liquidcross

Here's a quick review for ya, folks; the newest BrickMaster exclusive set, an AT-TE Walker! Set Info Set Name: 20009 Mini AT-TE Walker Theme: Star Wars Subtheme: Mini Building Set Released: 2009 Pieces: 94 Price: n/a; BrickMaster exclusive Minifigs: n/a There's no box picture, as this set came in a plastic bag that I wasn't able to photograph without massive glare. :( Manual Random Page Final Model I don't have any building-in-progress shots, as Mini sets go together very quickly and simply. So, here's a few pics of the final product! Not a bad little set, is it? It lacks the printed pieces of the previous mini AT-TE set, but there's no stickers, so I suppose it's a fair trade. Interesting design on the legs, too, though some have complained about the overly large middle feet. Last Words Pros: A nice new design for the Mini AT-TE. Cons: That weird middle foot really puts some people off. (I had no issues with it, however.) Overall: If you're a BrickMaster member, this was a great set to receive. Collectors would do well to snap it up, especially if they can't get their hands on the original one. Links Peeron Brickset BrickLink

Indeed, welcome, Jamie! Unfortunately I missed your Q&A panel at the train show, but I managed to check out the layout; there were Emerald Nights all over the place! I really need one of those now. It's nothing short of stunning.

One's at a slight angle, so he doesn't have a rigid stance; plus, they both lock to the torso to add stability to the entire model. I think so, but it feels a bit thicker and more velvety.

I know I'll be there on Friday. (Just look for the tall guy in the Necrophagist t-shirt.) Anyone else going?

That cop/dog set looks great. I especially love the new SPIII uniforms! I definitely need to pick one of those up, and I don't even collect Space kits anymore!

Could someone edit in a poll for me?

Fantastic review! I need to get this set, and soon...hopefully they'll start appearing on shore shelves. Though all I could think of with all of this "cradle" and "grave" talk was...

The left leg is offset a bit, and connects to the center of the lower torso, rather than the left hip. (You can see this a bit in the front body shots, and in the rear shot showing the arm levers.) It helps the entire model to be a bit more stable. It's not the same stuff used for minifig capes; it's thicker, and has a "velvet" texture on the outside. (The inside has the seams.)

"He's more machine now than man...twisted and evil." What if Darth Vader was completely mechanical, instead of having a few remnants of his organic past? Well, he might look like this kit right here. Released in 2002 as part of the Star Wars Technic line, here's how the ol' Dark Lord of the Sith would appear if he was made out of many pins, beams, and reinforced liftarms. Set Info Set Name: 8010 Darth Vader Theme: Star Wars Subtheme: Technic Released: 2002 Pieces: 400 Price: USD $40.00 / GBP £34.99 Minifigs: n/a Box Front (nabbed from Peeron, since mine didn't have the box) Manual Random Page Parts Man, what a pile! Building in Progress We start out by building the right leg. There's a lot of small Technic axles and liftarms in here! Next up is the left leg, and it should be noted that the hip joints are constructed differently on either side; this becomes important later. I've placed them together here, so you can get an idea of how they'll eventually join up: Now, for the torso! (Sorry that my hand is in the photo; it wouldn't stand up otherwise, due to the codpiece.) This is the only place were stickers were necessary, and the breathing regulator panel in the middle of Vader's chest is sadly an example of STAMP. :( Other than that, the tubes and flex lines add some very cool detail. I love the chain across his chest that's supposed to hold the cape! (Though in the final model, it's just there for decoration; the cape's held on by towballs.) Once we connect the two legs to the torso, a locking pin snaps into place on the back, strengthening the hip joints as well as locking them to the torso. And we get to add the cape! He doesn't look too imposing, though. For that, he needs his hideous visage: While there's been complaints in the past about the red eyes, I think they look great, and add the appropriate amount of menace to the character. Last but not least, the arms. They're mainly built out of axles and angle connectors, with the right arm having a slightly different configuration so Vader can wield his lightsaber. Once we connect them to the body, and add the head... Final Model ...then we've got Vader in all his completed glory! The model stands well over a foot tall, and looks great atop any bookshelf or desk. The only problem is that since there's no baseplate for him to stand on, he could easily topple over if the desk or shelf is jostled. (He's like an action figure without a stand.) Now, for some cheesy "action features"! You can move Vader's arms up and down using two levers on his back: The arms themselves also use rubber bands to allow elbow movement, so you can swing Vader's lightsaber around. Last Words Pros: An imposing-looking model, as would befit a Dark Lord of the Sith. The construction is interesting, and everything holds together quite well. Cons: The shoulder joints might loosen over time, but action features aside, this model's meant for display, not play. Overall: If you're a fan of the Star Wars Technic models, this one's a no-brainer. Even though it's not a playset, and there's no minifigs, it's a very nice statue to add to your collection. Plus, the price seems to be rather low as far as many older LSW sets go; I was able to get it for under $20, so you can't complain there! Links Peeron Brickset BrickLink

Those tiny plants at their feet are the perfect scale! They could be forest ferns or something...

More info: (Source)

Because some of us couldn't get it the first time, or found the massive one waaaayyy too expensive.

It's coming out later this year. (Source)

I love the greebling around the engine area. Looks fantastic! The only recommendation I have is that the white panels in the cockpit stand out a bit much; I think all gray ones would look a bit better.

I'd say it's more city than farm. We've got quite a few farms in my home state, and we're on the east coast! There's nothing "Western" about them at all. ;)

I just bought this set, as S@H had it for $30. (Quite a deal!) I've heard from others who have it that ol' Grievy is rather forward-heavy. Has anyone designed a mod to successfully combat this?

Since almost all of my LSW collection is ships, most of my minifigs are sitting in the pilots' seats. The rest are all arranged on a big green baseplate. I don't have flesh and yellow split up; I keep them organized by character (e.g., all of the clones together, Hans together, etc.)

These pictures are nothing short of stunning. Gotta pick some to use as wallpapers! I hope you've got some more planned...

My turn. Here's a quick MOC I put together this weekend. I used two assassin droid battlepacks, and two clone walker battlepacks. (And an old classic space baseplate, but I needed something to put everything on!) A group of clones is ordered to investigate the remains of a crashed Republic ship...and end up walking right into a droid ambush! The battle is joined! Two clone gunners are fielding experimental flame projectors. Hope they work against droids! This droid has eschewed the use of a gun, and plans to kill his clone victim with a large chunk of wreckage. A few other pics can be found in my Brickshelf gallery. Enjoy!

Déja vu! I just bought four more battlepacks, in lame hopes of finding a chrome Vader (no luck). Now I have ideas for what to do with them!

I ended up buying four more packs. No chrome Vader, but I have a MOC planned that'll include all of the extra figures...

I'm very tempted to buy a few more droid/clone battle packs in order to increase my chances of a chrome Vader. But I've got notoriously bad luck in life, so I'm waffling. :(

Found on Joystiq:

I had been a member of FBTB for many months, and randomly asked if there was another forum somewhere to discuss non-SW Lego, like Town, Classic Space, etc. And thus, someone gave me a link to Eurobricks. :)

Definitely agree. I might have to try to build this one myself!