Questions tagged [building]

Interested in building techniques? Then this is the tag for you.

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3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Has anyone else had problems with the tail rotor drive shaft on the Lego Airbus Model 42145?

I am partway through this build and at step 565. I have found the drive mechanism to be very tight and have tried to loosen the drive elements as much as possible. I have found what I think is a ...
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why doesn't this Technic bar fit?

Why doesn't this yellow Technic bar fit?
11 votes
1 answer
526 views

Plate perpendicular to bottom of 2x2 round: is this connection legal?

I've played enough with 2x2 round plates and 1-stud-wide plates to know that it's possible to attach a plate underneath a 2x2 plate and perpendicular to it, like so: The same connection is possible ...
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

I am building the LEGO 42131 D11 dozer and some of the parts are moving in reverse when testing

I am building the D11 dozer and some of the tests like 2 and 4 are moving the parts in the opposite direction that they are supposed to be going. I took apart the entire build and rebuilt it and the ...
9 votes
1 answer
374 views

5x3 Half Round Problem

How can I hide on top of this with tile pieces? To make it like this: Edit: Thank @jncraton for the solution Before answering I made it like this: But now it looks way better and it will be more ...
4 votes
1 answer
112 views

Getting started creating LEGO kinetic sculptures

I’m brand new here and fairly new to LEGO. I’m an adult artist who wants to make LEGO-based kinetic sculptures. Can anyone point me in the right direction? My experience is very limited — as a child ...
3 votes
0 answers
154 views

Building technique for modelling Thomas the Tank Engine faces

I'm building Thomas the Tank Engine trains, and I'm looking for techniques to build realistic faces. I'd like the trains be able to run on standard LEGO rails, so I'm targeting 8-wide engines. This ...
0 votes
1 answer
175 views

Has anyone had problems fitting the stalactites and stalagmites in the 76252 Lego Batcave?

I have got to stage 403 and, whilst I have had problems fitting the pieces together previously, at this stage I simply cannot get the stalactites or stalagmites to fit into the studs - they seem to ...
4 votes
1 answer
231 views

Change Mario Yoshi pose

I'm returning to Lego as an adult and struggling with what I thought would be a small project. Please tell me if this is off topic but as it has a hard answer of no or this is how I though it would be ...
7 votes
2 answers
687 views

Converting Nanobocks builds to LEGO

Had anyone attempted and had any success in converting a nanoblocks build to use LEGO bricks? On the horizontal plane, the nanoblocks bricks seem to be half the size of LEGO bricks (4mm x 4mm versus ...
4 votes
1 answer
937 views

Piece in Lego 21327 Typewriter Step 26 can’t be flush as depicted in the illustration

When sliding part #6327028 down the left three rods as depicted in step 26, that piece becomes snug with the gray spacer piece from Step 25, but there’s a gap on the two left rods. The 1x5 black ...
9 votes
3 answers
9k views

Is it possible to create a custom differential if I don't have it as a ready-to-use element?

I have numerous gears, axles and other elements from different Lego Technic sets. I wonder if using them I can make a kind of differential like this? If not, how can I implement similar functionality ...
2 votes
8 answers
2k views

What is the largest number of pieces in a set for LEGO, Nanoblock, or any other brand?

What is the largest number of pieces in a set for LEGO, Nanoblock, or any other brand? I recently bought a 6800-piece LOZ Block set (Chinese Nanoblock knockoff). I was wondering if there are sets in ...
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

Help with Lego Typewriter 21327 - can't get the carriage mechanism working

Two AFOLs here who are stuck on the Lego Typewriter build. We have built large and complex sets before, but this one has us stumped. We have now rebuilt Sections 5-7 twice, but we can't get the ...
10 votes
5 answers
1k views

How to make a regular pentagon from technic bricks

For the purposes of this build, we need a pentagon (figure with 5 sides), that is regular (all sides have equal length), and it needs to be able to be mounted on a build (like a wreath) by a technic-...
17 votes
3 answers
2k views

Technique for connecting a tile vertically next to a brick

I'm trying to create this effect, where a 1x1 half-circle tile seems to 'stick out of' a 2x2 brick at 90 degrees: This is easily achieved with a 1x1 tile with light attachment, as seen here from the ...
8 votes
1 answer
176 views

How is this setup created?

