Original Year	1989
# of pieces	105
Categories	Other: Universal Sets
Dimensions	various
Models	Car Helicopter Forklift Racer

8024 Universal Building Set

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.

1^st Model: Car
This little car is very cubic, and its only function is steering. The front wheels can be steered using an overhead "hand of god" wheel. The wheel drives a 24 tooth crown gear which mates with a 24 tooth spur gear. A pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses the flexible steering rack and the older steering arms.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by KWON Click for an animation of the steering in motion.
2^nd Model: Helicopter
This little helicopter features a main rotor which turns as the wheels turn. The tail rotor rotates only manually. The rear axle drives a set of 8 and 24 tooth gears. Another 8 tooth gear on the main rotor axle cancels out the gear ratio resulting in a total of 1:1.	Ldraw file courtesy of Benjamin Wendl. Click for an animation of the rotor in motion.
3^rd Model: Forklift
This small forklift features a lift mechanism which is unique among all Technic forklifts. A flexible steering mechanism is positioned vertically. Turning the "steering wheel" rotates the pinion gear and lifts the rack, thereby moving the 4 bar linkage and lifting the forks. Because the steering parts are already used for the fork mechanism, this model does not have steerable wheels.	Ldraw file courtesy of Benjamin Wendl. Click for an animation of the forks lifting.
4^th Model: Racer
This small racer features front wheel steering and, for some reason, a rear propellor. The front wheels can be steered using a wheel at the driver's position. The wheel drives an 8 tooth pinion gear. The pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses the flexible steering rack and the older steering arms. The propellor is driven by the rear axle. The rear axle drives through a set of 8 and 24 tooth gears, then through another set. This results in a gear magnification of 9:1 which makes the propellor spin very fast (and the animation hard to generate).	Ldraw file courtesy of Benjamin Wendl. Click for an animation of the steering in motion. Click for an animation of the propellor in motion.

Contact me with comments on this page.