Technicopedia

[radiant7]

Blakbird, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles, it sounds like a brutal time for you . I'm really shocked that this has happened to someone in the Eurobricks community. I've used your site many times and I've found it invaluable for looking up the older Technic set functions, which are surprisingly hard to find info about (Brickset is full of reviews written by 8 year-olds). I especially love the vehicle group pages such as cranes or universal sets, with your own descriptions and take on the models. Thankyou for adding 1990, I was wondering what was taking so long between updates. It's amazing how much knowledge you have on the updated components of the time, do you really own all of those Technic sets?. How many years have you been collecting Lego for?

One day I would like to contribute to the Technicopedia. I absolutely love Technic and I REALLY should post more, because I own most of the major and unique sets. I hope to do some reviews in the future, but I can't do much right now because I don't have a computer at home and only have net access at work or on my phone, which is a pain to use for messageboards even with Opera mini.

[Blakbird]

It's amazing how much knowledge you have on the updated components of the time, do you really own all of those Technic sets?. How many years have you been collecting Lego for?

Yes, I really own all those sets. I have enjoyed Lego since I was a little boy, but I have only been collecting Technic for about 8 years. Obviously, I've bought a lot of them in that time!

One day I would like to contribute to the Technicopedia. I absolutely love Technic and I REALLY should post more, because I own most of the major and unique sets. I hope to do some reviews in the future, but I can't do much right now because I don't have a computer at home and only have net access at work or on my phone, which is a pain to use for messageboards even with Opera mini.

In the future, I can envision many opportunities for others to contribute to Technicopedia. Here's a few of the things I hope to add:

• Finish all years up to present (Bernd Dad Brodt is helping bny contributing some LDraw models)
  
• Go back to the beginning and include all the alternate models.
  
• Go back and include the supplemental sets and expansion packs.
  
• Try to collect a complete LDraw file for each model and devleop a database to house them all.
  
• Include one or more rendered images of each set.
  
• Go back and include some digital video instead of just animations.
  

I'm open to other ideas, but doing what is listed above may take a long time. The biggest area where I will need help is in contributing LDraw models. I'd like to give credit where credit is due, so I only want to post models whose authors have given me permission to do so.

By the way, thanks for your well wishes on my personal issues. I'm hoping things will start getting better soon.

[Blakbird]

Good news everyone!

I have now added the sets from 1991 to Technicopedia including 8074, 8810, 8815, 8820, 8838, and 8856.

You'll notice some other changes as well. Firstly, I have a new logo which is now rendered in 3D. The logo on the title page is even animated. I didn't animate the logos on all the other pages to keep from making a distraction.

The other thing I've added is the reason that this update has taken 2 months. I've been teaching myself rendering so, as practice, I have made 3D revolving animations of all of the sets which are part of Technicopedia and for which I actually have an Ldraw model. Have fun looking through all the old pages to see where they have been added!

If people actually like the new animation feature, please feel free to contribute Ldraw files of any of the other models and I will add more revolving displays. When I get around to hosting an Ldraw model library, I'll be happy to include them there as well.

Let me know what you think!

[CP5670]

Another nice overview. I think 1991 was the first year that they used air filled tires (on the Shock Cycle) instead of the hard foam ones.

There was also an interesting "super model" promotion that year with 8024, 8815 and 8820. The two latter sets came with an additional instruction booklet, which allowed you to combine the pieces from all three sets to build a sports car.

As you said, the flex cables were never widely used and even when they did appear, they were often used as simple liftarms. I think the 8485 dinosaur is the only model that truly showed what can be done with the system.

One issue with the Whirlwind Rescue is that the rear wheel hubs seem to break over time. I have had mine on display for 6 or 7 years and both of the rear wheels are cracked in the same spot. These wheels are only supported from one side and tend to sit on the ground at a slight angle, so I modified their supporting joints in case that had anything to do with it. Have you experienced this with yours?

That hub piece was prone to cracking in general, but this is the only time I've seen it happen on a display model. (and there are heavier models with it like 8480 that have no problems)

Tugging too hard can easily shatter the cable and repairing them is not easy (but possible; I broke and repaired one while writing this year's section).

I also have a broken one from the 8839 Supply Ship. I tried using some superglue at one point, but the bond wasn't strong enough and it broke again quickly. Unforunately, I lost the small end piece at some point and wouldn't be able to try again.

Edited December 13, 2008 by CP5670

[Blakbird]

Another nice overview. I think 1991 was the first year that they used air filled tires (on the Shock Cycle) instead of the hard foam ones.

That's true. The balloon tires on 8074 are actually foam even though this same tire was released later in rubber.

