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Capparezza

Eurobricks Knights
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Posts posted by Capparezza

    Fx Bricks (Michael Gale) announces Fx Track system

    in LEGO Train Tech

    Posted · Edited by Capparezza

    On 1/16/2021 at 9:18 PM, Ashi Valkoinen said:

    I waited around 10 years for large radius 9V points, I think one or two more years won't make difference.

    So true, so true... :pir-laugh: Thanks @michaelgale and everyone else at Fx Bricks for making it finally happen!

     

    So, a decision regarding a distributor for Europe will not be made until the sales numbers via Canada and HK are run through your "bean counters"? Probably, you will be one of those I guess? I hope you don't let us wait for too long. *wink wink*

    LEGO Ideas Discussion

    in General LEGO Discussion

    Posted

    Puffff.... I'm happy about the choices they've made. Saves me a lot of money :pir-laugh: I would not have bought nor supported any set of the last two batches.

    On the other side, I've got a heavy heart because of the many wonderful projects that got rejected in the process. Hmm.

    LEGO Ideas Discussion

    in General LEGO Discussion

    Posted

    On 6/4/2020 at 10:25 PM, Exetrius said:

    Well yes, "Bionicle" was implied in "the fanbase", but maybe that wasn't clear enough. Anyway, I was trying to stress that the Bionicle fanbase as a whole really deserves some love in the form of a set. It would mean a lot to them.

    TLC does seem to have the habit of reviving old themes, lately... We do get Barracuda Bay, even a 3-in-1 Pirate Ship. So maybe something's in it for Bionicle fans too, who knows.

    I am really curious what they will do for future reviews, if the amount of greenlighted projects happens to stay that high... it's a bit awkward at the moment.

    [REVIEW] LEGO 40187 Flower Display

    in Special LEGO Themes

    Posted · Edited by Capparezza

    Review - LEGO 40187 Flower Display

    49860760651_dcd3456ebe_c.jpg

     

    INTRODUCTION

    My girlfriend sent me a picture of this set, labelled with "Could this be Review material?". Isn't it nice when you have someone reminding you that you should do another review now, because that last one was soooo long ago? :laugh:
    She found it at a local second hand store, but seals on top and bottom were still intact and the contents thus untouched. So my thoughts were "Hell, why not, it's about time for another review indeed". And what a better opportunity to do it now, when you need to #StaySafe and #StayHome anyways :thumbup:.

    The picture on the box shows us two cute flowers, a red Rose and a white Daisy. Both can be built and displayed at the same time. The set itself is quite small and comprised of exactly 100 pieces. The box measures 12 cm in height, 9 cm in width and is about 6 cm deep. Originally released in 2018, it can still be ordered from most LEGO Online Stores, thought availability varies from country to country. LEGO had it originally labelled unter "Miscellaneous", it goes along the Seasonal theme.

    By the way: Left click on a picture takes you to the bigger resolution on Flickr, as usual.


    SET SPECS

    Number: 40187
    Title: Flower Display
    Theme: Seasonal
    Released: 2018
    Part Count: 100 pieces

    Retail Price:
    DE - 5,99 €
    GB - 4,99 GBP
    US - 5,99 $
    DK - 50,00 DKK

    With 100 pieces, the retail price of 5,99 € equates to a price of 0,06 € a piece (rounded to the second digit). This is pretty good and a way better parts-per-price ratio than most other sets. For comparison, 31078 Treehouse Treasures from my last review had a price of 0,12 € per piece. According to Brickinsights this set's ratio is way better than the average for System sets of 2018.


    LINKS

    40187 @ brickset.com
    40187 @ rebrickable.com

     


    LEGO PRODUCT SUMMARY

    Say it the LEGO® way with these 2 buildable flowers, featuring a rose and a daisy with interchangeable pots—perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day or just because!

     


    THE BOX

    49707812188_1d420d5b6b_w.jpg49708345456_6ff0ca25f3_w.jpg49708667492_6ecb9a3ac6_w.jpg

    The 100 parts are packaged in a plain and simple box with flaps, not much text is found on the front of it. Pictured are the two flowers that you can build, the red Rose and the white Daisy in their pots, put on a digital backdrop featuring a window sill with a view into the countryside. Recommended age for this set is 7+ according to the front of the box. No set number on the front. The daisy is also featured on the right side with the set number, while the back shows us the usual warnings in countless languages and information about where this product was manufactured as well as distribution partners.

    49707810743_4b366fee26_w.jpg49708665952_5762a37405_w.jpg49708666452_0e5218c57f_w.jpg

    The left side features the red rose, while the top of the box presents a 65° slope in red in 1:1 scale for size comparison and both sides also feature the set number. Finally, on the bottom we have trademark informations, the barcode and the internal item number for this product. As we can see, this box is recyclable (for those who tend to throw away the boxes after stripping them of their innards :distressed:).


