8288 Crawler Crane

[jadedomg]

If you go to a fabric store, you can ask for black 1mm waxed cotton cord and it is very close to the standard lego cord and won't fray as much over time.

[Moz]

If you go to a fabric store, you can ask for black 1mm waxed cotton cord and it is very close to the standard lego cord and won't fray as much over time.

Yes, but that comes in 25m or 50m spools and the 50m ones costs nearly $10 :)

I have a few bits of Lego string on the original spools because it's not worth selling on Bricklink. If it's cheap people are suspicious (I presume), but if it's priced like everyone else's it's too expensive and no-one buys it.

[nychase]

As Danohh said,

Buy the 2m string. Im not trying to screw the guy with the 5m string for sale ;) but, you don't even need the 5m. In fact, the 2m was a direct replacement for the 5m after the model went out of production. If you read through the instructions you will see that you never need a length of string longer than 175cm for any part of the crane. I think its somthing like 175, 175 and 50? So you would still need three lengths of string, but could get away with two 2m and one 1m.

[PlaneCrazy]

If you go to a fabric store, you can ask for black 1mm waxed cotton cord and it is very close to the standard lego cord and won't fray as much over time.

Went to Spotlight (Fabric store chain in OZ) and found what is called Bead Thread (comes in 3 thicknesses). The thick one is not as thick as the x77 string but seems a lot stronger.

Will give this a go and failing that will end up using the 200cm lengths of x77 since they are still available at a semi reasonable price.

Hope it won't be long and all bits will be here. Problems being in OZ and a Technic fanatic; sometimes I have to go digging hard for parts and there is always the associated postage.

Will post a pic or 2 once all done.

Jamie

[skylinedan]

I'd suggest using the shorter 2M length string; I think thats still in production but have not searched for it myself. Tying them together would work if needed.

I've wanted to find an alternative long crane string/cord for some time, for larger crane MOCs, but have yet to find anything. Tried various fishing lines but the suitable ones are even more costly. That said if anyone knows of a non-Lego string thats good for cranes please share!

Something I did was took some black conectors, axle hole, with a open hole at a 90 from that one. drill a small hole in the end of the side next to the open hole, thread the string though the hole tie a knot and pull it through, you cant see the knot so it looks smooth. I picked up some heavy black stuff for a future crane project, I,m gona use them for the main cables going from the lower tower boom to the top of the main lifting boom.

[S.I]

Bumping for more offtopic, am I an idiot for not getting any of these?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/330722482159

http://www.ebay.de/itm/270963628658

http://www.ebay.de/itm/200748730338 <- admittedly I never expected it to go for so little so I didn't pay attention until it was over.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/251039625371

I'm trying to spend less money on technic parts and always see these good deals :(

[DLuders]

@ S.I: Well, you may have missed some good bargains on the four German eBay auctions you listed:

Lego Technic 8421 Mobile Crane in Auction 1: 65,00 Euros (equal to US $84.99)

Lego Technic 8297 Off-Roader in Auction 2: 42,95 Euros (equal to US $56.16)

Lego Technic 8297 + 8466 + 8048 in Auction 3: 83,00 Euros (equal to US $108.52)

Lego Technic 8455 Backhoe in Auction 4: 56,00 Euros (equal to US $73.26)

You should keep looking -- there may be more bargains coming up!

[S.I]

I'm in germany, so always have to pay in euros :/ Already spent half a grand on ebay this year so I have been trying to hold back, and skipped bidding on those. but with auctions like these its very difficult :(

On the plus side I have a second 8285 towtruck on its way, so I can build a giant mobile crane using two of these.

Edited May 5, 2012 by S.I

[PlaneCrazy]

Well all parts arrived and as promised a coulpe of pics.

I used 8109 Flatbed truck and 856 Bulldozer as a size comparison.

Sorry about the not so good pics.

I have to admitt, it is not as big as I originally thought.

The use of the thick bead thread worked really well and I am happy with it.

