nico71

New creation ! A fully mechanical bilateral letter scale, with dual dials from 0 to 175gr, ideal for antique objects enthusiasts or to decorate a desk. How it works ? This machine is used for weighing letters or small objects, inspired by Columbus Maul scales. It rely only on mechanical components, with connecting rods, levers, dials and counterweights. It measures 20cm (L) x 10cm (W) x 28cm (H). The upper tray is connected to each pendulum side with connecting rods, which share a coaxial rotation axle. When weight is applied, the two pendulum sides move apart, the greater the weight is. One pendulum side holds the cursors on it, the other holds the dials. The bottom cursor indicates the weight from 0 to 80gr. It is placed further from the center of rotation of the two pendulum sides, and with an angle between the connecting rod and the pendulum closer to 90°, which makes the measurement more sensitive and linear. The upper cursor displays the weight from 70 to 175gr, with the same functioning as the previous dial, but at a less distance and an acute angle between the rods and the pendulum. This causes less displacement of the cursor as the weight increases, allowing a non-linear scale and a reading of a greater weight. This combination of functioning and dials enables a fine reading of the weight on the bottom cursor, and a rough reading of larger weights on the other cursor, with keeping the symmetry of the scale which is important for its functioning. If you want to read more about Letter Scale, please visit this excellent website. Regarding the design, the most complicated things was the symmetrical weight despite different side (one with dials, one with cursors), with keeping a nice look to be a decorating objects. The sticker was also not easy to draw as the scale a non linear so a lot of try and retry to find the correct setup. Regarding the accuracy, I would say it is something like 5g for the fine reading (0-70gr) and 10g for the large one (70-175gr) with a maximum error at the max due the friction (bar work well at low angle), with a good repeatability as long as you center the mass on the tray, and a minimum weight of 5gr (below it is not very repeatable measure). See it in action (with some tips and tricks) : Links : 📕 Instructions on my website : https://www.nico71.fr/product/letter-scale/ 🧩 Bill of material and instructions on Rebrickable : https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-202559/Nico71/bilateral-letter-scale/#parts 🎁 Complete kit (Genuine LEGO parts) : https://buildamoc.com/products/bilateral-letter-scale Let me know you though about ! 👍

I have missed this book, wow, what an achievement @Davidz90 I have been looking for your work from years, being a big source of inspiration for escapement and suspensions.

This Patrol is very recent, mostly inspired by other, surely by Apachaihapachai. Indeed, that is not easy to create a small driven and steerable axle, but the part combination is only one side for the solution. The other side is to containing the weight and the axle geometry to keep low the taken-apart force.

Thanks Gyenesvi, I embed the picture here for everyone : So this is a WIP truck, 6x6. The picture of the front axle underneath : Which is a combination of several small trick to obtain a strong and steerable / drivable axle at this scale with using heavy CV join. I have make some research to find the original author / inspiration to credit them : Floating U shape connector (remove one U join, very useful with the long reinforced CV join) I inspire by you but in fact this is way older : https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-119108/Bricklab2006/mini-4x4-rc-offroader-buwizz-30/#details (from 2022) Use of split connector + heavy cv join : I discovered here but in fact it exist for longer time here : https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-149669/Apachaihapachai/terracotta-pickup-truck/#details (from 2023) The double gearing on the center is very old technique, I can remember when it popped. For the rest of the technique, I do not know if I am the original author but I just use like that when building. As you mentioned, the spring is attached to the arms, as this is a live axle (5 links), the spring as only to work up and down like a trailing arm and so not complicated build to enable crossing axle. The arm with towball is attached underneath the axle, so on heavy load, we can think it can be taken apart but in fact there is a bar with balls above which secure the towball pins, and where a links 6l is connected (not present on the picture). so it gives the 4 links. The last one is a panhard rod on the front. Then, the front part of the axle is composed of layer of half beam and 7L beam the closer it is possible to the drive axle, in order to avoid the wheel to camber ot much. As there is no attachment point underneath. Not perfect, but better than everything I have seen before at this scale. I need to connect the servo motor for the steering. But I would like to avoid join so direct actuation with link, but I want also a removable working engine so I have to make compromizz on space. Then a two-speed gearbox, a proper design and it will be ready for testing :) Indeed, this is my preferred scale (1/20 and 1/17) for trucks.

Hello, thanks for your comment ! It has been possible to create like that because the size of the tire, and the overal proportion of the car, which allows 7 studs between the two steering center. So with the frame, I have 5 studs, which is enough to fit a 4 cylinders engine, as long as the gearing is inside the engine, here is the trick. This model was designed about 1 year ago, so now I think I could make even better with heavy CV join and split connector as I do on my upcoming 6x6 truck (yes the floating Toggle Joint is inspired from your Ford :) )

Thanks for that comment ! If you recognize it, so the LEGO shape is at least correct ! Yes a RWD would have been cool, to compete with MX5. Or even a mid-engine configuration like the MR2. But the idea I think was more to take a 5g civic and try something cool with not so many industrial costs. There was a time where having a convertible / targa car was mandatory in the product range.

New creation ! The model :A Honda CR-X del Sol at 1/12 scale, made as a commission gift for a particular. It features front wheel drive with removable fake engine, steering, rear suspensions, openable hood, doors and trunk with targa-top. Available in two versions in one purchase : JDM and USDM.Quick Functions Showcase :Specs : 1/12 Scale : 33 x 15 x 11cm, Ø49mm wheel Front wheel drive (un-motorized) without differential Detailed engine bay with removable 4-piston engine Steering with rack and pinion and return to the steering wheel (rubber band) Rear suspensions with dismantled 76138 parts Detachable Hand of God (can be stored into the trunk) Openable hood (underneath blue pusher) and doors Openable trunk, to access the removable roof (targa-top) Available in two versions : JDM/EUDM and USDM (facelift without frog light and modified bumper) : 📕 You can see more data, pictures and instructions previews on my website [nico71.fr] 🧩 Bill Of material [rebrickable.com] 👍 Social link [Instagram.com]Original Model History :The Honda CR-X del Sol is a two-seater targa-top car manufactured by Honda from 1992 until 1998. Despite the body resemblance to a mid-engine car design, the del Sol is based on the front-engined Honda Civic platform and was the successor to the Honda CR-X. Known for its small aux-light on the front face, 90's bio design, and motorized T-top in option, it competes against Toyota MR2 and Mazda Miata with gazoline 1.5 and 1.6 Vtec engine, from 102 to 160 hp. The USDM version has a slightly difference bumper, with the removal of the small headlight in 1996 and rear spoiler in option. [wikipedia] Video :

In 2012, the French company StageMaster SAS contacted me to build a replica of a Folding Stage Trailer for exhibition purpose. The requirements was to have the motorized trailer for its transformation, and manual functions for the truck. I have never published instructions on it as it was only produced at one unit. But after some demands, I finished the 3D model I have to make it usable and generate the partlist. Specs : Scale : 1/20, Dimensions 72 x 14 x 25cm folded; 72 x 40 x 40 unfolded (with truck) 4 pneumatic stabilizers + Manual feet Right and Left panel folding with a M motor (worm screw gearing with clutch) Upper panels folding with a M motor (worm screw gearing with clutch) Raising roof with dual string-driven telescopic actuator (M motor with worm screw on winch) Steering on the Truck with Hand Of God, no fake engine, no drivetrain Simple fifth wheel (hole) Underneath render :Inspiration Model(CIMC Huayuan / sinoswan Truck and Trailer)Links and infos : 📲 More pictures, review, preview instructions [nico71.fr] ❓ Design Process Blog Post [nico71.fr] 🧩 Partlist on Rebrickable [rebrickable.com] 🎥 Video presentation (remaster 1080p) [youtube.com] 🎥 Work in Progress Video [youtube.com] Note on the parts :▶ You will need 2x 50cm string, and 64cm (80l) hose to cut that you can source alternatively here▶ I recommend to swap the rare tires (49.6 x 28) by narrower versions (49.6 x 20 with 56145 rims▶ I recommend swapping the 3x11 curved panel by the newer with holes).▶ The 3D model do not show the flexible parts but I have made a guide for that, especially for the string paths.The Instructions :Unfortunately this model has not a proper PDF building instructions as usual. But I release the 3D model for free in .mpd and .io, as well as a 3D Web Viewer Instructions with rough step (see PDF document for the link), thanks to the help of Lasse from Brickhub.So you can see how it is made, use as reference, inspiration, modify it etc. The build is quite old now but the mechanism principles such as the winch driven actuator are still relevant and the design of the truck is simple but part effective for its size.Video :

