LukeWarmTea

Hey all! Is there a thread somewhere where you can request a review? I'm keen to read more about the 60047-1 City Police Station (especially with a cross-comparison with 7498-1 and even 4440-1) and there's no way I can just 'buy it and find out for myself' so, has anyone got it and feels up to a review (or even an opinion?)? I know there are 2 video reviews (the BrickShow!), but they've never really been my thing and I'd quite like to see a decent photo of the interior. Thanks! Al

Howdy all! I'm in the middle of designing a MOD/MOC for my daughter's Christmas present based off of City Police Station 7498, which I always felt was the 'best' City Police Station in modern times. But my OH pointed out that others would totally see the play-ability options in 60047 as making that set superior, even though I always felt the building was a bit naff. So, I began wondering - what, of the major sets, are the best of the best? Which one if YOUR favourite, and why? Major sets would be Fire Station, Police Station, Garage, Hospital etc; I've noticed everyone says "we haven't had a proper hospital since Town's ETC 6380" and I'm wondering if the same thing has happened with other big sets, or if it's a matter of taste?

How did the garage work Sven? I wasn't born in 83, lol - so I never got that set, but I understand where you are coming from. 6380 was possibly the best Lego set I ever had in terms of endless playability, from the offices to the wards to the staff room and ambulance bay - I love it when they cover everything! Plus now you mention it I can't stop seeing airport towers. Oh dear.

Thanks guys, I was just interested in people's opinions, n/m. :) (I've decided to still with 7498 and MOD it with an extra level, 2 more cells and a 'boss office'. There'll be a new wing to the left replacing the stairs with a training academy, gun range and dog squad.)

Gorgeous! I particularly like the architrave and the steps - nice effort! Is there an interior?

Hey all, just wanted to ask which fun/level packs are the best bets? I've bought the Starter Pack and Emmett Fun Pack for Miss 7's Xmas present, but as big Dr Who and Portal fans I'm sure the whole family will get in on this game. But we don't have a lot of $$$, we only managed to get the starter because it was on a super pre-order sale. I can still get a pack or two on sale this week, so which is the best bet? Everyone seems to think the Wicked Witch is a good character? And we love BTTF and Portal so those level packs sound like us - but are they decent levels?

Does anyone know if a LDD can be broken into instruction based images, like if there is a 3rd party software for this? I am working on a MOC that I want to give my 7yo for Xmas, it's based on 7498, the 2011 Police Station and I have the instructions for this but want to add extra utility and play features to it so am considering adding parts of 60047. I'm thinking of making a police training facility! I'd prefer to give it to her to build rather than present it made up, but not sure how to go about this?

Thanks guys! I found the button last night, although I feel now with a 1000 pieces I may have bitten off more than I can chew... but at least I'm starting in October!

Hi all, I know this is an old thread but just wanted to ask - how do I get the latest version of Blueprint? What a fab idea! I downloaded the zip from the original post, is this the latest version? I am building a City Police MOC for my 7yo for her Xmas present so will need clear instructions to go with it.

Two more Frozen sets?! If one really is 400+ pieces, will that push Cinderella's Castle into retirement? Considering we have an Undersea Palace as well... So excited to get Kristoff though!

On the garage station topic - is there any chance of City going 'green'? The Friend's Roadster had an electric charging station, and with that awesome bright green 'recycling truck' in the City line a while back I wonder if maybe they're leaning away from petrol pumps? (Plus that big announcement recently about 'new lego...' I don't want to go into...)

Friends has a fantastic range of playable buildings - Creator houses are great, but for a KFOL I'd go with a Friends set. You can fit your hand in better! Plus all the accessories make it a whole play experience. My KFOL is a tom boy and has always wanted "boy sets" but, looking at what gets played with VS deconstructed, we don't have any City sets left entirely intact. The tow truck lasted a bit, and ambulance, but everything else is kaput! I blame the small 'mini build' style, you get bits and bobs (plus a vehicle) instead of a structure. Compare that to Heartlake High (sans basketball hoop!) Olivia's House and Sunshine Ranch. Sure they're been modified, but they are still standing!

Hi all, just wondering when we can expect the next police station? I've been in two minds about 60047. My KFOL is desperate for it but it seems like a pretty hollowed out structure to me, reasonable value with lots of action packed features - BUT, I know how she plays and I doubt once there's been a few break outs it'll get much use. The female cop is nice though. If I knew there was a better building in the pipeline, I'd wait, but it sounds like it's a fire station next? Does TLG retire a product before we see leaks of the new ones? I'm in NZ, so Lego is super expensive and it's not as easy to get (not all stores get everything, popular sets sell out and that's it, etc)

I think a lot of people go for the points plus the promo polybags - personally I've never bought direct from S@H because I'm in NZ!

Currently on hold to Lego customer service... Who are the nicest people ever! So if anyone is interested, the Australian and New Zealand Lego club doesn't offer a Green magazine for younger builders, but does offer an option between Red and Yellow mags. (Although they still call them the "girls" and "boys" which is a shame!)

Hi all does anyone know if the Lego Club ANZ has Green, Red and Yellow mags or just the Red they advertise? Thanks in advance, Al

I feel like Lego is extra expensive here in New Zealand - perhaps that's relative to buying power as has been mentioned above. For example, the Simpsons house is $400 NZD, versus $200 US. Exchange rate wise today $200 US is just $271 NZD! Also, as an example, my partner works a 43 hour week and takes home $460 net - so that is a very expensive set relative to income.

I have this issue too Captain Pirate Man - although my KFOL is only 6 (7 in June!) so I go easy on the super-organisedness. We have two large tubs of bricks with trays that sit in the top (http://sistemaplastics.com/products/accessories/utility-tray-black) and I ask her to put minifigs, animals, "plant bits" and "interesting bits" in these compartments. It sometimes works! Our lego has no overflowed and fills another cardboard box, but there's nothing I can do about that!

