How to build a LEGO transmission - simple

Sariel is a master designer I have a permanent link to his web page in my Favourite Designers links. When I saw this article on his simple sturdy design, with a good explanation of how and why he built it, I had to feature it for you.

Go to this link for more info:  http://sariel.pl/2010/07/4-speed-compact-linear-gearbox/#more-1525.

ToysRUs voucher - 20% off Friday till Sunday storewide!

The best thing just got better? New red brick separator.

Have you seen the new LEGO WiiMote? With it comes a LEGO brick saperator, like I have never seen before.  See the red thing at the front left?  LEGO brick separators are not usually red, but apparently this is also a new design. More news as I find out more.

Cheaper LEGO at ToysRUs

I am told there is a 3 day special at ToysRUs (Australia)
-  20% off store-wide Friday to Sunday, but ....
I could not see anything to confirm this on their web site. I rang their Chadstone stoe & they confrmed it, but said you need a coupon. They said coupons were emailed out to their VIP customers, but might be picked up in store if you ask at the checkouts/service desk, she said. Alternatively you can ring them and just give your email address & they join you on the spot. I rang the Chadstone store on (03) 9569 8697.

Also, the current ToysRUs catalogue (Oct 6 - Oct 26) on page 10 shows up to 20% off 4 sets:

• LEGO Creator Ferocious Creatures (now $39.99, was $49.99 - save $10)
• LEGO Creator Apple Tree House (now $64.99, was $79.99 - save $15)
• LEGO Creator Sonic Boom (now $74.99, was $99.99 - save $15)
• LEGO Creator Off Road Power (now $119.99, was $139.99 - save $20)

Flickriver - most interesting photos tagged with LEGO

See this "river" of great LEGO MOCs.


Imagine an endless stream of the world's brightest and best LEGO MOCs, dioramas, and ideas delivered to you in not just a stream, but in a river.... flickriver. I got down to pic number 84, with over 634,000 pics still to go if I want to go to the end. All of them good so far, and many are brilliant. Highly recommended!


For LEGO heaven, click on this link:   http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/lego/interesting/

Super Electric Robot Team - lots of ideas! (and Exo-suit from The LEGO Book)

More legoloverman!

To see the original in more detail, click on this link:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38509565@N00/263783978/lightbox/
or the full Flickr photostream at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38509565@N00/263783978/

I just found out he was also included in "The LEGO Book". Bottom right of page 195 is the EXO SUIT. His real name is Peter Reid.

For Exo Suit - click on this link:  http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=exo&w=38509565%40N00

More links to some of the LEGO fan builders in The LEGO Book will be featured in future blogs.

More detail of the Turtle Factory - the Turtle Grabber

Absolutely perfect! Grey colours and mechanical harsh shapes, combined with .... round, yellow and cute!

Go to the link to see even more detail: 

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/38509565@N00/4814603881/

Can you see the ray guns from the Collectible Minifig series 1 Astronaut?
Have you found it in the picture yet?

I must see more of legoloverman's work - sensational!
Ok, a hint for what my next blog is about .... "Super Electric Robot Team".

WOW! - Turtle Factory - see more on Flickr - link below

 The Turtle Factory - by legoloverman - WOW!

See more at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38509565@N00/sets/72157625131097864/with/5065468352/

The progression of

First LEGO League (FLL, FIRST) - home page

Not everyone knows about FLL - it is an alliance between FIRST and the LEGO Group.
Ask at your school if you have one there already.
More info at this link: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/

LEGO BuildIts - lots of free instructions

Free instructions for lots more LEGO building ideas.
Instructions come in PDF format. They can be downloaded and saved if you want. Link is here: http://club.lego.com/en-us/BuildIt/Models.aspx

The LEGO Book & more about Nathan Zhang & charity LEGO

I was talking about Nathan Zhang as an amazing LEGO MOC (My Own Creation) maker and designer. I have posted a link to his "Containment" piece at the top right in the Recommended Builders links of this blog. He is a regular contributor to the Brothers Brick blog, which I have also put a link to. Both are strongly worth visiting.

What I didn't mention earlier is that Nathan's Yamamura Bike was included in The LEGO Book. If you have a copy of the book, have a look at page 192 (he is one of the Fan Builders they highlighted. This piece was also auctioned in the Brothers Brick "Creations for Charity" auction last year. The auction is coming up again soon, and is a rare opportunity to buy pieces from top designers, and help a worthwhile charity that gives toys (new LEGO sets) to children.

