ZCerberus

It looks nice. May I suggest you include a reference shot of a D7 so we can compare?

Crawler Crane- The crawler crane is probably my favorite of all the construction builds. The construction was sped up by not needing to reinvent the wheel… or the tracks as it were. Since these builds are all in the same world, I figured I could take the basic track design of the excavator and move on from there. I took the excavator design and made the tracks 2 studs longer and 2 studs wider. I also recycled the SNOT design for the base from the excavator. I knew my big hang up would be the boom itself. I had settled on making it 4 studs wide which would provide a challenge since the obvious LEGO element to replicate the look is six wide. This would mean I would need to design my own sections. My solution looks pretty good, but there are far fewer cross braces than you would normally see in a boom, even of this size. I am satisfied with the boom overall, though it is a bit bulky. I also found the design looked a little muddled when I made the back counterweight black, so after a little experimentation I settled on dark gray. It seems many of the counterweights on these cranes are a different color anyway. I also could then use the erm… bottom tile (inverted tile?) piece thingies so there weren’t any anti-stud showing where the counterweight sticks over the crane top. This is the first time I also used a sticker on these builds- but they are real LEGO stickers from collected sets and I think they really work well here. I couldn’t really tell by looking at all the crane designs what each side of the crane contained. I figured the engine and most of the machinery must be in the center of the crane, but I couldn’t really tell what was typical. I took this to mean I could have a little liberty with my design. I made the section behind the cab a bit bigger which in my mind is a place where a lot of the machinery could be housed (hence the placement of the exhaust stack behind the cab side). The main thing I wanted to achieve was the ability to operate the crane without having a bunch of knobs hanging out the side. With that in mind, I designed the side of the crane opposite the cab with two windows with shutters designed to resemble access doors. The shutters can be opened to allow access to the two knobs which control the winches/functions of the crane. One of the winches actually cranks the hook up and down while the other raises and lowers the boom. You can also tweak the boom position using the technic lift arms by sliding the one closer to the boom forward or backward. Not only did this design allow me to run the string for the hook through the same area as the string for the boom, it also allows for some quick adjustment of the boom without having to access the winch and slowly crank it up or down. A real crane would have tons of cables and other bits here to really anchor the boom and reinforce it. That might be one of several areas I can explore someday. As I said, this is my favorite build, even though there may be some realism issue here. I like the colors and shaping and functionality. The one thing I did notice is that when placed next to the excavator, it actually makes the excavator look bigger than I would like, even though the excavator isn’t as wide or long as the crawler crane. Check out the rest of Project M here.

Thanks guys. I have determined AFOLs like castles more than front loaders, but this has been a fun project.

You're right! 2013: Well I guess I have a point of reference/comparison now!

Thanks guys. A three wide cab would certainly be a challenge. The front loader is now up as well.

Front loader- I struggled with the initial design of this one. I had saved an 8 wide bucket from my backhoe build specifically for the front of the loader, but it was just too small. Luckily, I had the bigger bucket from an old Aquaraiders set (which is still only 8 studs wide). It is much bulkier and deeper than the standard click hinge bucket and has two connection points which meant I could actually make it functionally tip with the right engineering. Based on that, I knew I wanted a few key features: 1. An articulating front end and 2. a fully functional bucket system on the front. The bucket system was difficult for me to engineer. Even though the actual mechanism isn’t too hard to figure out, the size of the actuator, technic beams and thin lift arms along with the relatively close proximity of the mounting points on the bucket proved challenging at first. After much frustration, I decided to abandon the functionality in favor of good looks. As is typical with anything in life, once I gave up on the functionality, something in my brain clicked and my very next attempt to make the bucket just “look good” also generated a function that worked out too. Hazzah! A fully tipping bucket! The articulation wasn’t as solid as I wanted, so I redesigned it a few times before getting it to its current state. I also initial had a backend that was four studs wide, but it looked a little goofy with the wheels being a full stud on either side of the body. That just didn’t look as I wanted, so I redesigned it a couple times until I settle on a 5 wide backend and 7 wide “deck” to enter the cab. Since the cab is still just four studs wide, it did call for the use of several jumper plates and “Apollo studs”, but the improvement was significant. One thing I noticed about many of the front loaders I examined was they tended to have very rectangular cabs. I contemplated going with a completely rectangular shape, but the aesthetic just didn’t work for me, so I pitched back the windscreen area (though there is no windscreen) to give it a better look. I like the size of the tires, though I wish the tires were a bit bigger and the hub was a bit smaller, but I like their width and overall height so I am leaving them, even if they don’t have that “bloat” you might normally see with a front loader like this. Overall I am satisfied with it, though the wheels are a bit rare so I had to do a bit of searching to find four in light bluish gray in various spots of my collection. To see more Project M, click here.

