ZCerberus Posted November 8, 2012 So I was asked about the construction of a round tower for a Kalphlin Tower that I made a while back in the GoH subforum. I decided since it was a general tower building technique, it can be post out here in the general history forum for everyone to see. I probably would have elected to NOT show step by step work or take that tower apart, but as luck would have it, I was planning to make another tower for another MOC, so this seemed like a good place to photograph the construction process. The photos were taken with my camera phone since it was easy to take and upload them, so they aren't perfectly lit, in focus, or with a nice solid background. Don't think that means photos of finished MOCs should be done as poorly as these! I don’t recall where, but I originally saw this technique using the tank treads on Flickr or the like. I started working with the technique but found it too flimsy and not well suited to place a top or bottom connection on a MOC. After a little tinkering, I found a good way to strengthen the internals of the build and allow connection points on the top and the bottom. Once again, I did not invent some of this technique, I merely made an improvement on it. First things first- we are going to need four wheels of this size. Next we are going to need some of the large tank treat. The right amount to wrap around a wheel is 9 links. Since we have four wheels to cover, that means we need 36 links total. After wrapping both wheels with tread, I place them on an axel so they are off set by half a tread link. This means the center of one tread link is right in the space between two treads on the other wheel. Next I add the half Technic pins so I can start connecting Technic beams. Then I add a layer of Technic beams on the treads. Ignore the extra half pins that are sticking out in the photo, I didn’t remove them from a prior project before sticking them in here. There will be a SECOND layer of Technic beams, so the half pins should NOT be in there. If I want a taller tower, I repeat the same steps to make a second super structure cylinder and connect them with a Technic axel. Here is where the other two wheels and 18 links of tread are used. Next I add a second layer of Technic beams and place some half pins in the beams so I can also add two layers of single width plates. Notice in this picture I have the two layers of Technic beams and on five of the spokes I also have added my layers of plates. After adding the plate layers, I can add the tiles to complete the look. There we have it, a round tower with a connection point in the form of a Technic axel on the top and bottom And the resulting tower... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeyB Posted November 8, 2012 Great Tutorial Z, glad to see how you made that great tower. I will have to put these parts on my "to buy" list for BL so I can try to replicate it in the future. Thanks again Mikey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legoaddict Posted November 8, 2012 Great technique used. Thank you for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soccerkid6 Posted November 8, 2012 Thanks for making the tutorial Not as complicated as I thought, I'll have to keep this technique in mind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kai NRG Posted November 8, 2012 Thanks Z, I like that technique, might try it on a smaller scale should I ever get treads (I wonder if there would be a different piece that would work?). I always have wondered how you did that tower, glad you shared it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monsinjor Posted November 8, 2012 Great tutorial, thank you for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fred67 Posted November 8, 2012 That's a great tower technique I'd never seen - I happen to have all those pieces, so even though I don't have a project in mind I will probably try it out just to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PenPlays Posted November 9, 2012 Why thank you for getting on to this so quickly Zr. Definitely going to be using this in the future. I just need to find a massive amount of 2x2 tiles in a stone color of some sort. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Stabbin Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks for sharing! Now I have a use for all those dark tan 2x2's I got off the PaB wall!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legonardo Posted November 9, 2012 weirdly enough I have all the parts necessary (apart from the tiles) so I may try it. great work and thankyou! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsmith13 Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks for the tutorial - that was great! Now I need to collect the pieces... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy D Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) I am going to have to try this! I have the pieces, so it is just time that I need. Thanks for posting this. Andy D Edited November 9, 2012 by Andy D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redhead1982 Posted November 9, 2012 Interesting technique and thanks for sharing. Since I don't have any bricks like that I'm unlikely to try it, but it's nice to see a build from more unusual bricks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legonardo Posted November 10, 2012 Ok built something, for those with limited parts, the second row of technique stuff can be these ~ thanks Z! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markus1984 Posted November 12, 2012 Great tower! Thanks for sharing it, another new technique more to use Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kai NRG Posted November 14, 2012 Since I don't have any of those treads, I decided to see if I could come up with another way(s) to do the same basic thing: I first tried type B, but didn't have enough half pins to go around. So I restarted from ground 0 and came up with A (and built a tower). It's not nearly as wide as Z's (though, with a lot of time and bricks, that probably could be fixed), and would look strange if you made it too tall, but it worked for me. B is very loose, as the top and bottom are not actually attached (otherwise they wouldn't form the right angles). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PenPlays Posted November 15, 2012 ^ Again... Now why didn't I think if that!?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sered Posted November 15, 2012 (edited) Great technique and thank for sharing. I would to try it definitely. Edit: I've just checked the liftarm's price on BL, there are very expensive unfortunately. Liftarm 15 or 13x could be replaced by more smaller liftarms. Edited November 15, 2012 by Sered Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marc2501 Posted November 17, 2012 Nice :) Thanks alot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZCerberus Posted November 17, 2012 I've just checked the liftarm's price on BL, there are very expensive unfortunately. Liftarm 15 or 13x could be replaced by more smaller liftarms. Technic bricks will work instead of beams as well. I went with the beams since I would typically use them less in other builds and they aren't as sleek. Try that out instead! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sered Posted November 19, 2012 Technic bricks will work instead of beams as well. I went with the beams since I would typically use them less in other builds and they aren't as sleek. Try that out instead! Thank you, I'll try with techinic bricks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob De Quatre Posted November 19, 2012 It may be a good idea to have a place to regroup and share building techniques. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doctor Whom Posted November 20, 2012 The original inspiration for this is probably this page: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/92430. It doesn't use long technic beams. I will point out that the tank tread had a small redesign after this was posted, so the technique works a little better with the older ones. P.S. It bugs me a little bit that you're attaching 1/2 pins to the tank tread instead of 3/4 pins. But I guess most people don't have many 3/4 pins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgtbernalcl25 Posted November 21, 2012 great information, where did the black pieces come from that you used for the start of the build? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites