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The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide
The LEGO® Technic system opens a new realm of building possibilities. Using motors, gears, pneumatics, pulleys, linkages, and more, you can design LEGO models that really move.
The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide is filled with building tips for creating strong yet elegant machines and mechanisms with the Technic system. Author Pawel "Sairel" Kmiec will teach you the foundations of LEGO Technic building, from simple machines to advanced mechanics, even explaining how to create realistic to-scale models. Sariel, a world-renowned LEGO Technic expert, offers unique insight into mechanical principles like torque, power translation, and gear ratios, all using Technic bricks. You'll learn how to:
Create sturdy connections that can withstand serious stress
Re-create specialized LEGO pieces like casings and u-joints, and build solutions like Schmidt and Oldham couplings, when no standard piece will do
Build custom differentials, suspensions, transmissions, and steering systems
Pick the right motor for the job—and transform its properties to suit your needs
Combine studfull and studless building styles for a stunning look
Create remote-controlled vehicles, lighting systems, motorized compressors, and pneumatic engines
This beautifully illustrated, full-color book will inspire you with ideas for building amazing machines like tanks with suspended treads, supercars, cranes, bulldozers, and much more. Your Technic adventure starts now!
The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide is filled with building tips for creating strong yet elegant machines and mechanisms with the Technic system. Author Pawel "Sairel" Kmiec will teach you the foundations of LEGO Technic building, from simple machines to advanced mechanics, even explaining how to create realistic to-scale models. Sariel, a world-renowned LEGO Technic expert, offers unique insight into mechanical principles like torque, power translation, and gear ratios, all using Technic bricks. You'll learn how to:
Create sturdy connections that can withstand serious stress
Re-create specialized LEGO pieces like casings and u-joints, and build solutions like Schmidt and Oldham couplings, when no standard piece will do
Build custom differentials, suspensions, transmissions, and steering systems
Pick the right motor for the job—and transform its properties to suit your needs
Combine studfull and studless building styles for a stunning look
Create remote-controlled vehicles, lighting systems, motorized compressors, and pneumatic engines
This beautifully illustrated, full-color book will inspire you with ideas for building amazing machines like tanks with suspended treads, supercars, cranes, bulldozers, and much more. Your Technic adventure starts now!
810 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2012
24 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 28, 2018
I bought this for my son to go with his Christmas presents of Lego Wedo and a couple of Lego Technic sets. It is a totally amazing book, with really clear and easy to follow explanations of the engineering concepts along with fully illustrated step by step building diagrams in the style of the official lego sets.
As well as explaining the technology in a way that I could see you using to pass an A Level in it, there is also a heavy focus on how to build lego models of all sorts of things. There is a section towards the back of the book about how to design your own models from blueprints and scale drawing. On top of that there are some examples of building at odd angles and how to solve problems to produce faithful models.
Definitely something that serious lego builders need to have on their bookshelves, or more likely on the table next to a pile of lego and a part built model...
As well as explaining the technology in a way that I could see you using to pass an A Level in it, there is also a heavy focus on how to build lego models of all sorts of things. There is a section towards the back of the book about how to design your own models from blueprints and scale drawing. On top of that there are some examples of building at odd angles and how to solve problems to produce faithful models.
Definitely something that serious lego builders need to have on their bookshelves, or more likely on the table next to a pile of lego and a part built model...
May 1, 2024
Quite enjoyed reading this book, it's more of an introduction to applied mechanics with Lego. I did had to drag in wikipedia from time to time to actually see some of the linkage in motion. And I should've actually taken a big box of Lego Technics to rebuild some of the more complex transmission systems near the end.
January 26, 2025
This book is a gold mine of tips and knowledge for those wanting to design and build their own Technic models. I've had my copy for 3 years and keep going back to it regularly, it's the perfect reference textbook and I love it.
This book answers hundreds of questions like: What torque does an XL motor have and how does it compare to the other motors available? How do I combine the output of 2 motors to act as a single, more powerful motor? How can I deliver power to a wheel that's mounted on a shock absorber? Lego sell several types of universal joints, which one is best for my build? What options exist to attach hinged parts without putting too much stress on the joint? And so on.
Beyond just helping you navigate the Lego catalogue, this book presents many mechanisms, with detailed drawings and instructions that explain how to build them in Lego Technic. For instance it'll teach you about Ackerman Steering Geometry, or Oldham Couplings.
The audience for this book is people who have at home a drawer full of Lego Technic parts and would like to build cool things. It focuses on the mechanical and functional aspects of models, i.e. how to build solid, powerful vehicles and mechanisms. It doesn't spend much time on how to make models look good (although the author's own builds, which can be seen in his other book and on his YouTube channel, are stunning). This is more about the functional aspects.
If you're an amateur engineer (or parent to one) wanting to level up your Technic skills, this book is simply priceless.
This book answers hundreds of questions like: What torque does an XL motor have and how does it compare to the other motors available? How do I combine the output of 2 motors to act as a single, more powerful motor? How can I deliver power to a wheel that's mounted on a shock absorber? Lego sell several types of universal joints, which one is best for my build? What options exist to attach hinged parts without putting too much stress on the joint? And so on.
Beyond just helping you navigate the Lego catalogue, this book presents many mechanisms, with detailed drawings and instructions that explain how to build them in Lego Technic. For instance it'll teach you about Ackerman Steering Geometry, or Oldham Couplings.
The audience for this book is people who have at home a drawer full of Lego Technic parts and would like to build cool things. It focuses on the mechanical and functional aspects of models, i.e. how to build solid, powerful vehicles and mechanisms. It doesn't spend much time on how to make models look good (although the author's own builds, which can be seen in his other book and on his YouTube channel, are stunning). This is more about the functional aspects.
If you're an amateur engineer (or parent to one) wanting to level up your Technic skills, this book is simply priceless.
June 4, 2021
A detailed reference book for lego technic.
March 16, 2015
I was surprised how useful this was as explaining real-life mechanical contraptions! Seeing a truck suspension modeled in LEGOs really clears up how those things work. I'm not sure great familiarity with the pieces is required --- I haven't touched a set in years.
August 8, 2015
awesome! (if you have the right legos)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews