I can’t count the times that LEGO builders or even the general public see an awesome GBC (Great Ball Contraption) layout at an event and want to make one themselves… but just don’t know how to get started. So today we are going back to the basics, breaking down GBC modules into their core mechanisms to show how to make balls move. We’ll explore some of my favorite and most frequently used mechanisms found in almost any GBC module. These core mechanisms enable a wide range of functionalities for transporting balls upwards, and each can be customized to fit whatever your brain can imagine. Even the most complex modules can be broken down into basic movements and mechanisms. There are certainly more ways of moving balls, but these five are the most common in my experience. Slider-Crank Mechanism Slider crank mechanism by bricksngears While there are several variants of this mechanism,...

Anyone up for a burger and a milkshake? That’s what you’ll surely be asking after studying this fun LEGO diner build by Maxx Davidson. It’s a simple build, but it’s instantly recognizable. And let’s talk about the great parts usage: Wolverine claws for French fries, candles for condiment bottles, and baseball bats for the base of the stools. Enjoy! Just make sure to use the 1×2 tile napkin to clean up after yourself. We don’t bus your tables around here. The post Hungry? Dive into this delightful diner appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Ryan Kunz

When I first saw Eli Willsea‘s epic LEGO diorama “Into Dungeon Depths,” it took my breath away. The epic vertical scale, the mix of colors and form, and the aura of foreboding make this one of the most striking works from one of our favorite builders. The cross section of the burrowing wyrm skeleton is the star attraction; the way its snaking body weaves around stones and intersects with the geometric stairs must have been an incredible building challenge, but the results are magical. Eli does impressive work with the lighting as well, both through the color gradation of bricks as the stairs descend, and through an ominous red glow coming from the dungeon floor. What will the three minifig adventurers find at the end of their descent, I wonder…? “Into Dungeon Depths” is Eli’s entry into the Stairway Stories category of the Summer Joust contest. See why we loved his...

While not all LEGO fans have embraced Bionicle, there’s no denying that for a generation of builders, Bionicle was a gateway to both a world of construction and deep lore. For a recent collaboration between top Bionicle builders in the community, participants re-imagined characters from Bionicle Generation 2 utilizing the latest constraction techniques. We were especially struck by the pair of Ekimu and Makuta, The Mask Makers, as designed by Toni A. Toni cites Dark Souls and H.R. Giger as influences, which might seem an aesthetic jump for Bionicle, but perfectly fits the lore of these bio-machine gods. Ekimu, wearing the Mask of Creation, is the culmination of 3 years of iteration from Toni and the effort shows with some of the most impressive dark fantasy sculpting I’ve ever seen in a character. Makuta, wearing the Mask of Control (inverted), came together quicker and perfectly compliments his brother with a devilish...

The term “shrimp” doesn’t typically evoke an image of a fearsome creature, but what if you combined the obscure and dangerous Peacock Mantis Shrimp with a Dragon? Lego builder, and imaginative creator, Joss Ivanwood, who takes pride in designing and building “dragons, robots, monsters, and more,” has merged the otherworldly mantis shrimp with a dragon. The use of bright colors, combined with what can only be assumed is an expert-level application of LEGO Technic joints, transforms a fish’s nightmare into a vibrant and imaginative reality. The post Dragon meets Mantis Shrimp appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: John Trevino