Details of the 2010 auction can be seen at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nannanz/5065967369/

The Brothers Brick page says: "Creations for Charity 2010 is here! This is an annual fundraiser where builders donate MOCs to sell and raise money to buy Lego for underprivileged children. This is probably the only occasion where buyers can own the original Lego creations by diverse and talented builders (while funding a good cause too!). Last year we sold 30 creations ranging from custom minifigures to spaceships. We donated almost $3,000 worth of Lego to Toys for Tots!"

You can see the items and prices sold for from last year's auction at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nannanz/4158818639/sizes/o/in/photostream/

New Harry Potter LEGO sets in Target at 20% off - only till Wed

Target Camberwell had lots of HP new LEGO sets in stock yesterday. The new Hogwart's Castle (now about $144 (rrp $180),  so 20% off is a lot cheaper! Set 4736 Freeing Dobby is now $12 (rrp $14.99). Set 4737 Quidditch Match is now $24 (rrp $29.99). Collect the Weasley family minifigs in Set 4840 The Burrow, also on sale at 20% off (rrp $89.99).

Grab them at 20% off while you can! 3 days left.

Also many people ask me if I sell large base plates ayt Camberwell Sunday Market. I usually suggest they get them at Target during these 20% off sales. Large grey plates were in stock late last week, and cost me $12.79 each. Bargain! If you can't find them, ask the staff where they are. Staff there have always been helpful for me.

More DNA and LEGO - Nannan Zhang

I had not seen these 2 DNA-related LEGO MOCs from Nannan Zhang until today.







Nannan is 19 years old and just completed college in St. Louis, Missouri, hoping to become a Medical Student in 2011.
He is also a regular constributor at the Brothers Brick which I have highly recommended before.
His MOCs are amazing.

"Nannan’s ubiquity of presence and prolific building has earned him recognition in contests, other blogs, the BrickJournal magazine, and most recently in a two-page feature in the Official Xbox Magazine, which circulates well over 400,000 copies per issue."

If you want to read more about him, the rest of his bio is on The Brothers Brick from when he was nominated as a LEGO Ambassador, at  http://www.brothers-brick.com/2008/05/20/nomination-bio-nannan-zhang/

Nannan's Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nannanz/

Last Moon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nannanz/4104333076/

Duplo DNA — the Science of Lego Self-Assembly

While many of us have probably used Lego parts to simulate scientific principles of one kind or another, reader Kee Nethery discovered that Duplo bricks will actually behave in strange and scientific ways when put through, of all things, a clothes washer:

Read More http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/10/duplo-dna-the-science-of-lego-self-assembly/#ixzz11laVfhox
Duplo DNA — the Science of Lego Self-Assembly Read More http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/10/duplo-dna-the-science-of-lego-self-assembly/#ixzz11lXsvEWl

Just in to CHEAP LEGO - the PriceWatch - Myer 20% off.

 I'm told it is 20% off for all Toys this Saturday (9th October 2010) at Myer,

Also: their current Toy catalogue has about 20% or more off a range of LEGO, and that ends 10 Oct.
ref: http://catalogues.myer.com.au/portal/dcproductlist?No=15&Nner=15&Ntt=lego&Ntk=Primary

Powerpig’s LEGO Scenes on Gizmodo

And the How-to make it image is also there, further down on the original Gizmodo article at:
   http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/farewell-gallery-of-powerpigs-beautiful-lego-scenes/

Lots more too!

Target sale = 20% off - Thur 07 Oct to 13 Oct

Catalog link: http://target.dynamiccatalogue.com.au/portal/dynamiccatalogue?CatalogueID=12855468304677&pageview=two&gotopage=1



LEGO on cover (50% special sale LEGO item) and page 10 (20% off all LEGO): 

Cheaper LEGO

Apparently, Fountain Gate Kmart has Prince of Persia - The Ostrich Race (set 7570, Ages 6-12, 169 pieces) reduced down to $20. (unverified)

(rrp $29.99, ref: LEGO Shop online - http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=7570&LangId=2057&ShipTo=AU

Individual minifigs and the barcode on the packet for that fig.

Pictures of each series 2 minifig with it's package showing the barcode for that minifig.
Ok if you just want one or two, as the barcodes are big and easy to read. Example below.
   http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=44459

Series 2 minifigs - where are they still in Melbourne?

Report just in: "Toys R Us (TRU) Northland have approximately 6 boxes of the series 2 minifigs. A couple look like they have been rifled through, but they look largely intact. They were $2.99 per fig."


Don't forget to get the barcode list from me, so you don't get duplicates or miss the one you need.


Thanks Michael, via MUGS (Melbourne AFOL group)