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Everything posted by Ngoc Nguyen
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingI gave this some thoughts and I think that there are some merits in it. This model should look better than just some metal sheet screwed together. Thus I decided to find ways to soften the look a little bit. I took a look at some of the retro typewriters, and I notice that they and the original Lego typewriter all have round corners in the keyboard areas. So I spent an evening trying recreate those round corners, which is a huge challenge. I want to preserve the slant, and even though they can be created with 2x5 or 2x3 slant panels, the 5x11 tapered is the most ideal choice. However, it is longer than the space I have for the sides, while there are limited options in Technic for creating round corners. In the end I settled with the 2x5x3 Thick Quarter Panel block, which luckily also exists in Bright Light Orange. This part pushes the front wall of the keyboard outward, so I decided to lengthen the liftarms for all the key levers. This is what it looks like at the moment and I'm quite happy with the outcome. Below is the comparison between the widened keyboard and the original keyboard in the original set.
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingThe wheel arch may be a good solution for the front curves, but on the two sides it ends too abruptly. I want to add some smooth curves at two ends, and after some tinkering this is the final solution. I replace that arch with the chopped arch and added quarter corner domes, and the curves flow very nicely.
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingI never said it's not appropriate. It's just that I don't like building with bricks and plates, because the building experience feels tedious. Take the walls of the model as an example. The side wall in Technic can be covered with just 6 3x7 panels and one 5x11 taperer panel, while the front wall can be covered with 4 3x7 panels. In the original model, it takes a lot of brick and plate stacking to achieve the same goal (I did build the original model in Studio part by part). Not to mention, it is easier to lock parts and ensure structural integrity with Technic. For example, in the original model, the front wall between the curved corner bricks can be just easily ripped apart if I pull the model from the front. Why "A rather than B" when I can "both A and B"
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingIf you think Technifying a set is simply a matter of swapping out bricks with liftarms, then the development of this model may show the otherwise. Technifying is about translating. The original model is built in one language, and I have to find the equivalent in the Technic language that can express the same idea as close as possible. What I worked on today is the translation of the two curved pieces that form the bow shape in front of the keys. The number of parts with curved is quite limited in Technic so that was quite a challenge. Not to mention, in the original model the curved pieces are only 2 studs high, while curved panels in Technic are 3 studs high. In the end I settled with the new wheel arch from the McLaren P1. This piece also decided the color for whole model. Originally I wanted to build the whole thing in DBG, because DBG does not yellow as poorly as other colors. But then I have second thoughts. I have built quite a number of DBG MOCs lately already, and DBG just make the model looks boring. Thanks to the P1 there are quite a variety of BLO types of piece to use. In the process, I Technify one side and leave the other side intact so I can compare. I also have to decide which features to keep and which features to sacrifice. In this case, I want to keep the slanting edges on both sides, and the best way to do that is to use the tapered 5x11. At first I also wanted to keep the round corner too, as that design is quite common in retro typewriter, but since I settled on using the tapered panels, I have to sacrifice the round corners. I also have to accept the fact that the Technic model will be 1 stud thicker on the bottom.
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2025 Technic Sets Discussion
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingHi everyone, this is a magazine from RacingBrick \
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2025 Technic Sets Discussion
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingMotorized stairs maybe.
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2025 Technic Sets Discussion
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingAt 2300 pieces, it can be a RC Mining Truck. There hasnt been any Technic mining truck since 2016. The problem with a flagship forklift is the brand. Technic flagships since 2019 have all been licensed sets from popular brands. Forklift manufacturer brands on the other hand are less well known.
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42141 - McLaren Formula 1™ Race Car
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale Modelinghttps://forums.ldraw.org/thread-25913-post-46175.html
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General Part Discussion
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Polo-Freak's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingHow about this
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General Part Discussion
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Polo-Freak's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingAxle hole in the MIDDLE of a liftarm?!
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2025 Technic Sets Discussion
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale Modeling42215 is 18+. This is probably the flagship.