Up shot, I now have 25 odd meters of it

Was it worth ordering the parts to build the set? Yes and no. I probably got it togeather for $120 AUD. I could have got it cheaper, however that would not include postage to OZ.

I also did not get original instructions.

Recommend this one as it is something different.

Jamie

[DarkShadow73]

Nice finish from just parts...I too wish there was a some kind of stronger, meatier crane/winch string instead of the weak string has been using for decades, it frays too much and can't support a lot of weight and since it is so 'limp', a lot of times winching it back in without weight or force on it causes it to go off a lot of spools, case in point the 8297 Off-Roader and 8053 Mobile Crane, I had to disassemble part of the 8053 to untangle the mess when I hooked up PF to it, you almost have to add some finger force to it so it reels back in on the spool without going off track...I know you all don't want to hear this, when I was ordering some Lego on Amazon and saw a Bruder brand(made in Germany) Telehandler that fit in well with mid-sized Lego scale models, I bought one and bought the add pack that contained an attachment with forks for the telehandler and a winch attachment w/ a spool, the first thing I noticed was the string was twice as wide and much stronger than Lego's wimpy string is. Too bad Bruder didn't sell it in bulk, I would have bought it in a second for my cranes and winches...

Well all parts arrived and as promised a coulpe of pics.

I used 8109 Flatbed truck and 856 Bulldozer as a size comparison.

Sorry about the not so good pics.

Edited May 15, 2012 by TechnicFreak

[PlaneCrazy]

Since there has been a fair bit of discussion about the string used by Technic sets, I have posted an image of what I ended up using for the winch lines.

The bead thread is very strong and does not seem to fray.

In Australia it is available in Spotlight stores (fabric/sewing shop/arts crafts).

Regarding the finish of the model, I was very lucky, I managed to source the White lift arms from here in OZ and they were new. Paid a bit more for them but considering the boom is such a prominent part of the model it was worth it.

Jamie

[AVCampos]

In the past, LEGO used strong, thick string, but recently, for some reason, we now only get the thin and fragile one. I miss the old one! There also used to exist an extra-thick string, used as a fire hose for the 8280 Fire Engine.

[Rijkvv]

At http://blokbricks.com/, there is string available as well. I haven't tested it, but I think this comes close to the LEGO kind.

When this set became available, I was in a dark age. When I discovered the AFOL community, my main interest were TECHNIC sets from the 90s, and to be honest I began to really like this model a few weeks ago. And now it's too late to get a cheap one...

[DLuders]

@ PlaneCrazy: Since you bought your own string, how did you drill the holes in the sides of the 1x1 Round Plates to replicate the 8868 Crawler Crane's two x127c41 "String with End Studs 41L Overall"? Did you use a dab of cement on the ends of the string to attach them to the Round Plates?

[PlaneCrazy]

@ PlaneCrazy: Since you bought your own string, how did you drill the holes in the sides of the 1x1 Round Plates to replicate the 8868 Crawler Crane's two x127c41 "String with End Studs 41L Overall"? Did you use a dab of cement on the ends of the string to attach them to the Round Plates?

DLuders,

I should have indicated that I only used the alternative string for the winch lines. The string with the studs are actually genuine items.

I did not want to use an alternative for the 6 thread with studs (2 each of size 41, 61 and 65).

Appologies for any confusion.

Jamie

[DarkShadow73]

Actually that's an excellent idea, since string is only used in the support lines, with the thicker more rope-like string with the 1 stud one the end used for other features on the crane, but if I recall (I don't have one of my 8288's sitting inside) they only used the thick stuff on the odd-looking assembly that came with the crane, I modded mine (if you want to call it modding) with a black metal hook and 6-holed pulley (similar to the 8421 Mobile Crane) on one of my 8288's. I know they also use the same thick studded string lengths on the 8416 Forklift. Wouldn't mind seeing a grade of string in-between for cranes and winches...might have to go to a craft or hobby store around to check for a bit thicker string, though I am wondering if it will all fit on winch/crane spools without coming out of the sides of the spools for various models.

