Posts by Eric

Never step on a LEGO again with this LEGO Technic “Rumba” [Video]

Builders of all ages struggle to keep LEGO pieces off of the floor. But those days may soon be over thanks to The Brick Wall! Rather than buying an autonomous floor cleaner, The Brick Wall brought us an invention that could revolutionize any LEGO fan’s life. It’s called the Lego Rumba.

This fully motorized and untethered device can sweep up small technic pins, medium plates, large bricks—even minifigs—from a flat service into a holding bin. Two sets of treads provide the business end of the creation, with rubber strips stuck into the grommets for sweeping power. A robotic grabbing arm allows the model to pick up extra-large items like Technic tires. Click the video below to see the LEGO Rumba in action.

While not conventionally beautiful, the open sides of the model provide an unobstructed look at the functional components that make this contraption go. Check out more of The Brick Wall’s marvelous creations on YouTube.

LEGO Technic Hovercraft 42076 [Review]

I don’t know why, but I love hovercraft. They are to me like spaceships are to Benny. Are they boats? Or planes? Or something else? Regardless, I really wanted 42076 Technic Hovercraft to fill the Technic hovercraft-shaped void in my soul, an emptiness left unfulfilled by previous Technic Hovercraft (8824, 42002). The Hovercraft retails for $89.99 and includes 1,020 pieces.

42076 Technic Hovercraft box

Was this kit worth the $90 to build and play? Read on to find out.

Continue reading

Remote control LEGO Technic Dodge Viper to spin the dyno [Video]

Nothing screams American metal and gasoline-fueled testosterone like the Dodge Viper. This remote control Technic Dodge Viper comes courtesy of MRX Lego.

Dodge Viper ACR Nurburgring Styling

Of course, a model couldn’t claim the title “Viper” without a white body and blue racing stripes. Additional stylistic details include a front air dam (made of SYSTEM plates), racing seats, a moving (but fake) shift knob, and a massive rear wing spoiler. The interior includes an actual headlight switch under the dashboard that operates the front headlights.

Learn more about this stellar LEGO Technic muscle car

What’s in the box, er, silo?

This Technic Silo Truck by Designer-Han shows that sometimes boxy is sooo good. The design elements of the model are pretty simple, with beam-built body panels and a SYSTEM brick-built “silo” as cargo. The roof of the cab shows some thoughtful details, including a rack of lights, top air dam, and CB antenna.

Click here to see the play functions and a video of the truck in action

BuWizz in style with the Technic Corvette C1 [Instructions]

JamesJTechnic on YouTube brings us this classy 1961 Corvette C1, powered by a BuWizz motor and remote control.

This model demonstrates an excellent use of Technic panels for the body side panels, hood, and trunk lids. It also features a detailed front bumper. The removable hard top provides a nostalgic touch. I like how the model uses flexible hoses on the hood to add contoured ridges to the model’s hood.

Powered by the BuWizz motor and remote control, the Corvette drives and turns thanks to a Power Functions M-Motor and Servo Motor.

If you want to build this classic yourself, the building instructions begin at 2:28 in the video.

Moving earth with the massive LEGO Technic Cat 7495 [Video]

Combining LEGO Technic and System bricks into a cohesive model can be challenging, but Arjan Oude Kotte is a master LEGO engineer. Arjen brings us this incredibly detailed model of the Caterpillar 7495 Electric Rope Shovel built to minifigure scale. This model of the titanic heavy equipment machine towers over the minifigures and pickup truck in the image below. I love the attention to detail evident in the catwalks, ladders, and upper deck of the model visible from its left profile.

Cat 7495 HF 2018

The model also includes a dizzying array of realistic power functions. An operator can remotely lower and raise the digging arm, close the bottom trap of the shovel, move on its treads, and swing the model side-to-side on its base. Check out the video to see it in action.

