Everything LEGO thread!

Any tips on making a bow that comes up out of the water along with the keel? I have a long-term project of making the RV Vema:

 

Oh wow, that's a beautiful vessel! Are you planning to do a full-hull or waterline build?

I'm still working on the same general problem; this steamship is the second I've tried with a custom hull. I used repeated structures of plates and long curved slopes attached with nozzles and clips which allow for some angular adjustment to get everything to fit tight against the hull and keel. One of them is highlighted in blue here:


These sections are sequentially offset one plate forward as they go up from the waterline. Offset is shown on the right, one-stud-wide bow stem at left.


Overall, this method allows for a fairly smooth curve from the hull sides to the stem, and physically built is more robust than expected though I wouldn't recommend fiddling with it too much once in place. I've also set all of the sections at the same angle, partly because it works for the profile of this ship but mostly to keep it simple while testing this technique out. I'm sure it can be messed with to create a more complex bow profile as on Vema.


I tried a similar idea for the upper bow on my previous ship, though in varying lengths and angles to make a graduated profile. It looks decent but turned out way too fragile and finicky. The steamship definitely an improvement.


All this is obviously for waterline models. Full-hull will no doubt be more complex and is something I have yet to try. Depending on the size/scale you choose, you may be able to get convincing results with the "classic" Lego hull construction style, such as with these examples:



I hope this helps!

 

This is very helpful, thanks!
I’m thinking that I’ll just have the build end at the waterline. For decades the Vema did geophysical research for Columbia, which included pulling up coring samples from the sea floor. I’m hoping to have the micro figures running around on deck to help extract a core. Or, if they get too bored with seismic and bathymetric data, they can drink cheap booze that the geology grad students smuggled onboard!

 

Should be a fun project! Glad this was helpful, though this is just one approach I've come up with. I'm sure there are other ideas out there or waiting to be thought up

 

You can preorder these now.

 

The probe droid and biker scout look so good. The probe droid looks like it'll blow apart with not much effort--a few wookie bowcaster bolts or a cat's tail should do.

 

My kids are Lego fiends at 9 and 7, my son has all different kits; Star wars, Ninjago, Marvel, Minecraft, Creator, etc..
He's talking about Technics kits, anyone have a good recommendation for getting into it?

 

Welcome to the thread.

This article might be a good place to start..

https://littleonemag.com/best-lego-technic-sets/

 

Awesome, I built my first Technics set when I was about his age and I loved it. That set is one of the few Christmas presents I got that I really remember. The technics sets helped put me on the path to my career in robotics and electronics. I just built one again for the first time in forever (I'm 52 now).

I'd recommend starting off with something like this excavator Heavy-Duty Excavator 42121 | Technic™ | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US or perhaps the Jeep Jeep® Wrangler 42122 | Technic™ | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US

They have some playability after they're built and they won't break the bank. You can see if he likes building them and then go from there.

 

@snapspinner had good suggestions with the Jeep Wrangler and excavator. I'd probably steer more toward the excavator because of its functional digging mechanics. If they enjoy that one and eventually want something bigger/more complex, 42108 Mobile Crane is a fun build with a lot of functions without being too complex or insanely pricey

 

shoot, I want those for myself

 

Yeah, I know that feeling!

More thoughts, looking at the lower end of the price scale. I haven't built or handled either in person, but 42102 Mini CLAAS Xerion and 42116 Skid Steer Loader also look like decent sets. Not nearly as large, functional, or involved, but maybe less pain to the wallet to see if your kids like Technic as much as System.

 

Excavator looks perfect, super sweet.

Thanks gang.

 

Any thoughts, hopes or wishes for May the Fourth this year?

 

droid pre-ordered! whoop!

 

Hey everyone, I am moving in a couple weeks and trying trying to figure out how to move all my assembled Legos. Any recommendations, I would rather not disassemble them.

 

How many are we talking about? Pics?

 

This doesn't look like too bad a prospect. From your pics, most of them should travel fairly well.

If you have them available, I would pack all of the Lego in larger plastic storage containers. Maybe put a rag or something on the bottom to help keep everything in place and from sliding around/crashing into each other while being moved. If it isn't too much, you might try removing the wings from the Tie Fighter and Shuttle which will help them pack into a smaller space. Keep the landing gear folded on the Y-wing and X-wings.

There are small parts that will break off during transit; maybe pick all of the small/loose bits off some of the builds before packing them. Put all of these parts in zip bags, one for each set or a couple sets per bag. The smaller sets, loose minifigs, accessories, etc., could be put into gallon bags to keep everything together.

 

Nice sets. That media cabinet is probably going to be wheeled upright; you could nestle bigger sets in there, enclosing them with oversized ziplock bags that could keep the small characters too. Used stuffed animals as padding. Linens, like pillow cases, are also a viable way to go. Wrap a tie fighter in a pillow case with a bit of masking tape to seal it inti a was, and then place it in a box or your media cabinet or something. Trapping the small bits are key, I would think.