Present for Boyfriend who happens to have a PhD

SarahMollie

So my Boyf is a mechanical engineer. He's commented in the past about really liking lego, so I'd like to get him something Lego orientated as a gift.

Is there Lego for grownups per say? Something that would allow him to make things that would also give him a bit of a challenge?

Also, how much should I expect to pay?

TitianGerm

SarahMollie wrote: »

So my Boyf is a mechanical engineer. He's commented in the past about really liking lego, so I'd like to get him something Lego orientated as a gift.

Is there Lego for grownups per say? Something that would allow him to make things that would also give him a bit of a challenge?

Also, how much should I expect to pay?

Have a look at the Technic Sets or some of the Modular Sets.

Upper price range is usually €200 but some sets are more expensive.

Greentree_uk

Deathstar! or Super Star Destroyer

SarahMollie

Is that not Star Wars? I'd rather get him something thats not related to a movie franchise. He wouldn't be a SciFi fan at all.

To narrow down what I'm looking for, I suppose maybe something architectural? Or maybe something that contains a motor that you can then operate?

NinjaTruncs

What's your budget? Look at Lego Mindstorm its programmable but not cheap. Other than that technic or the architecture range sound a good fit. Take a look at shop.lego.com for ideas.

TitianGerm

SarahMollie wrote: »

Is that not Star Wars? I'd rather get him something thats not related to a movie franchise. He wouldn't be a SciFi fan at all.

To narrow down what I'm looking for, I suppose maybe something architectural? Or maybe something that contains a motor that you can then operate?

http://www.lego.com/en-us/architecture

http://www.lego.com/en-us/technic

NinjaTruncs

Greentree_uk wrote: »

Deathstar! or Super Star Destroyer

Both of which are now discontinued and will cost well over 600 each.

SarahMollie

Thanks, I suppose €200ish but I don't mind going higher if I was confident that he'd love it.

Pro Hoc Vice

http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/Sydney-Opera-House-10234?fromListing=listing

or

http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/Tower-Bridge-10214?fromListing=listing

or cheaper

http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/Louvre-21024?fromListing=listing
http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/White-House-21006?fromListing=listing



Bit different

http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/Studio-21050?fromListing=listing

Tombo2001

The link below is an Amazon Lego Bargains watch.

You can filter by 'Theme'....

Its filtered below by Advance; as it happens there aren't many on discount - but it will give you a picture of what might be available.

http://brickset.com/buy/vendor-amazon/country-uk/theme-Advanced-Models

Advanced are the most difficult boxes.

Alf Veedersane

Meccano?

SarahMollie

Thanks!

I like the idea of the architecture studio because he could build lots of different things, rather than one specific landmark, which once its built, then thats it.

Maybe I don't need to get something with a motor in it really, although I think I was leaning that way before.

Does anyone know if the Architecture Studio would be a good balance between fun/challenging for someone whos an engineer or is it too simple?

Tombo2001

Just a tip - when looking at the price.....also look at the number of pieces.

The price per piece is an indication of value for money.....

e.g. a box with 200 pieces will be built much quicker than 600 pieces......but might cost not that much cheaper.

Rhyme

A friend of mine is a mechanical engineer as well, big fan of Technic sets as a kid and has recently gotten back into Technic, more specifically the construction vehicles.

He likes the realism in terms of structure, load-bearing elements, inner mechanics and clever design. Might be of the same mind as your boyfriend.

The sets that my friend wouldn't shut up about (granted I never shut up about Lego so we get on well) have been the 42043 Mercedes Benz AROCS for 199.99e, 42030 Remote-controlled Volvo L350F for 209.99e and the 42042 Crawler Crane for 129.99e.

The other sets he likes have been discontinued like the 42043 Construction Crew and the ancient (at this stage) 8880 Super Car. Be aware that these sets can take many hours to build and you may 'lose' him for the better part of a day

EDIT: websites like Brickset offer a 'price per brick' number to help with what Tombo2001 says above.

TitianGerm

SarahMollie wrote: »

Thanks!

I like the idea of the architecture studio because he could build lots of different things, rather than one specific landmark, which once its built, then thats it.

Maybe I don't need to get something with a motor in it really, although I think I was leaning that way before.

Does anyone know if the Architecture Studio would be a good balance between fun/challenging for someone whos an engineer or is it too simple?

