Category Archives: LEGO

You’d probably expect a lot of the posts on a LEGO website like The Brothers Brick to be about LEGO, and you’d be right. If you’re browsing this page, you might want to consider narrowing what you’re looking for by checking out categories like “Space” and “Castle.” We’re sure there’s something here that’ll fascinate and amaze you.

If in doubt, use a plumber’s screwdriver

My father always referred to a hammer as a “plumber’s screwdriver”, which is maybe a little unfair on professional pipe-botherers. However, it’s the first thing I thought of when I saw Anton Sundström‘s LEGO Mario sculpture. Everyone’s favourite dungaree-clad videogame hero is wielding a rather fetching hammer here, in a re-creation of his look from Paper Mario.

Although limited in its joints, the model has excellent pose-ability to match the videogame original. Check out this classic “jumping for a coin” action…

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

The Brothers Brick 2017 Readers’ Survey – last chance!

It’s your last chance to complete our readers’ survey for 2017 and tell us what you think about The Brothers Brick. You could win a 75105 Millennium Falcon LEGO set!

Thanks to the thousands of you who’ve already filled in the survey. We’re delighted how many of you have taken the time to give us your opinions. If you haven’t done it yet, the deadline is midnight tonight. It shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to complete and it’ll help us build you a better TBB. Click here to take the survey.

The survey is open until Tuesday, 20th June. Image courtesy of Todd Wilder.

The survey may only be completed once per participant. The free Millennium Falcon set will be awarded to a survey respondent picked at random after the survey closes. The prizewinner must be over the age of 18. An email address is required to enter the prize draw. The email address will only be used to contact the prizewinner to arrange delivery. All email addresses will be deleted once delivery is arranged. In the event of the initial prizewinner not responding to contact within 3 days, a new prizewinner will be picked at random. TBB reserves the right to substitute some form of voucher of similar value in the event of shipping proving ridiculously expensive.

Is it still a bike if it has four wheels?

In the past we’ve featured tiny motorcyles made with a handful of pieces, so let’s take a look at something bigger. This model of the odd Lazareth LM 847 bike by ianying616 is created with mostly Technic pieces. Comparing it to the original, the builder has done a spot-on job — this could be mistaken for a picture of the real thing from a distance. All of it is good, but I’m a sucker for that engine detail and the tubing.

Malaysian townhouse is a trip back in time

Malaysian builder Marco Gan grew up the small town of Muar, but has since moved to the big city of Kuala Lumpur. Whenever he heads home to visit family, he takes time to admire the architectural styles he remembers from his younger days. He has been inspired to create delightful LEGO models — townhouses originally built by wealthy Chinese businessmen who drew their own inspiration from local and European styles.

Click to see more photos

Desert saps on poor man’s thirst

Despite its harsh nature, I would love visiting the Orange Fern Gorge, as built by W. Navarre. The jewel merchant minifigs in the scene probably do not share my sentiment, however, as their intrepid expedition might be born more of necessity than love for the scenery. And what a gorgeous scenery it is! The layers of rock are a beautiful balance of rough but clean, while the ground’s texture compliments the rocks well. A careful combination of olive and sand green accented by a few pink flowers adds just enough life to the scene to still look barren and dead, but not boring.

The bridge is quite interesting on its own – while it’s possible the model builder may have run out of string while making the bridge and added a short chain as the support on one posts, it’s also probably what the bridge’s makers would do if they had run out of rope. Finally, having the two rocky pillars presented on separate base plates adds a lot to the composition as well.

New items from Citizenbrick, Brickarms, and Eclipsegrafx [News]

Last week was a big week for fans of custom made LEGO figures and accessories, with three of the biggest 3rd party vendors releasing new products.

First up in the Citizenbrick corner we have “The Mayor of Flavortown”, genuine LEGO parts custom pad printed with a design that bears a striking resemblance to some Guy; can’t remember his name though…

Click here to see more epic new products!

Amon Hen has the best riverside view

Of all the fantasy movie scenes out there, the Amon Hen conflict from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring may be among the most commonly recreated in LEGO. This version by John Snyder has some of the best landscaping I have seen in a while, with subtle slopes and realistic trees, but most importantly a beautiful gravel riverbank. The landscape is so effective because of how simple and relatable it is—there are no grand rock formations or majestic trees, just a normal forest, but built perfectly.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for June 18, 2017 [News]

In addition to the best LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick also brings you the best of LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the third week of June 2017.

