GBTechnic

Agreed but I'd modify this slightly and say your first big set. My son had a small set that helped me catch the bug and it was very simple... but 41999 was my second set and it took almost 18 hours of build and rebuild to correct errors in all.

No, but I'd love to have 2.

When I discovered Lego Technic a while ago I bought my first set in eBay at a significant markup over MSRP: 41999. Love it! Now and many sets later I absolutely want these five: 42056 8043 42009 9396 42065 I'm almost certain to get 42065 and then circle back to old sets unless the Porsche dips in price. I've had too much success buying sets at discounts near the end of their production cycle to consider buying the Porsche yet... but that tracked Racer is calling my name and it's very playable!

Individual parts or 42065 is the cheapest way to get to RC. I wouldn't worry about having duplicate motors though because you will quickly find that more motors leads to flexibility and often better performance. Having said that, your next purchase should be an S Brick after you have the 42065/parts. Having to follow your RC vehicle closely due to Lego's RC range and having to expose the receiver for visibility/range isn't the best. I was in your shoes last year and bought an S Brick and 42030 but had a bigger budget. My niece wants to go RC too and I told her to buy 42065 as it's the cheapest ready made RC kit made by Lego.

Just picked up another 42042 set... thanks for the heads up!

You're more creative C Models (birds, dragons, this hover craft) are a much better marketing tool for selling sets if they were used as the B Model in my opinion. I bought the bird/helicopter set for parts and never built the A model but I'll be building a bird now. The ultralight helicopter wasn't interesting to me either but I'm really liking the hovercraft! Nice work.

Love all the mods particularly the sound and claw functionality without putting a motor in the claw... now if only I could figure out how to do that! Can you detail what & how many motors are dedicated to each functions? Thanks! ????

Excellent remake of one of my favorite Lego Technic models!

The profit margin on the smaller sets isn't worth it in my opinion. I would stick to sets over 1,000 to 1,500 pieces. And from a profitably perspective I would also ignore getting 100% of a year's sets and focus on sets still in retail stores as they are discounted towards the end of their "retail life"... specific sets like 42030, 42042, 42043, 42056 when the discounts come. As a relatively new AFOL, I have never looked to buy new/used sets from past years that aren't for sale in stores that are small sets (sub 1,000 pieces) EXCEPT for the crane 8288. Otherwise, I want the flagships like 8043, 42009, and 41999. I own 41999 and paid ~150% of its retail cost and I would never do that for a small, non-flagship set. If you do nothing else, get 42042 as cranes seem to sell well no matter how big or small, new or old. I own 2 of 42042 and want to pick up a third if the price was right in stores. It's the only set I have ever considered wanting 3+ Of the same set.

I was referring to all the 2013 sets. I may be missing something but the app I use to lookup Lego Technic shows only 12 sets released in 2013. I was making my comments based on these 12 sets. Having said that... as a thought exercise I looked back on all the last six/seven years of Technic sets and if I were to purchase one year in its entirety over again, it would be 2015 with 2016 a close second. 2015 has three sets I absolutely love to rebuild/mod over and over: 42039, 42040 and 42042 plus it has 42043.

Love the build... another example of why I need to get some buggy motors!

Excellent modifications. I wish it were in sale in the United States so I could buy one!

Love the modifications and the detailed pictures! Did you buy a second 42042 to source the parts for most of the mods (except the obvious new stuff like springs and yellow parts)? I plan to mod my 42042 similarly but have been distracted by some GBC C modeling using 42042 for the last few months. ????

I would buy the 42030 bucket plus spare parts necessary AND 42042 since it seems you don't have it. Both sets are/will be out of production soon and are worthy purchases. The Claas is the best set of the ones you listed but as others have said, it'll be around for at least another 1 to 1.5 years. 42030 can be had for 20-30% off new and sometimes cheaper used. I would NOT buy the Article Truck... it's looks nice but unless you have wheels to swap for the tracks it's playability stinks. Assuming you were seriously asking a question vs gloating... I wouldn't buy a second set of any of the 2013 year except 41999 (if found for a deal) and 42009 (to mod/build an ultimate model). All the others are worth one purchase but not two.

I second this choice. I've bought GBC instructions and GBC balls from here too. They are based in the Netherlands but they ship a lot of places.

