Answers.Body: <p>I recommend to buy one of the great classics of the Technic era around 2012-2015, such as the <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=42009-1&amp;name=Mobile%20Crane%20Mk%20II&amp;category=%5BTechnic%5D%5BModel%5D%5BConstruction%5D#T=I" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mobile Crane MKII, 42009,</a> the <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=42043-1#T=I" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Arocs, 42043</a>, or the <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=9398-1#T=I" rel="nofollow noreferrer">4x4 Crawler, 9398</a>. I own both the Arocs and the Crawler. It really is fun to build them, and if you like the build you can buy extensions and modifications to create a special version of your set.</p>
  <p>The 42100 needs a mobile phone and an app that will probably fail after the next Android update. I would avoid that frustration.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-04T17:59:59.297Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-09-04T17:59:59.297Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Metalbeard
Answers.Body: <p>The set is marketed as &quot;12+&quot;. So even without the skills you mentioned you already have, I doubt you would have issues during assembly.</p>
  <p>Piece of advice - don't rush it, take your time during the assembly process. It will take more time to assemble than you think. Especially as this is the first set and you need some time to learn the parts and how they work.</p>
  <p>For a challenging Technic set, my personal suggestion, is to look for set from much older &quot;studful&quot; Technic era. Something like 8880. It has fewer parts, but many more parts assembled per step and most of them are black. Don't follow this advice for your first ever Technic set though.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-04T08:14:37.943Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-09-04T08:14:37.943Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Alex
Answers.Body: <p>Your specific questions seem to call for opinions. (The moderators do not like that.)</p>
  <p>Your questions as I seem them are:</p>
  <p>Q1: Will buying the above kit be likely too much to start with, simply because I have not worked my way up through simpler models?</p>
  <p>A1: The 42100 LIEBHERR R 9800 has over 4000 parts but only 225 different ones. I have noticed some posts about getting some of the mechanics to work properly. Keep in mind that even someone with a lot of experience could not build it in a few hours and enjoy it. If you did one part per second it would take over 66 minutes. Expect to take days. As a first time technic build I'd guess a week or more.</p>
  <p>Q2: Are there other arguments for and against?</p>
  <p>A2: Against, It's a toy, sort of like a 3d puzzle that needs batteries and a smartphone.</p>
  <p>A2: For, It's a massive amount of Lego parts. He that dies with the most toys wins, so more Legos better chance of wining.</p>
  <p>In all seriousness you should try a less complex build to see if it will prove a positive experience. It is a lot to spend for something that you could feel was a frustrating waste of time.</p>
  <p>Of the currently available Technic™ models from Lego I would suggest the <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/rough-terrain-crane-42082" rel="nofollow noreferrer">42082 Rough Terrain Crane</a>.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-04T15:59:52.577Z
Answers.Text: It's not that we as mods don't like opinions, but that this *platform* favours questions that have a single definitive answer - it likes to have a green tick by questions meaning "Answered!". These can still be subjective - see [Good Subjective, Bad Subjective](https://stackoverflow.blog/2010/09/29/good-subjective-bad-subjective/) for more on that ;)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-04T22:56:36.187Z
Answers.Text: @Zhaph-BenDuguid, I do have a preference for questions that have objective answers or a narrow range of value judgments. If my answer here is not withing the guidelines please let me know so I can delete it.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Dan1138
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-07T08:54:36.590Z
Answers.Text: My only concern was "(The moderators do not like that)" - in that it paints us as some sort of tyrannical overlords, when in general we're just slightly more powerful users ;)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-04T02:39:27.223Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-09-04T18:57:14.253Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-09-04T18:57:14.253Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Dan1138
Body: <p>Suppose I want to get an overall view of LEGO as an adult and can afford to buy an expensive kit.</p>
  <p><strong>I have the following abilities</strong></p>
  <blockquote>
  <ol>
  <li><p>Good eyesight with glasses</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Good hand-eye coordination and manipulative ability</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Good DIY and tool skills</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>A good basic understanding of mechanics, gearing, levers and so on</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>A good spatial sense</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>An ability to follow straightforward instructions and diagrams such as making flat-pack furniture or setting up home devices. Also the
  ability to make simple modifications like adding a hard-drive to a
  desktop computer and reassembling it successfully afterwards.</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Advanced knowledge of computer programming and good general knowledge of electricity and electronics</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Experience of building model aircraft -  both flying and non-flying models</p>
  </li>
  </ol>
  </blockquote>
  <p>I wish to buy a kit that contains most of the functions (motors, gears, controllers, programming, drive trains, etc.) that will be found in Technic kits of all kinds.</p>
  <p>As an example I might buy 42100 LIEBHERR R 9800  as described here <a href="https://www.newelementary.com/2019/12/lego-technic-review-42100-liebherr-r.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.newelementary.com/2019/12/lego-technic-review-42100-liebherr-r.html</a></p>
  <p><strong>Questions</strong></p>
  <p>Will buying the above kit be likely too much to start with, simply because I have not worked my way up through simpler models? Are there other arguments for and against?</p>
  <p>Is there a smaller kit that has as roughly as many build techniques and features  as the above kit but contained within a smaller space?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-09-03T21:56:52.887Z
Comments.Text: I think you'd be fine; they usually have very detailed sub-assembly instructions.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Aaron D. Marasco
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-09-04T12:10:54.653Z
Comments.Text: From how you formulate your question I think you have an analytical mindset, hence you'll be fine. If you run into issues we'll be happy to help
Comments.UserDisplayName: Michael Verschaeve
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-09-05T01:07:19.173Z
Comments.Text: My first Technic set was the massive 42055 Bucket Wheel Excavator. I had a great time building it, even though I ran in to some difficulties. However, it was not my first time building with Technic elements, as I had previously built some simple MOCs with Technic elements I had lying around, but even if it was my 1st time ever building with Technic, I think I still would have had a good time, so I would suggest yes, you should buy a large Technic set even as your 1st LEGO set.
Comments.UserDisplayName: technicguy1
Tags: <technic><building>
Title: What are the arguments for and against an adult tackling a complex LEGO Technic kit as their first (and possibly only) build?
UserDisplayName: chasly - supports Monica
ThreadText: # What are the arguments for and against an adult tackling a complex LEGO Technic kit as their first (and possibly only) build?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-09-03)
  
  Suppose I want to get an overall view of LEGO as an adult and can afford to buy an expensive kit.
  
