Eilif

I'm American and Protestant, and I know what advent is. I think most americans know what an advent calendar is, but might not know exactly what advent is. As to the calendar, I'm looking forward to it. I just hope it is available in the US this year, so I don't have to rely on a LEGO shipping snafu like I did for the Castle calendar last year. Based on last years prices and the current price hikes, if it is available in the USA, I suspect it will be in the neighborhood of 25-30 bucks but I'll still get it and the city calendar. My wife and I do the LEGO advent calendars every year, and between the 24 day experience, the neat figs and pieces and the insert tray which is great for sorting, we've never felt that the cost was too high.

Excellent job. Your choice of natural lighting and your excellent camera angles made for a very enjoyable review, and you did a good job of portraying all aspects this excellent set in fewer pictures than many other folks use for much smaller sets. I plan on eventually acquiring this set, and I've seen it in person, but this review is going to make it very hard to wait.

Nice Job with the city. A nice collection of sets with some neat WIP MOCs (It's nice to see the pink hotel in context with the rest of the city) that give it a sense of growth. I don't think the police boat is up to the quality of the rest of your city, but other than that, there's not much to complain about in your very nice table town.

Mega Core Magnetizer and Tecnic Power Crane, both open, but including boxes, instructions, and LEGO brochures. Still not sure if I'm going to keep them both, but if I don't, you all will be among the first to know.

I'm not sure if we are going to see alot of Train Products for sale to the general public in Non-LEGO brand stores. I've spoken to LEGO employees and though Emerald Night is currently in LEGO stores. There are currently no plans to bring the PF train kits even to LEGO Brand to stores, so it will remain (For now) a mail order only product. I suspect that LEGO will have some sort of kid-friendly train product eventually, but if this current trend continues we may see LEGO trains as a more limited range, niche product than ever before. If this is the case, then I suspect that we will not see many trackside structures or stations, but will periodically get a release of a train set or train cars. My best guess will be that we will see a deisel loco next, and possibly some additional cars, with a smaller size steam loco in '10 or '11.

Is Stack-on a brand? at Target you can get Akro Mills brand for about what Ricecracker paid, and at Menards and other home improvement stores they typically have a store brand version that run 12-16 bucks. I have 8 large and 4 medium from the "tool Shop" brand and they cost 12 and 16 dollars each respectively at Menards.

Asside from not putting them in direct sunlight, and keeping them sorted rather than in one big bucket, I do nothing to protect my bricks. After sorting, MOCing, and life in general, I just don't have the energy or inclination to invest in brick-protection.

Nice house. It looks nice in digital, but if built of bricks, I think you would want to add more detailing. However, the simplicity does remind me of an architectural model.

I would never say that "Playmobile rules TLC out", and not just because it's grammatically flawed. However, I loved Playmobile as a kid. Our playmobile is still at my parents house, where I excpect to fetch it when I have children of my own. As has been mentioned, Playmobile is focused around role play more than building, but the assembling of playmobile toys, and creating of castles and other modular buildings was my favorite part of the experience. I don't think that LEGO has outright copied Playmobile, but I agree that LEGO has been taking some cues from Playmobile recently. Mostly, this seems to be in the form of more "everyday" and "civilian" type sets that LEGO used to sell, but had until recently ceased. Sets like MMVIllage, Farm sets, and the new CITY line that includes things like campers and restaurants are examples of the kind of things that have been Playmobile's bread and butter for a long time. I think this is a great direction for TLG, as sets that are more conducive to all aspects of role play and social interaction are likely to bring more girls into LEGO and provide a more balanced play experience for all children as well as giving AFOL's the kind of kits they want.

This really is not fair. Your buildings are already jealousy-inducingly fabulous, but now you add a cool sci-fi edge, and it's unattainably cool. By the way, apparently chicks dig your buildings too. I showed it too my wife, and she was very impressed! Anyone who hasn't checked the brickshelf page, really needs to do so. There's more great detail in this MOC than the few pics above can capture.