    THE PARTS

    49707809648_b1e6f56a95_z.jpg

    Inside the box, we have two unnumbered bags with parts. One is a little bigger, holding the pot parts for the Daisy.

    49708342321_4bc2374185_z.jpg

    49707809183_4b8184ef5e_z.jpg

    After unpacking both and spreading out their contents, this is what we get. The parts are nothing special by todays standards. Colours are mainly Green, White and Red (Viva Italia :laugh:). A few Yellow parts for the Daisy, 2x Bar 6l with stop ring and 2 round 1x1 plates in Reddish Brown as well as 4 macaronis in Pearl Gold are also there. The few Dark Blueish Gray and Black parts mostly hide away inside of the flowers or pots, only the 1L bars with clip will be visible later.
    Back in 2018, when this set was released, the Green Barbs (Part No. 16770) had only been included in Set 10255 Assembly Square before. Today this part comes in 5 sets, one of it being Set 30555 Poppy's Carriage, which is a polybag from the new Trolls theme.

     

     

    MINIFIGURES

    Well, there are none. Zero, niente, nada. But I think you didn't expect any, given that this set is called "Flower Display"? :wink:

     


    INSTRUCTIONS

    49707808093_fd0d1e358b_z.jpg

    The instructions are kept as simple as the box was. Plain folded paper, nothing fancy. They fold up to the size shown in the upper left on the picture. Two instructions are provided, one for each flower.

    49708341066_bdc1a98e9e_z.jpg

    What I found interesting is the fact that there is no parts list, neither on instructions nor box.

     


    MAIN MODEL - ROSE AND DAISY

    49708340611_acea2c0974_w.jpg49708340341_eff23e811a_w.jpg49708662587_784c52401d_w.jpg49708339536_be98c4c92e_w.jpg

    Simplicity continues. Building the two flowers is as simple as the box and the instructions, nothing fancy here as well. Even if the builds are indeed pretty simple, there is a certain amount of SNOT on the Rose.

    49708661807_b37fc1d5e3_w.jpg49708338906_d86df0bf7d_w.jpg49708661177_6bdca35b4d_w.jpg49708338236_558b368757_w.jpg

    Building the Daisy uses clips with an Octagonal plate with bar handles, the pot is a ridiculously simple build.

    49708660302_ef128572c1_z.jpg

    And then you're then, Rose and Daisy are finished and ready for the shelf.

     

    49708337916_3c95127e48_w.jpg

    Not many spare parts are left after building the flowers.

     


    PLAY FUNCTIONS

    Errrm, yeah.... Nothing much to say about the "play" functions because this is clearly labelled as a display model. You can swap out the pots between Rose and Daisy, but that's about it.

     


    B MODEL

    Well, no instructions for a B-model. However, given the range of parts in this set, I think it would be quite possible to create several other types of flowers with a little bit of imagination - which I am completely lacking at the moment... but maybe I'm not the only one with that problem. Doing a short search on the Internet didn't reveal any alternative builds so far.

    That shouldn't stop you from having a bit of fun with this set, it's LEGO after all :wink:.

    49708337171_3230f0b9be_z.jpg

    Flowerpot Girl is clearly happy about her new neighbour, and Cactus Girl made first contact with another thorny lifeform.
    (Minifigs are not included with this set, of course)

     


    SUMMARY & RATING

    I had a hard time judging this set, as the play functions are practically non-existing and there are no alternative or B models. The fact that it is a pure display model and the price per parts ratio is astonishingly low both compensate for these issues. But still I could not give this set a better rating than 7 out of 10 points (translating to a 4 - Above average in the EB rating poll). Maybe that's because I do have a problem with pure display models. Given that the parts are quite usable, I would still recommend this set, even if it was just as a parts pack.

    On the other hand this turns out to be a rather nice gift for your beloved ones, even if they are not at home in the world of bricks. Be it for Valentine's, Mother's or any other day you have an opportunity to bring a lovely present, this set really is a pleasing surprise to gift. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, I missed the deadline with this review for Mother's Day, but some people say every day of the year is a Mother's day :wink:

    If you bought this for yourself, because you are a bit into flowers, you should definitely look at 30404 Friendship Flower from the Friends series. It uses similar techniques as for the Daisy and goes nice along with the two flowers from this set.

