Extensive review of the LEGO Technic 9398 4x4 Crawler

After the new Lego Power functions elements review Sariel show how these elements work in (for the moment) the unique set where they come, the LEGO Technic 9398 4x4 Crawler.

In this review we will find the box art, time-lapse build, model functionalities, crawling abilities comparative, how it work with other wheels, and a wild engineer hamster...

The new Power Functions elements reviewed by Sariel and LasseDeleuran

All the new Power Functions goodies from the 9398 Crawler nicely reviewed in this video by Sariel, it helps a lot to figure what possibilities these new elements have.

Also there's another interesting review by LasseDeleuran with nice speeds comparative.

The new receiver, the IR V2 is a good new, now it seems that we can ad motors to the receiver without break it like in the first version of it.

The servo is quite interesting, like nxt motors but controlled with both remote controllers (classic PF and trains PF) and with the battery box, nice for steering (of course) and other devices like valves, GBC modules, control pneumatic stuff, technic "sculptures", Victorian machines...

And the "L" motor seems stronger than the "M" but not as destructive as the XL, known as the "pin bender" 

Can't wait to have one 9398 crawler set in my hands.

The Unofficial LEGO ® Technic Builder’s Guide.

You can pre-order the Book about LEGO TECHNIC from Sariel !!

From Sariel's website:

"I’m happy to announce that this year (Fall 2012) you will be able to buy my book: TheUnofficial LEGO ® Technic Builder’s Guide. The book, published by No Starch Press, focuses on explaining the theory and principles that rule the world of LEGO mechanisms, while providing plenty of practical examples. With over 300 pages printed in full color, showing more than 500 figures and 40 building instructions, the book should be helpful to any LEGO Technic enthusiast, regardless of his building skills.
While the book uses vehicular LEGO models as primary examples, the theoretical knowledge and working principles it describes can be applied to any sort of mechanism. The 20 chapters start simple for first-time builders, but quickly move to advanced material. The book covers subjects like:
gear wheels and gear ratios
levers and linkages
pneumatics and custom pneumatic devices
LEGO motors and their characteristics
suspension and transmission systems
the modern LEGO Power Functions system and its elements
reinforcing your builds
studfull system vs. studless system
methods of scaling and modeling of various vehicles, from bikes to helicopters and airplanes, including challenges and opportunities that come with different types of vehicles
What the book does not include are complete instructions for any models that I have built. Instead, it introduces you to a vast array of mechanisms and provides examples of how to use them in your own constructions.
Eric Albrecht (Blakbird), the world-renowned collector and expert on LEGO Technic, has provided technical review of the book, and it comes with a foreword by Fernando Correia, the TechnicBRICKs editor-in-chief.
Visit nostarch.com/technicbuilder to learn more. The book is available for pre-order worldwide from your favorite booksellers, including amazon.com and amazon.co.uk
The book will also be available as an ebook."

Personally I'm very interested in this book and I have high expectations in its content because I'm working in two related projects, one the beginners Technic guide in Hispalug (actually abandoned...) and the other a private project consisting of three LEGO construction manuals, the last of them will be focused on advanced Lego Technic ^_^

Lego Motorized Ford GT40

Sariel will publish the photos and description of his last moc tomorrow. Meanwhile it let us see this photo and the video:

Lego Oldham coupling and Schmidt coupling

"The Oldham coupling and Schmidt coupling are two various mechanical solutions for transmitting drive between two parallel axles that are not aligned in line".

As wroted on Sariel's Webpage: ( Visit for full explanation, instructions, more information and Moc's)

That makes this two mechanisms an alternative to universal joints, which are long, and to gear wheels, which only fit in specific spacings and affect power/speed ratio if not meshed at 1:1 ratio.

The Oldham coupling consists of two identical rotors, each connected to one axle, and a sliding element between them. In short, the Oldham coupling is short and maintains 1:1 ration, but is complex, fragile and has large diameter.

The Schmidt coupling consists of three discs or triangles connected with links, it can work while its input and output are moving relatively to each other. That makes it an interesting solution for transferring drive to the moving elements of your construction. The Schmidt coupling is also extremely robust and can handle high torque while generating minimum backlash.

A "real" Schmidt coupling, as you can see the Lego Technic version works perfectly...

Automatic gearboxes

There are a few kinds of Lego Technic automatic gearboxes, here some examples:

The first one, a two speed gearbox by Sariel, based on a 3 speed design by Misha van Beek 

Another automatic design by Misha van Beek 

Click Here to see it working

This gearbox by Zblj using 2 differentials switches between 1:1 and 1:5 gear ratios:

Sariel make a more compact version of this and published this two shots at facebook

From the same builder is this 3-speed "simple, yet effective gearbox, using a very unique design to change gears"





YotamPoleg show us in the first part of this video a real CVT gearbox:

Another interesting concept, this one is controlled by a centrifugal device:


By error4385

And finally my own first prototype of automatic gearbox, mixing Misha and Zblj concepts, two differentials to switch between 1:1 and 1:5 gear ratios, and a third differential to unlock the 1:5 gears when more torque is need and lock it when less torque and more speed is wanted, also the 1:1 gears got anti-return device in order to prevent the stop of the entire gearbox.

Mindstorms (In fact Lego WeDo software)and Portal game enthusiasts can enjoy the latest Sariel's video.

More impressive MOC's on his BLOG

Lego Gyroscope

I remember when I was a child, doing this but in a crazy way.Unfortunately once piece of my loved 8865 got broken...

Sariel's Brutal Tow Truck

In last weeks i was very aware of Sariel's last creation, and now it's finished, and of course well documented and explained.

If you are here you will love technic, and if you love technic you will love this truck and the others Sariel's creations.

A lesson in how to make a Moc, also must see the video:

The Killer Hamster of Caerbannog

Because i like hamsters and this one is almost identic to mine and also likes to play with Lego, the full story about this recreation of the iconic scene from the Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie:

The Killer Hamster of Caerbannog

Sariel's Interview