DLuders,

I should have indicated that I only used the alternative string for the winch lines. The string with the studs are actually genuine items.

I did not want to use an alternative for the 6 thread with studs (2 each of size 41, 61 and 65).

Appologies for any confusion.

Jamie

[skylinedan]

The other night I almost bought a 8288 on ebay for 35 bucks, LOL. someone put a pile of LEGO,s on there that was the crane. Not sure he knew what he had. Some one got it at the last second for a buck n half more than I had on it. I was kinda disapointed, I figured I would just build it and resell it for a profit, Oh well, cant win every time. Dan

[Cwetqo]

Dont worry, lego hears your wishes.

2013 will be great year, thats all I have to say :)

[BrickPicker]

The large Technic sets appreciate very well.

[DarkShadow73]

The large Technic sets appreciate very well.

Gee ya think? I can't recall a medium size set like the 8288 to go so high so fast. Seems like last winter it was around the $300-400 range, now its going for around $600 or more, MISB. I actually have 1 of them MISB and probably now I am thinking I will keep it that way, had intended to build the tower crane, already have the regular crane put together, but I have dollar signs in my eyes...that is if anybody is crazy enough about it to pay that much or more, in say a year or so...also have a 8455, 2 - 8421's, and 3 - 8285's NISB, can't say they are really mint as all are fairly old now, but there is a bit of shelf wear on each, but at their asking prices nowadays I have to resist opening them. Already have one of each built anyway, just way dusty. Speaking of which, off-topic here, I know there have been threads about cleaning Lego from time to time, and I have washed non-motorized stuff in the sink or outside carefully with a bucket of water or two, but with most everything motorized now, how do you do it reasonably? Those cans of compressed air are expensive...plus I lube all of my LA's in mineral oil and they occasionally leak, creating a sticky mess that all matter of dust and crap sticks to, what is the best method?

Thanks, Eric

[S.I]

I would sell the MISB sets, and use the cash to either get new sets during sales or buy the same older sets used for a fraction of the new price. After all if you bought them for yourself you could have opened them immediately.

While you occasionally find a poor quality set on ebay, my experience has been pretty good so far. There are a couple of older sets I always wanted but which came out during my dark ages, and I have managed to get 2 of many of these to ensure I have a complete model and can replace damaged pieces for significantly less than the price of a MISB version. After disassembling, cleaning, and rebuilding they look like new and I have a bunch of parts left over for MOCs.

When I clean the parts I just soak them in warm soapy water for a couple of days in a bucket, and swish it around occasionally. Then rince them. (Of course I remove electrical / metal / sticker parts first). I want to look into how people have done that with dishwashers/washing machines and I believe there is a trick to getting rid of yellowing I want to try on a handful of parts.

Dont worry, lego hears your wishes.

2013 will be great year, thats all I have to say :)

A new crane with the new treads would be fairly awesome, it is something different and something still missing in my collection :)

Edited July 2, 2012 by S.I

[DLuders]

@ TechnicFreak: You should consider getting a Brick Duster.

[skylinedan]

I picked up another 8421 last week, it was a odd buy. Someone started to put it together than stopped, never finishing it. I thought it would be nice if I finished it, so I stayed up till 11 last night and finished it. The box was beat to death like it had been tossed around a few times over the years, the pieces are like new though, not scratched up. It was a good buy even at 300+

Dan

[kai836]

Does anyone know if the 8288 has any stickers? I'm looking for a used set and noticed certain listings on bricklink mentioned stickers, but there are no sticker sheets according to the inventory? Thanks.

[nerdsforprez]

11 hours ago, kai836 said:

Does anyone know if the 8288 has any stickers? I'm looking for a used set and noticed certain listings on bricklink mentioned stickers, but there are no sticker sheets according to the inventory? Thanks.

I have original copy and there are no stickers