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While that layout is nice it isn't as impressive as the ones up at Brickmania Toyworks in Minneapolis, MN. Housed there is the Greater Midwest Lego Train Club's layout as well as the Twin Cities Lego Train Club's layout. I highly suggest checking out the things in the base of the layout as well as looking carefully around the layout as there are some quite funny things (can you find tiger getting clubbed). They also have some large stand alone scenes they created like a WWII German town under siege, a Vietnam War Battle, and a Pacific amphibious assault from WWII which are all mostly to scale with numerous other models they created elsewhere. They even let you play with their Legos, have a ramp to race Lego vehicles down, and will let you run your own Lego train on their layouts. Kids love it, hell even adults like it and find humor there, plus it doesn't cost anything but donations are welcome and I always toss some money in the bin as it is great wholesome fun for a few hours.

Also 45, but I remember being stinkin' jealous at my big brothers' Rocket Base and Moon Landing.

In final act of desperation to avoid sentencing, SAP VP turns himself into a lego set

I don't think you're looking at this in the right light. For one, you're going to end up polluting the air by burning all that plastic in the volcano. Two, who is going to pay for it? It's not economically viable. I have a much better solution. That big boat forms blocks with round protruding bits on top. The smaller boats then position them next to each other in the sea. The helicopter then places certain blocks on top of each other. The end product looks like this! It is then leased out to pirates as a hideout.

| one 1x1
Flat or tall?

I'm afraid the original options for 1x1 were square and round...
Flat came much, much later...

| one 1x1
Flat or tall?

I'm afraid the original options for 1x1 were square and round...
Flat came much, much later...

And the reason for the name is because Lego also introduced larger figures at the same time (1974). This is actually the 30 year anniversary of articulated minifigs, as the originals didn't have movable arms or legs.

Maybe this one:

http://guide.lugnet.com/set/420_1 (US version)

Or less likely:

http://guide.lugnet.com/set/600_2 (also US version)

Buy here:

http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=6270

etc.

Maybe this one:

http://guide.lugnet.com/set/420_1 (US version)

Or less likely:

http://guide.lugnet.com/set/600_2 (also US version)

Buy here:

http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=6270

etc.

The vault is hardly a secret if you're an avid Lego fan. For additional pictures and some fairly interesting discussion about unreleased sets, etc., check out this discussion (from 4 years ago):

http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=47132

(please don't kill Lugnet or Brickshelf, /.!)

If you liked that one, try this one: http://guide.lugnet.com/set/8448

V-6, 5-speed box (plus reverse), suspension... My favourite, definitely.

After conquering standard Lego adventures, Star Wars sagas and the like, now Lego leaps in to correct their racial stereo types in the gaming world.

After conquering standard Lego adventures, Star Wars sagas and the like, now Lego leaps in to correct their racial stereo types in the gaming world.

After conquering standard Lego adventures, Star Wars sagas and the like, now Lego leaps in to correct their racial stereo types in the gaming world.

Most of the large castles of that period swung open.
6080 King's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6080
6085 Black Monarch's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6085
6073 Knight's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6073
6074 Black Falcon's Fortress http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6074

But, after that, they went to the molded baseplate for castles, so swinging open wasn't an option.

Most of the large castles of that period swung open.
6080 King's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6080
6085 Black Monarch's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6085
6073 Knight's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6073
6074 Black Falcon's Fortress http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6074

But, after that, they went to the molded baseplate for castles, so swinging open wasn't an option.

Most of the large castles of that period swung open.
6080 King's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6080
6085 Black Monarch's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6085
6073 Knight's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6073
6074 Black Falcon's Fortress http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6074

But, after that, they went to the molded baseplate for castles, so swinging open wasn't an option.

Most of the large castles of that period swung open.
6080 King's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6080
6085 Black Monarch's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6085
6073 Knight's Castle http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6073
6074 Black Falcon's Fortress http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6074

But, after that, they went to the molded baseplate for castles, so swinging open wasn't an option.

Oh yeah, I got the Galaxy Explorer too -- maybe even for the same Christmas! Probably the awesomest present I've ever received.

