Review - 42009 Mobile Crane MKII

[N-4K0]

You will need a lot of room for this set. Even if you usually i really recommend that you divide the pieces in several small compartments or whatever you have available. Makes things easier in the end even if it takes longer before you start to build. I have built other sets by just tipping each bag in its own pile but in this time i didn't. Also don't open all the bags at once, just the ones for what you are about to build. So first open all the bags marked 1, then 2 and so on.

I didn't do this when i built the 8069 Backhoe Loader, but that set didn't have too much pieces to make it hard to build from a pile of pieces. But I did what you propose when I built the Unimog.

I had some plastic containers which I separated all the pieces in. Pins here, beams there, gears over there etc.

[EyesOnly]

The bigger the set the bigger the need for sorting the parts.

[Cwetqo]

This was the first set where I sorted everything:

Bulid was very smooth after that.

[robertd]

Just finished building the crane.

Is anyone else short of 2 Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise? I had to take these from my stock.

To improve lifting ability I tried to exchange the tan Gear 20 Tooth Double Bevel and the black Gear 12 Tooth Double Bevel against each other. The winch is then able to lift the supercar 8070 without it's battery pack - but it's necessary to support the crane, as I don't want to damage the turntable.

[paul_delahaye]

I just emptied the bags in the box... in this way i wouldn't loose them and it is easy to store everything when you stop building for a while..

I agree, I build large sets in the same way, I think it makes the build more enjoyable looking for the parts. I see these people saying they build flagship sets in 3 hours and things like this, but I want the set to take 8 hours to build,

[S.I]

When I build large sets I just use the beams to wall off the sides of my coffee table, and dump all the other parts inside. Made building the imperial shuttle and SSD take a while because my table wasn't large enough to spread out the pieces.

Edited August 11, 2013 by S.I

[FuzzyBallz]

I built 2 sets in the past 3 days. 41999 took me two full days (I was at work, LOL), 9396 took me one full day. It was really enjoyable taking my time building these 2 awesome sets. I made a couple mistakes here and there, but it was really fun hunting down the parts in 2 large trays for the large items, while I leave the pins in their small bags. I guessing the mobile crane will take me 3 days at least!

[EyesOnly]

I'm finally finished building. It sure is a nice set. A bit hard to control though since i didn't put on any stickers. I have to guess what position of the gear stick does what action. Besides cranes are much more fun when you don't have to stop to switch functions all the time. But i wont be modding this anytime soon. It's late now so tomorrow i'll begin placing this beside other sets for size comparison and begin building 9398.

[robertd]

Is anyone else short of 2 Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise? I had to take these from my stock.

Found them between the pages of instruction book #2 - so everything's fine ;)

[EyesOnly]

So your instructions are hungry for ABS.

[Marcel1980]

I'm finally finished building. It sure is a nice set. A bit hard to control though since i didn't put on any stickers. I have to guess what position of the gear stick does what action. Besides cranes are much more fun when you don't have to stop to switch functions all the time. But i wont be modding this anytime soon. It's late now so tomorrow i'll begin placing this beside other sets for size comparison and begin building 9398.

You can always order for a couple of dollar/euro a second sticker set. Or what im doing. Scan the stickers and print them yourself. Then you have at least the stickers for the controls.

[EyesOnly]

Yeah but then i would still have to deal with the glue from the tape on the part or the sticker which might not look so good when the set have been parted out.

[maxxens]

This was the first set where I sorted everything:

Bulid was very smooth after that.

Where are your big LAs and all the axles? ;)

[robertd]

So your instructions are hungry for ABS.

yeah, obviously. Gotta keep an eye on them in the future...

Edited August 12, 2013 by robertd

[Sariel]

The B-model proves to be excellent. Here's a review:

[TinkerBrick]

@ Sariel

Thank you for the excellent review. I'm tempted to dismantle the crane and to build the B-model before building Jurgens ultimate crane as the instructions become available.

[CisFran]

If the skeletal container box is to be finished with technic panels, would the stacker carry its new weight?

[Marcel1980]

Yeah but then i would still have to deal with the glue from the tape on the part or the sticker which might not look so good when the set have been parted out.

For a couple of dollars you can just buy sticker sheets. The same that lego is using.

[Sariel]

If the skeletal container box is to be finished with technic panels, would the stacker carry its new weight?

I suppose so, it seems to have plenty of load capacity.

[CisFran]

I suppose so, it seems to have plenty of load capacity.

Thanks, I plan to build the B model first then have a completed container box

[EyesOnly]

For a couple of dollars you can just buy sticker sheets. The same that lego is using.

I had to do some searching but now i see that stickers do come in A4 format as a single sticker per sheet and not just as 10 or 20 or something in small rectangles like i thought. Still for this set it's easier for me to simple not use stickers but if i ever feel like making my own at least i know that i don't have to rely on double-sided tape like i thought i would.

Nice review Sariel, love those hamsters. Now i feel even more for building it but i have some other sets that needs taking care of so i'll leave it built for a while more.

Edited August 13, 2013 by EyesOnly

[skriblez]

Thanks for a nice review and video of the B-model Sariel :)

[Rishab N]

Another nice review Sariel!

[captainmib]

That B-model is actually quite nice. The grabber is done clever, i like it.

Still in doubt whether i should buy any of the summer sets. Maybe i'll get 42009 on sale (if ever). doubting about 42008 aswell. At first i thought it was awesome. Don;t know now...

[leksivalen]

I will buy 2 sets of this model... one is for B-model but I will make it look fuller and 1 is for the ultimate 42009 by Jurgen once he released the instruction. I think it would be fun...