My son LOVES garbage trucks, and in 2020, I showed him this AWESOME automated garbage truck on Lego Ideas. Of course he asked when we could build it. I explained that it might be some time and only if it gets approved. The look in his eyes when he saw it work, and when I said we couldn’t build / buy it right away was gut wrenching. So, I couldn’t let that stand. Through several weeks of watching videos and pouring over photos, I reverse engineered the design and mechanisms. Built it in Studio, ordered parts, designed the graphics, box art and instructions. I gave it to him that Christmas. The truck is still built on his Lego table, and he still plays with it. Albeit he’s made mods of his own!
This is amazing! I too was disappointed when this wasn’t approved. I think it would have made an impressive city set (especially when you consider Waste Management has mostly gone to their one man/autonomous Trash Trucks). I have to say though while the build is impressive, what is more impressive is the custom Box, Instructions, and Stickers! How did you do the stickers if you don’t mind me asking?
Yes! AJ, as much as a 6yr old can be, is very grateful!
The bulk of graphics on this one are cut vinyl with a Cricut. The stripes on the tailgate are layered vinyl. The vinyl works out well, because it’s easy to apply them spanning multiple bricks, and slice them afterward. That’s also why it’s up higher than I prefer… so it only spans 5 bricks vs all 8. The license plate is just printed on an address label.