Questions tagged [technic]
A more advanced form of LEGO®, allowing for the creation of more realistic working parts.
284
questions
60
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4answers
8k views
Is it possible to build simple logic gates with LEGO mechanics?
I built a simple bitshifter in Minecraft yesterday. I wondered if something like this could be built with LEGO?
Maybe there is a possibility to build gates with rubber bands and those movable ...
34
votes
4answers
8k views
When did LEGO decide that it was okay to put a stud into a Technic hole?
At one point, LEGO didn't really support putting a stud into a Technic hole, stating that it caused too much stress on the bricks. And for a while, there were no sets where that's the case. However, ...
33
votes
6answers
24k views
What are the best options for building a LEGO RC car?
I would like to build a remote controlled car. And if someone already has a good solution for that I would be glad to try it.
It's been a while since I had the time and material to build some LEGO ...
29
votes
7answers
5k views
Why did Technic bricks have holes in the studs?
Lego Technic (/ Expert Builder) bricks have always had a very different design than the normal Lego brick, with peg holes lining the sides serving fairly obvious purposes, but they also have had (as ...
22
votes
6answers
3k views
Can an axle be removed from this Technic 'brick paradox'?
This blogpost on Technic Bricks briefly explains a few 'brick paradoxes' or dead ends. This particular model seems impossible to disassemble by hand:
How can I remove the axle without damaging/...
22
votes
4answers
9k views
Why does LEGO now use studless technic designs?
It seems to me that sometime between 1998 and 2006 (between the Mindstorms RCX and NXT), LEGO switched from using studded technic bricks (like this:)
to studdless beams (like this):
In my experience,...
21
votes
1answer
3k views
How can I make a working pin tumbler lock?
I'd like to make a working pin tumbler lock out of LEGO bricks. I have already designed a key I'd like to use that should be compatible with five cylinder lock.
21
votes
3answers
6k views
How can I build a functional gearbox?
I'm looking for a fully functional (manual) transmission / gearbox for my Technics motorized vehicle. How can I build this?
20
votes
5answers
1k views
Technic axle corrosion? What happened here?
I got my LEGO from storage from when I was a kid (1980s) and while almost all bricks are in good condition, the Technic axles are in a pretty bad shape. They seem to have corroded(?). Please see the ...
18
votes
8answers
15k views
What are the largest Technic-compatible tires on the market?
I am looking for the largest LEGO wheels with tires available to build a nice-sized RC LEGO car.
Of course I will start with the simplest prototype, but I would like to achieve a design which will ...
18
votes
1answer
1k views
How much weight can a handle of Technic pegs and beams support?
Some Lego spaceships have handles attached, made out of Technic beam and pegs, and attached to the model using Technic bricks, pegs, and axles.
For example, 7644: MX-81 Hypersonic Operations Aircraft ...
18
votes
3answers
2k views
How would you make a good pivot-arm suspension?
I once tried to make a 4 wheeled Lego robot using a pivot arm suspension system. The robot was motorized using 2 Mindstorm (2.0) motors (one one each side). I can't find and original picture but it ...
17
votes
3answers
2k views
What tool can get the Technic pin out from a connection closed in the other end?
I'm having trouble removing these LEGO Technic pins apart from their connectors and I don't want to use carpenter tools like pliers which may damage the bricks.
What tool can get the pieces separated ...
17
votes
2answers
983 views
What are Good LEGO (or similiar) sets to play-prototype machines working with fluids?
I want to play around with fluid engines.
I'm aware that LEGO is sometimes used in labs for prototyping kinematic components, are there successful examples of operating with fluids?
Have pistons, ...
17
votes
3answers
4k views
Is Technic compatible with Mindstorms?
My wife bought me a Mindstorms NXT 2.0 for my birthday. I've been reading up on it from as many sources as possible however apart from the 9695 Education Resource Set which adds some additional bricks ...
16
votes
2answers
5k views
When did LEGO stop producing Technic action figures?
I recently got interested in LEGO Technic again. The last set I own is maybe 15 years old, so my knowledge is a little bit outdated.
Back then some of the Technic sets had action figures included, ...
16
votes
4answers
16k views
How to speed up the 4x4 Crawler truck 9398?
