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Subject: 
Re: Amputated Throwbot parts?
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.build.mecha
Date: 
Fri, 2 Jun 2000 17:03:24 GMT
Viewed: 
527 times
  
In lugnet.build.mecha, Ben Vaughan writes:
Having just spent the last two and a half hours fighting with the ball
portion of the ball and socket pieces from the Throwbot set, I'm ready to
commit heresy and chop one of the balls off. (yes, I know this is a family
forum. 8) )


I totally know how you feel.  I consider myself a purist so I usually would
abhor any cutting of these sacred pieces of plastic, but this is one of those
pieces that I am just puzzled by(I am specifically refering to the double ball
joint part that comes in the throwbot sets).

When this piece first came out I was ecstatic because I saw the potential in
its application in mecha construction.  But after having toiled with the part
many a times I must say the part is a bit poorly thought out.

First(and the most frustrating of all) is the dimension of the ball.  It is
about 0.5-1mm too large.  If you sandwich the "arm" between two technic beams
the ball keeps the beams from lying flush.  This is the first time I feel like
Lego has dropped the ball on dimensioning.

Secondly, I find the little faux pistons impeding the elegance of the part as
well.  I understand TLG's desire to make the set visual interesting but that
should be accomplished through the application of other parts in the Lego
universe, not through these gaudy little details.

Now that I've vented a bit, I must reiterate that I am still happy that this
piece exisits.  To my knowledge it's the only ball/socket I know of that has a
decent amount of friction, making it perfect for building poseable mecha.  If
any one knows of any other ball/sockets that work well, please share.

The only thing I use these sets for is mecha joints, and I've got a ton of
them.  Anyone else broken down and amputated your Throwbot joints yet?

Ben

That's the only thing I use them for as well.  That's why this weekend
two "arms" will be meet their destiny with my dremel tool.  On the first arm I
plan on taking off one of the balls(at the base) and both of the faux
pistons.  On the other arm I plan on removing the middle assembly leaving two
balls with cross axels attached to them.

I'm assuming the results will be fantastic, it's just the mental anguish of
knowing I cut pieces for the first time.  Oh well, I guess we'll see.

sun



Message is in Reply To:
  Amputated Throwbot parts?
 
Having just spent the last two and a half hours fighting with the ball portion of the ball and socket pieces from the Throwbot set, I'm ready to commit heresy and chop one of the balls off. (yes, I know this is a family forum. 8) ) The only thing I (...) (24 years ago, 2-Jun-00, to lugnet.build.mecha)

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