Walk, Don't Run Down the Stairs

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As the ABS Builder Challenge starts a new round, entries are slowly starting to pop up. While using the elephant trunk piece in tan, ~ Cab made this neat staircase with a brick built perspective to intrigue you! The only problem is, this person was not taught never to run down the stairs in a hurry. I really want to know what happens... Anyway, this parts usage is very creative, and seems to fit right in very well. Looking forward to featuring more builds from this contest!

Lady Carenina
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Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here. 

Get Hitched With This Here Ol' Wagon

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Creating a covered wagon that's balanced with both details and curvature is no easy task, but builder Sanellukovic made it look pretty easy. Appropriately scaled, textured just enough, and with those little details that just make it look complete, this wagon could be the defining addition to any western scene. Cowboys, what do you think of this model?

Detail Picture "carriage"
Oh no...bandits...
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Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here. 

Start Saving Your Pennies Kids!

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After much anticipation, after much debate, after endless arguing among the fans, it can finally be revealed that the rumors are true...there's a new UCS Millennium Falcon on the way, and it's glorious. Not only is it way more accurate and detailed than the original, it's got two configuration, as it appeared in Empire Strikes Back and The Force Awakens (and The Last Jedi). There's also some limited interior details you can access through removable panels.

At 7541 pieces it's also the largest LEGO set ever produced. So large in fact they've developed special packaging to allow you to actually wheel it out of the LEGO Store like carryon luggage. But you'll have to wait just a bit for it, it's not out until October 1st. And I was serious about the saving the pennies part, it costs a whopping $799US. But hey, the biggest set ever should have the biggest price tag ever right?

Here's some features...

• Includes 4 classic crew minifigures: Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and C-3PO.
• Also includes 3 Episode VII/VIII crew minifigures: Older Han Solo, Rey and Finn.
• Figures include a BB-8 droid, 2 buildable Porgs and a buildable Mynock.
• Exterior features include intricately detailed and removable hull panels, a lowering boarding ramp, concealed blaster cannon, 4-minifigure cockpit with detachable canopy, interchangeable round/rectangular sensor dishes, upper and lower quad laser cannons, and 7 landing legs.
• Main hold features a seating area, Dejarik holographic game, combat remote training helmet, engineering station with turning minifigure seat and a doorway build with passageway decoration.
• Rear compartment features the engine room with hyperdrive and console, 2 doorways, hidden floor compartment, 2 escape pod hatches, engineering console and an access ladder to the gunnery station.
• Gunnery station features a minifigure gunner’s seat and detachable hull panel with fully rotating quad laser cannon. An additional quad laser cannon is also mounted on the underside.
• Also includes an informational fact plaque.
• Features a new cockpit canopy element.
• Classic crew weapons include Han’s blaster pistol and Chewbacca’s stud-firing bowcaster.
• Episode VII/VIII crew weapons include Han’s blaster, Rey’s small silver blaster and Finn’s medium blaster rifle.
• Change out the features and crew characters to switch between classic and Episode VII/VIII versions of the Millennium Falcon!
• Open individual hull panels to access the detailed interior while retaining the overall exterior appearance.
• Slide the panel to reveal the concealed blaster cannon.
• Turn classic Leia’s and Han’s head to reveal their breathing mask decoration.
• Makes the perfect intergalactic toy or flagship display model.
• Measures over 8” (21cm) high, 33” (84cm) long and 22” (56cm) wide.

Zycon VI

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Introducing the Zycon VI, engineered to thrill.

The long-hull proportions express the purity of a cruiser with a clarity of purpose. From the Thermatalonin induction port to active thrust vectoring, airflow under, over and into the body is managed with strategic brilliance. Every element contributes to performance, and conspires to seduce.

The lightspeed, multimode DCT transducer is rear-mounted, to help create the Zycon's ideal 47:53 front/rear balance. A carbon-fiber driveshaft links it to the front-mid-mounted quantum drive. Lightning-quick shifts, a limited-slip differential and torque vectoring precisely deliver power to space.

Radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can help you avoid frontal collisions, and can even initiate braking. ATTENTION ASSIST® can help sense a drowsy pilot. A rearview camera, NAVTRONIC, and available Blind Spot and Space Lane Keeping Assists help smooth your moves from the launch port to the galaxy.

I stole all that from the Mercedes website and swapped a few words, I crack myself up. Nice build Rogue Bantha.

ZyconVI

Things Are Never As Scary When You've Got a Best Friend.

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Adam Dodge brings us these instantly recognizable Brickheadz of cult favorites Calvin and Hobbes. Adam admits to "stretching" the accepted boundaries to make the Hobbes build more proportionately appropriate. Adam is on a roll with this theme, it's one I personally haven't bought into just yet but I'm certainly starting to see the appeal!

Brickheadz - Calvin and Hobbes

Technique Tuesday - Sloped Tile Flooring

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technique_tuesday.jpg

One of the best things about the LEGO community is that we can learn from one another.  Here at BrickNerd, we like to share techniques that we see from builders all around the world. . .

