Model: Arboretum

This is a model I built a little while back, and recently dismantled. I was inspired by a purchase of a large number of plant pieces at the Lego store, so I decided to build an arboretum with the plants.

As you can see from the picture, I also incorporated small buildings and shelters into the model. The blue roof in the lower left is a shelter with a small bench, just big enough for two. I surrounded it with several trees for some privacy. ;)

This arch is the main entrance to the arboretum. It is large enough for several minifigures to fit underneath at once, and provided a focal point for the entrance. It also looks sort of Japanese to me, giving the garden a Japanese feel. That map lying on the ground came from a Lego Pirate set from a long time ago.

This structure provides shelter for the small sculpture (the white disks stacked on top of each other) standing within. It also helps to give the garden a Japanese feeling. It also looks kind of like a bus shelter. Maybe, in a future model, that's what it will become. In the foreground, you can see the fence of red arches that surrounds the entire garden. While low, the fence also generates a powerful forcefield that repels vandals, burglars, and anyone who didn't pay the entrance fee. :)

Well, that's my latest model for now. I hope you enjoyed it. Maybe later, I'll post some more photos of the administration building, but for now, I have to run. Later!

Robot: Beach Buggy

Among other things I do with Legos, I build robots using various kits from the Lego Mindstorms line. I built this robot back in 2003, when I was 17.

This robot was built for travel on the sand and rocks of a beach. It traveled slow, but it did move. I should note that this wasn't a robot, persay - I controlled it using a remote control. However, it did have the capability to be autonomous, if I had equipped with a couple more sensors and a more complex program.

 

I designed the Beach Buggy (BB) for high ground clearance, so it could more easily move over the terrain.For this, I wrapped Lego caterpillar treads around the biggest wheels Lego makes. Surprise surprise, they were a perfect fit. Then, the wheels are connected to an independent suspension system, so they can move up and down when traveling over rocks and such.

 Given the nature of the suspension, I couldn't build a real steering system, so I used skid-steering: the wheels on one side of the BB turned the opposite direction than the wheels on the other side. It was crude, but it worked.

Being that the BB was made to travel on rough terrain, it needed a lot of torque; not only because of the terrain, but the robot itself weighed quite a bit! I only had enough motor ports to use two motors; one for each side of wheels. I geared down the motors to a ratio of 1:75; for each turn of the wheel, the shaft of the motor turned 75 times. This gave a slow moving, but moving, robot.

Field Test

I brought this robot along to the house of a friend who lives across the street - literally - from a beach. I turned it on, ran the program, and set it loose. It performed very well, driving up and over small rocks and twigs on the beach. The motors were also set up high enough that interference from sand and other debris was minimal. I can't remember, but I might have sealed the gears inside housings, too.

That was the first and last time I have built a robot designed for outdoor travel. The world is a big complicated place, especially for a robot. However, if I can get my hands on some of the new Mindstorms NXT sensors, that might change. One day, I may build robots that venture outside once again.

Blog remodel in progress!

Well, it turns out that I couldn't keep up with the demands of doing a post-a-day blog, unfortunately. so, I'm changing the focus of this blog more to Legos in general. I'll try and post news, photos of some of my models, set reviews, and things like that. Occasionally, I'll try and do a detailed piece of the day, as well, like I was doing. I also changed the name of the blog to something more reflecting its scope. Welcome to the new Lego Pieces Blog. :)

Caterpillar Tracks & Track Hub

---Today's Piece---

Name: Caterpillar Tracks and Track Hub

Size: varies

Color(s): varies



I was going to do these pieces as two seperate blog entries, but then I decided to combine them, since they're related.

Here we have a caterpillar track (colored black), and two hubs used for it (colored yellow). The track fits around the hubs, which are shaped to grip the track.

Here' s a close-up of one of the hubs. Notice the small bumps around the outside edges. These bumps push bumps in the inside of the track, moving the track when the hubs turn. One can also insert an axle inside the center of the hub, and use that to propel the tracks.

This is the outside of the track. The bumps help the track to grip whatever surface it is moving on, be it smooth or rough. I frequently build my robots with two tracks like this for movement, for several reasons:

• Easy to use for steering; just stop one track, or run them in opposite directions.


• Simple to build; usually only one simple gear mechanism is needed between the motor and the axle the tracks are on.


• When both motors are run the same direction, the robot usually moves in a straight or almost straight line without any correction needed.


• One motor for each track leaves a motor port spare. Since the Lego microcomputers only have three motor ports, this is a good thing.
  
  

Aquazone Propeller & Housing

---Today's Brick--

Name: Official Lego name unknown; I call it the Aquazone Propeller & Housing

Size: 5 long, 5 wide, 5 high

Color(s): Yellow, trans. orange

I acquired two copies of this piece from one of my favorite Lego sets, the 6175 Crystal Explorer Sub. Since I got it, I've used it in a few other submarine models; it's kind of specialized, so I can't think of what else to use it for. :)

 

Here's a rear view of the piece, showing the propeller. 

