Boom arm, spinning saw, and a grab that actually picks up logs
A member built the Forest Machine (42080) and sent a photo. This one gets less attention than the cranes and excavators but it is genuinely interesting to operate. The articulated boom arm swings out and down, the saw blade spins, and the grab opens and closes to pick up logs. At 1,003 pieces and 1:12 scale it is a compact machine with a lot going on.
There is also a full alternate build: a mobile pile driver. So if you are on a longer subscription and want two builds out of one kit, the 42080 is worth knowing about. I like this set. It is one of the more unusual things in the library and it is not obvious from the box what it can actually do until you get into it.
The boom arm, saw, and grab are all functional and feel well-thought-out. The articulation means you can position the head at a variety of angles, which makes the log-grabbing sequence satisfying to run through. The alternate pile driver build uses most of the same mechanism. One of the less obvious sets in the library, and one that tends to surprise people who try it.
This is exactly why I like putting member builds on the blog. The official images tell you what a kit is supposed to look like. Member photos show what it feels like once someone has actually sat down, opened the bags, and worked through it.
If you have just finished Forest Machine, send over a few photos. It does not need to be a full studio setup. A clean table, a finished build, and a few notes on what stood out are enough.
Build kits like this from £17/month
Subscribe, receive a kit, build it, send it back. No purchase, no storage, just the build. Free postage both ways.