The gray castle pictured as the first (1984) castle set is incorrect.

It should be this yellow one: http://guide.lugnet.com/set/375_2

Why do I remember this? Because I was so green with jealously as I watched my older brother assesemble the one he got for his birthday. Oooo, how I hated that castle.

I just found out about a crazy LUG community that probably overlaps with the old LUG community: Lego User Groups-

      http://www.lugnet.com/

Or for the Lego train enthusiasts, they have separate Lego Train Club Organizations:

      http://www.iltco.org/

Nothing is stopping you playing with Lego now, and the AFOL community (Adult Fans Of Lego) is one of the friendliest communities to be a part of. Visit Lugnet to see what's going on, upload your models to Brickshelf to share what you do with everyone else, check if there are any Lego shows in your area, and maybe join a local user group. Have fun.

On the contrary. The correct word to use is stud. And it applies to both the so-called bumps on top, and the round structures on the bottom. See the useage on Peeron or LUGNET

I used to routinely make creations several feet high or square, (we split the old pile 4 ways when we "grew up") it would take 6-8 of those boxes (at $20 USD each) to get that many of the classic blocks again.

Trust me. There was never a normal single set that could make a creation several feet high out of 2x4s.
I'd be very curious what you think you had?!

I mean, lets look at the basic sets sets" circa 1975-1985 and see what they had for "basic 2x4" bricks. (Not counting anything funky with slopes, or holes for wheels, etc)

These are some of the "basic universal lego sets" from that era. They were the plain white boxes that usually showed a house or tower or garage type building, along with a vehicle or two - boat, plane, truck, helicopter, or something. They were

Set 720, with 325 pieces has 3 -- link: http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/720-1
Set 400, with 294 pieces has 4 -- link: http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/400-1
Set 404, with 467 pieces has 8 -- this set by the way had an MSRP of 40.00 (in 1976)
Set 530, with 263 pieces has 13 -- link: http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/530-1
Set 733, with 493 pieces has 5 -- ... you get the idea...
Set 740, with 523 pieces has 6
Set 744, with 572 pieces has 2
Set 912, with 467 pieces has 8

So even back in the day, the even the universal basic lego sets were pretty anemic on the 2x4s.

However, yes, there were some "really basic bricks only" sets back then too. Lets take a look at a couple of those:

link to box covers: http://guide.lugnet.com/set/?qc=lego/basic/univers albuildingset&v=a

Set "10" with 152 pieces has 48
Set "7" with 413 pieces has 157 - link:
Set "5" with 328 pieces has 130 - link: http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/005-2

So how does this compare with modern lego?

Set 4496 with 805 pieces has 66 (the blue tub i linked before)
Set 5486 with 674 pieces has 44 (the red tub i linked before)
Set 4423 with 800 pieces has 142

Admittedly the ratios aren't quite as good as they were in the 70's for but lets look at the price too.
Set 4423 costs $19.99
Set 4496 & 5486 each cost $29.99

MSRP for Set 5 (the only price I have for that line was 9.95 in 1968), according the currency adjuster on the Federal Reserve website, set 5 would cost 57.90 in today's dollars.

Frankly I think availability and Price of basic blocks today at least as good as or better than it ever was. Factor in that you can log into ebay and buy bulk used lego by the pound and its even better.

-regards.

http://guide.lugnet.com/set/8480

megawha?

What would you use the front windsheild piece on the TIE fighter model for other than a tie fighter?

How about the background window for the Emperor's room in Return of the Jedi?

The touch sensor (http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/879) is not strictly Mindstorm. I got it in the barcode truck (http://guide.lugnet.com/set/8479).

That beeing said, my problem with mindstorm is that they lack variety. I have the RIS, and about 50 other sets. How am I supposed to expand my collection now ? By buying another set with the things I already have ?

I could spend easily thousands of $ on robotic legos, but I need some variety on the pieces, more sensors type and more powerfull motors. Or I need them to be dirt cheap.

Quote:
"Any serious or even semi-serious Lego builder will tell you that MegaBloks are *AWFUL* compared to the genuine article."

