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The Lego Technic Forest Machine : Creating something from nothing
Lego has always been designed to challenge a child’s imagination. Thousands of kits are available, each suited to different age groups. The idea of the Technic range is to teach children the basics of gears, motors, electrics and mechanics. SEAN BACHER puts his building skills to the test with the Lego Technic Forest Machine.
Module Three: The crane assembly
Step 296: Building the boom – easy as clicking a few blocks together
It’s now onto the crane module which comprises two parts – the boom that attaches to the cab and the claw that will fit onto the end of the boom.
The boom was easy enough to build as I was now getting the hang of the building process. The boom consists of two Lego lengths, each needing ten rivets. Once one was complete the process was simply repeated for the second length.
Nothing else was needed except for the addition of the stickers showing the 42080 model number.
Step 332: Grappling with claw
The last segment and the last part of the build is the claw, which is now complete. Two air modules have been attached which will control the air flow to and from the claw through the grey and black tubing.
An additional knob has been attached. This allows the claw to rotate ninety degrees – once again via a smaller gear meshing into a bigger one.
Step 367: The final step in the build is done. Pneumatics are connected, cogs are synchronising perfectly and a few stickers have been added.
Step 369: Batteries not included
Batteries, all six AA, need to be inserted into the battery housing on the trailer and the motor plugged in. It its then a case of holding thumbs and hoping no steps have been left out or not followed correctly.
Conclusion
For me, and I think for may other consumers, the best part is in the build. At the end of clicking the bits together, inserting the batteries and watching the Forest Machine come to life is a great reward.
The ability of the Forest Machine designers to come up with the concept, using 1 005 parts is an achievement on its own.
But, once it has been used for a few minutes and has been shown off to friends and family, the novelty wears off and it could perch on a shelf to collect dust.
However, the saying ‘imagination knows no bounds’ rings very true here, especially a child’s imagination. The knowledge gained from the pneumatics and gears offered in this kit will provide various other building opportunities when broken down and added to other Lego sets.
Vital statistics
- Age group: 10 years and over
- Pieces: 1 005
- Educational attachments: The workings of a motor to drive the air pump, pneumatic tubes, valves and gears.
- Build time: 4,5 hours spent over two days
- Build fun: Five stars
- Attention to detail: Five stars
- Playability: Four stars
- Cost: The Forest Machine can be bought from Takealot here for R2 400
