Tag Archives: 1:1 Scale

Lifesize props that will have you asking “Is it LEGO?”

Keep your memories safe and permanent

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.

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Who needs a time machine when you can have the 80’s come to you?

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.

Pretending I’m a superman

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.

A little slice of LEGO serenity

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.

One small build for a man, one giant leap for LEGO fan-kind

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.

The future of television is 3D ...but not in the way you think

It all started a few days ago when I saw a TV remote by Primož Mlakar‘s in my Flickr feed, with the description saying “I couldn’t imagine a TV without one :)”. I thought nothing more of it, only to be surprised later by teaser shots revealing the television set that needed the remote.

The TV’s general shaping is spot on, and nostalgic for anyone growing up with these old-school TVs. The antenna, the little channel display screen, and Sony logo are just perfect. The forced perspective Back to the Future II scene demands closer inspection. Primož tells us in the description that the layout was the starting point and was intended as a minifig scale diorama, but as he encountered some problems with scale, he decided to make a forced perspective build. Turning it into a television set was just the next logical step.

Build your own LEGO Mass Effect M-6 Carnifex in preparation for Andromeda [Instructions]

In the same format of the instructions for my Ronin Titan, I present the first life size weapon build in this tutorial style: the M-6 Carnifex hand cannon from the Mass Effect series. See the list of parts needed, then follow the step-by-step video below and be prepared for the challenges the Andromeda Galaxy sends your way. The video shows techniques I commonly use for working triggers and slides on weapon builds at this scale, as well as one technique I sometimes use for angled pistol grips.

Remember kids, brush your LEGO teeth at least twice a day

I can only assume that Chris Maddison takes excellent care of his LEGO teeth because these chompers appear quite healthy! Just look at those pearly whites (modified 2×3 pentagonal tiles). Firm-looking rosy gums and not a cavity in sight! (I bet money he even flosses.)

The best part about these LEGO teeth is that they even chatter like the wind-up plastic toy Chris’s design was based on. Check out the video below to see for yourself.

LEGO Darksaber is ready to serve the sole leader of Mandalore

Those of us who attended a LEGO club meeting here in Seattle this past weekend got to see Taylor Walker wield his enormous LEGO Darksaber inspired by Sabine Wren’s new weapon in Star Wars Rebels. Despite the brick-thin blade, the life-size weapon is incredibly sturdy, reinforced by subtly integrated Technic beams in the blade’s black core.

While the blade and its sturdiness are certainly impressive, the handle has a great design, with geometric striping, an angled hilt, and small gold details.

The first of the new Iron Lords wields the LEGO Destiny Young Wolf’s Howl

Canadian builder Nick Della Mora shows his love for Destiny with his life size LEGO replica of the Young Wolf’s Howl, an exotic tier sword first appearing in the Rise of Iron expansion. It would have been difficult to construct the engraved Iron Lords crest on the blade and still have the blade hold together when wielded, but it would also look inaccurate to skip that detail altogether. Nick’s choice to instead focus on the red-orange glow of the crest was a creative idea, and led to a neat light-up effect.

In the video below, Nick shows the light-up crest and the techniques used in the blade to maintain stability.

If you enjoy LEGO Destiny, you may also like Nick’s Cosmodrome diorama, or other exotic weapons such as the Khvostov 7G-0X and No Land Beyond.

The day that bricks made time stand still

I can’t seem to stop staring and admiring this build by Cecile Fritzvold for more than a few reasons. The clean lines and great color contrast make me wish this was a real alarm clock set on LEGO store shelves. Those pentagonal shields which you may recognize from the Nexo Knights series seem like they were made perfectly for this purpose! One thing is for sure, this had not better have a snooze alarm, because it’s only going to end up in pieces every morning. Which may not be such a bad idea after all – snoozing means a rebuild which means you gotta think twice before hitting that button!

Classic rubber duck model wins all the bathtimes [Instructions]

One of my earliest memories is of watching Sesame Street — Ernie in the bath tub singing along with his favourite buddy Rubber Duckie. Builder Koen has put together an adorable, wide-eyed LEGO duck that’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

He’s also been kind enough to share instructions so you can build your own version to share your bathtime. TBB Disclaimer – model will almost certainly not float!