Q: Are there
instructions for the models?
A: All available DAT files are on this
website; there are DAT files to varying degrees of detail for most of the
models, a couple of which are "stepped" allowing numbered
instructions to be printed. DAT files for entire models take a long time and
my priority at this time is actual model building so this is the full set;
hopefully what is here will prove useful, and set you on the right track.
DAT files can be read using software such as MLCAD;
for more information on DAT files please visit LDraw.org.
Q: Are any of the
models for sale?
A: Not at the moment - Lego costs me a great deal more to
acquire than it costs the Lego company, so the price I would have to charge
for a model is consequently higher - a great deal higher, in fact. My models
have many more expensive parts than your average Lego kit, which also adds to the cost.
If you'd really like a model or have a suggestion
for another I'd be happy to hear them, but please bear in mind that my work
is not cheap and takes time.
Q: How long does it
take to build the models?
A: The completion dates on the home page
of this website give a rough idea, generally I start a new model a month or
so after completing the previous one, depending on inspiration and research.
The exception to this is the Demag AC50-1,
which was started a significant time after the skip
truck was completed and took around five months to build.
Q: Do you have a
large Lego collection?
A: It depends on your perspective - to
"normal" people it probably appears extensive - some say it is
breeding - but it is nothing
compared to the collections of many regulars on Lugnet.
There is enough that I can build most things I can imagine without hassle,
although not necessarily in the correct colour.
Q: Where you do buy
the bricks?
A: I utilise the usual suppliers both
on and off line, and like all enthusiasts keep my eyes open for bargains
when I have the time. Since establishing a reasonably large collection I
tend to buy individual parts from places such as Bricklink
when required, rather than actual models unless something really catches my
eye.
Q: Do you build anything
other than construction vehicles?
A: I have done in the past and certainly
will keep an open mind for the future, although construction vehicles really
bring out what I like best in models as they have impressive looks,
functions and great playability. As far as official Lego sets go I like the Star Wars line and
and enojoyed building the Yoda sculpture.
Q: Which is your favourite
model?
A: The 8860
Car Chassis, 857
Motorbike with Sidecar, 855
Mobile Crane were childhood favourites that provided years of peace and
quiet for my parents, albeit at the cost of sore feet and knees from Lego
bricks on the floor. Latterly the 8480
Space Shuttle and pneumatic sets such as the 8462
Tow Truck have provided great inspiration, with the 8448
Super Street Sensation being the model that got me back into Lego in a
big way. Another set that, in my opinion, exemplifies what Lego is all about
is the 8872
Forklift Transporter - great fun to build, and loads of working bits!
Q: Where do you get the
logos and stickers?
A: The stickers are printed on either
sticky transparent or white labels using an inkjet printer; the recent
acquisition of a photo quality model gave superior results on the All
Terrain Crane. Suitable labels can be bought from this
supplier, look for "A4 Sticky Jet High Gloss White" and "A4
Sticky Jet Clear".
Logos can be obtained in many ways, the easiest being to download a large
image from a company's website. Sometimes you cannot download a logo large
enough for print quality, so another way is to use a PDF datasheet and zoom
in on a logo until it fits on your screen, then do a screen grab with your
favourite paint program. All the Whiteinch
Demolition logos were created from a single
photograph of a sign, with image processing being used to change the
colours for different instances of the logo. If none of these are available,
you can always have a go at recreating the logo for yourself - this may be easier than you think and was the approach I used to create the Baldwins
logo on the All Terrain Crane - I think it is
a fairly obscure form of the Helvetica font.
Q: How long have you been
a legomaniac?
A: Apparently I began playing with Lego as
soon as my fingers were dexterous enough to work with the bricks, but I can't
remember that far back!