[Roanoke]

not really happy with the mechanisims in the backhoe. the black spirals and grey cogs just don't seem to mesh all that well

[CP5670]

You might have a bit too much stress in an axle somewhere. Make sure they're all spinning freely. Mine works fine, maybe leaving aside the turntable action.

[Roanoke]

I may have to get http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=6957-1 as it's only $40 on bricklink.

Airtech Rig should be finished soon, too.

[CP5670]

That one is pretty good. The ground vehicle is great, but the ship it comes with is lousy. I just scrapped it for parts and put something else on the trailer. Of course, now the whole thing is part of the Cosmic Enforcer model.

[Roanoke]

not really happy with the mechanisims in the backhoe. the black spirals and grey cogs just don't seem to mesh all that well

I've since got some small technic job lots and have found the kits really benefit from extra connectors to remove any play in the mechanisims.

edit:

[CP5670]

You're starting to build up a nice collection there.

An air tank is a useful addition to that set, as it smooths out the movements and makes them less jerky, but they seem to be quite expensive on Bricklink.

By the way, you seem to have gotten a minor piece (the battery box bottom) in the wrong color. Nothing worth worrying about, although I know that particular model so well that I noticed it immediately.

I've since got some small technic job lots and have found the kits really benefit from extra connectors to remove any play in the mechanisims.

What's a connector?

[Roanoke]

I've since got some small technic job lots and have found the kits really benefit from extra connectors to remove any play in the mechanisims.

What's a connector?

Sorry, what bricklink describes as "bushes".

[CP5670]

I'm currently working on rebuilding the Annihilator model on the first page from scratch. Some gears and half bushes inside have some sticky substance on them (I think I spilled something on them years ago) and need to be cleaned, and I want to make the thing a bit lighter by removing some unnecessary bricks inside. I have made instructions for it so rebuilding it will be easy, although I'm looking at a full day's work tomorrow given the 2300 piece count.

[edit] whoa, it seems that Brickshelf is gone. There is going be a lot of talk over this at all the Lego community sites. I have all my pictures stored locally, but a lot of good stuff on there has been lost if this is genuine.

[Snail]

Some gears and half bushes inside have some sticky substance on them (I think I spilled something on them years ago) and need to be cleaned

I hate it when that happens.

'specially when it's chocolate.

[Roanoke]

Ordered 6897 (Space Police 2 Rebel Hunter), along with a load of missings/spares. Just noticed this picture of the Striker: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?S=6781-1 - note the blacktron dude getting the jump on the police fella, loving too from the big grin on his face.
Made me laugh anyway.....

[CP5670]

You should see the battle scenes that appear in the catalogs. Lots of fun stuff going on in there. The Blacktron 1 and Futuron guys in particular have a strange relationship. In the 1988 catalogs, they have disparate bases but seem to work together, but when the Space Police show up in 1989, the Blacktrons get angry and start taking Futurons hostage and breaking their monorail.

The catalog covers tend to have stuff mixed from all the themes. This was a common one around 1990, and there was an older one with a race between a cavalry guy, a race car and a Futuron ship.

[Roanoke]

Got some space police 2 coming soon (Solar Snooper, Rebel Hunter etc). My space wanted list seems to have trebled though.

Do you use anything to aid planning your technic super-projects ? I've had an idea but would need to work out the details before I start buying bits.

[CP5670]

Not really, I just think of stuff as I go along. Some people design the entire thing in MLCad and then build it up, but I find it especially difficult and time consuming to do with Technic models, since you don't get a sense of how well the geartrains, pumps and so on are operating until you actually build it. I guess I have enough Technic spares that I don't need to worry about running out of any major parts. I do make computer versions of my models, but only after the real thing is finished.

[Roanoke]

Recently cannabilised the Backhoe to Upgrade the 8868 Alt Model. Piccys soon. Maybe.

[CP5670]

Are you making the dumper bed move up and down? That's the most obvious addition I can think of.

[Roanoke]

Yeah, I figured that's what it was too. The engine and 6 wheel steering to add, space permitting.

[Roanoke]

woo I've been paid so off to bricklink I go!

Still waiting for the Rebel Hunter though  Getting on for two weeks now

edit ordered 6852, 6933 & 6932. Really shouldn't go on bricklink after I've been on the beer....

[CP5670]

Yes, you've definitely picked up the Lego bug. The 6933 is interesting since it has Technic-style steering and suspension. Mine is disassembled, as I need the pieces for my Blacktron mega project.

Brickshelf seems to be staying up after all. I uploaded some pictures of the updated Annihilator:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=188937

[Roanoke]

Yes, you've definitely picked up the Lego bug.

hmmmn, and we all know who to blame for that now don't we..........? 

seems old school space is where it's at (at least for me, at the moment)

[tifi]

http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=7745-1

I remember getting this one birthday long ago and spending a few weeks making random trains, then the next 5-6 years using the pieces in a far more productive way: Airplanes and Spaceships

Those long flat train chassis' make awesome wings and/or fuselages.