I love when a builder takes an existing LEGO set and creates an alternative model. Dvd has gone one step further with his Exo-Recon Walker, using the parts from Peter Reid’s successful LEGO Ideas set #21109 Exo-Suit to recreate another of Peter’s designs, the Recon Walker. Not only that, but Dvd has even been so kind as to include an LDD File so if you have the Ideas set, you can build your own Exo-Recon Walker!
This microscale scene by Nicolas Kolbeck is instantly recognizable to any Harry Potter fan as the eclectic wizard village found on the other side of a brick wall behind the Leaky Cauldron in London. Even more impressive than the many details that stand out, like the angled windows of Olivander’s shop and the leaning pillars of Gringot’s Bank, is how recognizable the various miniature characters are. Notice the fez part used as a skirt for Hermione, and see if you can name the rest.
Of all the two-dimensional fixed shooter games out there, Space Invaders is probably the most well known and well loved. Considering Space Invaders came out in 1978 and classic LEGO space sets like 487-1 Space Cruiser started coming out that year, it only makes sense to fuse two, and dario minisini has done just that.
Featuring some rather deft usage of various minifig parts, this build is incredibly tiny but it packs a punch and does its job of transporting us back to a time when the sideburns were longer and the internet less… in existence. Be sure to spot the usage of syringes and flippers on the spaceship and minifig hands as the “aliens”.
These mouse-like creatures look like they came straight out of some sci-fi piece! But in fact, Takamichi Irie modeled them after a real-life family of rodents called Dipodidae. As you can imagine, they are like a cross between a mouse and a kangaroo. Thankfully, it doesn’t take someone who studies animals to recognize the beauty in these little beasts, and best yet, they’re not the only amazing creatures Takamichi has created!
Click to see more incredible creatures
Looking a bit like Bruce Campbell, Letranger Absurde‘s iteration of The Punisher looks great. I love the repurposed Galactic Empire Jetpack printed tile for strap buckles, and the binocular gunsight and minifig leg trigger work perfectly to create one of the many guns in Frank Castle’s arsenal. And finally, I think this is the best use of the Jack Stone skull piece I’ve seen.
Apparently German builder Quanix knows about engineering with LEGO something that I can refer to simply as “magic”. With only 3 Power Function motors (plus 1 servo-motor) he somehow controls 17 independent pneumatic cylinders, which are capable of moving 1200 LEGO basketball/soccer balls around the circuit in an hour. This monstrosity is built with more than 3,000 LEGO bricks including more than 150 cm of conveyor belt.
Not sharing a video of this beauty in action would be a terrible mistake. Make sure nobody disturbs you during the next 10 minutes of this mesmerising performance:
I sure would live in a house like this one built with LEGO by Tom Remy, but I would not pay for it – it looks needlessly expensive and fancy, without much practical benefits. You know, like most modern architecture. Joking aside, there is a lot of imagination in this build and even though it is mostly simple geometric shapes, the longer you look at this house the more there is to see.
The central theme of this architectural candy is a white ribbon going around the house, performing the task of the floor, the roof and walls all in one piece (but obviously not the same segment). The ribbon dives into the pool that partially envelops the house and the house too encircles a tree in the middle of the yard – which the builder admits looks cool, but would probably be the cause of a lot of problems in real life. Thus recurring theme of different parts encircling each other, as well as bright basic colours and overall smooth design give the build an extraordinary level of consistency.
What’s retro, red, super spiffy, and something that you can build with conveniently downloadable PDF instructions? Chris McVeigh‘s latest LEGO range and refrigerator models, of course! Chris is well-known for his LEGO renditions of real world things. Like his lineup of retro technology building kits, for instance. His rendition of a retro range and refrigerator lives up to his reputation for clean, sleek lines and wonderful parts usage.
Find links to instructions to build these models after the break!
One of the best things about building with LEGO is the story. Every creation has a unique tale to tell, and some fall within an even bigger picture. One Australian builder, Jayfa, made these beautiful figures as part of an elaborate collection of “Plague Mechs.” Hector (pictured right) is an old inventor, and Artillerix (pictured left) is an arms master. They’re leaders fighting against each other in an epic battle!
Jayfa has made mech-building an art. The combination of Bionicle and System parts is truly fantastic, and these posable characters really seem to come to life! Take a look at the revolvers on Hector’s cane, as well as the minifigure backpacks used for his shoulder pads! But both personalities are great! So who’s side will you choose?
Pulling inspiration from actual buildings in New Westminster BC, Canada, David Guedes and Allan Corbeil have pieced together a charming LEGO cityscape full of liveliness and cheer. The buildings and layout feel authentic and the scene captures a general sense of nostalgia.
See lots more of this lovely LEGO city
Ever since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi hit theaters, hovering speeder bikes have been a very popular subject with LEGO builders captivated by that high-speed chase through the forest of Endor. There’s something enchanting about slapping a big engine on a spindly, thoroughly greebled contraption and crafting the perfect mini-fig character. You can almost feel the whining vibrations in your spine. The Flickr group LSB Lego Speeder Bikes has been running a contest for the month of February called the Battle for District 18.
During the contest, builders competed in 4 categories:
We here at TBB have already featured a few of these models over the last month, but now that we have reached the end of this popular competition I wanted to feature a round-up of some of my personal favorites.
Featured entries after the jump
I think it is hard to find a person that would not enjoy some good mecha every now and again, especially in the LEGO fan community, where mecha are one of the cornerstone themes. Cnsm‘s mech is not the first nor the last we will see, but it definitely brings unique ideas to the table.
The build has both a robust, armoured look, and a strange sense of elegance. Colour blocking around the waist shows some mechanical parts under the armour, really giving it a realistic feel. The armour itself is the main part though, achieving a smooth streamlined design using a mixture of System, Technic, Bionicle and construction parts. The only type of bricks missing seems to be DUPLO!