INTERMEDIATE

TECHNIC BUILDING
3RD QUARTER LESSON 2
OBJECTIVES

1. Practice building of intermediate constructions.

2. Identify elements used in intermediate builds.
3. Familiarize with the intermediate techniques in
building contraptions.
INTRODUCTION

• Starting from simple techniques in LEGO

building, comes the intermediate skills needed
for the continuous development and training
to be truly proficient builders.
LEGO CATAPULT
INTERMEDIATE BUILDING
INTERMEDIATE BUILDING
TOOLS RELATED TO INTERMEDIATE
BUILDING IN THE REAL WORLD
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Groovy Channeled pliers—also called pump pliers—were

invented in 1933 by Howard Manning, chief engineer of
Champion-DeArment Tool Company. The tool’s tongue-
and-groove, slip-joint style adjustability introduced the
concept of multiple gripping positions from a single tool,
and it proved to be a watershed year for the company.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Channellock still features the traditional blue

handles. Improvements in design include a more
substantial head and jaw thickness for better
strength and gripping area. The plier’s other
signature features remain—high carbon, drop-
forged steel, laser heat-treated teeth, the patented
PermaLock fastener and Channellock Blue
comfort grips.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Irwin’s GrooveLock Pliers adjust with a push button. Over

the years a variety of manufacturers have introduced grooved
pliers that borrow from the Channellock concept. Plus, the “all
purpose” jaws are designed to grip flat, round, hex and square
work pieces. Another new concept comes from LockJaw,
which offers fully automatic self-adjusting grooved pliers.
There is no adjusting on the part of the user; the pliers do it for
you as soon as you grip the workpiece for simple one-handed
operation. This is achieved by employing a spring-loaded
mechanism in the grooved hinge.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• LockJaw’s Auto-Grip channeled pliers adjust

automatically using a spring-loaded hinge. Between
the two new concepts, LockJaw wins in the speed-of-
adjustment category. This means that grabbing a short
fastener when working adjacent to an obstruction, like
turning a nut in the middle of a sheet of plywood, can be a
little tougher for the Auto-Grip. But both tools definitely
have their advantages.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Locking Pliers The original locking pliers were invented

in the 1920’s by a blacksmith named William Petersen.
He realized his job would be a lot easier if he had a set of
pliers that would clamp down and hold the piece of metal
he was working on “in a vise-like grip.” Peterson
designed a screw mechanism in the handle of pliers that
could adjust the opening of the pliers, as well as a device
in the second handle to lock it in place.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Irwin’s original Vise-Grip locking pliers

utilize a knob at the end of the handle
to adjust jaw width. Locking pliers are
also manufactured by Cooper Hand Tools
and LockJaw. The design of the LockJaw
Auto-Grip locking pliers puts a new spin
on the traditional concept.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Irwin’s Vise-Grip adjustable wrench does

away with the thumb-operated threaded
knurl in favor of a button. The Crescent brand
RapidSlide wrench has the slide adjuster in the
handle. Irwin’s Vise Grip Quick Adjusting
Wrench has the adjuster in the head of the tool,
where the thumb roller is traditionally located. 
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• Channellock’s Code Blue line of wrenches

offers large jaw capacities and short
handles. Another interesting design comes from
Loggerhead Tools’ Bionic Wrench. Just squeeze
the handle and six piston-like steel levers close
inward to grab the nut. This provides equal
distribution of force across the flats so you don’t
strip the fastener.
ADJUSTABLE PLIERS & WRENCHES

• The Bionic Wrench uses six piston-like levers to

close inward to grab the fastener. Next, there’s the
new Crescent R2 RapidRench, which is an adjustable
ratcheting socket wrench. It has a wide jaw capacity to
replace 38 of the most popular size sockets. And,
because the jaws have an open, two-sided design,
rather than a round and enclosed shape like sockets,
the tool can be used on flat fasteners such as wing nuts
and eye-hooks.