grum64

Very nice

Build Day 6 - Today's building time 3hrs 30mins - Total build time 21hrs Not much to say really other than building today has been problem and frustration free. I think I'm on the homeward straight now, one more session should have it finished which is a shame. It really has been that enjoyable to build. Todays Pics

:laugh: I've got Gandalf, after that I can guarantee in Jake & George's eyes not even a tricked out Mini will impress them The next project's going to be the VW Camper.

Thank you Nick.yes, the VW is a nice set with some really nice details. As for us Brits and our love for Minis, you're right but for me it has to be the original Mini. The BMW one whilst undoubtedly a good car is Mini in name only. In fact, calling it Mini is a contradiction in terms as it gets bigger with every new version.

Yes, it's coming along nicely. It's a really enjoyable build.

Build Day 5 - Today's building time 5hrs 40mins - Total build time - 17hrs 30mins After a few very busy days and no building I'm really pleased to be back at it. I'm pleased also with how the build is coming on. As you can see from the photos, I've made pretty good progress. The only real 'flies in the ointment' today were fitting the two 10x2 plates that form what I guess is the parcel shelf behind the back seat. As the ends of the plates needed fixing onto the end studs of 2x2 and 1x2 Inverted Slopes it was a job to press them down to get them to connect properly without making the sloped bricks dislodge and fall inwards. It took the best part of 55 minutes to fit those 2 pesky plates and then it was more by luck than anything else, but whatever, they were done. Also, fitting the 'claws' that represent either HT leads or the manifold (I can't make my mind up which) were a pain but like the above, they're done. One last thing, I like the 4L Bar being held in place by a black mini figure arm. I don't know about you but I think that's a very clever use of parts. Todays Pics

I'm likely to be faced with this dilemma quite soon. I've a BNISB 5571 Black Cat sitting on a shelf just crying out to be built but do I or don't I. I'd love to build it but I honestly don't know whether I'm brave enough to break that seal. What would you do? What do I do? Decisions. Decisions.

What. What. What.

Yep, you certainly have done it again. It's stunning :thumbup:

Really nice build. I especially like the engine detailing. Good work

This looks GREAT! Makes me want to build mine like this. Well done.

:laugh:

Thank you Bart. I'm happy with progress, it's slow going though. Assuming that by splits you mean the slots in each of the metallic connectors that make up the bumper then yes, I'll be aligning them so they can't be seen.

Thank you Edwin. Yes, the Mini is a really great set, but yes, I think the VW is a step up in terms of it's level of detail. I love the Mini though for sentimental reasons as much for the set itself.

Build Day 4 - Today's building time 2hrs 50mins - Total build time - 11hrs 50mins I'm pleased to say that today was free of low flying parts. Today was also a really good build day being completely frustration free. I can ask no more. Those of you who've built this set and so are familiar with the build stages will notice that the rear wheelarches aren't fixed in place. This is because after fixing them on and knocking them off six times within the space of 30 minutes (due to my 'man(mis)handling' during building) I thought it better to reaffix them nearer the end of the build. You'll also notice that the slots on the metallic connectors making up the bumpers are showing their unsightly selves. I had got them so they didn't show but during the build they turn back into sight so they'll also be sorted out at the end of the build. Today's progress.

Without doubt this is your best work yet

I understand what you mean about not getting hooked on expensive collections but if do you ever get chance to buy this set cheaply I recommend you get it. It's a great build and a good looking model. As for the flying Lego. I think it's best we don't open that debate again

You know you're old when your 5yr old Grandson asks you what dinosaurs sounded like!

Build Day 3 - Today's building time 3hrs 10mins - Total build time 9hrs Building this is turning out to be something of a revelation. I'd never have thought it but I'm really, really enjoying it. It incorporates some interesting building techniques, a few of which I may use if/when I get round to building the Cobra 'in the brick'. There have been frustrations. Fixing the ends on the bumpers resulted in them surrendering their grip on the studs holding them and launching themselves across the shed at a rapid rate of knots. After many mutterings, mostly over 18 in nature, Gilly picked them up whilst laughing hysterically at my airbourne ABS induced mood. She was if course right, there are far more serious things in this world to worry about than flying Lego. Todays progress.

