have built so little, and only rather typical vehicular models. I had no time to try my hand at aircraft models yet, nor to return to boats of any sort (not counting the Ghost Ship, which was rather less-than-usual boat).
I’m rather sure that 2013 will see more MOCs from me. I intend to start it with a special secret project that will be very different from my typical models. I’m also determined to finally build the K2 Black Panther tank I was putting on hold for so long, with an active suspension system and plenty of details. Once finished, it will be completed by a model of the KZKT 7428 Rusich heavy tank transporter, which will be powered by RC unit or by NXT unit, to allow the two MOCs work at the same time. Still from the military theme, I plan on second take on the model of a transporter from James Cameron’s Aliens movie, this time much improved over my first take, with proper wheels, dark grey hull and more functions.
I will be trying to further employ the power of 4 RC motors, in several aspects. For speed, in a model of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP racing car, which I have actually started to build already, and which will be smaller than my Zonda, with all motors driving the rear axle directly, with body being a mix of studless and studfull pieces, and possibly with brakes. This model, which I plan to build basically black, will also be a great opportunity to take my work with stickers to another level. And for off-road performance, I will use the RC motors in a Dakar truck model, which will come with a floating suspension, 4×4 drive, and perhaps a gearbox to traverse rough terrain with a speed beyond that of any Trial Truck.
As for other models, I plan to experiment a lot. Part of it will include and Airport Crash Tender model, which is pretty much a fire engine on steroids, and which I plan to equip with a real water pump. Part of it will be my long-delayed Lamborghini Reventon model, which I intend to build with focus on functions rather than on performance, and to base around the NXT functionality. And part of it – I hope – will be a Bucket Wheel Excavator model, which I’ve been thinking on for a long time since 2009,when my first attempt at it failed. I think I know now where I went wrong and how to go right. The model will surely be massive, and controlled by no less than two NXT units, allowing wireless remote control using a pad. There will be over 400 of the tread links alone in this model, and I think it’s going to be a huge and challenging build.
I hope my book is a good reason to forgive me so few MOCs this year. I have a couple of things in store for 2013 that may surprise you, and they are not only MOCs. Stay tuned!
Happy New Year 2013!
Paul
@Marinus
I don’t see why it can’t be done with just one speed. It should work at least for Lego. Otherwise, you would need to sort this out mechanically. I can imagine a gearbox that switches propulsion between two drivetrains: one that produces 1:1 ratio on all tracks, and another that produces a varied ratio.
Hi Paul,
Working on a Lego bucket wheel excavator myself, I’m doing research about the steering of the crawler tracks on the internet, but to no avail, so far. There are 12 tracks under the Krupp 288. If the orientation of the tracks under carriage is rigid, steering must be done by speed variation. If they are all motor driven, at least 8 different speeds must be possible! Do you have anything in mind?
Marinus
Buduj trialówkę Sarielu 🙂
@JJ
Well, there is more than one.
Hi, I know this huge excavator. It is from Rhein Braun and just a few kilometer away from my House 🙂
@Sariel
W porządku, dzięki za poświęcony mi czas. Buduj dalej, bo twoje twory to kawał dobrej roboty – szczerze Cię podziwiam :).
Sariel Hello, My name is Orlando and I live in mexico, I am a big fan of all your creations and I wonder if at some future project could create a John Deere harvester and I love those machines, I hope you read this message, please consider creating one in the future, continue with your creations despiede Orlando
@Mahonii
Łożyska z droida to najlepsze rozwiązanie. Zwykle wystarczają dwa koła.
@Sariel
Dokładnie. Myślałem nad zrobieniem czegoś w rodzaju ogromnego łożyska, złożonego z tych zębatek z droida – tych na których obracasz swoje dzieła podczas prezentacji. Tyle że potrzebowałbym 4 takie koła, a najtaniej na bricklinku – 70 zł/szt. Dlatego też byłem ciekaw czy nie znasz jakiś rozwiązań, którymi mógłbyś się podzielić.
@Mahonii
5 kg na obrotnicy? To cud, że się nie łamie od samego ciężaru.
@Sariel
Zrobiłem przeciwwagę (3 battery boxy na niewielkim wysięgniku) ale całość łącznie z ramieniem waży koło 5 kg więc całość była zupełnie niestabilna, nie mówiąc już o podnoszeniu czegoś cięższego niż piłeczka ping-pongowa.
@Mahonii
A nie myślałeś o przeciwwadze?
Pytanie natury technicznej:
Problem jest prosty. Zrobiłem spore ramię zdalnie sterowane, ale obrotownica nie może go utrzymać. Po prostu złamała się. Znasz jakieś konstrukcje wzmacniające, które mogłyby mi pomóc? Wybacz że piszę w tym poście.
@Piotrek
No.
Can you make a instruction of any tank?