The Architecture pieces are really for display purposes and do look very good.

Another option might be to buy a few smaller cheaper sets from different lines and see which he likes best and then buy others from that line in the future as presents etc.

Oafley Jones

Definitely consider Technic. Just finishing off the Mercedes Arocs at the moment and it's an excellent set. There's no way a mechanical engineer won't appreciate the how the sets are structurally put together as well as the functions. The new pneumatic system alone in the Arocs (although fiddly enough) is just fantastic. Google the review on eurobricks by Jim if you need convincing.

Oafley Jones

Definitely consider Technic. Just finishing off the Mercedes Arocs at the moment and it's an excellent set. There's no way a mechanical engineer won't appreciate the how the sets are structurally put together as well as the functions. The new pneumatic system alone in the Arocs (although fiddly enough) is just fantastic. Google the review on eurobricks by Jim if you need convincing.

Sleepy

I have this on display in the sitting room: http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Volkswagen-T1-Camper-Van-10220/

This is coming out this summer if he's more a fan of modern race cars than classic camper vans: http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Porsche-911-GT3-RS-42056

JakeArmitage

a packet of Magnums :pac:

hmmm

Not quite Lego, but Haynes make a set of toy engines (see Amazon) that could be of interest.

SarahMollie

Rhyme wrote: »

A friend of mine is a mechanical engineer as well, big fan of Technic sets as a kid and has recently gotten back into Technic, more specifically the construction vehicles.

He likes the realism in terms of structure, load-bearing elements, inner mechanics and clever design. Might be of the same mind as your boyfriend.

The sets that my friend wouldn't shut up about (granted I never shut up about Lego so we get on well) have been the 42043 Mercedes Benz AROCS for 199.99e, 42030 Remote-controlled Volvo L350F for 209.99e and the 42042 Crawler Crane for 129.99e.

The other sets he likes have been discontinued like the 42043 Construction Crew and the ancient (at this stage) 8880 Super Car. Be aware that these sets can take many hours to build and you may 'lose' him for the better part of a day

EDIT: websites like Brickset offer a 'price per brick' number to help with what Tombo2001 says above.

Thanks, this sounds right up his street - I'm leaning towards the Mercedes truck out of what you've suggested. Once the piece is completed, is that it or can you continue to tinker with them over time? I don't mind losing him if its only to Lego

emmetkenny wrote: »

The Architecture pieces are really for display purposes and do look very good.

Another option might be to buy a few smaller cheaper sets from different lines and see which he likes best and then buy others from that line in the future as presents etc.

I think he'd definitly want something to play with rather than admire, so maybe there isnt as much long term use from the architecture sets.

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Definitely consider Technic. Just finishing off the Mercedes Arocs at the moment and it's an excellent set. There's no way a mechanical engineer won't appreciate the how the sets are structurally put together as well as the functions. The new pneumatic system alone in the Arocs (although fiddly enough) is just fantastic. Google the review on eurobricks by Jim if you need convincing.

Thanks for the review, I think this is maybe what I'm leaning towards, since the architecture sets look nice, but might be obsolete very quickly once he's played with it.

Rhyme

SarahMollie wrote: »

Thanks, this sounds right up his street - I'm leaning towards the Mercedes truck out of what you've suggested. Once the piece is completed, is that it or can you continue to tinker with them over time? I don't mind losing him if its only to Lego

It's definitely something that can be tinkered with. He'll find ways to adjust the suspension, differential, gearbox, overall layout of the truck itself as well as the cab. The movement aspects of the truck can be adjusted as well and added to over time for optimisation purposes.

The modular design as well as the general 'toughness' of the set means that any future Technic purposes can be bolted on and adjusted/balanced for added operations. The AROCS truck can also be broken down into countless little designs. Future sets with different sized wheels and gears etc means he can have a 'pot' from which he can pull parts to make anything else. There is a large MOC (My Own Creation) community for Technic sets where people construct alternative and original designs and post instructions and ideas online.

My girlfriend says the same thing about me and Lego, I have to 'resurface' if I've been busy for too long

Sky King

Oafley Jones wrote: »

There's no way a mechanical engineer won't appreciate the how the sets are structurally put together as well as the functions. .

Mechanical Engineer here. I would appreciate it alright but I have to say that the idea of painstakingly following an engineering drawing sounds too much like work to me. The architecture stuff might be a little bit more creatively flexible, which to me, was the real beauty of playing with Lego.

