[MOC] The Old Flour Mill

[Rail Co]

Hello all! I am usually a train guy so I don't know many of you but today I wanted to show you my scenic flour mill (windmill). Enjoy!

The Old Flour Mill was inspired by many old Lego sets available in the 1970's and I always thought they were so cool. I wanted to make a nice windmill but also add playable features like "grinding" wheat (or bricks) into flour by using a renewable energy source to teach kids about conserving energy as well. Also recently Lego has not produced windmills but wind turbines. I wanted something more classic and more rustic that would fit into some nice scenery. I also wanted it to be motorized so I added a hidden battery box that is exposed in the back along with an M-Motor under the scenery to power the whole mill.

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

[MOC] Lego 'The Old Flour Mill' by Rail Co, on Flickr

Features of the Model:

• Adjustable speed motorized windmill and grinding stone
  
• 360 Degree rotatable windmill (The piece on top that will swivel).
  
• A scenic garden that can be expanded outside of the model
  
• An old style windmill design to appeal to all ages!
  

I hope you guys enjoy it. As always with any of my work all constructive criticism is welcome! Suggestions are highly encouraged.

You can support it on Lego Ideas here!: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/140939

Thanks!

-RailCo

[LegoPercyJ]

I love the curved top and the shape of the mill. The vegetation and path are a nice touch.

[soccerkid6]

Nice that you made the top be able to swivel in all directions, and included power functions to run it. Good use of those prefab trees in the landscape too

[Rail Co]

Thank you both for your very nice comments and compliments I am guys you both like it. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve for future projects or this one itself?

Thanks

-RailCo

[BrickJagger]

I like the integration of Power Functions into this model. Good work.

Edited May 11, 2016 by BrickJagger

[Sorrelon]

Power Functions in a Castle MOC? That's not something we see everyday. The windmill itself is lovely and I really like the scenery as well. Not much I could say about changing it, but windmills require quite a bit of power to work and I think the fan looks a bit small to be able collect enough wind to do that. I think slightly larger wings (2 studs longer and 1 stud wider wings) would look better, while not colliding with the rest of the building.

Also, supported on Lego Ideas, best of luck!

Edited May 26, 2016 by Sorrelon

[LittleJohn]

Great mill! The power functions inclusion is excellent and the curved top of the mill is nice as well

As far as suggestions go, maybe step the landscape a little more gradually, by using plates instead of bricks, like done here: Link

Or use slope bricks to create a smoother slope: Link

Very nice build overall though, keep up the good work

[Rail Co]

Thank you all for your great comments! Personally Power functions was a must for this model to really come to life when being displayed.

@Sorrelon Thank you very much for the suggestion I was thinking about extending the wings length but I never thought of making them wider I'll have to experiment with that when I find the time!

@LittleJohn Yes I agree that it does seem a little blocky I am running low on green sloped pieces so I may have to order a few soon! Thanks for the suggestions!

Thanks for the support!

-RailCo