Startwing with MOCs - need some directions

[Xevus]

I think i have arrived to the point when i want more than just building vanilla sets. There are couple of ideas that i have in mind, such as fully motorized backhoe or tracked excavator (not very original, i know). But i have absolutely zero idea where and how to start. Some helpful advices would really be appreciated :)

[Milan]

Make sure you have enough parts for basic chassis, and just start building, you will see what parts then you might need, and you can order them.

Make a tread with progress and people will help you as you are building...backhoe and tracked excavator are very complex for first MOC.

Maybe MODing an existing set would be better for a first try?

Or maybe you could start with a something easier, like small bulldozer, perhaps?

[DLuders]

If you want to make a fully-motorized backhoe or tracked excavator MOC, here's what you could do:

1) Check Blakbird's Technicopedia ( http://www.ericalbrecht.com/technic/ ) and see the various backhoes and excavators that have been done in the past. Some sets are already motorized to some extent, and some are not.

2) Once you find a set that you like, look up the BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS on the Lego Customer Service website http://us.service.lego.com/en-US/BuildingI...ns/default.aspx . Type in the set number, press "Submit", then scroll down to the list that appears in the bottom box, click on each line item, and once you see the "Download" button appear, right-click on that Download button and "Save Target As" somewhere on your hard drive. Many sets have multiple booklets. If there's an Alternate ("B") model, it will be listed with a " -2" behind the set number and the primary model wilol be listed with a " -1". You may like PORTIONS of one model to apply to YOUR MOC.

3) If it's a newer Technic set that you want to emulate, the instructions are available from http://technic.lego.com/en-US/buildinginst...1%20of%204.aspx . Note that the modern sets have Alternate ("B") Models with instructions available online only; there are no printed instruction booklets for them that came in the original box.

4) If these don't satisfy you, do an Internet search under the terms "Lego 8294 mod" or "Lego 8294 motorized" (in the case of the 8294 Excavator). "Seek and ye shall find"!

5) If you want to consider FRONT-END LOADERS, Sarafiel made some excellent building instructions for motorized "8265 Upgrade" MOCs: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=sarafiel . Or, download the "Notice" set of photo building instructions for Alban's motorized Front-End Loader: http://blogotechnic.blogspot.com/2009/10/l...e-montages.html .

6) If you want to start small, check out Philo's "Killer Dozers" (based on parts available from the 8275 motorized Bulldozer set): http://philohome.com/kdozer/kd.htm .

7) Buy any needed parts from Bricklink.com (the Unoficial Lego Marketplace): http://www.bricklink.com . Be sure to use the "Catalog" function in the green-tabbed portion of that webpage (near the top), pick "Parts", and then scroll down the various "Technic" parts catagories. New and used parts are available worldwide, in multiple colors.

Edited April 28, 2010 by dluders

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

This indeed is quite a challange. I've built both myself and I'd advise to start with the excavator as a Backhoe loader has almost twice as much functionality.

You can find an LDraw-file of my excavator on my MOC-page or download here directly. .

Take a look at this website from Jennifer Clark, it basicly explains how to make a motorized excavator.

If you have any specific questions, you can mail me at Jurgenstechniccorner@hotmail.com

Good luck & happy building !!

[Alasdair Ryan]

I am building an excavator for my first moc, i make an mlcad designed of the excavator first and then make instructions from that to help me but as i am building it i came a cross a few problems,it is a good idea to have a basic collection of Lego, to test and change things if you are going to do it on a computer

[Fyredog]

All suggestions above are very accurate. I started by building factory Lego sets, then adding the power functions in. That is a fun challenge, but building my 1st MOC was a super challenge. I built the soon to be released 8043 excavator on my own with no cad or instructions. I am very pleased and happy with it, but it was no easy task. Build bulid build, modify modify modify, MOC MOC MOC. You really have to have a good surplus of parts, and bricklink is the place to go! I have built 2 excavators, the 8294 and 8043. My 8294 has been torn down and returned to stock, because I wish to improve my modification to be cleaner and more compact. Check them out here My MOC's. Be sure to start a thread as everyone here will pitch a helping hand, there are a lot of smart people here! Good Luck!