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When I was younger my dad bought me 5218-1, a technic-based pneumatics set, which, combined with the old motor system to provide a mini compressor system created quite a bit of entertainment and it got adapted into various other builds, including a sliding pneumatic bank door. enter image description here

Now, as far as I can tell, the only kit like this nowadays is the Lego Education Pneumatics Add-On Set, 9641-1, which comes in at around £39.99, for 31 pieces. enter image description here

While I could add this to the Lego Education Simple & Powered Machines Set that's not cheap either, at around £100 for a more reasonable 390 pieces.

Ultimately, is there a list of all the technic (or lego) sets that include pneumatic kits, and, ideally, are any of them still avalible, apart from the ones I've previously listed?

Joubarc
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tombull89
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2 Answers2

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In the UK shop, there are currently two sets:

The Unimog U 400 [set:8110] which uses the motorised "compressor" to supply the power (as opposed to the manual sprung pump).

Detail of pneumatic elements

And the Tractor with Log Loader [set:8049] which uses the manual pump:

Log Loader detail

The other sets that look like they have piston arms (such as [set:8043]) are actually using "linear actuators", which work with an internal screw thread to lift up the piston, powered by Bevel Gears or Universal Joints:

Bevelled Gears to power actuator Universal Joint to power actuator

[part:61927c01]

These provide a much finer level of control over the Pneumatic sets, which is probably why they are being used in more and more sets.

The issue with locating the pneumatic sets is that there have been a few subtle changes to the elements over the years, as well as different lengths in various sets, so tracking them reliably isn't easy:

BrickLink search for Pneumatic Pumps

Zhaph - Ben Duguid
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    Looking at the manual, that's quite a set. Probably better value than getting the Pnuematics set, the simple and powered machines set and another motor. – tombull89 Jan 04 '12 at 12:30
  • (I do mean the Unimog U 400). – tombull89 Jan 04 '12 at 13:59
  • @tombull89 I guessed ;) – Zhaph - Ben Duguid Jan 04 '12 at 14:00
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    Linear actuators seem to be cropping up in recent sets as an alternative to pneumatic pumps. It may be that linear actuators have a finer degree of control as well as reliability. I don't know for sure as I don't own any. – Ambo100 Jan 04 '12 at 15:55
  • @Ambo100 Yep, I certainly remember the frustration with moving a crane arm using the pneumatic controls. The arm wouldn't move until you'd built up sufficient pressure, and then would overshoot the mark. – Zhaph - Ben Duguid Jan 04 '12 at 15:59
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    @Ambo100 From my experience that's exactly what is going on. The LAs provide such fine control that they're pretty spectacular really. Not quite as much fun as the pneumatics though. :-) – Nathan Stohlmann Jan 04 '12 at 18:32
  • so, how do the "linear actuators" work? Does it take rotational input and change that to linear? As for this picture for 8043 Motorised Excavator I can't see how they are powered. – tombull89 Jan 05 '12 at 15:00
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    my god, just looked at the build manual for 8043...that's insane and brilliant. – tombull89 Jan 05 '12 at 15:07
  • @tombull89 If you take a look with the Zoom feature on the LEGO Shop (http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Motorized-Excavator-8043) you should be able to see the bevelled gears and universal joints seen here: http://www.doodle.co.uk/UserFiles/Image/BevelGears.png http://www.doodle.co.uk/UserFiles/Image/CabArea.png http://www.doodle.co.uk/UserFiles/Image/UniversalJoint.png – Zhaph - Ben Duguid Jan 05 '12 at 15:15
  • Note that the first image is from the alternative build "Tracked Loader". – Zhaph - Ben Duguid Jan 05 '12 at 15:16
  • Crikey. I didn't think it was such tiny detail. /me adds 8110 and 8043 to "want" list. – tombull89 Jan 05 '12 at 15:48
  • @tombull89: This vending machine concept is powered by a home-made linear actuator. The Linear Actuator bricks sold by LEGO are smaller. – Ambo100 Jan 05 '12 at 15:57
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The set that had the most pneumatic cylinders was the Lego Technic Backhoe, with something around 10. Unfortunately, this set is discontinued. You can, however, buy it on Bricklink.

enter image description here

It is, by far, the coolest pneumatic Lego set ever released.

tombull89
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Keshav Saharia
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    That, without a doubt, is pure awesome. I'd hope to see a re-release at some point, maybe even it could be fitted with power functions and automatic compressor...granted it would be expensive but my god it would be an awesome kit. – tombull89 Jan 08 '12 at 02:21
  • holy mamma that is one awesome set –  Jun 27 '13 at 21:57