What happens when you turn a LEGO pirate ship into a Great Ball Contraption? Brian Hickey and his family find out, building a working module and learning a few hard lessons when it joins the GBC loop at BrickCon.
Read MoreWhy is this small, shiny LEGO chrome cup so expensive? And why is it so beloved (and hoarded) by builders of GBC modules? Today, we explore the legend of the chrome cup.
Read MoreTwo teams, one small Technic set, and a whole lot of GBC chaos. See how both groups turned the same LEGO tractor into two wildly different—and surprisingly clever—great ball machine modules in this year’s GBC Set Competition Cup.
Read MoreGreat Ball Contraptions are almost ubiquitous at LEGO conventions. But where did the idea of a GBC loop come from and how was it standardized into the hundreds of amazing machines moving thousands of balls that we know so well today?
Read MoreWhat tools do you need to get started with a LEGO GBC module? Today, we explore the essential materials required to build your own Great Ball Contraption.
Read MoreDo you want to build a LEGO GBC module but don’t know how to get started? Build these five core mechanisms that make balls move and you’ll have your own Great Ball Contraption loop in no time!
Read MoreHave you ever wanted to design your own LEGO GBC module, complete with a story to wow people at conventions? Perhaps instead of creating a new function, focus on the style!
Read MoreHow do you build a LEGO Great Ball Contraption module from start to finish? Peek behind the scenes at the concept development, creation and testing of this soccer module to see if it scores a goal!
Read MoreEver wanted to build a Great Ball Contraption? Here’s how we tackled our family’s first GBC module—from choosing a design to keeping it running at a LEGO convention.
Read MoreCan you build a Great Ball Contraption using only one small LEGO Technic set? We found out by hosting a competition at LEGO World Utrecht and the results were impressive, resulting in some amazing GBC alt-builds.
Read MoreEver wonder how those Great Ball Contraption gizmos worked? Or what they're called? You can count on Ronald Vallenduuk to explain it all, and rest assured, he won't drop the ball...
Read MoreThe LEGO Great Ball Contraption theme and community evolve each year, and this year was no different. Today, we take a look back at the standout GBC modules and layouts of 2023.
Read MoreLEGO has produced lots of balls, so today we will take a close look at the “soccer ball”-sized ones. Where did they get their start and where are they going? To find out, let’s get the ball rolling!
Read MoreThe LEGO Great Ball Contraption theme and community evolve each year, and this year was no different. Today, we take a look back at the standout GBC modules and layouts of 2022.
Read MoreI’ve always been fascinated by great ball contraptions, or GBCs. They’re wonderfully complex design to do a wonderfully useless action tickles my Rube Goldberg fancy. Builder and mechanical evil genius (ok, not so evil) JK Brickworks has crafted his very first GBC, and of course it’s a wonder to behold. Watch the video to see it in action.
Check out this awesome feat of pointless engineering, the six-headed great ball machine. For the uninitiated GBC is a collaborative event at a great many LEGO conventions and exhibits. The idea is to build a machine that accepts LEGO balls (Zamos Spheres, basketballs, etc) on one side and cleverly convey them to the opposite side to deliver to the next module. Why? Because balls, that why!
Thanks to Brandon for the head's up
There are many acronyms, terms and phrases used to describe various LEGO things within the world of AFOLs. But what about all the made-up words we use every day that don’t make it into a standard glossary? Welcome to the AFOL Slang Dictionary.
No bones about it, BrickNerd fans, we’ve got some interesting connections for you today. Will explores the old LEGO skeleton, digs up several curiosities, and resurrects Belville to tickle your funny bone!
Welcome back to some spooky BrickNerd Quick Builds! We have two treats for you today. The theme for our LEGO instructions is Halloween with witches, spiders, crows and a grave!
Did you know there is a LEGO convention held inside a world-renowned glass museum? Let’s step through the looking-glass together and learn what BrickNerd contributors Ted Andes and Daniel Zimmerman found at Empire Brick Con.
Galidor. A retired theme with a cult following, nearly universally hated by all. Just look at it. What part of this makes you think “LEGO?” Today we’ll take a look at the horrors of Galidor.
Shrek’s fairy-tale cast has arrived in LEGO minifigure form, but does everyone get a happily ever after? We take a close look at the movie references, a few puzzling design choices, and some useful parts for Castle builders.
What are the best ways to score cheap LEGO? If you’re willing to go to some effort, hidden LEGO pops up all over the place. In today’s guest article, Molly Patton shares her stories and tips at finding low-priced LEGO.
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In the latest installment of our LEGO SNOT series, we explore how thinking in 2×2×2 cubes takes the guesswork out of sideways building. See how a few simple SNOT cubes can help you line up studs in any direction.