Digging deep with a motorized LEGO Technic Bucyrus RH400 Mining Shovel [Video]

Among the largest excavators in the world, the Bucyrus RH400 stands over three-stories-high and can move 9,000 tons of earth in an hour. Sheo. miniaturized this mining giant to a minifigure scale model, complete with Power Functions.

The top deck of this machine shows thoughtful details like railings, water tanks, fire suppression equipment, and even a service crane. The digger arm contains graceful (and functional) curved shapes combining Technic and System brick. The operator cockpit even has space for minifigure operator.

Bucyrus RH400 Mining Shovel Click to see a video of this excavator in action

Too much awesome: Fully functional LEGO MINDSTORMS Star Wars Racer game [Video]

Just take my money already! Combining three of my favorite things, Alexis Dos Santos has raised the bar on mind-blowing creations with this Star Wars Racer game, made out of LEGO and powered by MINDSTORMS.

STAR RACER

The game itself is a three-dimensional, brick-built version of the pod-racing scene from Star Wars Episode I. The player controls Anakin’s podracer between obstacles coming at it while the MINDSTORMS Intelligent Brick provides the logic and sound effects for the game.

As the caution on the game warns, “HIGHLY ADDICTIVE GAME, THANKFULLY IT’S FREE TODAY!” But where do I buy get it … ?

LEGO BOOST 17101 Creative Toolbox [Review]

The 17101 BOOST Creative Toolbox represents the latest initiative from LEGO to introduce children to the worlds of engineering, robotics, and computer programming. LEGO recently expanded their range of supported devices, so we’re finally able to bring you a review without purchasing a brand new iPad. LEGO has targeted the 7- to 12-year-old age range for the BOOST product, one of the youngest demographics for a LEGO robotics kit. Unlike the MINDSTORMS series of products that features Technic, BOOST liberally incorporates LEGO SYSTEM brick (in addition to Technic) as the mechanical parts of the robots.

For this review, I engaged the services of an appropriate expert: my 6-year-old daughter, Artemis. Overall, she had few difficulties building the Vernie model, although she occasionally lacked the hand strength to push the Technic pins in holes (particularly when seating multiple pins at once).


Who has two thumbs, builds robots, and won’t eat broccoli? This girl!

Read our Boost review after the jump

LEGO Technic cordless power drill spins its way into our hearts

This cordless drill by František Hajdekr shows how to hide functional elements in plain sight. Tucked under the handle, the Power Functions battery pack for this motorized technic drill looks just like the battery pack for a real cordless drill.

Of course, what good is a battery if it doesn’t power something? Pull the trigger on this model and the drill bit spins. The M-Motor that powers the drill bit fits neatly inside two half-cylinder “tipper drum” panels. By using a Power Functions control switch for the trigger, the drill can turn both clockwise and counter-clockwise.

Lego Technic Cordless Drill (with Power Functions motor)

You can also see this model in action on František Hajdekr’s YouTube channel.

Motorized Technic Bus opens its doors to LEGO passengers [Instructions]

Builder HallBricks blends the functional with the beautiful in this Technic Motorized Bus. I watched this video several times in awe of its clean lines, compact design, and marvelous engineering. This model exhibits many design features that blend SYSTEM brick and Technic parts to form elegant curves. The rear pillars and roof combine Technic panels with SYSTEM rounded slopes for a smooth, semi-oblate shape. On the outside, the model’s headlights and tail lights consist of multiple translucent tiles for a multi-faceted effect.

Click here to see more interior views

Pneumatic Lanz Eilbulldog Tractor

Though the original Lanz Bulldog wasn’t built for beauty, this model of the classic German tractor by Nikolaus Löwe truly shines. Combining SYSTEM and Technic parts, the model has some nice design touches; a brick-built seat, elegantly curved rear mud flaps built from Technic beams, a vertical exhaust pipe (for a hot bulb engine, perhaps?), even running boards. The hood and sides of the engine compartment blend Technic panels and beams for a clean look.

LEGO Lanz Eilbulldog

Click to see more views including a peek under the hood of this tractor