Building LEGO Latest Topics

Minifigure Dioramas

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 04:51:00 +0000

I know I've seen this somewhere before, but I can't think where, so I turn to you guys for help.

The kids and I have been making sure we've got one complete set of minifigs from each series, for the last year or two. I don't like just displaying them on their stands - that's boring. Instead, I'd rather get them into little dioramas, or habitats. Nothing big - like maybe 8x8 or 10x10. But something just big enough to make a small scene of our minifigure in their natural habitat.

So, for example, the Lifeguard might sit on a tall chair, with a sandy beach under him/her. Or the Rock Star might look like he's on stage. The King could be on a thrown, or the Old West Sheriff might be standing in front of a jail.

This is basically what I'm thinking of:

I know I've seen something set up at Legoland California before. Anything that I could find, especially with inspiration, would be great.

Cyberpunk

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:48:13 +0000

While searching for a different sort of Hayabusa, I came across this motorcycle masterpiece.

Suzuki Hayabusa Cyberpunk

Neo Space

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:00:46 +0000

Here is a design that I think Ed might get a kick out of. I know I did.

Neo Classic - Defender X-21 by Slayerdread

Art MOCs

Sun, 11 Aug 2013 14:31:17 +0000

"....You're gonna need a bigger boat."

LEGO Jaws Movie Poster by Lucifer Adams

Throwback Tech

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 07:33:39 +0000

Portable Cassette Recorder by MacLane, on Flickr

What LEGO set did you build today?

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:42:50 +0000

Two of our more popular threads are "What LEGO set(s) did you buy today?" and "What LEGO set(s) did you sell today?" These threads are filled with great information. But we all know LEGO bricks are about "building" LEGO sets and models, so why shouldn't we talk about it on this site as well? I mean, many LEGO sets that are fantastic builds are also investment winners, so why shouldn't people share some of their experiences of build and set quality that might affect LEGO set values, either positively or negatively? Let us know what you built today and your overall thoughts on the set. Don't forget to leave more in depth reviews in our LEGO SET REVIEWS section...

Modular houses - building tips & inspirations

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:44:50 +0000

Inspired after reading siddji's topic of Best Site for MOC Modular step by step creations?, I thought it would be a good idea to have a topic listing some great resources to not only help anyone wanting to design their own modular style houses but also inspire a few ideas as well. Anyway, I came across this simple guide from Eurobricks listing the basics of how to generally get started.

How-To: Modular Buildings
by Aliencat

We regularly see each other at meetings and bring along a construction or two of our own. An ideal standard for combining buildings is the so-called Café Corner Modular Standard (or CCMS for short). Now if you don't own a Cafe Corner, Green Grocer, etcetera, how do you know what rules to follow when making your building fit in with the rest? I will describe the CCMS as applied in Lego's sets and as applied by many fans. There are basically two types of building in this standard.

1. Straight sections

Generally speaking every baseplate is 32 studs deep. The width is variable with straight buildings, always being a multiple of 8 studs. A common used width is 16 studs wide. The connection points, pavement, walls, etcetera, will then have the following sizes:

Whether your building is 8 or 64 studs wide, the sizes in depth are always the same. That way the Technic bricks with a hole will always align and allow for the buildings to be attached to one another through the use of Technic pins.

2. Corner buildings

In the case of a corner building, you are dealing with two connecting points at a 90 degree angle of each other. Therefore, your baseplate will always have to be 32 x 32 studs. Of course you can make the full building larger by attaching straight buildings forming a continuous whole at either side but the corner module must be 32 x 32:

3. Variation in depth sizes

If you look at a real-life (old) street, you will see that not all buildings align in a perfectly straight line: some jut out a bit while others fall a little further back. If you put a number of CCMS buildings in a row, this method of alignment will give you the best result. As long as you leave the Technic bricks in the right position for connecting, you're free to place your front and back wall at will. This might result in something like this:

Keep the variation in mind, because of your side wall. In some cases, part of your side wall will be visible. So if you were planning to omit your side wall, or make one out of all the colors you won't be needing for the front and back walls, make sure that at least the edge of the side wall that juts out is made of a color that fits with the rest of the building.