Extension Arm

---Today's Lego---

Name: Extension Arm

Size: 2 wide, 1 tall, 19 to 32 long

Color(s): Red & black

This is an interesting piece. It can be used as a crane arm, thanks to a little slot for string at the extension end. It can also be used as a claw arm, thanks to studs at the same end for adding the claw. I actually have two of these unique pieces, one from a tow truck and the other from an old space set. Interestingly enough, I don't think I've used them in any models since the ones they came as part of.

Here's the arm in full extension. As you can see, it was too big for my little photography stage. That blue/green patch in the upper right corner is part of my curtains, if you were wondering.

Here's the underside of the arm, with a partial extension. You can see how the black part fits into the red part. While, in both the models I got with these pieces, the black part extended while the red part remained stationary, it's possible to do it the other way around, too. Not sure why anyone would, but it's possible.

Wall 6 x 8 w/ Door

---Today's Lego---

Name: Wall 6 x 8 w/ Door

Size: 8 wide, 6 high, 3 thick

Color(s): black, brown

This piece came from a samurai theme Lego released back in 1998 or so. I bought a couple of the sets from a garage sale several years ago. This piece is interesting because it looks like a regular wall, but it actually hides a secret door:

That's right, the brown section revolves. A platform on either side has just enough space to hide a minifigure, waiting to jump out and attack:

Hmm.. he doesn't look very threatening, does he? Maybe I should've used a skeleton instead. :)

Wall 3 x 3 corner

---Today's Piece---

Name: Wall 3 x 3 corner

Size: 3 wide x 3 deep 3 x 7 tall

Color(s): White, yellow

Another wall piece from one of the best Lego sets I have, the Eldorado Fortress. This is a good piece to use in buildings, although it only works well in corners because of its shape. If you put two of them togther, you have a nice little space:

Just the right size to fit a Lego minifigure, as you can see. In the Eldorado Fortress, two pieces were used like this to make a sort of throne for the fortress commander.

 

Here's an outside view of the two pieces. Notice the brick patterns on the yellow piece. That white piece is really dirty; maybe I should wash it sometime.

Wall 7 x 6 Log

---Today's Lego---

Name: Wall 7 x 6 Log

Size: 7 high x 6 wide

Color(s): Brown

This piece was introduced with Lego's Wild West theme back in 1996 or so. Several years ago, I managed to get around $90 of Lego Wild West sets at a garage sale for only - get this - $5! As a result, I have several of these pieces which I use in some of my models. Log cabins, for example, or other wooden buildings.

 

Here's another picture, just of the inside. Looking at this picture, I realize how dusty that piece is.

Wall 7 x 5

---Today's Brick---

Name: Wall 7 x 5

Size: 5 wide, 7 tall, 1 thick

Color: White w/ Red Brick pattern

This piece was used in the very first large Lego set I ever got, the Eldorado Fortress. It was Christmas day, and I was so excited to get it, I couldn't put it together. So, my mom ended up putting it together for me. I think that was the first and last Lego set she built. As time went by, I accumulated different colored wall pieces:

The black and gray pieces came from a castle set, although I couldn't tel you which one.

Here's a picture of the inside. Notice the little row of studs sticking out at the top. This mad it possible to add roofing to the piece, and still have the roof be flush with the top.

Unknown Bionicle Piece Redux

---Today's Brick---

Name: Unknown

Size: 7 1/2 long x 5 wide x 4 tall

Color(s): Transparent white, trans. blue

Yep, the last piece from the Bionicle theme, at least for now. Today's piece is another one from the Bohrok sets. This piece served as the head covering/exoskeleton for a Bohrok set. The above picture is a head-on view. this piece was also designed to flip upwards when the Bohrok model was hit in a specific "weak point," thus disabling it.

A view of the underside. That blue part sticking out has connector holes for attaching the piece to the rest of the model.

Bionicle Something.

---Today's Brick---

Name: Unknown

Size:7 1/2 long x 2 wide x 4 tall

Color(s): Blue

Another speciality piece from the Bionicle theme. This piece made up the body of a Bionicle "villian" called the Bohrok. There were 6 Bohrok, and they acted to stop the heros. The heros subsequently reached a new level of power and destroyed them, etc. You know the story; it's the same old cliched one you've read a thousand times.

Bionicle Chestpiece

---Today's Brick---

Name: Bionicle Chestpiece

Size: 7 tall x 7 wide(at widest point) x 2 thick at thickest point

Color(s): Variable

Another specialty piece, this time from the Bionicle theme again. This piece made up most of the body of a Bionicle character, although I forget which one.

Another view of the piece. This particular piece was difficult to photograph for some reason.

An inside view, showing the connector holes that are used to attach other pieces to this one.

R2-D2's Head

---Today's Brick---

Name: Unknown

Size: Each is 7 tall x 6 wide x 6 deep

Color(s) blue, gray, red

Ok, now these are specialty pieces if there ever were ones. These two pieces came in a 1999 Lego set called the Droid Developer's Kit, and were used for the main model of the set, which was R2-D2 from Star Wars.

Here are the two pieces joined together to make R2-D2's head.