Ulrik Hansen brings us a bit more complex technique, or at least more parts intensive for some builders. This style of sloped tile flooring can be used in many environments, whether it's inside your castle, or even a stone/concrete wheelchair access ramp outside of your town hall. As always with LEGO, the possibilities are endless. Example 1 involves 1x2 hinged bricks, which to me is such an awesome idea. The second image Ulrik provides us with uses connected headlight bricks, and shows another way with cheese slopes. Thankfully, the images are very clear and are easy for many builders to understand what's happening. I have never seen some flooring like this before, at least with these specific parts used to create the effect. Very nice technique, and one we're happy to share with you all!

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Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here. 

The Claaaaaaaaws of Adamantium

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Movie inspired props are always a cool thing to see recreated in LEGO, even if it's the smallest detail or piece of equipment. In 2017, we have seen the sun set on such an iconic hero for several generations -- Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. Though he only had the parts to build one set of blades, Milan Sekiz has revealed his Adamantium Wolverine claws. Man, are these things so cool...and shiny. Obviously these blades would not be supported between the fingers on their own, so Milan came up with an interesting solution, making them into a pair of super scary and sharp brass knuckles, that attach at the wrist. They are instantly recognizable as the Wolverine's claws, but they also could be some sick blades for another warrior. Incredibly cool model!

ABSmentium claw
ABSmentium claw
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Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here. 

"Long Haul"

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So you look at the first picture and you think "cool, a dump truck". It reminds me of my big Tonka when I was a kid, and seems like it would be right at home with other LEGO City sets. Then you get to the second picture and get your mind blown, this baby transforms! Builder Cpt. Brick not only nailed the City look, he nailed the Transformers look. As awesome as it is though, I think my favorite thing about these shots is the minifigs casually enjoying coffee in the shadow of the robot.

Lego City Dump Truck (Long Haul)
Lego City Dump Truck (Long Haul) - Robot mode

LEGO Around the World

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Lasse Vestergard has been a busy guy!  There are 26 countries depicted here, with reliefs, micro monuments, representative minifigs, and of course, flags.  All topped by a pretty serious 62 stud diameter globe.  Scroll through his photostream to see each panel.  They're full of thoughtful details of the country's geography, culture, history, and architecture.  But I wonder, did it take him less than 80 days to complete? 

Things Are Looking.... UP!

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Jonas Kramm has built this wonderful little MOC of Carl Fredricksens flying house from the 2009 PIXAR movie UP! Jonas explains he has a very limited amount of the right colored LEGO bricks so this was his solution - to build at a smaller scale. There's a lot to admire here, the vibrant use of colors, the snot work, the wonderful lattice work on the porch and those cleverly mounted window frames. Another classic from Jonas, it certainly lifted my spirits UP!

Up

Dual Cowl Phaeton Duesenberg

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Builder Bricksonwheels has created a 1:8:5 scale replica of a little known luxury car the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton. I must admit I was not familiar with the car but a quick google images search reinforced my first instincts, this is one of the best LEGO scale models I've ever seen. The tasteful use of chromed pieces really finish off this piece of art. The details on the build really catch the eye. the delicate windscreen wipers, rear view mirror and hood mounted mascot are delightfully ornate, not to mention the clever parts usage of the chromed telephone receivers as door handles.

1935 Duesenberg SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton in LEGO (1:8.5)

Let's take a look beneath the stylish curves of the hood, the builder has paid meticulous attention to recreating the supercharged 419cu (6.8 liter) eight in line engine. This car was capable of a top speed of 205 km/h - quite a feat in 1935!

1935 Duesenberg SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton in LEGO (1:8.5)

If all the above wasn't enough the doors also open, there is a detailed interior and the soft top roof comes down! Head over and take a look you won't regret it!

Iain Heath Has Been Spirited Away

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There can be no other explanation for it. Look at all these pictures, a Friends figure appears in each one, that's evidence enough. Of course, you have to admire the quality of the builds, they're all phenomenal, but that's besides the point. Clearly something has happened to my friend, I fear he may have wandered into an apparently abandoned amusement park and is being forced to build these MOCs in order to free himself. I hope he's done before BrickCon.

Chihiro's Journey: Haku, don't give up!
Chihiro's Journey: Are you going to eat me?
Chihiro's Journey: Could you give me a job?

Who Needs SpaceSHIPS When You Have Medieval Ships?

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With the 5th annual SHIPtember already starting, many people are producing large spaceships at this time. Not James Pegrun, though! Instead, this builder is going a more classic route by building some old, medieval boats in the middle of a battle out at sea. James has done an excellent job at shaping the boats, while still keeping them smooth at the same time (so many brown tiles!). These boats are so excellently built, it will be a shame to see them crash into each other. . .

Under Invasion
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Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here. 

Singer

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A venerable classic household machine build from a venerable classic children's toy, it's a home run of nostalgia right here. Of course you know this is a vintage Singer sewing machine, everybody knows that, it's like the McDonald's arches, it's just...known. Builder EugeneTTs not only nailed the aesthetic of this machine, he built a small collection of the items you always saw with one. A bolt of fabric is all you'd need to start crafting a trendy wearable, costume, or an infinite number of things that need stitched.

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