- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 397
- Set Year: 1984
- Set Number: 8020
- Set Parts: 119
- Set Price: 24.75
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
Set 8020 was released in 1984 as the smallest Universal Set to date. It includes full instructions for 6 models. There are a number of parts left over when any of the models are built. The set is small but versatile and is an excellent introduction to Technic.
The models in this universal set cover a wide variety of subjects, but most feature the common function of rack and pinion steering and little else. The van, rover, truck, and plow all feature rack and pinion steering. The windmill vanes turns via crank. The helicopter rotor turns via crank.
It is somewhat unusual that this set includes 5 sets of tires and wheels since the 5th is only ever used for overhead steering. This is the only set from 1984 to not have pneumatics included.
I find the Windmill the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set. This is probably just due to the fact that it is different from most other Technic models.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 427
- Set Year: 1993
- Set Number: 8022
- Set Parts: 118
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
The small set 8022 was released in 1993 and was one of the smallest Universal Set to date. It includes full instructions for 4 models. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built.
This set was marketed as a Technic starter set, a role which it fulfils aptly. None of the models are complex, but all show off various possibilities of the Technic line. This set is also the only universal set to ever come in white and is therefore an excellent source of those rare white beams. The parts selection is otherwise unremarkable.
I find the Airplane the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 365
- Set Year: 1989
- Set Number: 8024
- Set Parts: 113
- Set Price: 24.95
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The small set 8024 was released in 1989 as the smallest Universal Set to date. It includes full instructions for 4 models as well as photographs of several other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built.
The models are quite simple, which is to be expected, and most make use of the new steering components, sometimes in innovative ways. The forklift uses the steering rack in a vertical arrangmenet to lift the forks.
I find the Racer the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 363
- Set Year: 1982
- Set Number: 8030
- Set Parts: 141
- Set Price: 33.50
- Building Instruction: Yes
- Currency: Guilders
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The small set 8030 was released in 1982 as the very first Universal Building Set. It includes full instructions for 5 models as well as photographs of several other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built, but the Jeep uses the largest proportion of the parts.
Except for the windmill, the models are pretty homogenous, and none of them display much in the way of technical complexity. In fact, only 4 gears are included in the set and they are only used for steering, again except for the windmill. The models are, however, an excellent introduction to the concept of building with beams, and the new friction pin connectors are used extensively. The friction works so well that most of these models take longer to take apart than they do to put together, and I actually broke a 12L beam in half when disassembling a model to make this page, which is a first for me.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 365
- Set Year: 1994
- Set Number: 8032
- Set Parts: 212
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Set 8032, released in 1994, was one of the last two Universal Sets. It includes full instructions for 6 models, a couple of which are quite unusual and contain "figures" which perform various actions.
Although this is a small set, the models are quite interesting and attractive. Several make use of the new small balloon tires.
I find the Jeep the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 377
- Set Year: 1989
- Set Number: 8034
- Set Parts: 187
- Set Price: 47.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
Set 8034 was released in 1989. It is somewhat larger than 8024, released the same year, and does not have any special additions like motors or pneumatics. It includes full instructions for 4 models. There are a number of parts left over when any of the models are built.
The models in this universal set cover traditional Technic subjects. Helicopters, cars, and trucks can be found in virtually every universal set. The only innovative function is the 4 wheel steering of the 6 wheeled car. These models are deceptively large given the part count of this set.
I find the Truck the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 380
- Set Year: 1986
- Set Number: 8035
- Set Parts: 174
- Set Price: 39.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The small set 8035 was released in 1986 as a replacement for the original Universal Building Set. It includes full instructions for a diverse set of 5 models. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built.
The car has rack and pinion steering and a small trailer. The crane features a ratcheting winch and a boom which locks at several elevations. The Helicopter has rotating rotors and an oversized undercarriage. The wood chopper is really unique and powers an axe via a wind turbine. Finally, a small fan shows just how far you can take gear reduction with LEGO® before bad things start to happen. The parts used in this set are, by now, quite standard so nothing new was introduced here.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 389
- Set Year: 1984
- Set Number: 8040
- Set Parts: 162
- Set Price: 54.75
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The set 8040 was released in 1984 as the first Universal Building Set to incorporate the new pneumatic system. It is clearly designed to showcase some of the possibilities of pneumatics. It includes full instructions for 5 models as well as photographs of other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built, but most of the parts are used in any case. The set includes one normal sized pneumatic actuator, one pump, one distribution block, one switch, and a variety of tubing. An example of every pneumatic part is included here except for the long actuator.