I myself always build an entire side wall if I know the building is going to end up in a combined layout with other builders because you don't quite know what will end up next to you. For all you know you might end up next to a construction side, leaving your side wall entirely exposed.

4. Height

The last point I wish to address is height. In terms of height, you are basically free to do whatever you want. Make it as tall or as low as you wish. One floor 6 bricks high, eight floors 12 bricks high each, everything is possible. Do keep in mind though, that if you're making a very tall building, your side walls will definitely be visible. So make it into something exciting featuring windows or something, so it's not just one boring, flat wall. Do take care that you won't have anything protruding over the edges, since you may not know how high the building next to yours might be.

Variation in height is another reason to build side walls in a matching color when your creation will end up in a combined layout: the building next to yours might be very low and you won't know ahead of time.

Resources:

Recommended YouTube LEGO channels, blogs, websites, etc

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 19:27:35 +0000

Someone recommended their new favorite LEGO youtube channel (Emmasaurus) on another thread. Thought why not start a place so that others can share their faves with others, discover new ones, and/or chat about it all?

Please consider that eventually that the faces behind these channels and websites are people with feelings. AND they may eventually stumble upon this thread AND we all have varying opinions and expectations of such channels and websites. Some search for reviews, others for investment discussions, for moc ideas, etc.

I'll kick it off by saying that Emmasaurus is NOT my fave BUT her videos are positive and better than most I've seen.

I'll admit I've "listened" to a few while sorting LEGO. She's upbeat and positive which can benefit us all (promoting others to buy and collect).

My two new faves are:

HighTeaToys (mostly Harry Potter and LOTR)

And Hachiroku24 (great small moc builds)

Mech MOCs

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 01:53:36 +0000

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of days, but here's the Flickr gallery for Zane Houston's MOC of Marvel's Juggernaut and his Atlas Mech!

Atlas by Zane Houston

Separator Anxiety

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:58:56 +0000

Is your collection of brick separators becoming unbearable? Are you tired with getting yet another in just about every set you build? Has every effort to give them away ended in failure? Well then this Flickr group can offer some interesting alternatives in what to do with those ever-growing collections of usually useful utensils! Be inspired to make your own bizarre builds! Be amazed with the uniqueness in concepts! Be dazzled by the orange!

Ideas for a Winter Village

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 09:50:57 +0000

I was going to start this one at roughly the same time as the other about brainstorming ideas for a Halloween Town but became sidetracked. Moving along, how about we use this topic to come up with ideas for a custom Winter Village/Christmas Town for when ol' Hallows Eve is done? There is this holiday modified Cafe Corner by odysea11 if you haven't seen it for a start and the Winter Village sets are also good foundation beginners. Hmm.... I am actually at a bit of a loss here. I guess my mind is just more geared for Halloween with monsters, demons, costumes, candy, and.... stuff. :lol:

Medieval MOCs

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:42:27 +0000

The Black Raven Inn by Ben Cossy

MOC Highlights

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:16:36 +0000

Found an intriguing design or a build that pleasantly catches your attention? Then by all means please feel free to post any MOC you find on the net and would like to share with your fellow members here. If you are talented yourself in the way of MOCs then how about you show it off for everyone to see!

Updating the classics

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:52:20 +0000

Have you ever thought about rebuilding old sets using new techniques? If so then perhaps you should check out experienced MOCer L@go's gallery showcasing fresh spins on classic sets.

(675) Snack Bar by L@go, on Flickr

(6641) Big 1 by L@go, on Flickr

(6561) Hot Rod Clubhouse by L@go, on Flickr

(6681) Modern Police Van by L@go, on Flickr

(6627) Cowgirl Cruiser by L@go, on Flickr

LEGO Contraptions & Inventions

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:03:57 +0000

Coin Pusher v2
Candy Vending Machine v2
Soda Vending Machine
Pinball Machine

Architecture MOCs

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 13:50:53 +0000

Something a certain someone said to me the other day got me thinking perhaps we could use a topic for showcasing all the sorts of MOCs inspired by or based on the many architectural styles in the known world. Now this isn't meant just for builds similar to the official Architecture line but rather all of them regardless of scale. Honestly this thread sounds more like Tom Alphin's area of expertise (the author of The LEGO Architect). Anyway here are some fan designs I came across. There really are a lot of Modern houses out there. Ha.