From https://www.newelementary.com/2018/10/lego-35787-tile-modified-2x2-triangular-45-cut.html midpage there is this setup: Can anyone provide more details how the parts are connected? Preferably so ...
3 votes
2 answers
183 views

Salt Lake Temple: window bordering

I'm trying to replicate the stonework above the arched windows on the main side of the Salt lake temple. my current approach is to use a combination of 1x2 SNOT brick to face outward 1x2 jumper plate ...
6 votes
1 answer
586 views

How can I add 1x4 tile stairs to my octagonal gazebo model?

How can I add 1x4 tile steps to the bottom of the front opening in the gazebo model below? The base of the gazebo is a 10x10 octagonal plate (part 89523). I have tried using wedge and round plates ...
3 votes
2 answers
768 views

How can I build a Lego slope of a rough 50 degree angle with preferably legal building techniques?

I am currently building a functional Lego minifigure-scaled escalator that can transition from flat platforms to stairwell. My first iteration for its guiding rail includes a slope of ~39.5 degree ...
-1 votes
4 answers
227 views

Are there any flat plates with beveled or sharp edges?

I'm currently making a functional minifigure-scaled escalator that ideally move like this. Progress has been made on both the stair slope and staircase design (both respectively pictured below), and ...
18 votes
6 answers
36k views

Estimate building time for a given LEGO set

I'd like to be able to estimate better how much time a LEGO set will take me to build. Are there any resources online that indicate average or fastest building times for a given set? I suppose it also ...
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

How does the play experience work in the City Missions sets?

I recently saw one of the LEGO City Missions sets: According to the box, these sets are "built with stories, not instructions". How does this work in practice?
6 votes
1 answer
365 views

Is a huge box of old unsorted Lego and non-Lego pieces with no instructions or boxes of any value?

I have an old big bin of at least 20,000 Lego and Lego-like pieces. I never kept the boxes or the instructions when I was finished building sets and I have Lego pieces from at least 50 different sets, ...
5 votes
1 answer
218 views

Is there a way to keep fragile models together?

My late husband built a number of Lego models that I would love to keep together. However having a 5 and 2 year old around this is proving difficult and parts keep getting knocked off. Is there any ...
5 votes
1 answer
700 views

How do I build my LEGO slope so it connects to the flat top without any notable ridges?

I'm currently building a functional LEGO escalator that is minifigure-scaled and with staircases transitioning from flat platform to stairwell to flat platform. Here's my progress so far: Here's the ...
3 votes
1 answer
651 views

Lego 21327: How do I attach the typewriter segment to the body?

Typewriter build step 312. Red arrows point to two upraised open connectors. What part of the segment snaps into them? If snapped to the rod outside of the two gray mid-rod spacer pieces (step 309), ...
8 votes
2 answers
900 views

How to integrate hardware/embedded button with LEGO?

I have two different buttons (B3F-1000 and 3a250vac switch) which I want to integrate into a LEGO "machine" which I'm powering with an Arduino. Since the rest is integrated into LEGO plates, ...
2 votes
1 answer
262 views

Lego 21323 Grand Piano - After setting up app on page 110 of instruction, the gear is turning anti-clockwise instead of clockwise as shown

After completing all builds till page 108 of the instructions, I installed the app. But when I press play on a song the gear move for a quarter turn anti-clockwise but the picture on page 110 shows ...
3 votes
1 answer
284 views

Salt Lake City Temple: Temple doors

I'm building the lds temple in Salt Lake City in lego. I'd like to represent the temple doors as seen here: My current plan is to use the stockade as the base door: ...and probably put a plate over ...
5 votes
1 answer
189 views

Mistake with hook holder (steering arm with round socket) on Technic Helicopter 42145

I made one small (but costly) mistake in my otherwise very satisfying build for the Airbus helicopter: at step 66, I connected the grey piece "steering arm with ball socket" the wrong way. ...
8 votes
1 answer
145 views

Best method for building large by assembling modules?

