Boom arm, hand-spun 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 rises and lowers on air from a Power Functions motor and compressor, the saw blade spins by hand (it is not powered), and the pneumatic grab opens and closes to pick up logs. At 1,003 pieces and about 35 cm long it is a compact machine with a lot going on.
There is also a full alternate build: a Log Loader. 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 and grab run on air from the motor, the saw spins by hand, and it all feels 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 Log Loader build gives you a second model from the same parts. 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.