mikey

The elavotor mechanism from 7633 Building Site, has the potential. It runs very smoothly, and in its original form does not take up to much space, I think with modification you could shave a brick or two from the back to slim it down.

your water technique = Amazing! Raising the slopes in a random way really adds to the effect, seems to bring it to life, a lot more realistic -(Than having a random assorment of slopes on one level). I am curious to if you have seen this used before on a MOC, and tried to recreate (which you have achieved well), or if you originated it?

Cheers for the encouragement! Absolutly! I can see things going from quite bad to worse for this poor chap!

cheers! I saw that water technnique (but better executed) on here first. I think I might need to stock up on a lot more cheese slopes soon. Just bought myself Shipwreck Hideout and Loot Island... I think Pirates are amazing! Now I have a whole crew of good for nothing sea dogs to round up and inflict my sadistic imagination upon!

75a By looking at the box art you would think a Lego Pirate does not have a care in the world? Today my (only at the moment, but this will soon change!) Lego Pirate expierenced all the downsides to piracy. First captured by the smug Red coat, and put into a horrible prison cell, to await transportation back to England where I am sure the gallows await: The sadistic Red coat admiral had not even provided a bed! On the way back across the atlantic we ran into a storm, the ship was wrecked! Now if the sadistic Red coat admiral goes to buy Pirates Kraken Attackin tonite, I am sure next I will be devoured by some sea monster, but at least I may get some pirate company at last!

I think you got a good deal there! $3 for all those pieces, I bet you had bit of a smile on walking out that shop!

Firstly I have based this entirely on the Roller that was posted here a few months ago, with some very minor alterations of my own. So this isn't 'My Own Creation', more of 'My Own Version Of Somebody Elses!'. 'My Own Modifications' have been choosing better tires I think, and an improvement to the Roller Attachment: Although this is quite a 'blocky' solution, and the original might be better looking, this is really strong: with the ability to stand up to swooshing and well balanced turning. Also we somebody explain to me how to post pictures at a better size?, they are uploaded to Flickr at 800 x 600, but are coming out really small here? cheers

I don't think Lego could produce a set as detailed as you wish for this. But that would be an amazing project to get yourself involved in if you dared! I have seen some really detailed MOC's of operating theatres/ dentist chair etc on here, and there is the excellent 'old grey memorial hospital' recently posted. These would be good places to start if you wanted to DIY, but I think it would be big project, and take a very long time, be very frustrating at times along the way, but you would have great satisfaction when you finished!

Thanks for all you comments, I have the original pics on disk before I resized, so I could add in a few bigger ones of parts etc. What is the maximum size I should resize them to?

I bought my first ever Pirate set today! The Cannon Battle #6239 I always wanted some Pirates when I was a kid, but I always got town + space (which I loved!), but that didn't stop me wanting those unique faces that Lego brought out with the original pirates! So after 20 years, I finally own a Pirate set! Have just realised that the post above me is from someone who had all those sets I wanted from that Lego catalogue! I remember child labour in the 80's as well! they were tough times!

INDEXED This is my first attempt to review a set, and also my first attempt at Lego photography! so expect the worst! (the images are not the best, but I was pleasantly surprised by a few which I think are not to bad?). (I have stolen the template for my review from Kanal-K1) So the disclaimer is over, on to the review: Lego 7638 Price £8.99 (Toys R Us) Pieces 129 1.BEFORE I BOUGHT I have been looking forward to this set from the first pictures I viewed on this site. This truck features doors, which has been my main anticipation really, and I thought that it looks well proportioned and a good design. 2. IMPRESS WHEN UNPACKED This is a cheap set, so it contains two bags and a vehicle base. If you like orange (i do), you will be impressed, but more importantly are those classic orange doors! 3. IMPRESS BY BUILDING I really enjoyed the build, I mean it is over quick, but I think very soothing. The only problem might be tieing the string on the winch, and then forcing the Technic Axle through the winch. But you do not need to be worried about maximising the length of the string by tieing really fiddly knots, because the length you are given far exceeds the amount you would ever need. There are a few stickers to put on if you wish (I don't!). And a minifig with a good torso, but a face that I dislike. You end with these spare pieces 4. IMPRESS WHEN BUILT - APPEARANCE Yes! I think this truck looks perfect! I am not a great fan of the 'standard city wheel' being used on everything from a car to a HGV, but that is the only fault I can find when it comes to this truck. We have classic doors, a nicely shaped front end, and a working winch. For me this is quite near perfection really! There are 2 minor flaws, which need slight modification: Firstly the warning lights, they should not be blue! As the warning lights are mounted on white plates it is you choice to have yellow or orange lights, I think either would look good. Secondly, the seat position may need either raising, or centering. When you seat your minifig to drive, his arm catches the windshield, and he is forced to drive in a uncomfortable position, i hope illustrated in the pic above. I am not sure which is the best way forwards with this, even if I have to center the drivers seat I will still be happy! 5. IMPRESS WHEN BUILT - PLAYABILITY The winch works, and is capable of towing your broken down cars and small vans. The doors open, and it has great 'swoosh' appeal. Some utensils are included which might betray this truck as more involved in 'accident recovery', rather than 'breakdown services': this might explain the blue lights? An Axe and Circular Saw are not tools I would let any minifig near my broken down car with, although the wrench might be acceptable for repairs! You also get two warning cones to guide other motorists away from you. 6. FINAL RESULT I think this is a great set. I paid £8.99 at a Toys R Us, I can see it being more like £7.99 in the supermarkets/ argos / etc. which is even better value really! After 10 to 15 minutes of calming building, you end up with an excellent orange truck equipped with classic doors and a winch! How can anyone not be happy with that? Edited in better size photo:

I think you should use it towards a big set, maybe the farm if you have room for it?

