Please do not consider any construction you find in this book to be a final or definitive design. There is always room for tinkering and improvements: As a matter of fact, some of the constructions shown in this guide make deliberate use of basic LEGO pieces, to help those who try to build with limited LEGO resources. If you are lucky enough to have newer, more sophisticated pieces at hand, do not hesitate to experiment with upgrades. If your collection is modest, remember that creative thinking can overcome nearly any limitation.

This guide uses BrickLink’s part numbers, part names, and color names. I decided to rely on BrickLink (http://www .bricklink.com/) not only because it’s the largest and most accurate database of parts but also because its catalog of pieces serves as the de facto marketplace. Any piece or set you find at BrickLink can be purchased with just a few clicks, no matter where you live.

It’s my most sincere wish that this book lives up to your expectations. But remember that it only gives you tools to explore—it’s up to you to provide the rest. Creating something new and seeing it work the way you intended it to is far more rewarding than building even the coolest LEGO set ever released. Enjoy creating.

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!