Just finished building the 4x4 Crawler and it was a fun build but as a remote control car it is . . . in a word . . . SLOW! I know it's powerful and can climb over stuff but sometimes there is nothing ...
15
votes
7answers
5k views
How to unplug black friction pin connectors
Black friction pin without slots connectors are common in older Technic sets. Note that these were quickly replaced by the current version with slots that is much easier to remove.
vs
Especially ...
15
votes
2answers
2k views
Are Samsonite gears compatible with modern Technic gears?
Do the old Samsonite gears (above) work with current Technic gears (below)
LEGO bricks tend to be backward compatible with older bricks, but since I don't own any Samsonite gears I cannot tell.
...
15
votes
1answer
2k views
Which old Technic set included large yellow motor?
I am trying to find the number or some other identity of a Technic set I remember owning as a child (so it was probably bought in the 1985-1995 year range, more likely in the 80's half of it). Among ...
15
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I make a precise one-way clutch using Technic elements?
I need a mechanism so that if a (NXT) motor rotates forward, it moves one gear, but the other stays still, but if it rotates backwards, the first gear does not move, but the second one does.
I found ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there a way to remotely operate the push-button light brick?
The push-button light brick seems to be popular with Lego at the moment, and included in quite a few sets.
I'd like to find a way of being able to operate it remotely, so that I can include the ...
14
votes
1answer
779 views
Is this element some kind of Technic connector?
I am thoroughly confused about an element I have come across:
I have never seen a piece quite like this.
It's unlike any Technic connector I've seen, so I doubt if that is what it's for.
The two ...
14
votes
1answer
1k views
What are these Technic “Zapfen” (“stoppers”) called in English?
What are these pieces called in English? Google translator doesn't help in this case...
14
votes
4answers
6k views
LEGO Digital Designer Alternatives
I am been using LDD (LEGO Digital Designer) for my latest NXT project and noticed a major delay in building and making instructions for my Projects (My Mindstorm projects contain well over 500 pieces) ...
13
votes
1answer
2k views
Will Lego repair a bad motor?
I have the Electric Technic Micromotor:
http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/5119-1
and it simply won't come on. I seem to recall at some point someone telling me a long time ago, that if you sent parts ...
13
votes
1answer
566 views
What is the difference between these hole shapes?
I purchased an assorted bag of LEGO Technic pieces. There are pieces with axle holes, but what puzzles me is that the holes are different from what I am familiar with.
There's a piece with an ...
13
votes
1answer
4k views
Is there difference between different colors of LEGO axles?
There are a few different colors of LEGO Technic axles, but not enough to really use for artistic variation - black, grey, some beige, and recently I have started seeing blue.
The particular color ...
13
votes
1answer
7k views
Is a N2 or CO2 paintball tank a viable power source for a LEGO pneumatic Engine?
I would like to know how a LEGO pneumatic engine would perform when powered with a nitro (N2, HPA) or CO2 tank. I have seen a few RC cars powered with air (from soda bottles), so I am wondering if it ...
12
votes
3answers
7k views
How to start with technic?
I have bought myself the technic set 9393 Tractor. I really like the model and I want to dig deeper into the Lego technic universe. I am not focused in building pre-designed models (although I enjoy ...
12
votes
1answer
11k views
How can I motorize 42077 Technic Rally Car with LEGO Power Functions?
The new 42077 Technic Rally Car set looks really nice, and even has a built-in steering system which can be controlled by a gear on the top. There's also a fair bit of extra room inside, is there a ...
12
votes
4answers
23k views
Is there a Technic set that is just an assortment of parts and not a specific vehicle?
Can I buy Technic sets that are just assortments of parts as opposed to a specific vehicle?
Background
I do research on sediment carbon cycling in lakes and I need use a rotating array of magnets to ...
12
votes
1answer
2k views
What's the purpose of the clutch gear in Power Functions set?
I have just bought this set and wonder the purpose of the white gear in the middle:
How can you use it in your Lego Technic projects? Is it available in other sets?
12
votes
1answer
683 views
Mechanical auto-unblocking mechanism
I have a GBC module1 which is quite simple but blocks regularly because a ball happens to be at just the wrong place at the wrong moment.