Playmat?

I'm torn between the new Elves line and 31026 Bike Shop and Cafe. I have about $100NZD to spend so could get a couple of the new Elves theme, so it's tempting... How good is 31026?

Elves have just hit the shelves here in NZ - and I judging from the school room discussion already (My KFOL is 6 nearly 7) Elves will be a hit! Story wise, I'm betting it'll continue. Emily's "powerless" grandmother will be revealed to have had a power all along - the same one Emily herself has, Love. This is why (according to the Lego Club mag posted above) the four elemental elven sisters drifted apart - when Emily the 1st stopped visiting, the love power she has stopped binding them together and the keys were lost, as it were. Now Emily 2.0 has returned, she'll reunite the keys to get home and (eventually) reunite the sisters too. Plus, she has to keep visiting! This is just conjecture of course. If it plays out like this I guess there will be another 3 waves at least, with an elven sister (like Skyra) at the heart of each story. I think this would be a good length of time for a range like this as it will take girls from about 7-11ish, which is when they may be moving on from Lego (or at least on to Technic, Creator or Mindstorm type sets). What I really hope is that the story deepens and maybe darkens a bit - if I'm correct in my assumptions, then Emily's Love power will be needed to bring the sisters back together, but what could have torn them apart? What else could be going on that Love could help? Basically, I want villains! I'd love to see an Evil Fire Elven Sister with dragons and all sorts of wicked red translucent sparkle bits. She could be ferociously angry with the water sister over some thing or another, and Emily is the only one who can save the day! Yay! Also, the app is awesome. Oh and can anyone with build experience comment on the build of these? From looking at them I felt they were a bit more technical than Friends, and I'm excited to see moving/action parts. :)

Hey all, I've been wondering this for a bit as I've always used the excuse that whatever set I'm buying is 'for Bella' (my daughter) when really, I love Lego and often buy things I really just wanna play with myself. Today was a perfect example, Bella has a reward program where she can earn little Lego sets, and today she got Olivia's Workshop. She doesn't even fully understand what that means yet - but I loved it, and I loved teaching her all the names for the things in the set (she knew 'chemicals'!). With Christmas looming, I've decided to get her a bigger Friends set that will be retired soon, but I'm struggling to justify the cost (we're in NZ, so it's silly money really) to my partner and my Mum, and when they say things like "Are you getting it for you or her? She won't know if you get her the small set/knock off/some other junk" I really wish I could say "Yes, it's partly for me, and it's my money, is that a problem for you?" But I am a chicken. :( I don't know what to say to them next month - I'd like to get a Creator Mod set for my birthday - and that'll cost me two weeks wages at least! I've often heard EuroBrickers joke about their partners 'not understanding' their love of Lego - is there any point in explaining it to them? Is there anything I can do to make them happier about the whole thing? Their attitudes are very discouraging at the moment, I've been building in LDD and that's kind of been tolerated, but I want to brick some things and you know, that requires bricks! Help? Thanks heaps in advance - you guys have been so super helpful so far :D

Hi all! This is my first MOC post and due to a lack of parts (and skills, it turns out) I'll be sharing this diary styles - a little like Lightning Tiger's - so you all can see and contribute to the build. So far it's gone from this: to this: With a whole lot of rebuilds along the way! Currently only the basic wall layout for the lower floor is complete. The left side of the build is a bedsit complete with old cat lady and exterior stairs to the second floor. The right is the ground floor bookstore and small rear exterior for a dumpster etc (I'd like to devise a working trash chute). There will be another 16x16 plate to be the footpath (or 'sidewalk') featuring a newspaper and magazine vendor in front, as the set is designed to be played with an open hinge (forming a handy 16x16 square). The second story will be a two bedroom family apartment, and above that there will be a nominal roof terrace 'garden' (probably only on one side). The book shop doors are unfinished and I'll be working on some brick built ones in the morning. Also the base plate colours need work, don't you think? I've set myself up with a pretty steep challenge as well. The build has to meet some criteria which have been defined by myself out of fun and also from necessity, as this MOC will end up being played with by my 5 1/2 yo (and the Friends target age) and we don't have a lot of money to spend on parts. Challenge: 1) It has to fit in the Friends/City universe, and I like to think it fits somewhere in between - a little closer to Heartlake maybe, a hard working borough on the outskirts of town? Bella calls it 'the Neighbourhood'. Thanks Mr. Rogers! Anyway, it has to look like a proper Lego building, with that nice Lego realism/playability balance. 2) It has to be easily accessible, playable (durable!) and buildable by kids in the 5-12yo range. 3) The parts must come from one major set (3185) and any other parts used must be readily available in small sets, polybags etc. (btw, does this make it a mod?) 4) Key design challenge - it has to be compact. The whole shebang is designed to close up, stack up and be put away neatly. (No spreading mini-builds!) 5) It has to be aesthetically pleasing in both 'closed' and 'open for play' form; including using a reasonably limited colour palette, not covering/blocking wall panels (a real bugbear of mine) and not having large expanses of blankness. 6) There have to be at least 3 "real" play features. Guess who gets to judge what constitutes real?! I'm always so in awe of the amazing MOCs I see on here, especially the high quality modular buildings. This sure isn't one of them, but I hope you can see the inspiration. Thanks for reading!

Also, has anyone else noticed the Technic 'knob' (I bet there's a proper name for it, but knob is a great word) at the top of the tree? What does it do?! Does it make it turn? FUN! I love moving bits, and it's great to see more 'useful' Technic in Friends (rather than just having it to build a fence, for example.)

Thanks LT - hey, what's in the yellow window next to the mini-roller door? Bookshelves? Something grey. Love that ATM!