This appears to be your problem. I think that investing in a shelf (about 10 bucks at your hardware store) to store your MOC's safely, would be a much better investment than super glue. It's up to you of course, but I would advise against it. My MOCs do quite a bit of traveling, and I've found that it's worth the effort to design sturdy MOCs. For those with fragile parts, they either get special packing, or I remove the fiddly bits before transit. If you absolutely must glue, I would recomend only gluing the fiddly bits, and using a washable white glue like "Elmers School Glue" If your entire MOC is fiddly, then it's time for a redesign, or the above mentioned shelf.

I voted for nostalgia. I think classic town is absolutely charming, but I know that warm fuzzy feeling is just nostalgia peeing on my leg. The simplicity of design would be a close second, but the simplicity is more a function of effective set design conducted within stringent cost controls. I think that if Classic Town Sets were complicated and detailed, we would look back at them with just as much fondness as we look back at the simple lines of the Classic Town that actually exists. My question would be why classic town and not earlier LEGO town'ish sets? I think that that has to do with the appearance of Minifigs, which revolutionized LEGO, and the relative affordability of Classic Town sets. They aren't cheap, but they are cheap enough that most anyone can collect Classic town, and the more people collect it, the more people get interested, and the critical mass of collector interest helps keep classic town at the forefront of our collective minds and nostalgias.

Nice Job. The figure on the bed really does look sick or high! Very well executed, with some nice contrasts and good choice of repeating themes (black stripes, profile bricks, etc). The window frames are particularly nice against the yellow. My one suggestion for improvement would be to improve the garage door. The studs out approach for the door and the ground in front of the door doesn't work visually, and it has more of a security door look than a garage door. I would suggest continuing the yellow and black stripes across the top of the door and then build the door with 1x6 tiles facing out, or even using alternating colors of bricks if you don't have 1x6 tiles.

Like in Bass playing, or Rock Climbing, I consider calluses to be badges of dedication. Treasure them.

Nice Job. This is one of those great MOCs that at first glance doesn't look like LEGO, and the full functionality of it is very impressive.

Here's my collection: and Each shelf can hold 112 minifigs, for a total of 896. If I added all the figs that are boxed up with my Brickington Island, the shelves would likely be over their limit. Add to that figs on MOCs, displayed sets and a few stored sets, and the figs I could build from my minifig parts bin, and I'm probably right about 1000. I'm actually curious to know the actual number now. I'll have to remember to count the figs next time I assemble Brickington Island.

Interesting discussion here. If I may address a couple of points. Attention getting: I've worked with kids a bit, and I have no problem understanding why they would take credit for work that is not their own. Kids like attention, deserved or not, positive or not. Its similar to the class clown who knows that he will be punished, but is willing to act out to get attention (even negative attention). These kids get undeserved attention and positive things written about them and it feels good to them, even if they didn't make the MOC. Being Flattered? As for being flattered that a kid would steal your picture. Sorry, but that's baloney. This is not imitation, this is stealing. If that kid was a guest in your house and stole one of your MOCs, you wouldn't be flattered, you'd take the MOC back, give the kid 30 minutes in the corner, and then tell his parents, who (if they are responsible) would do the same thing, hopefully with the addition of a spanking. And here's the most important part, it's in the kid's best interest. The sooner kids learn to be honest, the better, if they get away with it on the internet, it will appear in their "real" life. better for them to get a chastisement and some scorn now, rather than letting it develop into a lifetime habit. Ralph, Excellent summation of the legal side of the problem. I hadn't thought of it in terms of a commercial site hosting unauthorized third part info, but you're absolutely right. A "report" button with an attached form and place for a link to the original would be a great way to handle this situation.

While it may take some time for LEGO to take action, perhaps the rightful owners of these MOCS could create a universe account and post the fact that these are frauds in the comments areas. A simple note of who the original builder is, and a link to where the original can be found should be enough to prove that the Universe version is stolen. It's already been done in the Iron Man case, and if such comments were to appear often enough, it might discourage others from doing so.