Modern Town House

Modern Modular Furnished Beachfront House

Build Your Dream Home - Modern Home

In celebration of HM69TH. Ready for display.

MOC Alternates

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 06:23:10 +0000

There are MOCs utilizing whatever pieces at hand to create something unique and then there are alternates using only the parts included from a set to build something else. This thread (I have wanted to start for a while now) is meant to showcase such designs to help inspire your own well as display what can be done within such limited means. Anyway here are a few to get started.

31007 - Racing Car by Peteris Sprogis

70808 - Super Secret Police Spaceship by msx_80

Mobile Frame Zero - 41524, 41525, 41526 by dark_syntax

6866 Wolfsbane by JK Brickworks

31003 Robot by Biczzz

31006 F1 Racer by Biczzz

6913 Speedster by Vinny Turbo

4837 Shogun by lk.lkaz

6742 Robot by lk.lkaz

31007 Tank by Aphylliate

Note:
While the main point of this topic is primarily the usage of pieces within a single set to create a different model shown on the box, the mixing of two or more sets is permitted but the final product must only use those included pieces. Please list the set number(s) of any alternate design posted.

Flora MOCs

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 20:31:27 +0000

LEGO Vase and Flowers by Ryan

072901 by Yan and Vincent

Enchanted Rose by Sean and Steph Mayo

Advanced building techniques & questions

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:59:30 +0000

I have been researching on lego building techniques and I found this guide

The Unofficial LEGO Advanced Building Techniques Guide

http://photos.freelug.org/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=33732

I'd like to know more places where I can find information on building techniques, such as videos, books, tutorials, and more.

Thanks.

Ideas for a Halloween Town & MOCs

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 20:48:00 +0000

The season of scaring is not for another few months but I figure we could pool some ideas together on what would be cool to feature in a custom Halloween Town in the meantime and even continue afterwards for years to come. I think we all know the Monster Fighters sets are a given for this epic diorama so what I am really shooting for is more about unique build ideas or special scene setups over 'straight-from-the-box' designs. I should give gratitude to Alpinemaps for the inspiration from conversation in the "What did you build today?" thread.

Alright here's an idea to start. Each Escape from Mirkwood Spiders set includes two of those spider sacks and a tree to hang them from. Now my idea is to have a generic Lego skeleton figure in one of those while the other has a skull head with some bone pieces.

Every Fabuland set from 1979 to 1989

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:26:14 +0000

To think I was born around the middle of this line's run, and by the time I would have been old enough to start it quietly retires. Imagine an original theme running for a good decade before heading off into the sunset. Also imagine being limited to three colors of red, blue, & yellow for a build with the occasional white and green for accents or foliage.

Large display of all LEGO Town sets from 1985 to 1989

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:43:10 +0000

Here is this channel's second display collectively showing off LEGO Town sets from 1985-1989.

Additionally, here is the first layout with LEGO from 1964-1984.

Retrofuture

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 05:39:30 +0000

Based on a classic age where tantalizing tales of science fiction and pleasing aesthetical forms of art came together to create a captivating concept of an alternate future utopia about ray guns, star travel, hulking robots, and invaders from beyond, these builds capture this essence of a "retro future" in all its delightfully quirky charms. While many if not most of the designs could hardly be considered practical or efficient by today's real world standards of technology and leisure, nevertheless much like a vintage car what matters is the look of the ride itself.

Battle for the Moon: American light tank on patrol

Battle for the Moon: USMC mech bay, Mare Nectaris sector

BFTM: American S-5 Hyperfighter

Battle for the Moon: US Battle Mech assembly line

American A.T.L.A.S. death ray complex

Battle for the Moon: American "Tinman" space suit

BFTM: Spetnaz Ranger (upgraded)

BFTM: Russian разведка vehicle

BFTM: American Type 2 Battlebot

Microfighter and Mighty Micro style MOCs

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 21:21:18 +0000

Who knew LEGO's Microfighters 'chibi' style would have inspired a new breed of builds? (Or how about this CUUSOO submission from a year before LEGO unleased the Star Wars Microfighters upon the world.)