Unfortunately, most LEGO-like bricks are purchased for children by adults, 42% of whom think MegaBloks is a subbrand of LEGO (As stated by LEGO CEO at BrickFest. Transcript here:http://news.lugnet.com/events/?n=1658). They just see the price difference between LEGO and MB and buy MB instead.

The LEGO Group has a serious brand problem, which is part of why the previously mentioned legos.com was set up, as discussed by the LEGO community rep here: http://www.bricksonthebrain.com/blog/index.cfm?com mentID=373

> I'd have thought someone would've built the death star too...

Mmm ? Just wait until 1th sept...

http://guide.lugnet.com/set/10143

[...] but you're really locked into what their fat cat corporate greed team says you can do.

This is true. A pretty recent outrage among AFOLs was the changing of the colors gray, dark gray and brown, to other tones without prior information. This caused a lot of debate and hefty arguing at Lugnet (LEGO® User's Group Network).

The initial discovery: http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43553

Much debate and discussion followed, with a lot of AFOLs saying they were very upset and outraged. Some even gave up on buying new LEGO® because the colors didn't match.

Eventually, to keep the color discussions out of other newsgroups, a special "Color" group was formed:

http://news.lugnet.com/color/

As for me, the color change definitely affected me. I had just started building spaceships, which look best in gray (in my opinion), at the time the color change came, and now my old and new bricks don't match.

[...] but you're really locked into what their fat cat corporate greed team says you can do.

This is true. A pretty recent outrage among AFOLs was the changing of the colors gray, dark gray and brown, to other tones without prior information. This caused a lot of debate and hefty arguing at Lugnet (LEGO® User's Group Network).

The initial discovery: http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43553

Much debate and discussion followed, with a lot of AFOLs saying they were very upset and outraged. Some even gave up on buying new LEGO® because the colors didn't match.

Eventually, to keep the color discussions out of other newsgroups, a special "Color" group was formed:

http://news.lugnet.com/color/

As for me, the color change definitely affected me. I had just started building spaceships, which look best in gray (in my opinion), at the time the color change came, and now my old and new bricks don't match.

nowadays there is more emphasis put on the movements of the lego, shooting the soccerball or hitting the puck or whatnot.

There is little to no more imagination and creativity to that then any old action figure with judo grip action chop.
case in point

as for the best childs toy? board games (i.e labrinth), card games, sets , or perhaps the ever trusty cardboad box.

Also, http://www.lugnet.com/
They have a bunch of cool stuff for the Lego Geek.

Some people have developed that to a science: Pick-a -Brick packing

I prefer the LegoLand Pick A Brick - it is by the pound.

I am an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego), and I think that they are the coolist thing ever. Check out some of the more interesting LEGO sites on the net:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/recent.cgi A massive gallery of uber cool models made by AFOLs. There are some really amazing models posted here.

http://www.brickset.com/ A lego set refrence that has just about every lego set ever made. Want to get a list of every classic space set made in 1978? This is the place.

http://www.bricklink.com/ Want 150 tan 1x3 bricks? Buy them individually from fellow collectors all over the world.

http://www.lugnet.com/ LUGNET is the Lego User Group. It has an interface to all all of the Lego USENET groups, and is an easy way to keep on top of all the relevant lego news.

http://shop.lego.com/ Of course there is LEGOs homepage. Online shopping, and all sorts of other interesting stuff. They just released a program on the lego site that allows you to build virtual lego models. That isn't really amazing, since LEGO cad programs have existed for years. However, they seem to be ramping up to allow people to build virtual models, and then order the parts to build them online! Every lego fan's dream come true...

There is much more, but that is a quick rundown of some of the major sites. Indulge yourself, you know you want to....

I think this is the type of thing NASA is looking for: Mobile Rocket Launcher

Here you go, hot off the presses:
Polar Base Prototype

That link clearly says Arctic. They want a design for an Antarctic base. That would be the opposite side of the world. Sheesh.

renders it just fine (there is not much there to render anyway, just a jpeg)

I was going to try 0.9 when all my favorite extension are up to it. But now you've got me wondering...