Thanks for the picture 👍

Wise advice, are you sure it works with the 28t red gear of the differential ?

I do not see your point. This is not the same solution you shown on Pipasseyoyo's Truck. He uses classic portal hub, not geared one, so not very difficult to have double-tire at the rear in 19-stud wide with portal hub. Using geared hub requires to connect them with a CJ join which take place, and so keeping the width low which is the difficult trick (or you accept to be off scale with that tire or put bigger tire and use 21 studs wide). I have tried the same option with the 16t but it doens't work well. That is why I come up with my own solution on my Chevrolet Kodiak : The part : https://rebrickable.com/parts/57360/hinge-cylinder-1-x-2-locking-with-2-click-fingers-and-axle-hole-7-teeth/ The truck : https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-155168/Nico71/chevrolet-kodiak-c70-control-version/#details Which work pretty good, not suitable for front steerable axle because this is not a CJ join, but it handle well the torque on the fixed axle, with keeping the width low (2l instead of 3l). I have not tested on heavy truck (I will) but I think there will not be problem. Nico

^^ It seems to handle quite well the torque on the video, surely the 8x8 transmission help to reduce the resistive torque on each axle, but maybe it worth to try on a 6x4 config for instance. Interesting use anyway !

Nobody mentioned the clever solution to keep small the width at the back with this scale and dual-wheel ? It uses the heavy CV joins connect to the diff, but without differential (so one stud save in width on each side, as on my Kodiak with 2L hinge cylinder instead of 3L join), but with a framing around the CV-joins to hold them, and leaded 12t gear on the crown of the diff to secure the position of the diff (because it is not maintain on its center). That is a pretty clever solution @P McCatty ! I did not see before in truck (see elsewhere but not for motorized drivetrain on big truck).

New instructions for an old creation (Free Instructions) : The model :A Great Contraption Module based on the Cardan Gear invented by Girolamo Cardano, from a simplified LEGO version of Torbjörn Söderstedt, build in 2015 for an exhibition. Here is a revised version with PDF instructions, with the helps of Daniel Garcia Argüelles (Daniel58).Quick Functions Showcase :How it works :A M motor operates two different mechanisms with crank / connector rod on sliding mechanisms : the Cardan Lift and the Input Tray. The Cardan Lift mechanism is composed of two arms, a first which is operated by the sliding mechanism, and a second which is attached to the chassis with a gear multiplication (40/20) using a differential to pass though the center. When the main arm rotates by 180°, the second arm makes 360° in the opposite direction. It enables the balls to be kept inside the fork and unload them in the output tray. A rubber band helps to prevent backlash in the functioning when the arm goes down.The second operated element is the Input Tray, which has an angled floor and a moving step at the end which can take only 6 balls. They are lifted when the Cardan Lift comes, and then, the step goes down and 6 other balls are loaded. 📕 Free instructions : https://www.nico71.fr/product/cardan-lift/ 🧩 Bill Of material : https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-190380/Nico71/cardan-lift-great-ball-contraption/#parts 📐 Dimensions : 34cm (L) x 26cm (W) x 23cm (H), 1 M motor or crank operated Video : In action at Diemoz 2015 :

Thanks !