Slashdot Mirror

For instructions, go to http://peeron.com/

They have them all (along with catalogs, etc.) and you can browse by genre, eg. Classic Space, Castle, etc. Then, hit http://reddit.com/r/lego and see what fans are doing today. There's some amazing stuff out there. Enjoy!

Example from 1957:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/213-2/1

Example from 1955:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/236-1/1

Example from 1956:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/1310-1/1

Example from 1957:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/213-2/1

Example from 1955:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/236-1/1

Example from 1956:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/1310-1/1

Example from 1957:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/213-2/1

Example from 1955:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/236-1/1

Example from 1956:

http://www.peeron.com/scans/1310-1/1

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

I may mis-remember - but I have browsed a few sets from 1949 to 1960. I failed to see any instructions pages for those items I clicked on. Note that I've not said that there are no instructions, only that I don't remember any instructions.

Example: http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/1237-2?showpic=6063

'When I was a kid, you got a big box of bricks and that was it,' says Tracy Bagatelle-Black.

I think it's infinitely more likely that Tracy got instructions in the box, she just totally ignored them. She did such an efficient job of ignoring them that she's forgotten they ever existed.

Rationale: This set of instructions dates from 1968. It shows building the item shown on the front of the box broken down into a number of steps. The late '70s saw Technic coming in (though it wasn't called Technic at the time) and the instructions for Technic sets tend to be more detailed - they tell you precisely which pieces you need in a callout box in every step. The overall instructional style hasn't changed a great deal since, though the parts have.

'When I was a kid, you got a big box of bricks and that was it,' says Tracy Bagatelle-Black.

I think it's infinitely more likely that Tracy got instructions in the box, she just totally ignored them. She did such an efficient job of ignoring them that she's forgotten they ever existed.

Rationale: This set of instructions dates from 1968. It shows building the item shown on the front of the box broken down into a number of steps. The late '70s saw Technic coming in (though it wasn't called Technic at the time) and the instructions for Technic sets tend to be more detailed - they tell you precisely which pieces you need in a callout box in every step. The overall instructional style hasn't changed a great deal since, though the parts have.

You mis-remember.

Lego have included detailed building instructions for decades; there's no shortage of evidence to back this up because Lego have been remarkably relaxed regarding private individuals publishing old instructions for sets long discontinued - see also http://www.peeron.com/

Lego Technic set 8094 had a pen (see item x245px1 in the list). It also had a fancy controller with programmable sequences. I purchased this set in Taiwan in the 80's. It was pretty fancy for it's time (before Mindstorms came out).

...gone with minifig scale.

But I approve of this move in general. I think the putting together little bricks to make something much bigger really fits with idea of a lot of little comments to "put together" a person.

What does this legal judgement mean, as far as how things will be different? There've already been copycat brands like Mega Bloks, Best-Lock, and perhaps any number of others I'm forgetting or never heard of, and they've been around for years, even decades. Is this legal decision just putting a capper on the previous litigation? IANAL, naturally...

Hey that is a little harsh.

The Bionicles series is definiately a lot like that, and it is not defensible. But that is far from the only series.

The boxes of assorted bricks with no real directions still exist, but have been largely downplayed since around the time that Samsonite stopped distributing the Lego.

Then we have the standard themed sets (the Castle series, Star wars series, Harry potter series, etc). These contain bricks that are mostly like the classics, with some specialized pieces occasionally. Obviously the mini-figs are quite dominant in this set, but they are quite justified in that otherwise to have a village with people would require a much much greater scale.
That said, nothing can justify the BURPs [http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/6082 and http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/6083%5D.
One of the downsides of this level is the limited ability to build interactive models. There are openable doors, and working wheels turntable, and pivoting connectors, but all are fairly limited.

Of the themed sets, any vechile sets are terrible in the use of special peices. Like the recent Jet set. The whole hull of the plane consists of special non-generic pieces. However, there are still quite a few sets in production with no pieces that are not reasonably generic.

Next up we have the ever-popular lego model railroad. This does have quite a few specialized pieces, but justifiably so. Special track pieces are essential to be able to have powered rail cars. The power regulator, and locomotive chassis bricks are also critical. Then we have the genral rail car chasis. The powered headlight bricks are probably not essential, but add character. There are a few other specialized bricks to support building reasonable train cars. However, the sets still invariably include a significant number of classic bricks and plates. The whole Lego railroad line is intended to be used in conjunction with appropriate themed sets. The level of creativity possible with the train system sets is very high. A smidgen less creativity in environment and track shapes is possible compared to standard model railroading, but standard model railroading definitely does not make designing a new railroad car nearly as easy as the Lego train system does.

