rock raider

Thanks for the pics. It's good to see what the different options are. I might use those but I think I'll stick with Lego wheels. I know we all have different levels of purist but I think I fall somewhere around the 'all official Lego except for cloth and string' level. One piece I have been considering using is the zip-line pulley. It's just a bit smaller but it doesn't capture the line. I guess it would be perfect for a snatch block but I don't know how much those existed in this time period.

I like it. I've never seen someone replicate that in Lego. I have to ask though, did you try using the friction ram piece? it seems like that would accomplish a similar effect without having to resort to cutting and gluing.

I sailed in college, and I've even been able to sail on a tallship, so that helps me figure out what different lines do when I see a picture with a million of them but I found a helpful guide that should get you started on understanding what lines are necessary to sail a ship like this and what all the names are. https://lamitopsail.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/3-Brigantine-Seamanship-Parts-of-the-Ship-Sailing-and-Running-Rigging-pages-8-23-.pdf I also found a great resource for general knowledge on sails and rigging including some great drawings of the individual sails. http://mcjazz.f2s.com/Sailmakers.htm

Thank you. I agree that there is much still to be done. I'm not able to work on this project right now but, as soon as I am able, I plan to add sheets for all the sails and braces to control the yardarms. I've already included halyards for the jibs but I also plan to add a staysail or two in between the fore and main masts which will require more pin rails which will take more deck space etc. etc. I'm not sure I'll ever be done. If anyone has come up with a smaller way to make blocks and pulleys than using 1x1 bushings or wheels, I'd love to see it. Thank you! After many years of reading this forum and the classic-pirates blog, It's an honor to be blogged.

Great Review! It's a shame that Lego couldn't figure out how to make each key play a different note. The Nintendo Labo piano did better using one sensor that detected the range to the key being pressed to know which key it was. I know there's a sizable technology gap between the two systems involved but I'm afraid that removes the only function that would have made this purchase worth it for me.

Thank you! I look forward to seeing the things you'll make now that you've rediscovered Lego. Thanks, I really enjoyed working out that solution while using the tight space in the ship. As NOD mentioned, I got the name from the Birch Books modular. No worries about not reading the thread super carefully. I'm happy that you're taking an interest in my project.

Thank you. Yes, I found the lantern on the floor while I was uploading the photos. I was hoping no one would notice. Whoops Thank you

This is the most gorgeous police station I have ever seen! I absolutely love the long panel architectural detail on the front facade. (not sure what the proper name for it is) I also love the inclusion of the ramp at the entrance of the garage to prevent unauthorized entry. Your attention to detail shows that you put a lot of time, effort and creativity into this MOC. Great stuff!

UPDATE: The sails are on! It also appears that the BIRCH has been captured by the British. Thanks for viewing. There are more shots on my Flickr. As always, constructive feedback is appreciated.

I think I'll be able to show it with the sails on soon. I think it looks better already. I have been working on this project since the beginning of April. I spent about a month researching and designing the hull in Studio before I started ordering the parts. I then spent about a month designing it digitally and physically concurrently, designing the deck and masts while making adjustments to the hull as I discovered different issues and opportunities. Then I spent the next month designing and constructing entirely physically while I worked out the rigging and rebuilt parts of the hull. Since I first posted this I've been working on the sails and a bit more on the rigging. I've still got a lot more to do as eventually, I would like to have the rigging be nearly fully functional. ...So, in short, about 4 months. The name is actually half of the 2 part printed "BIRCH BOOKS" sign from the recent modular bookstore set. I picked the name based on what 2 x 4 printed tiles were available.

There will always be something that can be improved and there will always be people who point out as many of those things as possible. I absolutely love your baboon crew. It reminds me of the Monkey Island games. As a upgrade of the official set, I think this is a very successful MOC.

Sure thing. I look forward to seeing your ship.