All right, everyone, thanks for your helpful suggestions and constructive criticisms. Here's the final version. Sorry about the yellowed pics. I didn't have anymore daylight to photograph in. Here's the front. I'm definitely glad I went with the consensus and opted for brick-built features rather than the printed bricks I had chosen before. I decided to keep the gray stripe and the bumper. Here's a profile. I added a gas cap, and while I didn't enlarge it much, I thought about what was said about making it bigger, and made it the cab one plate taller and added a vent to the top. That, along with the new grate, does make it look bigger, and it's well worth it I think. Also, even though most retainers on glass trucks are vertical, I still think the new horizontal window retainers look much more realistic than the earlier rubber band version. Thanks Athos. Here's the back. I went to all yellow, and added the stay back sign. Since these pictures were taken, I replaced the 1x1 plates at the ends of the crossbeams (16 in all) with 1x1 round plates. It really makes them look less bulky. Opening it up, here are the new interior window racks rather than rubber bands Turning it on end you can see how using the 5 stud 1x1 bricks leaves studs poking out that help to keep the windows in place. Also, the rubber bands on the back of the main racks provide just enough pressure to hold the windows in place. I'm still going to make a couple kei trucks, but I'll make a separate topic for them later. Thanks again for all your input.

Nice Job, I'm not sure how I missed it the first time around, but your completed version looks great. The side access and loading scene is well thought out, and your interior is great. Even though the SNOT roof is very well executed, I think it would be good to leave the roof off when you display it.

At 4 wide, I don't see the truck getting much larger. However, you did just give me an idea for using the front piece for an even smaller model of a "kei" truck like that suzuki. At the time I couldn't think of anythingbetter, but I just had a brainstorm. Check back later this evening... Thanks. If it makes you feel better you can measure it as 6.5 wide based on the rack edges.

I usually try to repair or reuse old figs. -Nearly worn off faces get brasoed and I use the plain yellow "heads" for banisters or other architectural elements. -Arms cracked at the hand attachments (quite common for old used figs), get hands glued into place. -bitemarked figs are smoothed out when possible with an exacto knife and a file. -etc, etc. Obviously, these figs aren't of value to anyone else, but they look just fine in layouts and displays. Even after all that I still have a mini-ziplock of unsalvagable minifig parts. I just can't bring myself to throw out LEGO.

I think you all may be right about the front printed brick not working. Perhaps it would help if I showed the vehicle that I based it on, a Mitsubishi FUSO truck. Looking at the picture again, perhaps the windshield could be replaced with a pair of 1x2x2 trans-clear panels as well...

NIce job incorporating real-world details into a MOC of your own design. The interior is quite nice, and the offset window on the rear looks great, and gives the impression of a door. My only comment for improvement would be that the sides and roof are a bit plain and need some detailing. Obvoiusly you don't want too add too much detail, but a subtle trim line across the sides (light grey perhaps?) or a couple vents, or even a gas cap would add some detail to the sides. On the top, it could be as simple as a pair of 1 wide plates running the lenght of the roof to give the impression of a roof rack.

V-LC-03E Skip to page 2 for the final verison Here's a little something I built yesterday. I saw one on the road, and knew I'd have to build one for Brickington Island. After my logging truck, I thought it would be nice to have more vehicles that would represent other businesses and services on the island, so this fits the bill nicely. Streetside view From the front. I'm not completely satisfied with this yet. I like the printed brick, but it seems a bit small, and perhaps brick built detailing might look better. Suggestions or comments would be much appreciated! Rear view. I may change the black jumper plate to a yellow one. Not sure yet. Open view. Most glass trucks around here seem to have fixed sides, so I don't think this is a "realistic" feature, but I like it for playability and for access to the inner glass racks. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results. This is one of those projects where the old style clip hinges were key. I tried the new varieties of hinges, but they were too bulky to be convincnig on a 4-wide. Also, I had planned to make more 6 wide trucks, but this 4 wide seemed to built it'self, and glass trucks are often pretty small, so it should fit in with Brickingtons 4-wide cars and 6-wide trucks. As I mentioned, I'm definitely open to suggestions as I think there is room for improvement, especially in the front and cab area which look pretty generic.