     

    Design: 8 / 10  -  Pleasent looking builds
    Build: 8 / 10  -  Instructions are clear and easy to follow, building did indeed make fun despite the low part count
    Playability: 2 / 10  -  Only meant as display models, so no play value whatsoever (besides switching the pots ... *cough*), no B-model or alternatives
    Minifigures: no rating
    Price: 10 / 10      -  Price per part ratio pretty good, lots of reusable parts too because of the simple colour palette

    Overall: 7 / 10

    4DBrix goes DIY

    in LEGO Train Tech

    Posted

    @legotownlinz Yeah, at the moment I'm waiting for FX Track System to hit the high street. As they cater to the needs of a 9V fan like me, I will swallow the bitter pill no matter how expensive it will be. It's not that I would have a choice, as they have no competition for 9V metal tracks :laugh:. In my opinion their upcoming products will be worth it, if they stick to their intended plans and quality.

    However, I could go the cheap route and by non-metal track and augment it with copper tape.... :wink:

    4DBrix goes DIY

    in LEGO Train Tech

    Posted

    13 hours ago, Toastie said:

    ....

    And that's it.

    Regards
    Thorsten

    P.S.: If find it disheartening that 4DBrix needed to take the exit route.      

         

    So true, from line 1 to the last... It's a pity, but it seems that's how the world works nowadays.

    Lego deterioration?

    in General LEGO Discussion

    Posted

    If you have older figures with loose joints, you can try wash them. I have noticed after doing my latest wash-up (10 kg of parts!), that some figures from late 80ies to early 90ies have regained stiffness. I was using mild detergent (soap or dishwasher) with a bit of vinegar cleaning agent added.

    Can you have enough of Lego?

    in General LEGO Discussion

    Posted

    On 4/9/2020 at 4:17 AM, carltate said:

    Having bought 42069 when it came out and looking at my current surroundings ( I am surrounded by lego in my room ) I was asking myself the a similar question. Do I need any more lego?

    Yeah, I know that feel... I keep looking at all those places where I have to hide my LEGO meanwhile and think: "Maaaaan, you REALLY need to stop buying, this is getting out of hand!"
    And the next day you'll spent another 40 bucks for yet another old set you always wanted in your youth, as you are NOW able to finally buy it... *throws all resolutions over board*

    I think I'll go with what @dr_spock said... someday my wife will put an end to it. This will be the day when I have finally time to reduce my LEGO pile of shame and get building! :laugh:
    So this will be "enough" when it comes to buying, but definitely not when it comes to building.

    Technical assistance with audio samples - help requested

    in Community

    Posted

    Hello!

    Have you found any solution yet?

    If not, you might want to have a look at the Audacity software (Free, get it from the official Homepage here). It's an audio editor, you can use it to record the music, cut and paste it to your needs. When you are ready, you can save it as a compressed audio file (preferable MPEG4-Audio .m4a or .mp3), then hook up your phone to the PC to copy your audio file on it.

    Cheers, Chris

    Help with identifying parts/sets!

    in General LEGO Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Capparezza

    On 3/29/2020 at 5:20 AM, crockalley said:

    https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=bb0973#T=C

    Where is this piece from? 1L axle with stud at end. No sets, no lots for sale, added Sept. 2019. 

    Strangely similar to the LEGO Forma pieces to attach the fish skins. Haven't seen them in RL, though, so can't confirm if it's the same piece.

     

    Edit: Okay, definitely NOT the Forma pieces, because they are pins not axles. Interesting...

    LEGO 40th anniversary classic train

    in LEGO Train Tech

    Posted

    On 3/15/2020 at 11:13 PM, Toastie said:

    40th anniversary sets should either have decent parts or - decent solutions.

    Yes, Thorsten... They could have molded buffers in red and reuse them for Train sets in the future :laugh: But hey, I didn't jump the "train" (or engine) with this one, so I have no reason to complain. I keep finishing additional waggons for my Metro Liner and be happy with that.

    It's a shame that we didn't get an official 50 Years of Lego Trains set, just the employee gift which is not widely available to everyone (at least not for a reasonable price). That contempt of train fans is worrying. But then again, we did get a lot of official Train sets in 2019 and 2020. Hmmmm.

    LEGO Ideas Discussion

    in General LEGO Discussion

    Posted

    On 3/24/2020 at 5:11 PM, adwind said:

    I must say that I'm impressed with how Pirate Bay turned out! The move with a ship is genius and somehow they managed to save that classic Pirates vibe while overall you can clearly say it's a modern design!

    Here is the link:

    https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/a4ae09b6-0d4c-4307-9da8-3ee9f3d368d6/post/3ebc06ae-24f3-4e04-887c-a84d5a24f074

    *oh2*

    Although they state that this is no April Fools Joke, I still can't believe what I see on that website. If this is true, this is a must have for me...... :jollyroger::cannon:

    And I don't care about the missing ape, I have lot's of them on stock :pir_laugh2:

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