Bricks have been ordered - now to figure out how to build this monster.

Here's hoping it works out.

Decided to rough draft instructions out before parts arrive so I can get an idea of how to build this monster.

Cockpit Ball is done.

Ill tackle the Main Body/Core/Pylons tomorrow if I can.

Strangely enough its not that hard to do instructions - may not be the prettiest - but should be clear cut.

Edited May 17, 20222 yr by Kage Goomba

Wow learned a lot today - got the main core body instructions done only to encounter "Chicken or the egg" syndrome.

Kind of glad I'm doing this because it will save me a lot of time assembly wise.

 

Not necessarily in order just a lot of jumping back and forth today.

Finished instructions - threw them on my server. (Read first post)

Could use some feedback / suggestions / help.

May have a friend willing to build one out already so should be interesting.

Edited May 22, 20222 yr by Kage Goomba

Fixes on the instructions found/reported so far:

Page 115 Missing/Blanked

Error - Step 369 - Rotation of model is wrong.
Bill of Materials bugged out - repaired/figured out how to install.

 

Missing page will be uploaded - rest will be next iteration when I have patience to dedicate my computer to compiling it.

Very well-made instructions, Kage. Excellent job.

One critique: On many steps, there are arrows. It might be worth some time to explain exactly what you'd like the arrows to represent.

Edited May 22, 20222 yr by MAVERICK26

11 minutes ago, MAVERICK26 said:

Very well-made instructions, Kage. Excellent job.

One critique: On many steps, there are arrows. It might be worth some time to explain exactly what you'd like the arrows to represent.

Good call out - my concern is the "red highlighted" bricks may not be obvious so I used arrows to point out there's a piece there.

Also to indicate directionality and installation.

I try to approach my documentation with the philosophy that some things need to be spelled out. :)

I'm a total newb when it comes to this so still learning.

Edited May 22, 20222 yr by Kage Goomba

22 minutes ago, Kage Goomba said:

Good call out - my concern is the "red highlighted" bricks may not be obvious so I used arrows to point out there's a piece there.

Also to indicate directionality and installation.

I try to approach my documentation with the philosophy that some things need to be spelled out. :)

I'm a total newb when it comes to this so still learning.

PM me if you have any questions.

Just now, MAVERICK26 said:

PM me if you have any questions.

Happy to take advice/council on terms of instruction manual methodology - so feel free to post your feedback here or in PM if you wish.

Started construction after counting my bricks - oof.....here goes nothing and everything.

dont mind the mess - don't have much space as it is - what you don't see is the 2 very large gallon ziplock bags of left over parts from the first build iteration.

"Big oof" there - hope to use those parts on the Otana.

Up to step 101 - Already got a running tally of instruction issues to correct lol!

Night mode lighting - I like living a cave :P (the light burns ok?!)

 

Comments : The main body is very strong/rigid - and its getting stronger.

The horizontal struts that run along the body look not legit - but its just enough space that its a matter of slight wiggling to get room.

Outer brackets on the pylons are a wee bit touchy - but it is just dressing.

Quite happy with this design thus far in terms of core/spine/pylon layout.

@Monkeyulize is brilliant (he's the one that came up with this - whilst I just did some minor adjustments)

So that was an experience.

1: Cockpit is much better - still have some soft spots/touchy areas - stronger than before - likely will redo it (yet again) to make it stronger later. - soft spots are the cockpit hatch - little sensor nodes on the bottom - the bottom hinge area holding cockpit window. Top front section. May opt to make cockpit a bit thicker(longer) by one plate both sides to increase structure - not sure I like that idea but it could help.

2: Lift Arm strut is helping it hold it up - it still sags a wee bit - but much better than before.

3: Connecting the lift arm strut to the main spine however is a bit tricky - it was half a mm off - had to leverage a wee bit - took a picture to reference methodology to attach. Also need to make sure the axle spine is pushed in to the end to ensure good lift structurally speaking.

4: Installing the last horizontal strut is a bit of chore - the stress load is pretty intense - but that also means when you do get it installed (watch your fingers!) - its strong and not going anywhere. I'm rather confident it will hold the weight - hinge plates are still in question TIE Panel wise.

 

That's it for today - so far so good - ill do more tomorrow time permitting.

Made some more progress today - updated first post. Looking good overall. Should hold the weight nicely. Hopping to finish tomorrow.

Lots of progress, thanks for the pictures! Looks a heck of a lot better than what you were starting with.

2 minutes ago, icm said:

Lots of progress, thanks for the pictures! Looks a heck of a lot better than what you were starting with.

I've been telling my roommate that Lego MOC'ers are OCD (Obsessive Compulsive) when it comes to our projects.

Now I have proof LMAO

To think this was a horrifying nightmare that began 2-3 months ago - looks like its finally coming together. I regret the loss of funds - but I do not regret the knowledge gained that I can put towards my Otana project.

Here's hoping the outer panels will hold as everything else is working out just fine.

Feel free to look over the instructions/give fieedback - bearing in mind that there's a list of issues reported already XD

Edited May 24, 20222 yr by Kage Goomba

Ok gents - Stand is just not going to cut it.

 

Any ideas? Anything at all.

Issues to repeat -

1: Its too wobbly to left and right.

2: It wants to lean forward due to weight - easy fix but maybe better ideas?

3: Its seat isn't the best - could use some tuning.

Some food for thought on the cockpit sag

38 minutes ago, ForgedInLego said:

Some food for thought on the cockpit sag

Cockpit sag is minimal to none - albeit room for improvement always. Once I got the shaft installed firmly it held nicely.

The trouble now is the weight is causing the model to tilt forward on the stand which means that stand isn't going to hold.

Course switching to an axle to hold it would be a good idea - illl work on a alternative option.

Ok here's my suggested stand fixes.

Decided to go with counterweight option to help minimize wobble and add struts to enforce the chin.

Any comments?

 

I'll also be redoing the panels - need to find a way to pull strut length back by 1 stud-ish to allow the hinge plates to reach their lock in slot. means removing the large plates and going tile crazy/other options - but its something.

Also going to do the thing @ForgedInLego suggested (not going to change my current real model as its not really a problem atm) and change other bricks/pieces out that I found.

And fix instruction issues as well. Going to take a week or less I figure. Depends on feedback on my stand options and panel design.

here my two cents to the stand which looks a little adventurous .

I would propose a "T" and the vertical part in the center of the gravity.
For the vertical stand you need to attach some diagonal liftarms similar to a lattice crane.
Also the horizontal part should have a double layer of liftarms with diagonal enforcement.

Also you can add some some liftarms to the base to gain a bigger support plate.

If that works it will look more elegant than the part supporting the cockpit

5 minutes ago, Mr Ogel said:

here my two cents to the stand which looks a little adventurous .

I would propose a "T" and the vertical part in the center of the gravity.
For the vertical stand you need to attach some diagonal liftarms similar to a lattice crane.
Also the horizontal part should have a double layer of liftarms with diagonal enforcement.

Also you can add some some liftarms to the base to gain a bigger support plate.

If that works it will look more elegant than the part supporting the cockpit

Don't suppose you could give me a rough example or screenshot? Sorry - bit tired and starting to go crosseyed. :)

Made adjustment to TIE panel struts thanks to some clever tile'ing around and moving.This should allow hinge plates to flex further without anything blocking it.

It's not terribly pretty but the original wasn't that great either.

 

here an (actually not such) fast build for the lattice -and the bottle is full -1,5kg. The diagonal liftarms need to be in both directions.
I connected the orange liftarms with perpendicular liftarms https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=71710.

The diagonal liftarms I did with nine long liftarms put on a triangle with 5-5-7, better would be 3-4-5 of course, than you have also a little more space, too.

My first post with pictures - I hope that works 

3 minutes ago, Mr Ogel said:

 

here an (actually not such) fast build for the lattice -and the bottle is full -1,5kg. The diagonal liftarms need to be in both directions.
I connected the orange liftarms with perpendicular liftarms https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=71710.

The diagonal liftarms I did with nine long liftarms put on a triangle with 5-5-7, better would be 3-4-5 of course, than you have also a little more space, too.

My first post with pictures - I hope that works 

Ok weird question - is this because my current suggestion is bad or you trying to minimize part counts?

Don't suppose we could move this to discord and talk live? XD

PS: your pics are great.

Update: Sorry for long pause.

Been busy at work.

Just spent the last several hours cleaning the instruction manual.

Was hopping to be done but the programs being a real pain in the rear.

All the issues I found where fixed.

I took @ForgedInLego suggestion and used a capped axle for the cockpit lift-arm assembly.

Also adjusted the Outter TIE Panel struts to make room for hinges to lock in fully.

The only hang up is the stand - once I've settled on the design I'll finish the manual and get it uploaded and well - 3rd times the charm right?