{phocadownload view=file|id=88|text=Building Instruction|target=b}
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 488
- Set Year: 1993
- Set Number: 8042
- Set Parts: 230
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
This blue universal set, released in 1993, is the best of the pneumatic universal sets in my opinion. The models are varied and unique and represent remarkably complex construction considering the relatively small number of parts. There are full instructions for 4 different models, the final of which can be motorized with an optional motor
This was the first universal set to include more than one pneumatic cylinder and switch. The second cylinder was one of the newer small diameter actuators.
In the car, the pneumatic pump also acts as rear suspension. It has steering and an opening canopy. The forklift steers as well as lifting and tilting the forks. The personnel lift has outriggers, steering, and a lift which features a wonderful mechanism to keep everything level. Finally, a log loader is included which features steering, a boom which lifts, and a claw which opens.
I find the cherry picker the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 383
- Set Year: 1989
- Set Number: 8044
- Set Parts: 199
- Set Price: 64.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The set 8044 was released in 1989 as the first Universal Building Set to incorporate the second generation pneumatic system. It is clearly designed to showcase some of the possibilities of pneumatics. It includes full instructions for 4 models as well as photographs of other possibilities. The set includes one pneumatic actuator, one pump, one switch, and a variety of tubing. An example of every pneumatic part available at the time is included here except the T-fitting.
Several of the models are very similar to the pneumatic models of the previous pneumatic universal set, 8040, including the forklift and the log loader, though they are more elegantly realized in the newer set. The forklift features rear rack and pinion steering and forks which pneumatically raise and lower. The car lift features a small chassis with steering and a pneumatic lift. The log loader features a luffing boom and a pneumatically actuated claw as well as steering. Finally, the tow truck features steering and a pneumatic boom. It is very similar in appearance and function to the truck of set 8034.
I find the Forklift the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 380
- Set Year: 1982
- Set Number: 8050
- Set Parts: 140
- Set Price: 84.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The small set 8050 was released in 1982 as the second Universal Building Set, and the first Technic set to ever include a motor. (Note that this does not include the earlier supplemental sets, some of which had motors.) It includes full instructions for 5 models as well as photographs of several other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built, but the Helicopter and Buggy models uses the largest proportion of the parts.
This is the first set to include a motor, which is 4.5V and runs on 3 C-cell batteries (more about the motor on the 1982 page). The motor is used in each of the models to drive a variety of functions. In each case except the helicopter, the motor is coupled to the model via a belt (rubber band) to prevent stalling the motor. The motor is underpowered for some of the applications and the belt either tends to slip or to stall the motor anyway. One of the reasons for this is that the driven axle is often also a structural pin (reacting shear load between two beams), which tends to make it bind and generate a lot of friction.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 370
- Set Year: 1989
- Set Number: 8054
- Set Parts: 196
- Set Price: 99.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
Set 8054 was released in 1989 as the last set to use the 4.5V motor. It includes full instructions for 4 models.
The models in this universal set cover a wide variety of subjects and, interestingly, only one of them has steering. Two of the models are actually driven (locomoted) by the motor. In the helicopter, the motor drives the rotor and in the crane, the motor lifts the sheave.
This set would be available for only one year because the introduction of the new 9V motor made it obsolete. Due to this fact, it is one of the more difficult Technic models to acquire. In my early days of collecting Technic, I inadvertantly acquired this set in a large lot I bought and then sold it because it wasn't on my list. By the time I decided I wanted it, it took me another year to find one.
I find the Crane the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 388
- Set Year: 1986
- Set Number: 8055
- Set Parts: 188
- Set Price: 92.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The small set 8050 was released in 1986 as a Universal Building Set, and the second Technic set to ever include a motor. (Note that this does not include the earlier supplemental sets, some of which had motors.) It includes full instructions for 6 models as well as photographs of several other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built.
This is the second set to include a motor, which is 4.5V and runs on 3 C-cell batteries (more about the motor on the 1982 page). The motor is used in each of the models to drive a variety of functions, except for the gate. In each case, the motor is coupled to the model via a belt (rubber band) to prevent stalling the motor.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 412
- Set Year: 1994
- Set Number: 8062
- Set Parts: 409
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Universal set 8062, released in 1994, was the last of the original 8000 series universal sets. No Technic set would ever be labeled or marketed in this way again, although various future sets did have multiple models. This set has full instructions for 7 models, the most of any universal set. It was available with a plastic carrying case which came with the set in some areas.