Telehandler- I am a bit surprised there hasn’t been a minifigure version telehandler made by LEGO before, though as per usual, there have been technic versions of the vehicle for years. I like the look of these little guys and they are useful in the construction realm and can move items into place with the extending boom. My online search for inspiration didn’t reveal anything overly useful already made in LEGO form except a little telehandler made by Jang of Jang bricks. Since I planned to use the premade boom piece and the forks from a forklift (just as Jang did), I actually spent a bit of time making sure my version was unique as compared to his. My version uses a pair of arms to lift the boom (the version I have seen in action outside of my workplace uses two piston/arms) versus the single arm versions frequently saw in my internet searches. The telehandler is about as narrow as it can get and still fit a minifigure, but it does seem a tad wider than I would like. The boom, even with the two support arms, tends to flop around a little bit more than I would like. I think if I used a single piston arm under the boom, it might actually be a little stiffer. The piece that holds the fork is also a little bulkier than I would like, but I wanted it to be pretty function for play with Miles. He now wants a telehandler of his own, so I may need to make a simplified/sturdier one for his play. I borrowed and modified the outriggers from the backhoe and used the Mixel ball joints to connect the mudguards. They aren’t perfect, but overall I think it works pretty well. For more builds in Project M- click here.

Forklift- To be honest, LEGO has built some decent little forklifts, and the biggest part of the design is the fork mechanism itself, which is a LEGO element. The upshot here is there wasn’t a ton of room for a giant leap forward in design, so this isn’t exactly the world’s most unique build.Still, I wanted to fill out my construction equipment with a few smaller builds, and like the skid steer loader and backhoe, this little guy is rugged enough for extended play. I like the color, it looks like a 70s throwback, though this one doesn’t have shag carpeting. The big problem with this lift is it is front heavy and tends to fall forward when loaded with a large pallet full of stuff. I guess I will need to add a clear plate/studs on the underside to brace it when on display. Read the full details of Project M and links to other builds here.

First up for round 2 is the backhoe. Like almost all construction equipment, I have noticed a very wide range of sizes of the machines. That being said, the basic design elements (like functions and locations of engines and gearboxes etc.) and relative proportions tend to remain the same. I went with the “tractor” style shaping here with the larger back wheels, smaller front wheels and slender front engine section. Since size is less important than proportion and function, my design decisions were based on one major factor- the bucket sizes for the front loader portion that I had available. I had a 6-wide bucket and an 8-wide bucket available. I decided to use the 6-wide and kept the 8-wide standard bucket thinking I would use the 8-wide for a proper front loader, though I ended up using a completely different bucket for the front loader. There also wasn’t a great current scoop bucket for the back arm available in the proportions I was using. The best option appeared to be the older finger hinge buckets I had from various catapults collected during my classic castle days. The scoop (and probably the entire backhoe) is perhaps a little undersized, but I think it looks pretty good overall. Since I already had an excavator, I also decided to add a little jackhammer attachment for the backhoe so it could have an additional function. One thing I am especially pleased with is the outriggers- the design of which I carried over to another build. The big issue with the outriggers was, of course, to make them sit at an angle relative to where they connect to the machine. A Technic “triaxle” with some lift arms did the trick and as I said, I rather like the result. Overall, I am satisfied with the shape, though I think if I ever revisit this build, I will go with the 8-wide bucket and bulk up the backhoe a bit. One aspect of the backhoe that I really appreciate is that it is fairly rugged and can withstand some punishment from my now almost 3 year old son Miles with only the bucket tending to fall off. Read the full details of Project M and links to other builds here.

It's been a while since I've updated this, but I have added a load of new construction trucks in the last 2 weeks in preparation for BrickWorld. Models to expect to see soon (complete but awaiting photos): Backhoe Telehandler Frontloader (articulating) Forklift Pick-up truck Crawler crane (my favorite) I am posting here so I can continue to link the models to the first post here.

Counsel at Brickworld... Ecc, Z, Rogue all in one place.

Yeah, there is being around and then there is being around! Don't worry guys, I am still active on EB, I just have a lot going on with two kids under 3, newish job and BrickWorld. There will be another challenge and we are still slowly working on it. Enjoy the free build time!

Map is updated. I nominate Jacob to be the official communicator. Give me an idea of what we are looking at here and I will get it up. If you so desired, you would create a new "First Post" in a PM and I can get it restructured from there.

Been really busy lately fellas, Nocturnus has a new little princess who is consuming all my time!

Pie contest will open soon. We need some down time though. Final chapter is in the works, but there are real life constraints with the two main builders (one has a new house, the other a pending baby) so the free time will continue for a little longer!

And I haven't even officially announced the mini challenge! Still very cool!