I am about halfway in building a 16 foot high tower made of simple bricks. It is basically a hollow skyscraper 6 inches square, with the walls two studs thick. To steady it, it is built around a steel ...
1 vote
1 answer
5k views

Cat D11 LEGO set won't start the calibration process

As soon as I start the calibration process in the app, the gearbox jams. It doesn’t do anything, just clicks and clicks (stripping the gears). Any ideas what the cause might be?
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can one connect two technic pins end-to-end?

Who hasn't tried following some MOC instructions only to discover problems? This TIE Outlander build (free instructions) is neat but has several issues, the biggest of which are steps 44-46. The ...
8 votes
9 answers
48k views

LEGO ideas (with traditional bricks)

I would like to find a large catalog of LEGO designs/ideas that can be built with "traditional" LEGO bricks (both normal and DUPLO). I have found many nice designs in the web, but most of them ...
2 votes
1 answer
139 views

In the Ferrari 42143 build at Stage 85 should the yellow assembly be loose?

I have gone beyond step 85 but the yellow assembly installed then is still loose, not connected to anything and can be pulled out. I want to make sure this is right as I do not want to go much further ...
2 votes
1 answer
180 views

Salt Lake Temple: Downward facing triangles

Another question in my SLC temple series: How can I replicate the downward facing triangles in the stonework of some of the spire/columns. Currently I'm planning on just using cheese slopes but those ...
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Are there any cases of Illegal Building in an official lego build?

I am defining illegal as it is in this answer, specifically the following Studs-on-side bricks cannot have their side stud in the hole of a technic brick Bricks mounted SNOT style onto Ehrling/...
2 votes
1 answer
216 views

Lego D11 ripper cylinder

I'm building the Lego set 42131 D11 bulldozer and my back ripper cylinders (linear actuators) are in the complete up position and it's keeping me from completing the build. How do you get them to go ...
5 votes
2 answers
280 views

Building a window with the tie-fighter round dish

Is there an elegant way to build a round window with the Radial Cockpit Window? I've tried experimenting with vertical clip plates but it just ends up looking odd.
4 votes
0 answers
101 views

Question about "Arch 1 x 2 Inverted" [duplicate]

So, I'm creating round windows for my temple build. My current approach uses 2 1x4 arches (the stubby kind) with one of them upside down and some complicated mechanisms for keeping it in place. ...
14 votes
2 answers
940 views

How to build this flower?

I found this picture of a flower in a book and would like to build it. I'm wondering what's inside the white bloom?
16 votes
3 answers
8k views

How can I build a LEGO marble pump?

All right, here's a tough one for ya'll. How can I built a marble pump out of LEGO bricks? What would the mechanism which pushes the marbles up need to look like? Here's an example in this video: ...
4 votes
2 answers
179 views

Salt Lake City Temple : Spires

I'm trying to plan the tops of the spires for a lego replica of the salt lake city LDS temple. Here's a picture: I figure I can use a technic ball joint for the round parts, or a ski pole for the ...
4 votes
2 answers
235 views

Salt Lake City Temple : side tower windows

I've been challenged to build the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. I've made some progress on the main wall, but the side towers are a bit difficult. Can I get some tips on how to make the dark slit in ...
1 vote
1 answer
107 views

Falcon Shield Attachment

If I want to attach the Falcon shield to a wall, what kind of attachment do I need? I suspect I need a horizontal clip but I'm not sure.
6 votes
1 answer
3k views

Grand piano page 269 of instructions - are the gears suppose to stop after a quarter turn or keep going when reversing directions

The directions show the gears are suppose to move counter clockwise. When I follow the directions on page 268-269, and push the reverse button on the Lego power-up app for the Grand Piano, the gears ...
8 votes
0 answers
121 views

How to effectively attach mirrored stickers to an interior curved surface?

I'm working on 10283, Space Shuttle Discovery and I've reached pack 13 step 282 where I'm assembling the cargo bay doors. These doors have reflective stickers that attach to the insides of the curved ...
14 votes
4 answers
854 views

Train level crossing using 2021 road plates

I'm interested in integrating a train level crossing into a city layout using the new road plates, but I've been struggling to figure out the best way to do this. Here's an example level crossing for ...
14 votes
2 answers
4k views

What are all the different ways that LEGO pieces join together?

Has anyone made a list of all of the different types of connections between LEGO bricks? Obviously there's the stud connection - but there's also the ball and socket joint, the more recent click-...

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