Many of the models in this set are quite unique. Three of the models contain mechanical figures built from Technic elements which interact with their respective models. Even the topics of these models are unusual and involve sports such as hockey or boating. While the motorcycle is unremarkable, the flatbed truck and loader are very large and functional. Finally, the tandem rotor helicopter is delightful.
There are lots of yellow beams here as well as 6 of the new small balloon tires and wheels. The parts, the variety of models, and the availability of the carrying case make this one of the most attractive universal sets for purchase.
I find the Helicopter the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 389
- Set Year: 1990
- Set Number: 8064
- Set Parts: 219
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
The Universal Set 8064, released in 1990, was the first to make use of the new 9V motor and battery box. One motor is included and is used for each of the 4 models, each of which have full instructions. The car features steering and a motorized rear axle. The tow truck features steering and a motorized winch. The helicopter features motorized main and tail rotors. The forklift features steering and a motorized fork lifting mechanism.
Other than the use of the new motor, there are not really any new technical innovations here, but the set is pretty versatile for its size.
I find the Forklift the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 500
- Set Year: 1991
- Set Number: 8074
- Set Parts: 313
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Set 8074 from 1991 is one of the better Universal Sets released. It used the new flex system to make 4 functional and interesting models. The forklift featured steering and lifting and tilting forks. The stationary crane featured a hoist, a luffing boom and jib, and full slewing via a turntable. The log loader, a rather unique model, featured steering, a rotable boom, a lift for the boom, and an opening loading claw. The last model, a road grader, is the only model of it's kind released by LEGO®. It's long frame featured steering and a grading blade which could be raised and lowered. All of the models were quite large and assembled largely with pins.
This was the first set to use the flex system, which it does in every model. In all 4 of the models, they are used as push-pull cables. In the crane, they are also used as diagonal braces. In some models they are straight, and in others they are routed through sleeves which wind their way through the structure. If you are looking to get your hands on some flex system parts, this is the set to find the most of them. There are 20 end fittings , 10 cables, and 2 sleeves included. The lengths include 7, 9, 11, 13, & 19.
Although all of the models are excellent, I like the crane the best and chose to use it for my display.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 412
- Set Year: 1993
- Set Number: 8082
- Set Parts: 459
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Now this is what a universal set should be. Set 8082 was released in 1993 and contained quite a lot of firsts. There are 4 models, all of which are quite unique. A couple of them have features which are unprecedented in Technic and would be good enough to be a standalone set. I highly recommend picking one of these sets up.
The remote control car has a separate wired controller which can both drive and steer the car. The airplane features counter-rotating propellers and pivoting nacelles. The cat/rabbit thing may not look like much, but it features a unique mechanical and electrical feedback system which exists only in this model. It is worthy of note on technical merits without a doubt. The forklift is marvelous and manages to combine 3 complex functions with a single driving motor, all controlled remotely.
This is the first set to contain the new pole reversers. There are two of them here, and they are used predominantly as a means of manual control of multiple motors. In one model, they are actually driven by the mechanisms in the model. This set contains 2 motors, one of which is the new micro motor. It may seem small, but this set shows how remarkably useful it can be by demonstrating several possibilities. The long wires are kept from tangle using a set of flexible helical rubber keepers which exist in only two sets.
I find the Forklift the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.
- Details
- Category: Universal Building Set
- Hits: 380
- Set Year: 1982
- Set Number: 8090
- Set Parts: 267
- Set Price: 97.50
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: Guilders
The set 8090 was released in 1982 as the third and largest Universal Building Set. It includes full instructions for 5 models as well as photographs of several other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built, but the Truck model uses the largest proportion of the parts. The part count may not look impressive, but there are ten 16L beams here, so some very large models are possible. There would not be another Universal Set with such large models for a long time.
Unlike set 8030, the models in this universal set cover a wide variety of subjects and complexity levels. The car features a 1 cylinder reciprocating engine, a rear differential, and rack and pinion steering. The windmill features rotating main and lateral vanes. The forklift features rear rack and pinion steering, a 4 bar linkage to raise the forks, and a "kneeling" front suspension. The helicopter features rotating main and tail rotors. Finally, the very large truck features a 1 cylinder reciprocating engine, a rear differential, rear suspension, and rack and pinion steering.