Thanks. I'm not sure if you mean the tumblehome angle or the gradual widening of the beam towards amidships, but the angle is achieved with hinges made of 1x2 plate with clip and 1x2 plate with handle pieces. The base of the wall is resting on cheese slopes to give it a nice angle with no gap. The increased beam achieved with jumper plates and a half stud offset for the second and fourth sections so that the hull effectively goes from a width of 16 studs to 17 to 18 and back down to 17 and 16. Not sure if this is super clear. I'll try to take some pictures to show you what I mean. Thank you! It's exciting to see my MOC on the Facebook page.

Thank you! Thanks, I'm glad you liked it, I put a lot of thought into that part. I really wanted to show some of the details on my ship because I found it frustrating that, while researching and designing this, I couldn't see those details in other models online. Thank you. Sails are the next step along with flushing out the rigging. The ratlines are going to take forever Does any one know of any good sail making tutorials? I've only found topics about replicating the official Lego sails on the forum. Thank you. I wanted to tell a story with the pictures and I know Mister Phes always complains when people post their MOCs without Minifigs I see what you mean about the masts. There's a bit of a contrast between the uppers and the lowers. I may consider reworking that but I still really like the look. I'll have to see how it looks once the sails are on.

This has been my Quarantine project for the past few months and, now that I'm going back to work full time, I probably won't have much time to finish it soon. It's getting close though so I thought I'd post it. Without further ado, my first frigate. HMS BIRCH EDIT: 1st Update EDIT: Final Update All of the deck can be removed to see the gun deck And the helm works! I'm pretty proud of the rope system that I was able to implement that works just like the real steering systems of the time. Clicking on the above picture will take you to the video of it working on my Flickr Thanks for viewing. As always, comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Since this is my first ship of this size and I plan to finish and re-work some parts, I welcome any suggestions.

WOW, I love it! this has go to be the most visually interesting imperial fort I have ever seen. Many of the others are just so much white and yellow or tan but the colors and wonderful architecture of the Seagull Bay really pop. I also love the details you included like the lighthouse and the harbor crane. You have my support #5911. I hope I get to buy this as a set someday.

I like it! The shape reminds me of a fishing boat especially with the mast. Maybe you could add some fishing gear so he can pose as a fisherman to avoid suspicion. Great MOC. I can't wait to see your next one.

Thanks! I've wanted to do this for a long time. It's always bugged me that the only solutions involved gears or some weird levers and I figured that something that low tech had to be possible in Lego.

I'm not quite ready to post the whole MOC but I couldn't resist posting this feature of it. EDIT: It takes you to a video of it working if you click

Nice work Disabella. I saw this on your Flickr, nice digital build! I especially like how the rudder is integrated into the keel. Not many have achieved this that I've seen. Not sure if you're using LDD or Studio or something else, but I really recommend downloading Studio from Bricklink if you haven't. You can open your LDD models in it and upload directly to a Bricklink wanted list. Also, if you link your Bricklink, you can check the average prices of your pieces as you build to avoid especially costly pieces before they become integral to your design. Can't wait to see the final model.

Wow! That's amazing. You've excellently captured the essence of Fabuland while elevating it to a whole new level. I especially like all the wonderful textures you used on the roofs and paths. The greenery is great too.

I wish Lego would put the effort the put into all these extra non-Lego products into just making the road baseplates in individual packs (instead of packing the most sought after with the least useful road patterns). I can see that the road tape might be good for kids making a city on a budget but I can see no use whatsoever for the narrow repetitive water tape.

Love it! I don't know if I could take a sharpie to my bricks, but I absolutely love the effect you achieved. It looks like it belongs in the Lego world.

Thank you, such compliments, more MOCs are certainly coming. A stupendous... man, you might say? The parts for this cost me about 15-20 USD on Bricklink. The most expensive part was the hair and I'm still trying to source this part for Spiff's Zorcher. Thank you! That is high praise. Calvin and Hobbes was definitely very important to me as well.

Oh no! Space Man Spiff is hurtling towards the surface of an unknown alien world. He's going to scratch the new paint job! I've been on a Calvin and Hobbes kick recently and just couldn't resist recreating Calvin's most iconic fantasy I just love the idea of cruising through space in a shiny hot rod red spaceship. Click if you're interested in the construction of the craft Thanks for looking. As always, constructive feedback is welcome.