Doc_Brown Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 Here is my wip so far on the Lexus LFA, the sexiest sounding car every made! I wanted to make a larger scale of this car towards the end of the year, so I thought I would try this scale first to get a idea of the design. The exhaust is a little too big, but as you can see it functions as the steering wheel for HOG steering, by pulling out and then pushing back in place again. I love the rear defuser, perfect part for the job, just a little too narrow, but who cares! The steering itself I'm quite fond of as it is very low and compact. I have no idea how I'm going to cover this car as yet, I'm hoping raiding my very old Lego box might reveal some nice studded parts, but its a long shot. This sure is a tricky car to make as only one other smaller scale model has every been made in Lego, but I will give it my best shot! So should I keep the steering via the exhaust or try to make a smaller more visually appealing solution? Comments? Thoughts? Fire away! Quote
anton1678 Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 Steering via the exhaust? Inventive solution, and I like it, but it is going to be even better if you steer via a roof gear. I don't really imagine anyone operating a lego car by twiddling the exhaust pipes. Plus, you'd have to have a gap for the fingers, and that could be a problem. It's simple but robust, and looks really model-team at the moment. I want to see how it develops, because it will turn out really good if it works. Quote
Black-Build Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 I really like the exhaust-steering, and maybe you can also make a working steering wheel? Looking forward to see it finished! Quote
Milan Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 I would not change the steering at the moment, it looks good for now. Late, when you add the body, it may prove to be a little too big or unpractical. But this would not be a playing model, but rather static. The body would by very tricky to build. Some cool (and challenging) angles there! Good luck! Quote
piterx Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 ahah the steering is a great idea man! and that mudguard used as defuser is perfect! looking forward to see how you'll model the shape of it :) will it be black? Quote
MrTekneex Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 The steering from the exhaust is a good idea, but the scale of the model seems too small for an exhaust like this (seeing the real model). Quote
Rishab N Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 The steering idea is nice although it seems a bit out of scale Quote
Saberwing40k Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 Yeah, while the steering idea is clever, it is also hilariously out of scale. Quote
Doc_Brown Posted September 6, 2014 Author Posted September 6, 2014 Thanks for the feedback and suggestions guys! Yeah I will have to ditch the exhaust steering, just too big I think, hehe. I'm not sure what colour yet. I'll keep thinking about it, still have a few weeks lol. Quote
rollermonkey Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 I <3 the steering arrangement, and I thought of a way that you might be able to flush the exhaust tips with the body, but still be able to steer: Use a second portal axle with three connectors just like you have there, but add blue axle/pins. Then, when displayed static, just slide out the wheel, and slide it in when driving. I cannot imagine that you'll be able to make a smaller triangular exhaust with standard LEGO, and it's an iconic element of the vehicle. Quote
VKTechnic Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 Good start! I've been meaning to build an LFA of my own, but never got around to it. Glad someone's doing it I don't know how well this will work, but you might want to use a pulley wheel (part 4185) to mount the exhaust pipes. They will be much closer together then Quote
rollermonkey Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) Those are 3 studs in diameter, just like the portal axles. I don't think they'd present a smaller triangle. Oh, wait. You're saying to use the center and two of the sides! Nice. Edited September 7, 2014 by rollermonkey Quote
VKTechnic Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 Those are 3 studs in diameter, just like the portal axles. I don't think they'd present a smaller triangle. Oh, wait. You're saying to use the center and two of the sides! Nice. Exactly. Quote
Doc_Brown Posted September 9, 2014 Author Posted September 9, 2014 Good start! I've been meaning to build an LFA of my own, but never got around to it. Glad someone's doing it I don't know how well this will work, but you might want to use a pulley wheel (part 4185) to mount the exhaust pipes. They will be much closer together then That's a really good idea! I <3 the steering arrangement, and I thought of a way that you might be able to flush the exhaust tips with the body, but still be able to steer: Use a second portal axle with three connectors just like you have there, but add blue axle/pins. Then, when displayed static, just slide out the wheel, and slide it in when driving. I cannot imagine that you'll be able to make a smaller triangular exhaust with standard LEGO, and it's an iconic element of the vehicle. I will look into that, I kinda like using pins as pipes but you will see the ends and might look a little odd. Quote
Dapper-D2 Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 This car has a lot of challenging angles I'm interested to see how you take them on. Quote
Lipko Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) The steering is a very neat idea but it's not very ergonomic. It will be quite uncomfortable to steer from there. Your WIP photos are beautiful, as always. Edited September 9, 2014 by Lipko Quote
Doc_Brown Posted September 9, 2014 Author Posted September 9, 2014 The steering is a very neat idea but it's not very ergonomic. It will be quite uncomfortable to steer from there. Your WIP photos are beautiful, as always. Thank you very much! Yes I agree, after playing with the chassis as is, so I have decided to abandon the idea of exhaust steering, and try to make something for the roof where that little antenna is. Also I'm going for white now, as I was surprised at how much I have from various sets. One good order should be enough. Also I'm going to try and puts some cool interior functions in as well. stay tuned! Quote
Rockbrick Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) nothing wrong with exhaust steering - roof mounted is better for larger models but it works on the 8421 from the back so size isn't an issue.... the issue is disguising it and this does it well Edited September 9, 2014 by Rockbrick Quote
Zerobricks Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 Or use both, exhaust and roof and steering wheel perhaps. Quote
Lipko Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 nothing wrong with exhaust steering - roof mounted is better for larger models but it works on the 8421 from the back so size isn't an issue.... the issue is disguising it and this does it well Actually I think it's the opposite. The smaller the model, the closer the rear mounted knob is to the ground. And at this scale your hand doensn't have enough space. I made a model when I was a kid in the same scale and same steering setup, and I remember the pain in my wrists. If you don't want a playable model, don't add HOG. But if you do want a playable mode, do it right. IMHO Quote
hrontos Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 As somebody mentioned MT is about the look and not playability. Hog steering will probably have negative impact on the look since roof should be smooth without any "devices" on it. I actually find the exhaust pipe steering as very smart solution. Quote
Doc_Brown Posted September 10, 2014 Author Posted September 10, 2014 Actually I think it's the opposite. The smaller the model, the closer the rear mounted knob is to the ground. And at this scale your hand doensn't have enough space. I made a model when I was a kid in the same scale and same steering setup, and I remember the pain in my wrists. If you don't want a playable model, don't add HOG. But if you do want a playable mode, do it right. IMHO That is a good point, however with my model I have discovered another problem using 'retractable" exhaust steering, as soon as you go to push the model it slides back inside making it completely useless! haha however as a device to turn the wheels as a display model only, it works fantastic! So I have to ask myself do I want a display model or something that can be driven around? This could be endlessly debated! Quote
Rishab N Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 So I have to ask myself do I want a display model or something that can be driven around? Since Model Team is a display type theme in which looks matter more than functions, I would say make it as a display model Quote
Paul Boratko Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 The Lexus LFA is one of my favorite cars of all time.. Looking forward to seeing your progress on this... Quote
Doc_Brown Posted October 2, 2014 Author Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) So whose idea was it to do a LFA???? What a pain in the backside car to do. Well I gave it my best shot, just too darn hard to pull off. I had some bad luck with ever part of the model, nothing wanted to work. I have spend days, well over 40 hours on this and just can't get it right, I think its just this scale and lack of skills in the MT department. well I tried....I had planed to create stickers for the lights too. just don't have any more time, and short on white parts, and no red for interior. IMG_0133 by Doc_brown1, on Flickr IMG_0132 by Doc_brown1, on Flickr IMG_0131 by Doc_brown1, on Flickr Looking at the pics like this I can see the scale is off too compared to the wheel size, LOL..... Edited October 2, 2014 by Doc_Brown Quote
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