I haven't acquired 42009, 8258 nor 8043 yet(!) so I won't pick these... but the fact that I intend to buy them used/New after they went out if production says a lot. Of the recent years since I was introduced to the Lego Technic hobby, I would lean towards 42039 (many awesome c models) and 42030 for its playability... but that's from a coolness factor. In reality the sets I would truly classify as favorites, for me, are the ones I've built and rebuilt again and again and the ones I've modded a lot. For me that's these three: 42042 crawler crane (my vote for true favorite) 42040 fire plane 42022 hot rod These aren't the biggest sets I own but I would never part them out for custom builds nor take them apart except to rebuild them again and again.

I completely agree with this suggestion. I have good eyesight and still had to zoom into the instructions to determine beam lengths. Other pieces are distinctive enough to determine what they are but beam lengths are not.

Another winning C Model/GBC build. This guy is a genius at creatively using these sets. This 42043 GBC model looks really playable, particularly the moving elements in the platform, the speed that the balls move thru the loop and the way the platform moves up and down too. I have to say though that I am no particularly happy that two C Models I really want have release dates in July 2018 (42042 Inverse belt lifter, "GBC 9" or the first 42043 GBC model. Who wants to preorder a set now that won't be seen for 18 months?! Now if preordering will move up the delivery timeline I'll do it but don't tease me with an awesome build and make me wait so long!!! ?

That's a steal!!! I have recently noticed that Craigslist (USA) is usually the best place to find steals and deals for Lego Technic. I saw both sets you got for $100 each and nobody was interested (except me but my leg is broke so I have to wait and hope it's still out there after I can drive again)!

I agree with you 100%. I buy sets all the time as a 40 year old AFOL and was drawn to Technic because of its robust build quality and engineering/mechanical complexity... BUT it's still a toy and my eight year old son is often turned off about Technic because of a lack of attention span. As a parent who wants to enrich my child's life with as much S.T.E.M. (science, tech., engineering and math) the RC tracked Racer 42065 will be one of the few sets I buy ASAP (I usually wait for deals) because my son WILL want to build it, play with it and... it's a steal at this price. My niece has a couple Technic sets but has a mother (my sister) who hates the cost of these sets AND has an ignorant belief that this hobby isn't for girls. She has desperately wanted RC parts but cannot afford it at 10 years old... I'll be gifting a second set to her at these prices. Every since I saw the pics of this set, I knew it was a winner for kids, RC lovers and AFOL fans who still "play" with their sets too (vs just displaying or admiring the engineering). As a relatively new Technic collector I have RC parts but still want more for "ultimate Mocs" and also because I hate taking apart big builds just to build new RC creations. Many newbies were fascinated with 42030 bc it was RC and they'll love this too. @Sariel Love ❤️ this one and all of your videos (including the 360 degree ones). Keep up the excellent work!

When I first discovered Lego Technic a little over a year ago all of the small sets were fascinating, especially the pull back racers. Now 25 mostly medium to big sets later I have to watch myself when I instinctively dislike the small sets. I then recall that my eight year old son loves Lego Technic sets but hates to build them because they take too long. These are just the kinds of sets that an AFOL can give or build with a child and keep their interest as their attention span and love for Technic (hopefully) grows. My son prefers Lego character sets (Batman, Star Wars, etc), but when dad gives him free Lego Technic sets he loves playing with them too. From that perspective, all the sets if found on a cheaper deal will likely become a part of my collection because Lego is one of the things that my son and I bond over.

I was in the same situation but am still not far enough along to worry about final mechanism timing issues. I got the HD PDF instructions sent to me so I would check your old emails because the company automatically sent me the updated file without me having to ask... and these instructions are VERY GOOD.

Both deals are sold out online... only in store inventory left and that's essentially gone too.

Two excellent online deals for some Lego Technic sets at Toys"R"Us that are lower than I have ever seen in the United States: 42042 - now $90 USD (MSRP is $150) 42030 - now $150 USD (MSRP is $250) Deals as of December 9, 2016. Both deals are much lower than the more common 30% savings that is common a few months to a year after the initial release of a set. My guess is that it's a combo of holiday deals and selling off inventory in anticipation of these sets going out of production. Get them while they last! I have both sets already but will be getting a second 42042 today!!!

If anyone was hesitating buying this model or like me wanted a second set for modding or other purposes, Toys"R"Us in the United States has this set on sale for $90 USD. That's a 44% savings off the MSRP and the best price for a new set I've seen in the U.S (I bought it for $139 in September). No idea if the deal lasts beyond today so get it while it's cheap!