TBB NEWS & REVIEWS: We got our first look at the new Ninjago Movie sets and chatted with a LEGO designer about Boost and the stunning Saturn V.

The LEGO Ninjago Movie box images now available — It’s more than 3 months till the premiere of The Lego Ninjago Movie, but the we’ve already begun to get a glimpse of the sets.
Interview with LEGO designer Carl Merriam about Boost and Saturn V — While in Billund earlier this month, TBB spoke with LEGO designer Carl Merriam who co-designed 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V and has been working on LEGO Boost, just released for pre-order.
Review of LEGO Batman Movie 70913 Scarecrow Fearful Face-off — This set has 141 pieces, making it the third-smallest box among the LEGO Batman Movie sets, but its retail price of $14.99 makes it a perfect choice for Bat-fans looking to add to their collection.
Largest LEGO Minecraft set 21137 The Mountain Cave now available with free canvas tote bag — Coming in at an impressive 2,863 pieces and a retail price of $249.99, this minifigure-scale Minecraft set is the second-largest new LEGO set this year, coming behind the 4,002-piece modular 10255 Assembly Square.
Japan Brickfest 2017 – Kobe Fan Weekend report — In its third year running, the largest fan event in Asia featured 270 builders from 11 countries, including Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and even as far away as Germany.
The Brothers Brick 2017 Readers’ Survey — This is your last week to win 75105 Millennium Falcon by filling out our TBB Readers’ Survey. We want to hear what you think about what we do.

https://www.youtu.be/TVe5XPU10Zc

OTHER LEGO NEWS: This week had a few other interesting LEGO-related news articles, so here are the best of the rest.

How fan films shaped The LEGO Movie, Vox — Since the early 1970s, LEGO enthusiasts have been making home videos called Brickfilms which shaped LEGO’s current film universe.
LEGO space shuttle might not reach space, but it can fly around the room, Nerdist —The first LEGO space shuttle get’s an upgrade from aerospace engineer Adam Woodworth.
LEGO Worlds Rockets Into Space Next Month, Kotaku — LEGO Worlds is receiving a content expansion that explores one of the oldest and most beloved themes in the toy line’s history, LEGO Space.

Gentlemen, start your fusion engines

Here at Brothers-Brick, we’re suckers for a bit of well-executed LEGO cyberpunk. Following up on his peculiar spindly mechanoid, F@bz brings us this futuristic motorcycle which wouldn’t look out of place amidst the neon of Ghost In The Shell or Akira. The scale allows the builder to add plenty of detail, and the level of texture is enhanced further with the occasional sticker. The whole package comes wrapped in a wonderful eye-popping colour scheme. I don’t know if this thing is really fusion-powered, but I’d love to take it for a spin down the neo-Tokyo highway regardless.

Phenomenal cosmic powers, itty-bitty living space

It’s the return of Jafar, depicted in LEGO by cid hsiao. The wicked vizier, here in his evil genie form, is immediately recognisable — no mean feat when you consider the model’s scale and the mix of System bricks and Bionicle-style parts used to create the features. I love the sense of escaping energy as the genie bursts from his imprisonment within the lamp — nice use of the big flame parts, and ice cream scoop pieces for smoke.

Good grief Snoopy! Does it begin with A Dark and Stormy Night?

This has got to be one of the most adorable builds of the gang from Peanuts that we’ve seen. Builder Genecyst does an amazing job with this little scene showcasing Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown and the always opinionated Lucy van Pelt.

However, while it all looks great, there’s something I feel is somehow amiss which I just can’t see. I’m pretty sure it’s not just my observation, but I’ll still take the perception that this is one fine build that deserves looking at.

A textbook example of medieval organic architecture

The Second Annual Summer Joust castle competition is well underway, and with just over two weeks left to enter, the contest has prompted some amazing entries. ReeseEH built a small diorama featuring a beautiful gatehouse and castle gate built into tree. The build is full of wonderful details like the textured castle wall, the string vines hanging from the tree, and the gatehouse roof made from various bars and droid arms, giving it a rough thatched look. Although, I do spy a strange-looking character on the banks of the pond—is that Bossk doing some fishing?

This build was an entry for the castle collaboration category with Cab~, Micah Beideman , and Michael the juggler, be sure to keep a lookout for the other builders contributions!