Is it cheating to not use filler bricks?

[fred67]

The problem is that my structure is on base plates. I could get filler bricks to lift it up, but they don't connect to the bottom of base plates.

So I'm wondering if anyone else has used wood boards, planed to the width of a brick, to build up their MOCs. I did a castle, but now want a landscape and want a gradual descent to a shoreline.

[Norro]

You really don't need as many filler bricks as you might think. Scaffolding (made of bricks) works very well. If you look at the landscape MOCs on my site they are very large (relatively) but not anywhere near solid inside.

If you must build solid filler I recommend buying garage sale lego by the pound...

God Bless,

Nathan

[fred67]

You really don't need as many filler bricks as you might think. Scaffolding (made of bricks) works very well. If you look at the landscape MOCs on my site they are very large (relatively) but not anywhere near solid inside.

If you must build solid filler I recommend buying garage sale lego by the pound...

God Bless,

Nathan

The problem isn't getting filler bricks, it's that the castle is already built on base plates, not regular plates, so they won't attach anyway.

I do want it to be more solid, too, because it's got several layers of modularity, the one I'm concerned with now is the 16x16 base plates.

[gotoAndLego]

Why do you care if its considered cheating? Its part of the structure you will never see and akin to worrying that you are using different color bricks on a part of the wall no one can see or using illegal connections like a combination of round bricks and 1x2s to get a curved wall. Relax and build it however you want.

Edited August 20, 2010 by gotoAndLego

[Superkalle]

I have to agree with gotoAndLego on this one. I'm not sure I understand the question. Is it cheating? Yes if you're purist. No if you are not.

[tedbeard]

Why do you care if its considered cheating? Its part of the structure you will never see and akin to worrying that you are using different color bricks on a part of the wall no one can see or using illegal connections like a combination of round bricks and 1x2s to get a curved wall. Relax and build it however you want.

The last couple of years @ BrickCon we have made use of foamboard to level out Castle, Town(including Modular House Standard) and WWII MOCs (see bottom-right building being set up) that use BpP (Baseplate + Brick).

I don't see what the issue is. Are people gonna complain because we use tables under our MOCs? Wood, foam, DUPLO, LEGO, use whatever works underneath.

[Front]

Every exhibition I've been to did not have the tables supporting the mocs made with bricks. They used what appear to be normal tables.

My advice is to never sink to such low levels. Stay away from anything not made from Lego bricks

sarcasm off

[badboytje88]

I'd use duplo as filler brick. It works great.

[fred67]

The last couple of years @ BrickCon we have made use of foamboard to level out Castle, Town(including Modular House Standard) and WWII MOCs (see bottom-right building being set up) that use BpP (Baseplate + Brick).

I don't see what the issue is. Are people gonna complain because we use tables under our MOCs? Wood, foam, DUPLO, LEGO, use whatever works underneath.

Gosh! I don't know why everyone gets all bent out of shape, it was a simple question. I was planning on doing it anyway.

But now I have to ask if foam board can be used to make an even brick height.

[Sandy]

Gosh! I don't know why everyone gets all bent out of shape, it was a simple question. I was planning on doing it anyway.

Then why did you ask the question in the first place? I don't think people are "bent out of shape", they are just confused about the way you posed your question, as am I. Your MOC is your own, there's no way you can "cheat" on building it even if you used glue and a blowtorch, since it's a matter of choice and preference.

So yeah, you can use "non-LEGO" materials to lift your baseplate up, but have you considered removing the baseplate from under the castle and replacing it with normal plates? If your castle breaks up in the process, you can always put it back together - that's the beauty of LEGO.

[fred67]

Then why did you ask the question in the first place? I don't think people are "bent out of shape", they are just confused about the way you posed your question, as am I. Your MOC is your own, there's no way you can "cheat" on building it even if you used glue and a blowtorch, since it's a matter of choice and preference.

So yeah, you can use "non-LEGO" materials to lift your baseplate up, but have you considered removing the baseplate from under the castle and replacing it with normal plates? If your castle breaks up in the process, you can always put it back together - that's the beauty of LEGO.

Large green plates (not base plates) are pretty expensive, and I certainly couldn't even order enough from even three or four bricklink stores.

I asked because I wondered what people thought and was wondering if other people did it.

[tedbeard]

But now I have to ask if foam board can be used to make an even brick height.

There are a couple of different thicknesses but I think you can come very close. You might want to experiment a bit with different thicknesses and stacking multiple layers to get the desired depth. If it is really deep you might be better going with DUPLO or wood as I find the foamboard a bit pricey.