Random set of the day: Pneumatic Crane Truck
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 8438 Pneumatic Crane Truck, released during 2003. It's one of 6 Technic sets produced that year. It contains 848 pieces, and its retail price was US$85.
It's owned by 493 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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20 comments on this article
Re-release of a set from 1995. I thought this didn't look like something from 2003.
@MCLegoboy said:
"Re-release of a set from 1995. I thought this didn't look like something from 2003."
Yeah, this is the era of Technic when almost no new sets were released for like five years.
Techinally, it's a rerelease, as there is another version from 2002!
Weirdly, they all have a different piece count:
1995: 850 for $99
2002: 862 for $85
this set from 2003: 848 for the same price.
Meh. It’s a crane. Needs more Batman. And purple.
@NotProfessorWhymzi said:
"Nostalgic rants from the Germans in three... two... one..."
BETTER THAN TODAY’S ALLEGED TECHNIC! AESTHETICIST GARBAGE, DESIGNED BY A DANDY FOOL, BLUE PINS, ABOMINATION, SPIT IN GOD’S FACE! Unlike back in the good old days when stuff was all good and nothing was bad.
@Mr__Thrawn:
I regret that I have but one Like to give.
In case you dont know, this is a cool set.
To me, this set is one of the best Technic set ever: it packs a lot of function in a very small package. The modern equivalent 42108 has 1292 pieces (significantly more than 8460/8431/8438) and has less functions: 42108 does no t have a control to rotate the cabin; the two front outriggers must be deployed by hand and have only two positions locked up and locked down, the two rear outriggers are operated with a gear but this is a direct connection without any mechanism - 8460 has a control operating all four outriggers simultaneously. And of course 8460/8431/8438 has pneumatic - 42108 has a cylinder which takes forever to deploy fully. This is far from my favourite set but if you want to learn something about gears and mechanisms, this is a very good place to start - and it does not look that bad either for studded beams.
No fluff, just Technic. This is how I like it. Dare I say, they don't make them like this anymore...
So many non-orthogonal angles in that cab
@Isabella_and_Lego_Liker said:
"Techinally, it's a rerelease, as there is another version from 2002!
Weirdly, they all have a different piece count:
1995: 850 for $99
2002: 862 for $85
this set from 2003: 848 for the same price.
"
Wait, a re-release that actually has more parts, and is cheaper?! How is this even possible? Usually it is exactly the other way around!
Whenever I point out how expensive LEGO is nowdays, people quickly shut me up by saying "adjusted for inflation, the new set is actually cheaper" but would you please explain to me how in the world is this cheaper than the original without being adjusted to any inflation?
I guess this just proves that LEGO deliberately overprices their set sometimes, not because they deserve to cost that much, but because they knew people would buy them regardless.
And it's a 2-in-1 set.
But where does the listed piece count come from? There's nothing on the box or in the instructions, and the number of parts counted by Brickset does not match the official part count also listed by Brickset.
I have this one. Bought a used one around 2002, and never realised there were so many versions.
It's gaining more appeal now with all the studded beams.
Had this back in the day connected to the 8094 control centre. It could take tea bag from one side of the table and put it in a cup.
Time to build it again!
@Mr__Thrawn said:
" @NotProfessorWhymzi said:
"Nostalgic rants from the Germans in three... two... one..."
BETTER THAN TODAY’S ALLEGED TECHNIC! AESTHETICIST GARBAGE, DESIGNED BY A DANDY FOOL, BLUE PINS, ABOMINATION, SPIT IN GOD’S FACE! Unlike back in the good old days when stuff was all good and nothing was bad."
On point, don't forget to c&p into the next Technic RSOTD =)
Metal Hook! Every collection needs one of those.
Seeing the studded beams with the modern Technic logo gives me so much cognitive dissonance.
@HOBBES said:
"To me, this set is one of the best Technic set ever: it packs a lot of function in a very small package. The modern equivalent 42108 has 1292 pieces (significantly more than 8460/8431/8438) and has less functions: 42108 does no t have a control to rotate the cabin; the two front outriggers must be deployed by hand and have only two positions locked up and locked down, the two rear outriggers are operated with a gear but this is a direct connection without any mechanism - 8460 has a control operating all four outriggers simultaneously. And of course 8460/8431/8438 has pneumatic - 42108 has a cylinder which takes forever to deploy fully. This is far from my favourite set but if you want to learn something about gears and mechanisms, this is a very good place to start - and it does not look that bad either for studded beams. "
I have a version of it, and I love it, and it indeed the functions, and the looks are awesome.
I do feel we are often forgetting that newer sets with studless beams simply need more parts because everything needs to be connected with pins. In these sets, at least a third or so is taken care of by studs.
Really miss medium sized sets targeted at teenagers, 2020-22 seems to have gone either >2000 pieces for ages >18 or <500 pieces for ages <11.
This set and 8450 show that a lot of functionality can still be achieved for less than 1000 pieces while keeping below $100.
Ah yes, the set (one of apparently four ONLY in 1995 INCLUDING the remakes) that spawned the use of part 424 . I know it from its re-emergance in the few exo-force sets it came in as well (7703, 7705, and 7709), and from the Dino Attack/Dino 2010 theme where it reappeared as well in set 7297 and 7476. When I tried to look it up I found out it was originally a tiny crank handle but has since been used as a bushing with pin hole. This was one of the weirder parts reused in a novel way in that era.
I mean, why would it be used in 1995, NOT the remakes of the 1995 mobile crane set 8460 in 2002 and 2003, but then reappear in 2005 and 2006, never to be seen again afterwards?
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=424&in=S