  **I have the following abilities**
  
  > 1. Good eyesight with glasses
  > 2. Good hand-eye coordination and manipulative ability
  > 3. Good DIY and tool skills
  > 4. A good basic understanding of mechanics, gearing, levers and so on
  > 5. A good spatial sense
  > 6. An ability to follow straightforward instructions and diagrams such as making flat-pack furniture or setting up home devices. Also the
  >    ability to make simple modifications like adding a hard-drive to a
  >    desktop computer and reassembling it successfully afterwards.
  > 7. Advanced knowledge of computer programming and good general knowledge of electricity and electronics
  > 8. Experience of building model aircraft - both flying and non-flying models
  
  I wish to buy a kit that contains most of the functions (motors, gears, controllers, programming, drive trains, etc.) that will be found in Technic kits of all kinds.
  
  As an example I might buy 42100 LIEBHERR R 9800 as described here <https://www.newelementary.com/2019/12/lego-technic-review-42100-liebherr-r.html>
  
  **Questions**
  
  Will buying the above kit be likely too much to start with, simply because I have not worked my way up through simpler models? Are there other arguments for and against?
  
  Is there a smaller kit that has as roughly as many build techniques and features as the above kit but contained within a smaller space?
  
  **Tags:** technic, building
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: I think you'd be fine; they usually have very detailed sub-assembly instructions.  
  > **username_2**: From how you formulate your question I think you have an analytical mindset, hence you'll be fine. If you run into issues we'll be happy to help  
  > **username_3**: My first Technic set was the massive 42055 Bucket Wheel Excavator. I had a great time building it, even though I ran in to some difficulties. However, it was not my first time building with Technic elements, as I had previously built some simple MOCs with Technic elements I had lying around, but even if it was my 1st time ever building with Technic, I think I still would have had a good time, so I would suggest yes, you should buy a large Technic set even as your 1st LEGO set.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2020-09-04. Score: 4
  
  I recommend to buy one of the great classics of the Technic era around 2012-2015, such as the [Mobile Crane MKII, 42009,](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=42009-1&name=Mobile%20Crane%20Mk%20II&category=%5BTechnic%5D%5BModel%5D%5BConstruction%5D#T=I) the [Arocs, 42043](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=42043-1#T=I), or the [4x4 Crawler, 9398](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=9398-1#T=I). I own both the Arocs and the Crawler. It really is fun to build them, and if you like the build you can buy extensions and modifications to create a special version of your set.
  
  The 42100 needs a mobile phone and an app that will probably fail after the next Android update. I would avoid that frustration.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2020-09-04. Score: 4
  
  The set is marketed as "12+". So even without the skills you mentioned you already have, I doubt you would have issues during assembly.
  
  Piece of advice - don't rush it, take your time during the assembly process. It will take more time to assemble than you think. Especially as this is the first set and you need some time to learn the parts and how they work.
  
  For a challenging Technic set, my personal suggestion, is to look for set from much older "studful" Technic era. Something like 8880. It has fewer parts, but many more parts assembled per step and most of them are black. Don't follow this advice for your first ever Technic set though.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2020-09-04. Score: 0
  
  Your specific questions seem to call for opinions. (The moderators do not like that.)
  
  Your questions as I seem them are:
  
  Q1: Will buying the above kit be likely too much to start with, simply because I have not worked my way up through simpler models?
  
  A1: The 42100 LIEBHERR R 9800 has over 4000 parts but only 225 different ones. I have noticed some posts about getting some of the mechanics to work properly. Keep in mind that even someone with a lot of experience could not build it in a few hours and enjoy it. If you did one part per second it would take over 66 minutes. Expect to take days. As a first time technic build I'd guess a week or more.
  
  Q2: Are there other arguments for and against?
  
  A2: Against, It's a toy, sort of like a 3d puzzle that needs batteries and a smartphone.
  
  A2: For, It's a massive amount of Lego parts. He that dies with the most toys wins, so more Legos better chance of wining.
  
  In all seriousness you should try a less complex build to see if it will prove a positive experience. It is a lot to spend for something that you could feel was a frustrating waste of time.
  
  Of the currently available Technic™ models from Lego I would suggest the [42082 Rough Terrain Crane](https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/rough-terrain-crane-42082).
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_7**: It's not that we as mods don't like opinions, but that this *platform* favours questions that have a single definitive answer - it likes to have a green tick by questions meaning "Answered!". These can still be subjective - see [Good Subjective, Bad Subjective](https://stackoverflow.blog/2010/09/29/good-subjective-bad-subjective/) for more on that ;)  
  > **username_6**: @Zhaph-BenDuguid, I do have a preference for questions that have objective answers or a narrow range of value judgments. If my answer here is not withing the guidelines please let me know so I can delete it.  
  > **username_7**: My only concern was "(The moderators do not like that)" - in that it paints us as some sort of tyrannical overlords, when in general we're just slightly more powerful users ;)  
  
  ---
  
  