Per se, it's not a problem as a Technic Gear 24 Tooth Clutch ...
12
votes
1answer
6k views
Virtual LEGO / Technics / Mindstorms simulation environments
I know that there are quite a few LEGO CADs floating around, but are there any physically correct simulation environments for models built with LEGO / Technic / Mindstorms parts, that would, for ...
12
votes
2answers
228 views
Is it possible to dismantle and refurbish an original 870 Technic motor?
I have a couple of ancient 870 motors (the 4.5v ones) that run but don't sound great. I've looked for, but can't find, a guide on how to dismantle them. I'd like to either get in there and clean/...
11
votes
4answers
8k views
How to make a conveyor belt with LEGO parts?
I am making a small robot with an Arduino and Technic LEGO powered by stepper motors. I am planning on moving small rocks throughout my machine. Does anyone have an idea of what kind of Technic LEGO ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
What part(s) can I use to connect technic liftarms at a 90 degree angle?
Is there a way to connect the two beams in this angle and still keep the connection strong and keep the rotation the same?
11
votes
2answers
24k views
Which sets currently contain pneumatic LEGO equipment?
When I was younger my dad bought me 5218-1, a technic-based pneumatics set, which, combined with the old motor system to provide a mini compressor system created quite a bit of entertainment and it ...
11
votes
2answers
437 views
Identifying Parts Used For The Escape Hatch of Sariel's Tiger XL Model
I am working on a similar model of Sariel's Tiger XL in prep for my own designs of a few other German WW2 tanks, and need some help identifying a part or two.
Does anyone know what are the two parts ...
11
votes
3answers
907 views
Has anyone created a analogue LEGO clock that runs time accurately?
I've seen someone on YouTube create a LEGO Clock with all the wheels and a pendulum, but I was wondering if there is any project or building instructions available to build such a clock with an ...
11
votes
2answers
446 views
How can I remove a rubber band from a pulley?
We have a pulley and a bunch of rubber bands:
We don't know that part numbers, but they all were part of a Mindstorms (RCX 2.0) set. My son was trying use the pulley and band to transfer power to ...
11
votes
3answers
585 views
How do I take out this pin from an axle connector? [duplicate]
I have an axle connector with a blue pin stuck in it. How do I get it out?
It looks like this:
It's on very tightly. I tried removing it for 5 or so minutes, but it's too slippery.
11
votes
1answer
1k views
How much current do the LEGO motors draw?
I'm building a project with Raspberry Pi and some other electronics driving the LEGO Power Functions M-Motor (8883) and I need to know how much current those motors draw under load.
Has anyone done ...
11
votes
1answer
4k views
What are the angles used in angle connectors and liftarms?
LEGO makes Technic Angle Connectors, like these:
(Here are names and part numbers).
They also make angular liftarms, like these:
(part 32348).
That last part has an angle of 53.5 degrees. What ...
11
votes
2answers
26k views
Which LEGO Technic sets include instructions to add the Power Functions accessory box?
Some LEGO Technic sets apparently come with instructions to add a motor, using the pieces from the Power Function Accessory Box (set 8293).
Is there a list of the sets which do contain such ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there an easier way of threading Technic pins into other elements?
I've been using Lego Digital Designer to recreate a few models I've built in real life. One model in particular uses many Technic axles which need to be inserted fully into other Technic bricks (like ...
11
votes
1answer
902 views
How to convert new 4x4 crawler to tracks?
With the new 9398 4x4 crawler coming out what would need to be done to convert it to a track based system that looks similar in style to the ones sold by Mattracks?
On a related point what would make ...
11
votes
1answer
168 views
How To Sort Out 3rd Party Technic Clones From LEGO Originals?
I've recently bought bulk parts, and wish to sort out the official LEGO pieces from the inferior quality 3rd party clones.
On bricks I can easily spot-out the clones, becasue they don't sport the "...
11
votes
3answers
3k views
What are the torque limits of gears?
I am using Lego in the classroom to introduce students to geared machines.
As part of this I am asking them to design a winch, using a small 1.5V DC motor and a collection of the common Lego gears, i....