Yes, for a first attempt at a realistic building this is really good. The front stairs are spot on. Maybe you could try to get the roof to overhang by one stud all the way round?

The Truck Stop Set 7642 as already been posted as on sale here in the UK last weekend, but I had a browse in my nearest Toys R Us this evening and they have City Corner 7641, Helicopter Transport on sale, but even better they have this: on sale at £8.99

Whilst I understand that Lego Star Wars has introduced a generation to Lego, and hopefully earned them a substantial profit, and who can look at a Lego Darth Vader and not smile? I appreciate the designs and characters, (i would have luved to be kid and had this type of Lego!). And this all comes down to personal opinions, for every SW fan, you will find a Pirate fan, all equally convinced that their theme is best maybe? To be honest I don't think we could ever choose between themes, the adaptibility of elements is the key point. As long as every element continues to connect across the diverse world of Lego, how can we ever hope to choose between these themes? I wanted to disagree with this view, but now I am seeing every theme as equally valid and creative! But in my heart I see the core value of Lego to be in the unlicensed themes, in which the imagination and creative aspects should be unleashed!

Then they could get married in your chocolate factory!

This looks like a nice little plane, if I saw I think I would buy. The ice cream stand for me is the best part, deffinetly on my list of little builds to do soon! great idea! But I could predict love between our fast food entrepreneurs. A Hot Dog followed by an Ice Cream, it doesn't have to be one or the other! Then they could save a few pennies by bulk ordering red 1 x 1 round bricks... He uses them for Tomatoe Ketchup She uses them for Strawberry Sauce!

I think is really hard to decide! I am a kid of the 80's, so I think the original trilogy was amazing (can't stand the modern ones though). I think if your from the UK your childhood christmases might have been defined by seeing these films every year (as you frantically tried to recreate the films with a limited supply of classic space?) I think Star Wars Lego has maybe given us new colours and elements... But when you see those Lego Pirates, and lines of 18th century infantry lined up. To me unlicensed themes are the heart and soul of Lego. What we have here is imagination, creativity, people can go into fantasy or they can head towards historical accuracy. I'm all for TLC making as much money as possible, so with original themes they don't have to pay out a cut of the profits (which gives them more money to develop new themes and elements, I hope?). Also the technical ability of the MOC's in the pirate forum here is amazing, i've seen massive accurate ships, ports, harbours and lots more. So I think for pure creativity it is Pirates, and I hope Lego keeps making it, and giving the right elements, for all the Pirate fans in the world!

That looks perfect, they are going for like 10p. This is the second element I have been introduced to today! Am going to try these out first, I would prefer a pure Lego solution, over cheating with fishing weights and lead solder! Four of these are going to be on my next BrickLink purchase, which I can see been done tomorrow. Nice one for pointing them out for us.

Plates were my first solution, but 4 plates have no weight in them what so ever

I have no problems yet, although I do think the hinge could be stronger and was surprised by their choice of design for that. Saying that I have 3 so far, and plan to get another one! It was the the Front End Loader and Dump Truck that pushed me back towards Lego, so I may be highly prejudiced towards their nice design and looks really. To be fair they havn't had much 'swoshing' yet, more like being built then put on display, with many smug smiles from me as they multiply! I have only kept up one Front End Loader, the others have been modded (or are in the process of been butchered!). All my dump trucks are siting on the shelf in there yellow glory though, I don't think I could ever take them apart, alongside the Roller (a little over scale maybe and over priced perhaps?). This has turned into bit of rant now, but, I would defend that big yellow truck untill the end!

Yeah this is looking good aswell, maybe the rear mudguard could be a bit lower? Other than that it looks spot on, the angular wind screen and tiled roof are very in keeping with the original, the front winch looks nifty as well. I have checked out the wheels, and they are not what I am looking for really ( but am still gonna BrickLink some to give me some variation ). Looks like i'm still looking for that perfect truck wheel still! anyway nice one for posting those up, you've introduced to a wheel/ tire that i never knew existed!

I think you have hit the point there mate, this "rugged & giant" bulldozer, in fact would explode if you look at it the wrong way, never mind give the threat of a 'stair test'! But those tracks have excellent potential, in addition to loads of other interesting bits (i'm quite happy with the supply of 'yellow tiles with studs on one end' bits, and lots of greble potential provided by fans + turbine pieces). As an out of the box model = 2 or 3 at best! lots of parts, reasonably cheap = 10!

For me that sums up the beauty of LEGO! Seriously I look forward to Truck #1, I am quite intrigued ( and am hoping it might be the solution to my wheel problems!) cheers mate

If you don't mind showing a WIP before you are happy with it! My interest is in better wheels for my trucks really, like I say I quite like the mudguard piece when used well and think better wheels with that piece would look good, so I am very interested in the solution you have used. cheers