8868-1: Air Tech Claw Rig

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8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
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8868
Air Tech Claw Rig

Masterpiece!

Posted by bizkit in Romania on 21 September 2008

It's the best Technic set I've ever seen! Unfortunately I don't have it. I only hope that Lego will make this kind of sets in the future again. The compressor-pneumatic system was a great idea (although with air tank would be even better), it makes the set easier to control, you don't have to pump air manually.
The last greater pneumatic sets I've seen was back in 2004, since then almost none. At least Lego should re-release them, again.

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8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
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8868
Air Tech Claw Rig

Absolutely brilliant - best technic set I own

Posted by dunx125 on 27 November 2007

i got this set, as well as some other Technic sets from the 90s for the ridiculous price of $115. It took me about 8 hours to build - the threading of the pneumatic tubes through the various holes was especially difficult. The technical functions are amazing - just like operating a real crane! You turn the motor, and then fiddle with the switches, and you can make the crane pick up anything you want. Anyway, hers the pros and cons:

Pros
>Fantastic and sturdy design
>4 seperate functions controlled by pneumatics
>Looks great
>Pneumatic features are powered by a compressor,
which makes it much easier to control the crane.
>Steering and engine work perfectly

Cons
>The pneumatic-powered rotation of the crane seems to be rather jumpy (it may be due to a mistake I made in construction)

If you get the oppurtunity to get this set, buy it. You won't regret it!

3 out of 3 people thought this review was helpful.
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8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
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8868
Air Tech Claw Rig

Best Technic for best Christmas

Posted by kari in Hungary on 19 November 2007

All began in a snowy Christmas, 1994. The set had been released in 1992, but my father could buy it only two years later for me (things were not so easy in Hungary at that time). I was so lucky (thanks to him) that I could choose between 8868 and 8880, but my decision was univocal. It was my first huge Technic set and - still the best.

The building of the set took hours under the Christmas-tree with my brother and nearly midnight it was completed. Worlds can not describe the feeling when the truck compressor and pneumatic system was first put into order. Despite the fact, that since then I was honored to build many of LEGO Technic's supersets (such as 8880, 8421 and 8455), I can still say that this one is above all.

With the aesthetic LEGO did an excellent work. The only two things, that I would mention if I defenitely have to, the slim of the rear wheels (it should have double wheels on all the four axels), and maybe the V6 engine (instead of the real truck's V8). Otherwise the model looks real and I love the colour combination (black, white, and yellow) of it. Of course there are no rearview mirrors or steering wheel, but hey boy, this one is from classic times.

The technic/function is the strongest part of the rig. The pneumatics (even the turning of the crane is executed by pneumatic cylinders) work automatically thanks to the 9 Volt-engine driven compressor-system, which produces air constantly. The only thing you have to do is controlling (like in real life) by the four valves settled on both sides. The net of the pneumatic tubes looks great underneath and this is the most difficult part to put together during the building. The truck has V6 engine with cooling fan driven by two (!) differential from the rear wheels. The steering works well.

I can remember this set was pretty expensive at that time (such as 8880), but it worthed every penny. My model still works as if it were new. If Technic is the ultimate LEGO than 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig is the ultimate Technic.

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8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
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8868
Air Tech Claw Rig

Great

Posted by jon11380 in United Kingdom on 29 July 2007

As the above reviews suggest this set is an all time classic. Alike the yelow crane and front loader (8431 and 8439 respectively) this should have been reissued.

With age the truck suffers wear to the belt drives for the compressor and the mock engine, both of which are easily adjusted to chain and gear drive.

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8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
8868: Air Tech Claw Rig
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8868
Air Tech Claw Rig

Pneumatic paradise

Posted by rolo on 07 June 2007

I got this set (MISB) by pure chance on a flea market for an amount of price that is indecent to reveal because it was sooooo cheap.

I never took attention on this set because I’m not a truck freak. Prior to building, I found it common and thought it could go in the “model team” series.

After the build I changed completely my mind. This is probably the best technic set EVER made.

The motor activates a little compressor that literally gives a breath of life to the set. It activates 5 pistons that reproduce exactly the movement of a real crane. Event the turntable is activated by pneumatic! How about that!

The build was not easy at time due to the immense amount of flexible tubes. I must say it’s the only Lego set in my life that I found challenging to build.

A technic collection can’t be complete without this masterpiece. What are you waiting for, get it now!

3 out of 3 people thought this review was helpful.
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