After seeing your several of your MOCs and looking at your book i realize just how many Technic parts i don’t have. it’ll make it interesting though 😀
Really like the book so far and am looking forward to the new stuff this year.
Good luck and keep building
@samuel
No.
Instead of KZKT 7428 built better MAZ 7310 or TATRA 813 kolos
Just wanted to say thanks. I am relatively new to Technics and am in the process of reading your book. I started building the 8110 Unimog set this weekend and your book saved me from disaster. I had just put on the wheels when I realized the front and rear wheels were rotating in opposite directions. I thought about it for a while and then remembered your comment in Chapter 5 about differentials needing to be oriented opposite each other. I reviewed the build and realized the center diff was reversed! Fortunately, I was able to do some surgery and rectify the situation without requiring a complete tear down. Thank you very much for your helpful and inspiring book.
@Reznov
Not interested.
How about JS-3 Heavy Tank? I like your T-28 Super Heavy Tank . I like heavy tanks…
@Dejw
W planach.
Mistrzu, a gdzie Liebherr LTM 1250?
Me too
@Lamboguy59
Because I like the Reventon better.
Why dont you do a lamborghni aventador instead of a revention?
@Sariel
Darn, I really wanted to see that one.
I really wanted to see you make that one. It would be awesome!
@jan try using http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=45575 combined with http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=32526 and http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=48989 then connect studfull technic beams to those
@jan
I have no idea, I don’t own it.
is there any proper way to combine the 8378 “red beast” undercarriage to ordinary Lego’s?
Aaah.. thought it might be a bit more complex than that. Happy building. 🙂
Just got your book for “sinterklaas” (dutch santa claus). Very nice. I got into a contest with my brother. We will both build a car, max 15 studs wide and 30 studs long. And we will see which is the quickest… Any tips? I find it very difficult to combine two XL motors for propulsion. But I think your book will help me a lot… Keep the models coming!!!
@Matt
I print them on a paper and then use transparent duct tape.
Hey Sariel, love your website and projects (and just read your book!). Looking forward to your Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, I built a 1:10 one a couple years back http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/158873, but not with all the RC features or stickers. How do you make the stickers? Cheers from Australia. 🙂
@bob
Not an identical one, no.
not the shooting mech?
@bob
I will never build anything related to Star Wars.
and maybe this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artifexcreation/5289909632/in/photostream/
can you make something like this, but better than this?
–> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rWWXG0OwhM
or just the shooting mechanism?
–> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQlLFa0o0Is&list=SPCFFE94BA86E942F4 ?
that would be awesome!
As always, all of your MOCs for the past year have been fantastic. As a fan of classic American sport/muscle cars, I think the GT-40 may have been my favorite.
As far as 2013 goes, I will be particularly looking forward to your bucket wheel excavator. I think that is somewhat of a Holy Grail for Technic builders, and I am certain that the lessons you have learned from your earlier attempt will contribute to making the next one a real gem.
Best of luck for the next year!
@tony
No.
can you make the off road racer next?
@robbe
I surely will build it, but I don’t know when at the moment. It’s not my top-priority model.
Do you gonna build that bus to (from the plans for2012)? ;D
All I can say for now is, “I can’t wait to see what you have in store and the new levels of creations you plan to include with details, namely custom stickers! Wow. I enjoy watching your models and learning how they work. Awesome work man…
Sounds ambitious! For your Bucket Wheel Excavator, perhaps you could prevent your Technic Liftarms from cracking by using the empirical results from this university report — “Investigation into the Strength of Lego Technic Liftarms and Brick Beams, and of Liftarm Pin Connections” ( http://eprints.usq.edu.au/20528/1/Lostroh_LegoTesting_2012.pdf ).
I think you did a great job with lots of awsome MOC’s and your awsome book, that I realy love. I realy learned a lot of new techniques. Your list for 2013 looks awsome. 😀 I always wanted to see you build a Dakartruck.
Thanks for the awsome Year.
Have a nice 2013
Mark
Hi Paul,
After reading your book, you have every right to have half the number of MOCs this year. It is a MOC on itself. Looking at the list you have here I think you’re going to need this year. I want to thank you for inspiring at least me, but I think you can judge based on website visitors, youtube views, booksales I am not the only one.
I am looking forward on how all your contraptions will be made, especially after reading your statement on Lego only in your bookintro. Anyway, wonderful newyears eve, don’t ignite fireworks since you need your 10 fingers and 2 eyes.
Until next year, looking forward to the first post…and maybe Legoworld in Zwolle?
Björn (NL)
Congratulations on your book and all the MOCs! You did a great job this year with the builds and especially with the book.
Thank you for everything you’re sharing with us. Whenever I see a new post from you it’s something interesting and amazing.
Happy New Year and good luck with everything you do, Paul!