Considering Bricklinking a Grand Carousel

[Alpinemaps]

(Mods, if this isn't in the correct spot, please move it, thanks!)

I've caught the Bricklinking bug, and I'm in the process of assembling a Mini Modulars set from parts I have laying around (and Bricklinking what I didn't have available). I learned a lot from the experience, and I'm already setting my sites on the next project.

Today, I looked at the parts needed for the Grand Carousel. I still kick myself for never picking that thing up. It's beautiful. So, I thought I might try to Bricklink it. It's actually pretty straightforward. I have a lot of the parts, and can Bricklink the rest. I'm going to do a color change or two, based on cost, but it should still come out really nice.

Here's the kicker - the main expense is the White Cloth Carousel Top Section (22x18). It appears in only one set - the Grand Carousel. You need 8 of them, and they go for about $50 each. Yikes!

I want to completely avoid that, and I want to do something myself. I figure I can make something similar, but I need some ideas. I need measurements, and I need some ideas on suitable replacements.

Can anyone give me a hand? Come up with a couple of suggestions that might work? I'm thinking fabric store or something along those lines; something that I can cut into the same shape.

[rollermonkey]

Are the jester heads readily available?

[romulan]

http://www.minifigcustomizationnetwork.com/howto/899

Give that a shot. Looks like you'll be needed some broadcloth (white should be easy enough to find) from a fabric store and then matte acrylic from an art store.

I've never actually tried making my own lego cloth pieces though, so I can't be of more help :)

[pjchilds]

I just cut some out of some thick paper. Don't overthink it too much, when you put it together just make a template for one sail, put the holes in the right places, use a coin or something circular to get the offsets from the holes, and join it up with ruler.

Untitled by pjcinaus, on Flickr

Edited February 20, 2014 by pjchilds

[Wardancer]

Maybe the guys in the pirate forum have ideas, because they often need custom sails.

[Alpinemaps]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. All good places to start.

I just cut some out of some thick paper. Don't overthink it too much, when you put it together just make a template for one sail, put the holes in the right places, use a coin or something circular to get the offsets from the holes, and join it up with ruler.

Untitled by pjcinaus, on Flickr

Looks good! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you did the same thing I want to do, so I'm at least not crazy. :)

Oh, and I love the view out your windows.

[Solscud007]

I have this set. If someone could tell me what fabric they use, I could trace mine and laser cut new ones out.

Or just use paper like everyone else said.

[skcheung]

I use ordinary paper only and it still looks good. Check it up:

http://www.eurobrick...topic=87068&hl=

[Alpinemaps]

I use ordinary paper only and it still looks good. Check it up:

http://www.eurobrick...topic=87068&hl=

Just...wow. That's incredible!

Any chance you want to share your plans? ;)

Yeah, that looks great. Definitely makes me rethink doing it in the original colors. I know my daughter would love seeing it in those colors.

[Lego Otaku]

Another pricey issue is the green baseplate. Only 1 set has the very large baseplate in green, guess which set has it? Starts at $50 for one and shipping large plate isn't cheap either.

You could use a few smaller green baseplates (32x32, a couple 16x32, and a 16x16) or use a more common and cheaper grey plate ($15- from local Toys R Us or LEGO store) and paint it green.

[juzo]

I've bricklinked 2 of these. Was lucky enough at the time to build them when the sails wern't too bad price wise, about $22au each. The sound bricks were good too at $40au each.

Wouldn't do it now, sound brick is crazy at $150+!

[CM4Sci]

Not sure if it's wrong to say this, but I'd say wait a few months. There's a rumor about a new amusement park ride D2C or something like that, so I'd say wait to see if you want to do this or wait for that.

But it's a rumor, so we don't know if it's true or not. Do what you'd like, it's your money, not mine!

-Sci

[stebai]

Old thread I know, but with the Ferris Wheel I guess afew people are looking at the Grand Carousel enviously and becoming disheartened by the price tag. It's never going to be cheap but it can be done.

I can vouch that using broadcloth and A PVA style water based glue (I used mod podge matte) works brilliantly. I bought a specific hole punch for the job, and the canopy's look, and feel, great. Just like Lego Sails! I changed a few colours, made some superficial design improvements and built a mirrored style centre spindle to avoid using stickers. The upside is that my Carousel has a two tone canopy (White and Gold) thanks to the broadcloth. The only part i decided against buying was the ridiculous soundbrick. I just bought a 2 minute greeting card recorder, found some pipe/barrel organ music online and built a pipe organ around the speaker. Simples..

The total Bricklink cost inc shipping was somewhere between $800 & $900 Australian. I will post a pic once I get all the parts assembled.

Edited July 29, 2015 by stebai