There was also an interesting "super model" promotion that year with 8024, 8815 and 8820. The two latter sets came with an additional instruction booklet, which allowed you to combine the pieces from all three sets to build a sports car.

I don't suppose you happen to have this instruction booklet? If anyone has it, I would happy to include information about it.

As you said, the flex cables were never widely used and even when they did appear, they were often used as simple liftarms. I think the 8485 dinosaur is the only model that truly showed what can be done with the system.

Yep, the dinosaur is really good. The helicopter cyclic is also a good use, as is the lift system in the Code Pilot dump truck. I would have like to see a large scale V8 engine in which the flex cables operated the throttle plate and choke. A working 4-barrel would be even better.

One issue with the Whirlwind Rescue is that the rear wheel hubs seem to break over time. I have had mine on display for 6 or 7 years and both of the rear wheels are cracked in the same spot. These wheels are only supported from one side and tend to sit on the ground at a slight angle, so I modified their supporting joints in case that had anything to do with it. Have you experienced this with yours?

That hub piece was prone to cracking in general, but this is the only time I've seen it happen on a display model. (and there are heavier models with it like 8480 that have no problems)

I've never broken a wheel hub, but the wall of the toothed connectors are very thin and they break easily. I have replaced dozens of them over the years. The thin end of the 4L liftarms has the same problem. If you look at the back view of my 8856 pictures, you can see the this. The 8480 wheels are in double shear while the 8856 is cantilevered.

I also have a broken one from the 8839 Supply Ship. I tried using some superglue at one point, but the bond wasn't strong enough and it broke again quickly. Unforunately, I lost the small end piece at some point and wouldn't be able to try again.

I've used superglue (cyano-acrylate) with some success. The key is to also use accelerator to cure it. Even better, use toluene based model glue. It slightly "melts" the plastic and makes a very strong joint.

[CP5670]

I don't suppose you happen to have this instruction booklet? If anyone has it, I would happy to include information about it.

This was the model, although it looks like he modified his a bit. I have the instructions but don't have a scanner here. The extra model is prominently advertised in the US 1991 catalog, but I can't find any other references to it.

I've never broken a wheel hub, but the wall of the toothed connectors are very thin and they break easily. I have replaced dozens of them over the years.

Yes, that connector is another piece that breaks quite easily. TLG experimented with several designs for it over the years before settling on the current one.

[Blakbird]

This was the model, although it looks like he modified his a bit. I have the instructions but don't have a scanner here. The extra model is prominently advertised in the US 1991 catalog, but I can't find any other references to it.

Ah yes, I've seen that one before. I'll dig through my stuff and see if I can turn up a reference. In keeping with my policy of not posting any copyrighted LEGO material, I would either have to build it or build and Ldraw file of it to include it.

I believe this is it.

Edited December 13, 2008 by Blakbird

[Blakbird]

A few people on Lugnet have commented that they would like to be able to control the 360 degree animation to be able to look at the model from all angles. This is not possible with the animated GIF that I use on the main page, but I have experimented with other formats to see what might work. The link below will take you to a Quicktime movie of 855 which is rendered at 800x600 and can be viewed frame by frame. What do you think? Is it worth making these and adding links to them?

855 Animation

[CP5670]

It looks nice, but if I'm going to download a file I would rather just get the model itself and look at it in LDView. I think the existing gifs do the job fine as a quick preview.

[Blakbird]

It looks nice, but if I'm going to download a file I would rather just get the model itself and look at it in LDView. I think the existing gifs do the job fine as a quick preview.

Good point. I guess if someone wanted to download a big Technic file, they would download this.

[Conchas]

Good work as usual!

From my perspective t would be nice to have a link for downloading these revolving Gifs in larger format.

The controllable 360º animations, ara also cool if you manage to embed them into the models page. They don't be necessarily very large, despite I'm not a specialist on how to produce them.

For really large and detailed ones, you could just add a link for download. At least the render details we would see, should be much better what obtained with LDView!?

[CP5670]

Good point. I guess if someone wanted to download a big Technic file, they would download this.

Wow, that looks great. You're giving me an incentive to fully update that model now.

[Blakbird]

Wow, that looks great. You're giving me an incentive to fully update that model now.

Don't bother updating it. I'm in the middle of building it right now and am updating the MPD file as I go. It's in pretty good shape, but there are a number of errors such that the mechanisms won't work as modeled. I've got most of them corrected already, mostly by squinting very intently at the pictures on your Brickshelf page. I've also updated a few colors just because (eliminated a few dark gray liftarms which didn't really seem to fit). If you have some time, I also have a couple of questions to ask you about it.

