The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide, 2nd Edition
“This is one of those books that just amazes me—complex ideas made easier to follow with what are basically toy pieces of plastic.”
—James Floyd Kelly, GeekDad“This book boggles the mind! Even if you're an accomplished builder, some of the techniques that Sariel shares are sure to expand your repertoire.”
—Kris Bordessa, Wired“Sariel is a legend in the LEGO world...His machines are fantastic.”
—Jesus Diaz, Gizmodo
This thoroughly updated second edition of the best-selling Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder’s Guide is filled with tips for building strong yet elegant machines and mechanisms with the LEGO Technic system. World-renowned builder Paweł “Sariel” Kmiec covers the foundations of LEGO Technic building, from the concepts that underlie simple machines, like gears and linkages, to advanced mechanics, like differentials and steering systems. This edition adds 13 new building instructions and 4 completely new chapters on wheels, the RC system, planetary gearing, and 3D printing.
You’ll get a hands-on introduction to fundamental mechanical concepts like torque, friction, and traction, as well as basic engineering principles like weight distribution, efficiency, and power transmission—all with the help of Technic pieces. You’ll even learn how Sariel builds his amazing tanks, trucks, and cars to scale.
Learn how to:
- Build sturdy connections that can withstand serious stress
- Re-create specialized LEGO pieces, like casings and u-joints, and build custom, complex Schmidt and Oldham couplings
- Create your own differentials, suspensions, transmissions, and steering systems
- Pick the right motor for the job and transform it to suit your needs
- Combine studfull and studless building styles for a stunning look
- Build 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. What better way to learn engineering principles than to experience them hands-on with LEGO Technic?
New in this edition: 13 new building instructions, 13 updated chapters, and 4 brand-new chapters!
Featured on The Awesomer!
Featured on Scholastic.com's Tech Tools Blog
“The most comprehensive guide to engineering plastic machines and mastering tricks of the trade. Its usefulness makes it a text you’ll keep for years if you’re a fan or hopeful. I couldn’t imagine it being any more valuable a resource.”
—The News Wheel
“If you are a Technic fan or build with LEGO Technic elements (e.g. for use in MINDSTORMS), The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide, 2nd Edition should be at the top of your shortlist of must-have titles.”
—Hispabrick Magazine
"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 . . . 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."
—James Kemp, Blogger, themself.org
“Whatever your level of knowledge in engineering is, if you read this cover to cover you will almost certainly learn something new. The author provides explanations from the very basic right through to the advanced, but the best thing is you can keep coming back and even try out some of his build ideas with the included instruction sections.”
—Brick Fanatics
“It's an absolutely indispensable wealth of mechanical information broken down into manageable and delicious bite-sized bits. It takes the staggeringly complex Technic system and makes it approachable and inviting.”
—Bricknerd
“Whether you are a skilled builder or a novice, this book contains a wealth of interesting information. It is without a doubt the most comprehensible builder's guide to LEGO Technic.”
—Eurobricks
“The book will save you hours of puzzlement and pain, with its example building instructions and inspire you to play with solving harder technical challenges. You’ll want to start experimenting (playing) and building your own creations: it’s what LEGO is for.”
—The LEGO Car Blog
“The illustrated instructions will create a child-like enthusiasm for building again as you easily grasp more complicated instructions and let your mind’s imagination soar. You’ll turn the first page and find hours have gone by before you are pried away from the information.”
—Amazing Kids! Magazine
“The text is easy to read, the graphics are clear and the binding allows the book to flat when you open it...the new and improved material makes it almost a whole new book.”
—Think Bricks
“Had I owned a book like this when I was a child there is no telling what elaborate models I would have built.”
—JK Brickworks
Check out a review in German on 1000steine!
“The full-color, durable pages make this a great book to keep around your home LEGO studio. Kmieć includes lots of pictures and renderings to help bring his designs to life. The author does an excellent job describing his designs and any potential pitfalls.”
—Milluzzi Labs
“I would recommend this book for any adult builder who is interested in becoming more familiar with Technic and using Technic in their own creations. It is definitely an asset that deserves a place on the shelf.”
—Josh Wedin, The Brothers Brick
“This book is a gem.”
—Ryan McNaught, LEGO Certified Professional
"[A] very good book for learning a lot of technic principles. . . . I honestly studied this for LEGO Masters . . . a very valuable tool."
—BrickinNick, Professional Brickbuilder and Competitor on LEGO Masters