Why Storing Technic Sets Assembled Is Bad

[phool]

Recently I was fortunate enough to obtain a selection of older Technic sets, which happened to include the venerable 8480-1 and 8448 from my wife's cousin. The sets were all stored assembled in a large box. Each sets was individually wrapped in bubble wrap, however that wasn't enough for some of the parts. A picture is worth a thousand words (apologies for the poor quality, only have my cellphone available right now):

In addition to the above, my son managed to snap a 4L axle while playing with with the 8448! Anyway, I commenced with inventorying each set and checking what parts are missing. I washed and built the 8448, however there are several parts missing which makes building a challenge when you cant find a piece because it actually is missing and not hiding in a pile somewhere! The washing is essential, check out the dust (that's a white plate you're looking at):

I have yet to build the 8480-1, but I think I'll resist the temptation until I have a full parts complement. Anyway I thought I'd share these deformed parts here. Anybody else got some horror stories?

[CP5670]

There has only been one case where I've had a problem with an assembled Technic model. The rear wheels on my 8856 cracked after 7 or 8 years on display. This may have been related to the single-sided wheel forks, which bend slightly and make the wheels touch the ground at a slight angle. I changed the forks to be double-sided and it has not gotten any worse since then.

The vast majority of built models will not damage pieces over time, unless they are using some sort of illegal building technique. The pieces you show look bad enough that they had probably already gotten damaged in some other way, before the models were assembled.

[TechnicJuan]

I have my built sets stored in rubbermaid containers with lids. I don't understand what you mean by storing them is bad. Maybe "Not Properly" storing them is bad.

Edited March 12, 2010 by TechnicJuan

[zyrex]

Had my 5580 on display since 1990, until february 2010 - when I dropped it by accident - all parts were still good, even after the drop to the living room floor.

It was dusty though, so I got it cleaned with an old toothbrush since I was rebuilding it anyway, part by part it got clean again - except for the yellowing :/

[DLuders]

If you want to get replacement parts, you should try Bricklink.com . It has a "Catalog" function with which you can search for "Parts" on the dropdown menu ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalog.asp ). It's easy to get replacement "Technic Gears", "Technic Pins" and "Plates" to replace the bad parts you photographed. Try it -- you'll like it!

Replacement 24-tooth Technic Gear (New Style with Single Axle Hole, not the weaker "old style" with the 3 axle holes which you pictured): http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3648 . Pick a color and shop worldwide!

Replacement Technic Pin: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4459 . These are really inexpensive; get at least 100.

Replacement 2 x 6 Plate (click on the "White" color in the "Price Guide Info" column to see hundreds of NEW and USED plates available): http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3795 .

Edited March 13, 2010 by dluders

[Siegfried]

My 8421 developed a bend somewhere as I was stupid and left the boom extended for over a year. I ended up pulling it apart so I'm not sure if there's any permanent damage. Other than that I've never had any major problems.

[Blakbird]

I keep ALL of my Technic sets (~200,000 pieces) assembled at all times. I have never yet suffered any damage as a result of this other than some dust. Structural failure of a part due to a static load over a long period of time is called "creep". In general, you need a pretty big sustained load for this to happen. Just sitting there isn't going to do it, but if something is under a lot of stress it could happen. For instance, if you wound up a worm gear system into a stop and then left it, you might experience degradation over time.

[phool]

Perhaps I should clarify, the sets I got were stored assembled and then chucked into one big box. I expect that members here would be a little more careful with the storage of their sets

The Space Shuttle still had batteries in the battery box (hopefully I can get rid of the leaked battery fluid on the contact points of the battery box ), so I expect the reason why the gear and pin look so bad was that something placed pressure on one of the battery box buttons resulting in placing stress on the gear & pin.\

Anyway I do intend on replacing the necessary parts via bricklink. I just need time to go through all the sets I got (there were about 10 in total) so I can place a few large orders instead of several small orders.

[freakwave]

... A picture is worth a thousand words (apologies for the poor quality, only have my cellphone available right now):

This looks definately that there was excessive (sheering) force applied to the pin

... Structural failure of a part due to a static load over a long period of time is called "creep". In general, you need a pretty big sustained load for this to happen. Just sitting there isn't going to do it, but if something is under a lot of stress it could happen. ...

The only set assembled "as is" which was said to have this is the 10033 ISD. It it supported at the last quarter and the fornt has more than 50 cm of unsupported bricks. I had mine not that long assembled, but it should have occured after three months that the technic beams started bending.

For my self the only time I had parts benging is my ferriswheel, where the 1600g wheel is supporteb by two 8L Axle. After being static for two months they were really bent...

fW

[allanp]

I have noticed some 1/2 long technic bushes had split after a long time being on an axle, and also the end of some thin lift arms had split, I tend not to have my sets/MOCs built for long periods now, and kept out of sunlight when they are built.

[Daniel-Technic]

If I display my sets, I put them on lego brick pier fix to under chassic to keep tyres off the surface about 1cm and prevent axle bending.

[grepin]

I store a few of my sets assembled (the ones I've had time to assemble), and indeed I've noticed some parts will fail if kept under stress/load for a long time. The parts I find more prone to damage are the flex cables, followed by some of the old axle connectors.

Also, some heavy models such as the 8868 can develop some bending on the wheel axles.

Besides this, some models will start to fail (not their parts, though) if kept assembled for a long time. Mechanisms, especially in helicopters, become stiffer, some pneumatic hoses may come off, and the pneumatic cylinders may need some 'exercise' to work properly again, but that's not too serious.

In my opinion, the most important storage tip is to keep the models away from sunlight. Dust can be partly avoided by storing them in a closet or box of some kind.