I'm also updating the flexible parts like the ribbed hoses. I'm even going to add the fiber optics. My goal is to render it again with all of the transparent parts illuminated and the fiber optics glowing with no other light sources, then put a nice starry sky above it. If that works and I am feeling really ambitious, I might even animate a launch sequence!

[CP5670]

Don't bother updating it. I'm in the middle of building it right now and am updating the MPD file as I go. It's in pretty good shape, but there are a number of errors such that the mechanisms won't work as modeled. I've got most of them corrected already, mostly by squinting very intently at the pictures on your Brickshelf page. I've also updated a few colors just because (eliminated a few dark gray liftarms which didn't really seem to fit). If you have some time, I also have a couple of questions to ask you about it.

I'm also updating the flexible parts like the ribbed hoses. I'm even going to add the fiber optics. My goal is to render it again with all of the transparent parts illuminated and the fiber optics glowing with no other light sources, then put a nice starry sky above it. If that works and I am feeling really ambitious, I might even animate a launch sequence!

That would look very impressive. Send me a copy when you're done.

There were some spots where I removed unnecessary structural elements to make room for mechanisms and the ldraw model might not reflect that. I don't really remember where I left off with it. I would be happy to answer your questions or take additional pictures. (although some of the gearing is hidden fairly deep inside and would be hard to get a picture of)

I tried to get the hoses in once through LSynth but could never get them to look right. They always came out as a series of disconnected ring-like bits instead of a single, contiguous piece. I was probably doing something wrong though.

This reminds me, I was going to make a thread on this MOC a few months ago but forgot about it. Now might be a good time.

[Blakbird]

That would look very impressive. Send me a copy when you're done.

There were some spots where I removed unnecessary structural elements to make room for mechanisms and the ldraw model might not reflect that. I don't really remember where I left off with it. I would be happy to answer your questions or take additional pictures. (although some of the gearing is hidden fairly deep inside and would be hard to get a picture of)

I tried to get the hoses in once through LSynth but could never get them to look right. They always came out as a series of disconnected ring-like bits instead of a single, contiguous piece. I was probably doing something wrong though.

This reminds me, I was going to make a thread on this MOC a few months ago but forgot about it. Now might be a good time.

The model is rendering right now. I'll send you a PM when it is complete. Looks great so far.

I got all of the mechanisms to work, so that is not a problem. There was one entire worm gear and axle missing from the ldraw file but once I figured that out I added it and everything works fine. I made a number of other corrections where things were just not in the right holes to get everything to line up. The only remaining discrepancies concern some of the structural changes you mentioned. I can see in your pictures that there are a few differences, but I can't tell for sure how to correct them. If you like, I can send you my updated ldraw file and you can start your update from that.

I got the flex tubes in with Lsynth just fine. I also added all of the fiber optics which looked great, but Lsynth uses a HUGE number of primitives for fiber, so the ldraw file was over 40 Mb. Even with 4Gb of RAM, it would not render. So I went back and used pneumatic tubing instead and then just modified the diameter so it looks like fiber. Worked great and now the model is only 1 Mb.

As far as the ring segments looking like disconnected bits, I have found that this is a function of seam width. For example, in LDView you can have it draw a seam between parts (which I usually do) but this makes the hoses look disconnected. Turn off this feature and they look fine.

In terms of "instructions", there are a couple of steps in the model that cannot be performed in the order shown, but it was no big deal to work around it.

One remaining question I have concerns the front "grille" made from axles and liftarms. It is only attached to the frame at the bottom, so the whole thing pivots down and just falls open a lot of the time. Is it supposed to be attached somewhere at the top? Finally, I can't figure out where you routed the wire for the fiber optics. I got them to work fine, but the wire does not seem to fit underneath the carriage like you seem to have it routed in the photo.

Thanks for the help.

[CP5670]

I moved my reply to the other thread. It might make more sense to continue this over there.

Edited December 18, 2008 by CP5670

[Blakbird]

I have now added the sets from 1992 to Technicopedia including 8826, 8828, 8836, 8837, 8839, and the great 8868. 8868 was a tremendous amount of work, but I hope you'll agree that it was worth it.

I've also added lots more rendered revolving animations and even a bunch of full screen renders for those who really need to have Technic on their desktop!

[CP5670]

If you don't have this set, you need to mortage your house, ransom your pets, or sell your liver. Do whatever it takes to get this model. You will not regret it.