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[MOD] PF Conversions for C+ sets - Directory
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale Modeling42131 Manual Conversion is finally done. DEVELOPMENT Even though I have designed a PF Conversion mod for the original 42131, I was not quite satisfied with it. The first reason is that since PF IR Receivers are separate from battery boxes. I have to find the places to put them, and they detracts from the overall seamless exterior of the model. The rear is just ugly. The second reason is L motor's inadequate torque. In this PF mod, there are 6 PF L motors that drive 6 functions separately, and for some functions PF L motors just don't provide enough torque even when geared up. Hence I came up with this new Manual mod. In this mod, the Smart Hub is replaced with the Simple Hub (non-bluetooth one), and it will power two hard-coupled PU L motor. Because the Simple Hub and the Smart Hub have the same dimension and interface, it's easier to replace the latter with the former. To drive the functions, I designed 5 bidirectional gearboxes that fit into the 7x11 frame of the original 42131. Since the ladder function is in the cabin subbuild, I decided to turn it into a manual function so that I don't have to route a transmission up. That leaves me with 5 functions as follows, from left to right. - Motorized ripper lifting - Motorized ripper tilting - Motorized tracks - Motorized blade lifting - Motorized blade tilting And now comes the hardest part of this MOC: designing the control interfaces. These switches are buried deep inside the model, and the 42131 doesn't have a flat surface to route the transmission to. After many attempts I finally came up with the solutions. Two outermost switches will be routed to the switches on both sides of the engine doors. Three inner ones will be routed to the back, between the LAs of the blade. The battery box can be turned on using a lever on the side. Here are the functions sheet. Rebrickable link: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-205773/nguyengiangoc/42131-manual-conversion/#details
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[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Jim's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingSince the scope is now non animal and non vehicle, may I suggest renaming the contest into "Technic Device Contest"
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[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Jim's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingI agree with no animal.
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42199 Monster Jam DIGatron & 42200 Monster Jam ThunderROARus
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingI guess your alternate model development is on the fast track.
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42197 Backhoe Loader
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Auroralampinen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingHi everyone, this is a combo review from RacingBrick
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingI just ordered all the printed key caps. It took a while to find a vendor that has the whole collection.
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[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Jim's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingYeah I've always thought Technic Animal is a feasible contest theme by itself. If you think animals don't have any Technic functions to be recreated, try designing the tail of a peacock. That is one Technic idea I've always thought about.
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingOh I'm not gonna do that. I'm just turn it into a full Technic build with a Technic case. At first sight it may look like a simple cover swap, but the real job will be more complicated than that. Based on my experience of Technic-ifying the Ornithopter, there are two major challenges. The first one is that the connection points for the linkages in a System model may not lie on a perfect grid, because they can be offset by plates, while in Technic connection points can only be on grid intersections in most cases. The second challenge is that structural bracing in Systems is done in a different way from structural bracing in Technic. Therefore even though the core mechanisms don't have to be reinvented, working on the surrounding structures is an act of creation of its own kind.
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingIndeed it is Technic at its core, and that's why to me it has more Technic spirit than recent sets in the Technic lineup. I just wanna turn this thing into its true form: a real Technic set from inside to outside.
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[TC28] Typewriter
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingThat was a lot of bricks for a not very big thing. That is one reason I don't like building with System bricks. I feel like it uses too many pieces just to construct one thing, while I can create a roughly similar thing with less parts in Technic.
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[TC28] Typewriter
"Technic is all about the cool functions" - said Markus Kossman. In search for that Technic spirit, I started something new: turning models from other Themes into Technic builds. I did that once with the Ornithopter, and this will be my second try. I will Technic-ify the set 21327 Typewriter into a Technic build. In fact, I've always wanted to do this, but originally not now, as I have plans for other MOCs. However, this TC28 came around, and why not, I decided I'd just go with it. There's no guarantee I'd be able to finish the thing in time for a submission but it doesnt really matter. What really matters is I do what I like, and I like what I do. 'The general plan for the Technic Typewriter is that first I'll construct the Studio model of the original 21327 not only to have a base for Technic-fication but to also learn how the mechanisms work. Then I'll replace all the system bricks with Technic pieces and make adjustments in terms of supporting structures. As for the color, there's no or very few Technic pieces in Sand Green, so I'm not gonna use that color. Also, I hate all the colors that age poorly, like white. I haven't had anything in Sand Green but I suspect I'd be the same. Therefore I plan to use DBG for the exterior. As for now, I've just finished constructing the lever structures of the original set. It was quite tedious so that's all I have for today.
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[MOD] PF Conversions for C+ sets - Directory
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Ngoc Nguyen's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingI think you're mixing up Control+ and PU. PU is the encompassing theme for the motor and hub system. The motors in 42145 is called PU L motor. Both the 42145 battery box, which is called Simple Hub, and the Bluetooth Hub belongs to PU. Control+ is only for remote-controlled Technic sets that use the Bluetooth Hub and require dedicated control profiles. 42145 belongs to PU but not Control+. The reason I'm doing all these PF Conversion for Control+ sets is that I want to provide some ways to allow people to control the C+ sets without having to rely on TLG's Control+ App, which might not be supported in the future. 42145 doesn't need the Control+ app to run, so I don't see why it needs PF conversion.
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[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Jim's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingNo mech please.
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[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic
Ngoc Nguyen replied to Jim's post in a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale ModelingIf possible, yes please
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