Clever techniques are abundant in David Rajcok’s lifelike LEGO models of a hair dryer, brush, and comb. Use of metallic wheels on the hair dryer, a net piece to hold the brush bristles and move them realistically, and the teeth spacing on the comb all make David’s builds look real at first glance.
Some creations, even if simple, just look perfect. As is the case with this table tennis build by David Rajcok (Fire-Ninja Jedi). There is nothing I could think of to make this scene any better. The table with the characteristic gap, the net – everything is just as you would expect it, and I mean that in the best way. But atop of that, David presents his creation with a beautiful photo, where even the reflections look good.
If you want pictures of the full table though, you might be disappointed. The builder informs us that what you see is literally all of his dark green pieces! But I would take that as a good thing; this is a creation that pushes his collection to the limit, which is the best way for a builder to grow.
Those were the days, back when you had rewind the tape to play your favourite song again or when ‘shuffle’ meant spending hours making up a mix-tape. Hudson Rippetoe, otherwise known as Brick Classics, has found a way to capture some of those sweet musical memories with his LEGO version of the cassette tape. He has kindly provided us with these instructions so you can make your own LEGO cassette tape. Giving a mix-tape was a way to impress the ladies (or guys for that matter) and I bet presenting someone with a LEGO mix-tape will have an even better effect.
Remember, you don’t need a pencil to fix this LEGO cassette tape if it gets stuck in the player.
Tracer has become my hero of choice when playing in Overwatch competitive play on offense. Her movement abilities suit my play style of unpredictable movement—giving me a chance to compensate for my poor aim. So my latest LEGO build is of Tracer’s primary ability, her dual rapid-fire Pulse Pistols. Constructed from 1,063 LEGO parts each (2,126 total parts for the pair), the pistols feature moving triggers, a working “reload” mechanism in which the side disks expand outward, and light-up elements powered by BrickStuff LEDs.
The most challenging part of the build was the reload mechanism. The same mechanics as in MyDifferentUsername’s KRM-262 Shotgun were used, but the mechanism had to be reduced from 4-studs wide to 3, so the disks on either side would maintain the overall 5-stud-wide model.
Watch the working features in both third person and first person viewpoints in the video below.
This entry for the ABS Builder Challenge by Brother Steven is simply prickle-licious. The dark red and bright yellow of the desert flower really make the creation leap out, contrasting beautifully against the green cactus. And those olive spines are so prickly they almost sting your eyes. This build is simple, elegant, and perfect. I love that it comes with a cheeky note from the builder: “A gift to my competition. Handle with care.” Brilliant!
It’s early, the alarm has just gone off, and you wearily drag yourself out of bed, not exactly rising and shining. I know that I enjoy that first cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs and it seems that Brother Steven enjoys a cup too. What a great combination for fans of LEGO and coffee — a cup of coffee made with bricks. I love the pouring action from the milk carton and the splash into the coffee.
On second thoughts, there is a certain drawback to LEGO coffee… it doesn’t quite hit the mark on taste.
Builders Jason Allemann and Grant Davis have collaborated on a project for LEGO Ideas: a LEGO pop-up book. We were happy to share with you the first models that Jason built last year. Now it’s Grant’s turn. He’s brought us this lovely gearpunk pop-up book, and it’s just fantastic.
It’s fun to look at, but like many of Jason’s ideas, it moves! Grant and Jason even put together a video showing all the functionality of this great book, starting with opening of the book itself and then making all the gears go:
No, this is not a Microsoft Word “Save” button, and no, this not an iPhone protective case. These three elegantly simple builds by French builder Jimmy Fortel show the evolution of memory devices over the end of the previous century. This iconic trio — a floppy disk, a VHS videotape, and an audio cassette — reminds us how important it is to keep our memories safe and sound. Each of these works was inspired by well-known Indonesian builder Kosmas Santosa, and it’s totally worth checking both builders’ photo streams to compare their building styles and search for inspiration.
With the rise of high-powered pocket computers (also known as smartphones), listening to music has become very clinical and almost too easy. It is just not quite as rewarding to listen to your favourite song if you don’t need to put in the effort of carrying a large, clumsy box around everywhere. This retro 80’s radio by Chris McVeight captures that long-gone era well, with multiple realistic functions like a flip-up handle and exchangable cassettes with a working ejecting mechanism. There are some non-functional elements here that make for great details too; most notably the seamless speakers and the great tuning display.
While non-LEGO elements are generally a detrement to a LEGO photo, 1:1 scale creations are an exception to that rule. Chris’ addition of 80’s-looking background and table decoration really makes you take a second look to be sure this is in fact a LEGO creation.
This LEGO skateboard by French builder Jimmy Fortel reminds me of my middle school days of skating and playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The detailing in the trucks and the bends in the nose and tail look realistic, and the skull deck graphic ties the whole build together visually.
Sometimes all you need to relax is to contemplate a beautifully-built LEGO model. This wonderful bonsai by ZiO Chao deserves your attention — chill out and soak up the serenity. The gnarled and twisted tree itself is nicely-done — with an interesting technique of inserting flower stalks into larger leaf pieces — but it’s the little rock and the display stands which elevate this into brick-built art. I want one of these for my house.
It is said that you can give anyone a canvas and a brush but only an artist can make it come alive. Same goes for LEGO bricks; you can take a bunch of bricks and put them together, but it takes true creativity to bring those bricks to life. Master artist Chris Maddison does it ever so elegantly and skillfully with only a single color, re-creating man’s first footstep on the moon. It’s so iconic and recognisable that it doesn’t even really need any introduction. It’s really a lesson and inspiration for builders in capturing the simple essence of the subject.