Can't argue with that advice at all. The Airtech Claw Rig ranks as my favorite Technic set ever. I especially like your render of only the pneumatic portions of the set. The dual-acting piston setup for the turntable didn't turn very smoothly, but I still liked that mechanism and how they integrated pneumatics into every aspect of the claw arm. The set also included a large amount of extra pneumatic tubing, about twice as much as the model actually needs.

The engine on this set is geared up from the wheels a lot, more than any other model I have, and it turns very rapidly as a result. This was also the last set to use the old 20x30 wheels.

The 8868's alternate model is worth a mention as well. It looks a bit strange but it has a pneumatic control circuit that runs through the functions in sequence automatically. It was the only Technic model ever to use such a system.

The Supply Ship is another great set and is somewhat underrated. It's surprisingly large given the size of its box, and I like how the propellor housings turn alongside the steering. It also comes with several nice 2x2 computer panel stickers that I have found useful in space MOCs.

One minor correction in the 8868 article:

It was the first (and only) to include BOTH an electic motor and pneumatics.

The 8421 Mobile Crane many years later also had both, although it didn't integrate the two systems at all unlike this set.

Edited January 12, 2009 by CP5670

[Blakbird]

One minor correction in the 8868 article:

The 8421 Mobile Crane many years later also had both, although it didn't integrate the two systems at all unlike this set.

You're right! How could I forget that one? Oh well, I guess I have some correcting to do; I can't be perfect all the time.

And yes, the motor does turn very fast. It is geared almost 9:1. On the other hand, I seem to remember someone else making a MOC with almost the same parts as 8868 which also has a motor that turns very fast....... The old 852 chassis was also 9:1 in 2nd gear.

[Musikfreak]

The 8868 site is just great - you outdid yourself with it. All the coloured hoses are perfect to understand the functions of the model.

One thing I always did with the 8868 is secure the little actuator from the claw in the middle of the black triangle. The rest of the model is just perfect. One of the few models which I always keep constructed.

Kudos for this update!

[CP5670]

You're right! How could I forget that one? Oh well, I guess I have some correcting to do; I can't be perfect all the time.

And yes, the motor does turn very fast. It is geared almost 9:1. On the other hand, I seem to remember someone else making a MOC with almost the same parts as 8868 which also has a motor that turns very fast....... The old 852 chassis was also 9:1 in 2nd gear.

The gear ratio on that MOC is actually only 10:3. I like the fast engine on this set though and it gives the pistons a more realistic look in motion. The 8857 Street Chopper has the same ratio too but the wheels are larger, so the engine doesn't turn as fast if you move the model at the same speed.

[Blakbird]

Yes, it's finally true. At long last I have uploaded another update to Technicopedia. Thanks again to Berndasbrot for providing various ldraw models for 1993, and to Owen Dive for providing some older models for rendering.

I have now added the sets from 1993 to Technicopedia including 8022, 8042, 8082, 8818, 8824, 8857, and 8872. There's some good sets here; I hope you enjoy it.

[CP5670]

Great stuff as usual. The best set that year was probably 8082, especially the forklift which is still one of my favorite models. I remember that set had a very large number of crown and worm gears for its time. I have slightly modified the forklift so that both sets of wheels turn in opposite direction (tank-style) when the steering function is selected, which gives it much sharper turns on flat surfaces. As you said, the forks are heavily geared down and have a fair bit of lifting power.

I'm actually using the 8818 stickers on the Blacktron Battrax here.

You made some interesting comments on the 8857's rear wheels and axle joiners. It's obvious that they were already planning out the 8880 Super Car alongside the 1993 sets, as the wheels had the connections for the 8880's special CV joints. The concept for 8857 was unusual, and I only learned many years later what it was supposed to be.

The rubber bumpers from 8824 appeared in some System sets later on. The 6473 Res-Q Cruiser has them, and I think one of the World City sets used them too.

8872 always seemed a bit lacking to me in comparison to other years' flagships, but in your article it looks a lot more mechanically interesting than I thought earlier. Maybe I should try to find one, as it's the only major 90s Technic set I don't have.

The micromotor was unfortunately dodgy and prone to failure, especially the earlier ones. I have a few dead ones.

[paul_delahaye]

Awesome, I was waiting for the next installment, I think this should topic should be pinned ;-)

Such a good resource

Paul

[Blakbird]

The micromotor was unfortunately dodgy and prone to failure, especially the earlier ones. I have a few dead ones.

Interesting that you've had so much trouble with the micro motors. Mine have all been completely fine, at least in Technic sets. At one point the one in the UFO set (6979) wouldn't work, but I banged it on the table and it fired right up again! I think perhaps the contacts just get dirty after sitting around for a long time. I guess that just means you need to use them more often.