But meh, horses for courses I guess. I am sure he'll appreciate your thoughtfulness OP.

SarahMollie

Sky King wrote: »

Mechanical Engineer here. I would appreciate it alright but I have to say that the idea of painstakingly following an engineering drawing sounds too much like work to me. The architecture stuff might be a little bit more creatively flexible, which to me, was the real beauty of playing with Lego.

But meh, horses for courses I guess. I am sure he'll appreciate your thoughtfulness OP.

True, I keep flipflopping between the architechture set and the technics sets. Not sure how exactly, but maybe I could try suss out what he'd be more interested in.

I feel like he wouldnt mind the level of detail, and tends to stay working on something until its done.

He loves tinkering around with his bikes (hes always ordering little upgrades and can spend hours "optimizing" stuff, I know I certainly wouldnt have the patience but he seems to!

He actually enjoys assembling things from IKEA (which is great for me because I now never have to do it!) and delights himself if something breaks and he manages to fix it. He has a lot more patience than me :P

Sky King

If he enjoys Ikea then Technics may the way to go so - I f-ing hate it

If he likes fixing things look into buying him some Sugru too. That's cheap and very versatile. https://sugru.com/

Oafley Jones

Sky King wrote: »

Mechanical Engineer here. I would appreciate it alright but I have to say that the idea of painstakingly following an engineering drawing sounds too much like work to me. The architecture stuff might be a little bit more creatively flexible, which to me, was the real beauty of playing with Lego.

But meh, horses for courses I guess. I am sure he'll appreciate your thoughtfulness OP.

A large technic set allows probably more possibilities as regard creative expression. The parts of standard lego (especially the architecture line) are quite limited. And by that I mean they're fairly specialised for the particular build. I find even the modulars (which I love) need a lot of extra parts to do anything decent with. Technic is kinda limited in different way, but one that allows much more raw building material. Plus, a mechanical engineer will be able to utilise the theory to maximise the part set.

And as others have said technic encourages a lot of tinkering to improve a model. Check out the mods for the Unimog or Excavator for instance.

PaddyFagan

Just to add, if you are still thinking about the architecture range - the architecture studio looks the business and is much more about being creative than building a single model. But it is pricey http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/Studio-21050?fromListing=listing

Paddy

Ps As a 40 year old engineer (computer/electronic) I'd prefer a technic set - my current favourite is the 911, but it won't be out for a few months yet. http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/25/lego-porsche-911-gt3-rs-kit/

Necronomicon

I'd be hesitant about the Architecture studio. I love Lego but I am awful at building original creations, so there's nothing I love more than just building along to instructions. Your other half could be different, but it's something to consider.

Personally I'd go for a huge set that will take him days to build. Here are the more 'exclusive' items listed on the shop website:

http://shop.lego.com/en-IE/Hard-to-Find-Items-ByCategory

Edit - not sure if that link is working properly. To find it yourself go to shop.lego.com, then 'categories', then 'hard to find'.

gubbie

My boyfriends an engineer too and although I'm the big fan of Lego, there has been some which he has been a lot more impressed with than others. His two favourites, I'd say are the Lego Wall-E and Lego Maze which are pretty great if you want to spend less (Wall E: 40, Maze: 80)

TitianGerm

gubbie wrote: »

My boyfriends an engineer too and although I'm the big fan of Lego, there has been some which he has been a lot more impressed with than others. His two favourites, I'd say are the Lego Wall-E and Lego Maze which are pretty great if you want to spend less (Wall E: 40, Maze: 80)

Wall-e is brilliant. He's my favourite piece I have

Withrax

maybe check out the lego ferrari f40

daingeanrob

as an engineer myself i seen this given to someone and though it was cool... a desktop stirling engine, you can get them to run off a tea light or denatured alchohol and they look cool on a desk/shelf etc and can run.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ELENKER-Stirling-Engine-Motor-Educational/dp/B00ZZPJ4FW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462629055&sr=8-1&keywords=stirling+engine+kit

this is a basic one but you can get fancy/more complex desktop models.

SarahMollie

Thanks for all the suggestions, I feel like I've birthday and christmas covered for this year, and maybe next too!

Just add in a 5 pack of socks from M&S and it will be perfect