Here you go, hot off the presses:
Polar Base Prototype

My question is, of those of use that played/plays with Lego, who actually cares about Lego trains?

Are you serious? Check this out, or this. In summary, this answer is: lots of people, that's who.

PS: those lego bins in your closet for long-term storage -- I could maybe find a better home for them.....

A good book, but a little short.

Highly recommended for children who like trains, or adults getting into Lego Modeling for the first time.

But it is not as advanced as some of the Lego mindstorm books, but still, at the price it is a good deal.

Note that Jake McKee works for the Lego company, but this is an unofficial book.

See LugNet for more information on Lego!

no story on non-childhood Lego is complete without a link to LUGNET, an online forum site dedicated to, um, "older kids" who make all kinds of cool stuff with Lego as an artistic medium -- and of course as a toy.

If you've been following this story and wishing that you had been able to participate, there are a number of different LEGO clubs around the country. And if you can't find a group in your area, what better time to start one! Check LUGnet and do some searching on Google--that's how I found NELUG.

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

A "brick" is a LEGO piece that is the standard, approximately 1/2 inch high. Three "plates" equal the height of a "brick".

Thus, when I say that they don't have buckets of just bricks anymore, I mean that they don't sell sets like this one:

2184 Basic Bucket

Instead, they sell sets like this one:

4278 Blue Tub

This set has bricks, plates, slopes, etc., all mixed together, and sells for a lot more than they used to sell basic brick buckets alone.

They discontinued buckets of pure bricks, only bricks, nothing but bricks, when they came out with the LEGO Direct online brick ordering.

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

A "brick" is a LEGO piece that is the standard, approximately 1/2 inch high. Three "plates" equal the height of a "brick".

Thus, when I say that they don't have buckets of just bricks anymore, I mean that they don't sell sets like this one:

2184 Basic Bucket

Instead, they sell sets like this one:

4278 Blue Tub

This set has bricks, plates, slopes, etc., all mixed together, and sells for a lot more than they used to sell basic brick buckets alone.

They discontinued buckets of pure bricks, only bricks, nothing but bricks, when they came out with the LEGO Direct online brick ordering.

If you go to Lugnet and hang out a bit, for instance in their Dear Lego newsgroup, you'll notice that they actually have people to communicate with the Adult Fans of Lego (AFOL) community. And they claim they are comitted to open up a bit more. I don't remember what they have said about their software (there might be other parties involved), but they will release 3D models of their bricks to the community. There are various other things they do right. Most importantly, they have not even tried to limit access to Mindstorm hardware.

If you go to Lugnet and hang out a bit, for instance in their Dear Lego newsgroup, you'll notice that they actually have people to communicate with the Adult Fans of Lego (AFOL) community. And they claim they are comitted to open up a bit more. I don't remember what they have said about their software (there might be other parties involved), but they will release 3D models of their bricks to the community. There are various other things they do right. Most importantly, they have not even tried to limit access to Mindstorm hardware.

Go build it!

Pedantic [LEGO]Geek mode on

A: Lego Army men
Many fine examples already exist for filling units in most era's.

B: Lego Star trek
Trek is often done. Tho Blake's 7 is more hip.

C: Lego Warhammer 40k
A whole[all units] Dark Eldar army and ideas for modeling units for other powers can be found.

D: Lego D&D
Players of D&D[with LEGO] and other game systems are legion. As are the armies. Several rule-systems for play are also out there.

E: Lego Half life
There are CAD models[in easy format for conversion] for many of the parts go nuts. Sprite based(using POV to render frames) has also been done for a few games over the years.

F: Lego programming department
Cluster em.

PDG mode off [/;-)

Thanks for the LugNet link. I found it there, it was 956 Auto Chassis. It came out in 1977, so I was 9 at the time. Boy am I ticked that I gave up my lego stuff as I got older. I think my parents talked me into selling them off at a tag sale.

Perhaps the Super Street Sensation? With shifting transmission?

Or try browsing LugNet