Then we have Lego Technic. This has many specialized pieces, but virtually all of them are generic, and can be used in a virtually unlimited number of potential designs. The ability to build interactive systems, and even motor powered systems is the best part of this series.

There was the classic Technic that used 1xn beams with holes as a major framework construction component. Beams were sometimes pinned together as part of the framework, but many models did not use this technique. Like with modern Technic, axles are an important component, and were occasionally essential to the model's framework. (not just the models functionality). The studless beams found in modern Technic made the occasional appearance, but were not that common.

Modern Technic is primarily based on the studless components, although some of the new models have re-introduced some studded bricks.

The original Mindstorms were for all intents and purposes part of the classic technic Series, but were of course programable to a much grater degree than any standard Technic set. (A few classic Technic sets had some very limited programability).

Mindstorms NXT is to Modern Technic as the Orginal Mindstorms was to Classic Technic.

Hmm... I think some of that ending was getting offtopic, but oh well.

There are a few sites out there that still have them. It will cost you probably about 50-80 bucks each. The BIG one probably 200 or more. http://www.bricklink.com/index.asp

But for free there is
http://www.ldraw.org/
and
http://www.peeron.com/

I have been having so much fun with this these programs recreating virtual lego sets and I dont have to DIG through my massive box of em. Plus the programs are more cad like (and have more pieces) then the offical lego editor.

First I will add a plug for https://www.bloglines.com/ â" RSS feeds where ever I can log in, via HTTPS. Great for those feeds I read whenever & everywhere; and for those I only check when waiting to board the airplane. In my bloglines collection I have around 400 feeds, which will grow after looking through these threads. :) Some selections that hopefully no one else has mentioned:

Amusement:
http://failblog.wordpress.com/feed/
All about the Fail

http://lolbots.com/?feed=rss2
Robots making the LOLz, though not updated often.

http://lolgeeks.com/?feed=rss2
Geeks making the LOLz, though not updated often.

The latest limerick database entries - http://peeron.com/tickers/limerickdb.xml

The Triumph of Bullshit - http://bullshit.tumblr.com/rss

Diesel Sweeties by R Stevens - http://www.dieselsweeties.com/ds-unifeed.xml

PHD Comics - http://www.phdcomics.com/gradfeed.php
Ever spent time in academia? You will relate to this web comic.

Unshelved - http://www.unshelved.com/rss.aspx
A web comic about a library. Ssssshhhuusshh!

Indexed - http://indexed.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Take two (or more) topics and compare them using graphs & charts â" full of insight & lolz.

Computerworld Shark Tank News - http://feeds.computerworld.com/Computerworld/Shark/Tank
Many stories, full of humor and face palm

Overheard in the Office - http://www.overheardintheoffice.com/atom.xml
Instead of what was overheard in New York, now worldwide and from your office.

Common geek topics (those blogs that seem to hit all the topics days or weeks before you see them on Slashdot):
Didnt You Hear... http://www.didntyouhear.com/feed/

The Daily WTF - http://thedailywtf.com/rss.aspx

Global Nerdy - http://globalnerdy.com/feed/

Shopping:
http://content.dealnews.com/dealnews/rss/todays-edition.xml
Many of those geek toys you need

Newegg.com daily deals: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=DailyDeals&nm_mc=OTC-RSS
Need I say more?

Slickdeals: http://www.slickdeals.net/rss.php
Need I say more?

Woot! http://www.woot.com/blog/rss.aspx

Dumb political stuff:
Homeland Stupidity: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HomelandStupidity
Government gaffes, bureaucratic blunders and incumbent incompetence

Groklaw: http://www.groklaw.net/backend/GrokLaw.rdf

Declan McCullagh's Politech http://www.politechbot.com/info/rss/politech.xml
Also not updated often, but on target when it is.

Cryptome: http://cryptome.org/cryptome.xml
You can get lost here for hours

Music:
House of Blues: http://hob.com/venues/clubvenues/lasvegas/
The RSS feed for the local House of B

My first reaction is that the geohashing folks overreacted. I might be a little concerned and take photos of license plates if a bunch of people suddenly showed up on my property somewhere out in the boonies.