How about something like this? Prizes and deadlines still pending: Hear ye! Hear ye! It is time to lay down your weapons and take up…. your spatulas! Lord Raavage the rightful ruler of Nocturnus (and soon all of Historica) invites bakers from every corner of the land to attend the first annual Enchanted Pie Bake-Off! Winners will bask in the glory of Lord Raavage and be given prizes and special titles while loser will be executed, chopped up and… well… probably baked into another pie. Nocturnus enchanted pumpkin pies are legendary, not for how they quell your appetite, but for their appetite for pansy Avalonian flesh! This mini-challenge fun is open to members of all guilds, but because we know the only Guild members who really know how to make an enchanted pie reside in Nocturnus, your builds MUST have some tie-in to Nocturnus, though the rule will be quite liberally applied as Raavage has open his bake-off to everyone, even non-guildies should they dare to take on our seasoned (for taste) veterans. Of course, as the only person who matters in the entire land, Lord Raavage himself will be the sole judge (jury and executioner) of the bake-off. Category A. Figure: Show us the chef and explain how the chef became the master of the enchanted pie! Who makes these enchanted pumpkin pies? Is it a traditional baker sweating inside a Nocturnian volcano? A witch slaving over her caldron? A demon sucking the souls of the damned into the pie? Or perhaps the evil behind the enchanted pie has been created by a possessed Avalonian girl? Only the figure, photography AND your story telling skills will be judged, but feel free to create a backdrop for your character in brick if you would like. After market and custom parts are allowed, though as sole judge, I feel compelled to mention I would prefer purist solutions. Category B. The Kitchen: Where and how are these enchanted pies made? Are they made in a “traditional” kitchen with a triple stacked wood burning oven? Are they cooked over the funeral pyre of slain Avalonians? Or do they come from somewhere… more sinister? Your “kitchen”, photography AND your story telling skills will be judged. Your build may not exceed 1,024 base studs (32 x 32) with reasonable over hang. Be sure to include a freshly made pie is seen somewhere in your kitchen for maximum points. Category C. At the Judge’s table: Winning isn’t easy… so cheating is encouraged. Depict a story (or comic) of your chef (or his minion) bribing Lord Raavage to ensure victory! Is your chef going to sneak Raavage a few extra pies? Does your chef believe Raavage can be persuaded by something of a greener… or golder nature? Maybe you chef would prefer to meet force with force and threats are more your style? Just like cheating isn’t subject to any stinkin’ rules, there are no rules for this category, go crazy, but surprisingly Lord Raavage has a sense of humor, funny entry will likely score higher.

Kai is on fire with a brilliant idea! Well let me think on this. Oh and anyone who wishes to ditch the tight wearers in favor of Nocty is okay in my book!!

I think the contest should center on how one makes the man eating pies of course. Does it contain the soul of a killer? Is it made from a giant machine? Is it made by special goblin master chefs? I can give titles all I want, but I think I would prefer a real prize still, even if I have to ship it. Should this be Nocturnus only, or should everyone be able to participate?

Back to pies... not sure I can get a tag, we have been instructed to only fo tags for very special occasions. Any other thoughts?

Well Rog they should make sure their contribution is worthy of reviving a 5 year old discussion. We don't like bringing back 5 year old threads because it can chill conversation on more recent topics that may be more relevant. They may be commenting on a MOC from 5 years ago where the posting member is not even here any more and bumping more relevant conversations down. Many times we also see the bump is done merely so a member can say "cool MOC" or something similar. We do not want that. I allowed it because as you said the topic could still relevant and the discussion may still have merit. That doesn't mean the next person to bring back an old thread will be so lucky. As you have said, the member is new, so this also informs the new member (and everyone else) of the policy so they can be sure they won't find themselves reviving many old threads where the discussion is over for a reason. So again, this means the new member should make sure the discussion is still relevant and their contribution should be good. In this case, I suggested the new member revive the topic when they had the updated old set MOC they were planning to show.

That is a sweet tower. Vintage SK with the open back. Awesome work!

An enchanted pie contest... sounds intriguing. Anyone have ideas for the contest? Ideas for a prize I don't have to mail (I am slow when it comes to that, though it always gets done eventually)?

Yeah... No. Not its own topic, and nothing to discuss in this post. I removed the link as well since I don't know if there is some financial gains to be had here by your advertisement. Mentioning the site in context of a larger discussion can be okay, but a separate announcement topic seemed unnecessary.

Nope. We're super heroes! We just have secret identities. Duh. Spam is super easy to remove if it is reported. It's that simple. See it, report it. Spam pops up everywhere, but I would guess the general thread gets a little less moderating since the rest of us are generally in our own forums a bit more. We won't do things to stop new members from posting, even if it opens the door for spammers. We want to make it easy for new people to join.