Tag: lego
Black Panther's Gauntlet
The reception to Black Panther’s Bust (76215) has been… controversial, to say the least. Although I’m not a big fan of the bust itself (specially because of the scale), I really like the gauntlets. Moreover, I think one of them would fit perfectly side-by-side to the Infinity Gauntlet, the Nano Gauntlet, and Wolverine’s Adamantium Claws.
The X-Wing MS5 Robot
In celebration of 2023’s May the 4th, I have created an X-Wing Starfighter using the MINDSTORMS 51515 set, or X-Wing MS5 in short. Not only is this one of the most iconic Star Wars ships, but it also aligns nicely with this year’s release of the X-Wing UCS set. The robot was built using the MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor set 51515 and programmed using Python.
Spider-Man's Ultimate Bridge Battle with New Road Plates
I absolutely love the 76057 set (Spider-Man: Web Warriors Ultimate Bridge Battle). I think it is one of the best LEGO Marvel sets ever made. It has something for everyone: fantastic selection of minifigs, tons of play features, and a very solid, detailed bridge build. However, my least favorite part was the road of the bridge. The black plates made it look a bit too bland and artificial (even for a plastic toy).
On 2021, LEGO released a new type of road plates (set 60304), which are very easy to couple to other builds (in contrast to the previous versions). As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to try incorporating them into the original bridge. I must say I am very happy with the results!
The AT-AT MS5 Robot
For this year’s May the 4th, I wanted to create something special. This is what I came up with: an All Terrain Armored Transport using the MINDSTORMS 51515 set, or AT-AT MS5 in short. There was a motorized AT-AT build in the Dark Side Developer Kit (9754). However, since it was released on 2000, I feel it was in urgent need of an update. What better than using the MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor set 51515. The robot was programmed using Python.
Super Leviathan
Unfortunately, LEGO’s Avengers sets haven’t always been on par with their corresponding MCU counterparts. Particularly, I think it sucks that it was only until 2019 that we got a build of a Leviathan… from a movie that was released on 2012. Not only that, but I think that the build looks very small, almost like of a baby Leviathan.
Therefore, I decided to take matters on my own hand. Using pieces exclusively from two small Leviathans, I created a Super Leviathan.
The AAT MS5 Robot
In this project, I built an Armored Assault Tank using the MINDSTORMS 51515 set, or AAT MS5 in short. It is inspired by the Battle Droid on STAP of the Droid Developer Kit and the AAT of the Dark Side Developer Kit. Moreover, it is powered by the MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor set 51515 and programmed using Python.
Instructions for the AAT from the Dark Side Developer Kit (9754)
I had a complete blast (re)building the Battle Droid on STAP from the Droid Developer Kit (9748). Thus, the next natural step was to give a model of the Dark Side Developer Kit (9754) the same treatment. The original set came with three different booklets (1, 2, 3) with instructions to build a Droid Starfighter, a Destroyer Droid (aka Droideka), and an AT-AT. However, in contrast to the Droid Developer Kit, this set didn’t have a CD. Instead, the booklets had pictures of the alternative builds. Among these, you could find the Armored Assault Tank (or AAT for short).
Instructions for Battle Droid on STAP from the Droid Developer Kit (9748)
As a teenager (and even during my years at college), I had a blast playing with the LEGO Mindstorms sets. One of them ones was the Droid Developer Kit (9748). Basically, it allowed you to build Star Wars droids and put them in action using the included Micro Scout (which included a motor, a light sensor, and seven built-in programs). I still have my original kit and with the Star Wars fever caused by The Mandalorian (and all the announced shows coming in the near future), I thought this Christmas break was the perfect occasion to jump back into this set.
Adding LDraw Models to Bricklink Studio
Recently, I started getting into LEGO again. More interestingly, I started experimenting with Bricklink Studio (or Studio, in short), a great CAD tool for creating your own (virtual) models brick by brick. One of its best features is the wide variety of parts at your disposal. However, every now and then you can come across a part or two that aren’t registered in Studio’s catalogue, but that exist already as a model. This is especially true if you are using parts from very old sets. Fortunately, there is a way to add them and make them available for your creations.