Well, yes, except they weren't on the property... they met on the road outside. And as somebody else has pointed out, the location was on the edges of a respectable S.F. suburb, not exactly "out in the boonies".

So, basically, everyone's overreacted. But then one of the overreactors was Darcy [not entirely safe for work], so all is forgiven. ;)

I think there has been a decline in quality, it just happened earlier. New part's molds seem to have much larger radii on the corners and a rougher texture (like the mold pressure wasnt high enough), while old parts have sharp corners and a smooth finish. The best example i can find is to compare an early 80's technic bush (http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/3713) with one from a 2000+ kit.. the new ones are different enough to make them unusable for some things, like attaching an axle perpendicular to a plate. the new bushings's mating features on the one side are all rounded off, and do not fit very tight. To make matters worse, an extra circular ring under the mating areas ensures that it doesnt sit flat like the old ones. A comparison of old/new gears (http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x187) as well will show the differences. The photos on the links show the new parts. has anyone else noticed differences like this?

I think there has been a decline in quality, it just happened earlier. New part's molds seem to have much larger radii on the corners and a rougher texture (like the mold pressure wasnt high enough), while old parts have sharp corners and a smooth finish. The best example i can find is to compare an early 80's technic bush (http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/3713) with one from a 2000+ kit.. the new ones are different enough to make them unusable for some things, like attaching an axle perpendicular to a plate. the new bushings's mating features on the one side are all rounded off, and do not fit very tight. To make matters worse, an extra circular ring under the mating areas ensures that it doesnt sit flat like the old ones. A comparison of old/new gears (http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x187) as well will show the differences. The photos on the links show the new parts. has anyone else noticed differences like this?

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

To hell with the hyperadvertised, branded megafad-of-the-moment shite that the LEGO salesdroids are pushing. The way I'm going about it, there isn't any shortage to worry about... I've been getting my 5 y.o. son interested by doing LEGO kitbash construction projects with him. All sorts of crazy imaginative stuff...kinda like M.C. Escher meets Jane's Fighting Ships (-grin-). When we fall seriously short of some of the more esoteric/uncommon pieces, I go online to check out Bricklink http://www.bricklink.com/. Here, $US 10 or 20 stretches A LOT farther than it does at a retail toy shop.. Combined with the legacy space/town/police LEGO pieces from my own youth, our recent purchases from Bricklink sellers have given us a large mixed assortment to build with. And if you're looking for a particular type of LEGO piece that's hard to search for via Bricklink, first point your browser towards the Peeron online LEGO part catalog http://www.peeron.com/. Interesting stats are available on the pieces you search for, as well as the LEGO catalog item numbers. Harry Potter LEGOS? Not in this house. What's next...LEGO sets themed for Gilmore Girls? 24?? Nip And Tuck?!? (-shiver of revulsion-)

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's a 90 degree angle bracket piece which makes building with the new rounded beam pieces much easier:

http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/55615

It's a very clever and handy piece.

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.

Lego has re-released several old sets through the years. Unless I'm halucinating, I seem to remember them re-issuing the Black Seas Baracuda pirate ship last year. You just have to keep your eyes open.

If you really want one of the old sets, try something like http://www.bricklink.com/ and just buy an old one. Or if you are feeling ambitious, build it yourself. Legos are interchangable, after all. :) Find the instruction sheet online at somewhere like http://peeron.com/ and go buy the bricks in bulk from http://shop.lego.com/.

there is not a lot of info on the internal of this clock, but i wouldn't be surprise if it's entirely built from lego mindstroms system. hell, let me break it down for ya, it's a damn clock with segway like propulsional system and a line of random num generator in the programing...wanta see some thing a bit more advanced? check out this page: http://lego.dongzr.com/

Actually, the Star Wars sets are pretty good about using reusable pieces. This TIE Bomber is 229 pieces, and the only custom pieces are the cockpit windows, the bomb, and the pilot. A very nice set.

The cockpit shape in used in six other ways in Star Wars models, with different colors and painted patterns. See http://www.peeron.com/inv/catpic/30366px2. The bomb and its launcher are used in many other sets too.

Heck, I'm 25 and just stumbled across this website and renewed my love for Legos. I'm pretty sure my parents still have a big @ss Rubbermaid tub of my Legos at home, so I decided to take an extra, empty suitcase when I go home for Thanksgiving so I could cart some of them back with me.

I'm looking forward to a couple of evenings re-assembling all my sets and getting the replacement bricks!

This is what they look like:

horror.jpg.html