Bionicle Disk Arm

---Today's Brick---

Name: Bionicle Disk Arm

Size: 9 long x 6 wide x 1 1/2 thick

Color(s): Gray

While this arm wasn't introduced with the Throwbot sets, it is still compatible with Throwbot disks, as you can see:

This arm actually came a few years after the Throwbots, as part of Lego's Bionicle theme.

Finally, a hello to my sister, who is turning 24 years old today. :)

Throwbot/Slizer Disk

---Today's Brick---

Name: Throwbot/Slizer disk

Size: 5 diameter, 1 thick

Color(s): Several

Back in the late 1990's, Lego introduced a theme called Throwbots in the US, and Slizer in Europe. This theme focused on the adventures of various disk-slinging robots. Each robot had different colored disks that they flung, using a special type of arm.

Although six sets were introduced originally, there ended up being around a dozen Throwbot/Slizer sets when the theme was discontinued around 2000/2001.

Tomorrow, I'll look at one of the arms you can shoot these disks with.

Door w/ 4 Windows

---Today's Brick---
Name: Door w/ 4 Windows
Size: 4 wide x 5 high x 1 deep
Color(s) several
This type door has been a part of my brick inventory for a long as I can remember. I originally got a yellow one with my very first Lego set, when was seven years old. I still have it around here somewhere, too.

A view from the inside. This type of door, along with most Lego doors, only opens outward. There are a couple types of door, with different mounts, that can open inwards, outwards, or both. Maybe I'll post one of those in the future.

Technic Spring Launcher

---Today's Brick---
Name: Technic Blunt Shooter
Size: 6 long x 2 wide x 4 high

Continuing from yesterday's BOTD, today I have the launcher used with those pieces. Load one into the launcher, and it looks like so:
The launchers are loaded and ready to fire. Push the black axle sticking out of the top of the launcher, and it will fire the dard - or blunt - about 4 feet, which isn't a bad distance. I built a robot equipped with these once. The robot would wait until someone walked too close, and then fire the darts. They dont' hit with enough force to do damage, but they are still startling. Fun fun.

Technic Launcher Ammo

---Today's Brick---
Name: Unknown
Size: 9 long, 3 diameter head
Color(s): Head black, body varies
This is an odd little piece. I used six of these as feet for a multi-legged robot I built once. Their primary purpose is ammunition for a little spring-loaded launcher that Lego originally made for the Cyber Slam/Competition series of sets. They spend most of their time sitting in a drawer, as I can't find that many uses for them. If you have any ideas, leave a comment.

Fiber Optic Brick

---Today's Brick---
Name: Technic Fiber-Optic Brick
Size: 4 wide, 2 deep, 2 2/3 high
Color(s): gray

This piece can be used to add a little bit of decoration to your models. It doesn't look like much - just an odd brick with 8 little holes and a larger one in the center.

This is a rear view, where we see that only the large hole goes all the way through the piece. Now, if we hook up a Lego battery box to this piece, look what happens:
It glows! That's right, this piece has a light inside it. And if we add a couple more pieces - a motor, an axle through the center hole, and several clear plastic fibers, look at what we get:


A nice decorative light effect. This brick has been used in several Lego system and Technic sets. I got one of my fiber optic bricks from the Interstellar Starfighter, and another from the Fiber Optic Multi Set. I don't use them much anymore, but they're still good pieces.

Sorry about the wait

Sorry for not doing a new brick for so long. :( I've had finals week going on, so I was busy. Then I had other stuff to do - you know, real life. But, I should be able to get back to making BOTDs this week, if I'm lucky. :)

Large Windscreen

---Today's Brick---
Name: Large Windscreen
Size: 8 wide x 5 deep x 3 high
Color(s): transparent white, trans. blue

I got this piece from a set of Lego's Model Team theme, which isn't around much anymore. It makes a good multi-purpose windshield for cars, boats, planes, and so on.
Here' s an inside view, showing a bit of the depth. This piece also comes in transparent blue, but I didn't dig mine out to take a picture of. Call me lazy. :P

8 x 6 Roof

---Today's Brick---
Name: Slope brick 8 x 6
Size: 8 wide, 6 deep, 1/3 to 1 high
Color(s): several
Yep, just your basic slope brick piece. Good for making roofs with. Also good for vehicle ramps, especially is you use several of them.

Side view. Note the notch on the left side of the piece. That lets you connect it to plates more easily, making for a smooth roofline.


This piece also comes in a mottled gray pattern, although I don't know if it's still available. I got this one from an older Lego set.

You might recognize that shelter from a previous BOTD. I'm showing it here as an example use of the roof piece.

Another Large Rock.

---Today's Brick--
Name: Unknown
Size: 10 wide x 4 deep x 6 high
Color(s) dark gray

Another large rock piece, useful primarily for landscaping and mountain building. Some day, I want to buy a bunch of these off of eBay and build my own Lego mountain range.
An inside view. This piece might even make a better fireplace than the rock piece I featured yesterday, since it has more room inside. You could build a little grill, for barbecuing delicious plastic food.
What happens when you pair the two rock pieces together; they fit perfectly. This configuration was even used in an official Lego set once, although I forget which one.