I was going to lead off with a quote by Picasso: "Every act of creation is first an act of destruction," but Shaw won the day with his imagination quote.
I could have used Picasso's words though because this Lego creation began with total destruction. You see, when I started it (back in March) I was in a chat with someone close to me and...well, I might have gotten very distracted and messed up the build...Or so I thought.
Something in the gearbox didn't make sense to me and so I pulled the whole thing apart and started again. I wasn't best pleased, but it's all part of the fun. Anyway, a few days ago I got it completed and I'm pleased to say it all works fine, but more about that later.
This Volvo is a very complicated 2100+ piece build as it includes Lego's most complex gearbox to date (at time of writing). This is a remote control vehicle which changes gear and speed, goes forward and backwards, articulates, steers and even tips up the load bed via remote control. It's cool and you can read a little more about when I started it, and thought I'd messed it up, here if you'd like.
I'm really pleased with this build as it was a lot of fun. This is a cool truck too, I mean in real life. I wrote this in a previous post:
It uses the Volvo D16F 16L diesel engine generating 639 horsepower, weighs in at 43,750 kilograms and can carry 55,000 kilograms for a gross weight of over 98,000 kilograms; That's heavy! It's 33.6 metres long and is designed to operate in extreme off-road conditions. It's a serious bit of equipment. These beasts are about $1.18 million (US) dollars to buy in ready-to-go trim with another $60,000 of accessories available for different conditions depending on where the unit will be operated. That's a lot of money, and shipping is extra.
Naturally, I didn't pay $1.18M for my Volvo A60H but one doesn't always need to spend a lot to get value right?
When complete I threw six AA batteries into the power pack and opened the Control+ App on my phone. The firmware needed to update which took a while but once done I hit the calibration button. The vehicle went through a series of self-driven moves: Forward, back, steer left and right, the articulated section worked left and right, and the load-bed went up and down a few times...I got the green light and...It ran flawlessly. The hand of creation created something that worked. Yes, I was relieved.
The screen capture below is off the control app on my phone. You can see I was actually driving when I captured it.
The gear and RPM are shown. On the left that little red light means the load bed is locked but you can see the up and down buttons to the left of it. It even has a horn that sounds. I know right? COOL! To the left of the screen you can see a toggle with a little image of the vehicle...That's how it is controlled once in gear. Also note, three forward and three backward gears...That's what makes the gearbox so complicated.
My plan is to do a video of this vehicle moving. I'll have to use my GoPro for it though as my phone is required to operate the vehicle. I'll also take some better pictures with my camera to show it off a little more. The engine cover tilts to reveal the engine with moving camshaft and pistons and I'll flip it over to show some of the inner-workings.
For now that's it...The longest build I've ever done; March to December. It only took me thirty hours to actually do the building but a lot has happened that required my time so...yeah, months!
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
All images were taken by me
Holy Cow, Lego has come a very long and impressive way since I was a kid! Before my current career, I did quite a bit of construction with my dad and uncles. They are all equipment operators of some sort specializing in cranes.
This is the first year I needed help up close and had to go with transitional lenses. The weirdest thing is because of the nature of my job they gave two different contact lenses, one for each eye. One is for up close (sights and computers) and one is for distance (driving and such). The first week or so it gave me motion sickness trying to get used to them lololol
Yeah, Lego is a little complicated these days. Still good fun though.
I have a few different sets. I use a pair of those multifocal ones for work as I can look up and see relatively normally and when I know I'll be at the the computer or reading mostly I use single focus ones.
For shooting I use my Oakleys with multifocal lenses in them, these are the ones you'll see me wearing in images on hive. The were stupidly expensive but give me the front sight-focus for hand guns and I can see the reticle perfectly on my long guns...Bloody hell, when did it all get so complicated?!
Oh I know, when I got older.
Can't believe this is actually finished - it feels like forever ago that you started - and I guess a few things have happened since March. Now that it's finished I want this set even more - I've seen some second hand ones floating around for a about $200 which seems reasonable.
$20 isn't too bad for this set...It was fun to build so I assume you'll also enjoy it. I'm glad I got it done, and more glad it all works properly.
Legos For Dads or adults or dudes who like to build. I think this is pretty awesome. My boys are really into legos. Right now, they build their set and then it eventually gets taken apart whether by roughhousing or otherwise. We have filled my grandpa's old army footlocker with loose legos.
I never knew they made lego vehicles like this though. Very cool.
The hand that creates can be of any age.
Yeah, the Lego Technic stuff is really cool and this is just one example. I want this one next...But it probably won't happen...Money you know:
This will be my new rabbit hole. Gonna show the boy-o's tomorrow.
Do so at your peril. Lol.
I appreciate your creative mind. This Volvo seems really awesome and curious to see a video of it to see the movement of it. Feel free to share with us.
I'll try and get it sorted and posted soon.
amazing I like it I wish we had this kind of toys back in 19s
Yeah, pretty cool hey?
Before reading your post, I did not know that you can do so much with Lego!
Yeah, it's pretty cool stuff indeed. A lot of fun.
He is a Lego guru. Like the best
Wow. You da man lol. This is complicated looking. And 30 hours of work to assemble it....Congrats G. !!
I thought of this when reading your post
Just place a lego in between. The act of creation ...lego
Michelangelo was going to paint my hands on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508...But I had a prior engagement and could do the modelling...So he just slapped any old thing up there.
My son would've been a good assistant - he LOVES lego. Usually needs to DE-construct first too ;) Aren't "kids" toys so much fun? I prefer your quote of Shaw's over Picasso .....
Yeah, I love Lego. I mean, I'm just as happy making ammunition or wielding a circular saw, hammer or off-roading...But sometimes Lego just hits the spot.
Although it can also start world war three .... at least in our house
Lol...Yes that's a hazard.
I don't know whether it's worse to be the person that has to design the instruction books or the person that has to figure out how all the parts are going to go together to begin with XD
I'm pretty sure both at least somewhat enjoy their arguably pretty cool jobs
That's a decent sized build, watching it in action would be pretty cool.
LoL at how long it took you, that sounds like pretty much all of my projects x_x
I'd say those who get to design and create Lego sets for a job are pretty content and probably rather passionate about their work.
Yep, this one took me a very long time...There's reasons, but let's just say I was busy with other things. I'm now thinking about the next, trying to work out what I want and How I'm going to pay for it. Lol.
Wow, that is not even close to what I had in the 90's! Awesome build. I remember trying to emulate machines and boats back in the days with a normal Lego set. Well... because of Legos I chose to study mechanical engineering.
Lego has had such a big impact on so many lives. I was four when I started building Lego, 1974, and I still remember creating so many things and the good times building. I didn't become and engineer but it certainly helped my creativity as I didn't have sets...Had to freestyle everything. It was amazing fun.
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This is cool. I'm glad you finally got it finished.
Nice one G-Dog. What's up next in your Lego world?
Yeah, it's been a long time coming but was worth it. An enjoyable build despite the hiccup at the start.
I'm not sure what's next, I need to save up some money and see what it'll buy me. I'll probably post about it.
How friggin' awesome is your life...
Can we please trade now..?
FML.
Lol...Or we'll just build the next one together?