Watching your hamsters interact with your various builds is like watching Tales of the Riverbank all over again

Thank you. You're very kind. I really like the 42853 Like you I'm finding the 10242 to be a fun build. Unlike you I'm in no danger of speed building it I'd like to try adding PF's to the Mini at some stage. I've got loads of sets to get built and once they're done maybe I'll have a go at modding a few of them.

Build Day 2 - Today's building time 2hrs - Total build time 5hrs 50mins Didn't have a great deal of time today so there's not too much in the way of progress. What building I did get done went well with no dramas to speak of. Hopefully I'll get more done over the weekend.

You're not the first today to think that me building with bricks is an April Fool. I've been inundated with texts/emails from disbelieving/sceptical friends and family all thinking they've seen through the joke! A few still won't believe me when I tell them it's not a windup You ask how building with bricks differs from building with Technic. Brace yourself. As is usual with me, this might go on a bit. I find building with bricks far more difficult than Technic. It's one thing holding a pin in your teeth and guiding it towards hole in a liftarm balanced on the back of my hand, it's something entirely different placing a brick, wedged between the ends my middle and forth fingers, onto another and hoping it stays there while I get ready to press it down with the end of a finger or 'whack it down' with the palm or side of my hand (known as a Grum knock in the family ). If the brick hasn't gone onto the other straight, when whacked it shoots off into the distance! Also, often whist building I 'manhandle' the part constructed build to put a part on, or is often the case, to remove a part put in the wrong place, and during that process half the build falls apart! That doesn't happen with Technic. Often. Technic is and always will be my first LEGO love but now brick building has become enjoyable I'll be doing more of it. I've several Model Team sets that are just crying out to built. I hope this makes sense.

:laugh:

I'd like to present my latest WIP, the 10242 Mini Cooper. Before anything else I guess there's the 'elephant in the room' to deal with, namely this forum being entitled Technic, Mindstorms & Model Team and the 10242 is none of those, it's clearly marked Creator. I'm as big a fan of the Model Team theme as the next guy, I have several of the sets, but since it's demise there's been nothing that really fills the gap between Technic and Creator. I've been through the forums and have been reading all the views on what constitutes a Model Team set, what's defines it as such and to be honest I'm more confused than I was before I started. It seems we all have our own interpretation of what features a set should have if it's to come under the banner of Model Team. Some say a Model Team set should have steering, others say it's to be a highly detailed set then there's those that say it should have a reasonable proportion of Technic Parts. Reading on through the threads and there's those that say a Model Team needs to be feature rich, opening doors, boot, engine cover, sun roof etc. OK, it's a given that the 10242 has no steering but it is relatively feature rich, it has opening doors, folding front seats, a bonnet and boot that open, the latter with picnic basket, rug and drinks bottle. Lift up the boot floor and you'll find a space saver spare wheel. After reading through the numerous posts on this subject further I'm still just as confused but even so I'm inclined to think that the 10242 Mini Cooper is the modern embodiment of what a Model Team set should be. Same goes for the 10220 VW Camper. If the strength of feeling is more towards this set failing to meet with what a Model Team set should be may I ask the moderators to move this WIP to that which you feel most appropriate. Build Day 1 - Today's building time 3hrs 50mins - Total build time 3hrs 50mins Brick building isn't my strong point or theme of choice. The last brick builds (beside a few recent builds) I did were those little Police sets a very young Jake asked me to repair for him. That was a good few years ago now and proved to be my introduction to me building Lego now. As soon as I saw the 10242 I wanted it. My dear departed Grampy had a Mini when I was a little boy and everywhere he went in it I was there at his side. I had a 1959 Mini when I was 18 and Gilly has had a couple of Minis over the years so I have great affection for this characterful little car. With that wanting came the thought, it's a brick build - groan. Then there was all those bargain priced Technic sets, and that's where my money went. Earlier this month I had a birthday and Gilly & the family knowing that the 10242 had been listed as Hard to Find bought it for me along with the 10220 VW Camper which, with your blessing, will be my next WIP after this. It's only the first day and it's slow going but what's to say about this build so far. Well, it's brick with a few Technic elements and is actually an enjoyable build, it really is. I've had a bit of practice of brick building recently with a few of the Racers 1/17's so they've put me in good stead to build this. Anyway, as usual I've waffled on for far too long so, without further ado, here's a photo of today's progress.