November 2023 Update: I have released an updated version of this model, which simplifies the design and adds the opening an closing of the shark’s mouth. You can find it in this post – Swimming Shark Update.
LEGO recently released set 31088 Deep Sea Creatures, and as soon as I saw the shark in the set, I knew I wanted to try and make it swim.
I was particularly intrigued with this idea since I had already built a swimming shark based on the Forma design last fall. I was really interested to see what kind of mechanism I would develop when starting from scratch.
As you can see in the video, it is completely different than the mechanism used in the Forma set, and I was quite pleased with the results.
If you would like to build your own copy of the stand, I have created building instructions, which you can find below.
There are a couple of things to note if you are trying to build it yourself. You will want to pay particular attention to the orientation of the crank shaft axles and the pulley wheels while you are assembling them. It is important that they all be identically oriented. This is noted in the instructions.
When connecting the front and rear shark sections to the liftarms of the mechanism, you will notice they are only connected by a single stud. This means they can be twisted relative to the liftarm orientation, and you may find that they twist on their own if you move the model around. You’ll just want to make sure the sections are oriented properly before operation.
This is awesome. I saw that you made an updated version where the shark’s jaw opens and shuts. Do you plan on posting instructions on that one?
Yes, they are in the works.
Thank you, thank you!
Hey Jason I really enjoyed this lego thing, and by the way how to you get all of these ideas?
Ideas come from everywhere. Keep your eyes and your mind open.
Just ordered all my parts, Some were hard to find or I had to get different colors. but I got them. Sweet build, I can’t wait to get it up and moving.
Thank you so much for this model I love it so much
Thank you for this incredible design, I have this set, so I decided to build it, and it looks really cool.
Thank you for this design it is really cool to watch my son do it
Hello Jason –
I had a great time building your Swimming Shark 2 – 31088 Deep Sea Creatures Stand a couple of years back. The grandkids are still fascinated with it.
We are excited about LEGO’s new 31121 Creator 3-n-1 Crocodile (Snake) coming out August 1st, 2021. When I saw this, JK Brickworks’ Swimming Shark Redux immediately came to mind. The lateral movement modifications between the 2 sets appear to be similar. I my have to include an extra set of gears and lift arms. I will give it try!
Thank you for providing hours of fun!
That’s great, glad you liked the shark. At first glance it looks like something similar could be done with the crocodile for sure. Have fun with it! I’ll probably pick it up at some point and experiment as well.
Simple genius! My son is loving this. Thanks you.
Jason, I finished the build last night. What a marvelous addition to the LEGO set. The movement is so fluid and lifelike. Well done again. Thank you for sharing your incredible builds and ideas with us.
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent build Jason! We had a blast building this, your instructions were excellent! Have you considered doing something similar with the whale model from this set? https://www.lego.com/r/www/r/service/-/media/franchises/customer%20service/creator/31088_digital.pdf?l.r2=1215731604
I would imagine the whale body pivoting up/down instead of side to side, as if chasing after the squid. Perhaps similar to your dragon dance variation?
Thanks! Ooh, I hadn’t seen the whale model for it. I have thought about building a swimming whale in the past. I’ll have to check it out.
OH & the Dragon Dance! I was really disappointed when I saw the LEGOs version of the moving mechanism but yours is so fluid! Will really compliment my dragon dance once I can find a spare motor for it!
Again another wonderful build! Thank you so much! The Sisyphus & the Cockwork Heart are my favourite sets I have on display! This will be an amazing gift to a friend whos a fan of sharks but wasent a fan of the forma
Dear Sam K,
I hope you meant clockwork heart but if not, you should share a pic of your “special creation”.
(I apologize for posting here, the comments are already closed in the proper page, perhaps you may cut and paste my message there removing this parenthesis)
Hello Jason! I haven’t built a model in ages but your recently discovered creations inspired me to catch up with the (amazing) current Lego scene and your pop-up book will be the first model I will buy after over 25 years. I especially like your Nativity variation and your video instructions are very clear (I used to build space – pre star wars – and technic models). The problem for me is that the evolution of Lego has been astonishing and I cannot identify a lot of pieces that you are using because they didn’t even exist in the early 90s (technic parts had studs, bricks were plain, minifigures could only smile…). I understand that you are very busy creating but I hope that you may find some time to elaborate a parts list. Or maybe, considering how friendly and supportive Lego community is, if some expert builder who is reading these lines could do this work, it would be very helpful, not only for me but probably for many people eager to show this beautiful model the next Christmas.