Danorak81

Thank you! I don't unfortunately. It just kinda' happened! I'm not so good with names anyhow. I figured it's more a reconnaissance or support ship than a fighter or something along those lines. A little helper sort of ship. I know what you mean. I look at the original and it's simplicity kind of works. It's had a bit of a 'Pimp My Ride' makeover! I liked the idea of the pod, and over time I'll make a few more with different purposes. I was more impressed with my idea to put the technic half pins into the body of the ship to hold it in place! It's the little things I guess! Thank you. It's a start! I'm my own harshest critic, I'd rather others see my accomplishment than go on about it myself! Funny you should make the F-Zero reference; I'm a bit of a 'retro' gamer/collector too, and F-Zero is in my regular play pile of carts. Must have been a subconscious choice! Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated. I suspect it'll get worked on again in time so you may see it pop up again!

Hi guys, I'm more of a collector than a sit down and make kinda' guy. I have all my sets from my youth built and stored away in the loft (I've photographed them all and are in my Flickr albums in my sig if anyone was interested) so I don't really have any spare Lego thats just for 'playing' with. I'm 34 with a 6 month old who doesn't sleep, so if I get any time it's usually an hour or two here and there in the evening. I've been buying Lego on and off from a local car boot for a couple of years now, plus some little charity shop finds etc. It's always hit and miss, but the parts variation isn't always great. I've amassed quite a few spares now, which I'm currently breaking down into colours, so when I do have a bit of free time I can just take the boxes I want to work with. I was in the loft the other day and I pulled down something I built quite a while ago, but never really got it how I wanted as I didn't have the parts. But now I've built my spares up a bit I've had a go at updating it. Anyway, be gentle! It's certainly not up to the standard of a lot of builds on here, but I've tried to make it look as detailed as I could. There's no inspiration, I just tipped the bricks out and built using what I had. Here's the original version: ...and here's what it's evolved in to: I really like how it's turned out. I wanted to have smaller inverted trans-neon orange dishes inside the rear thrusters, but I didn't have any, so these will do for now. I guess it's more an exploratory ship than anything. I wanted the little pod on the rear to house a mini-satellite but I couldn't squeeze one in. The idea is to be able to build several pods that do different things (i.e. medical pod, prisoner pod, weapons pod etc). And the side elements are still clipped on with Technic Pins, the idea behind this was so that you could take them off and make different attachments, but thats something for further down the line. The idea behind the shape was for it to be a fast ship that was quite slender: I think I've got it right. It's fairly good proportionally, but it's not too deep or wide in any place I don't think: the dimensions suit it. And the minifig wasn't tying it into a particular theme, I just thought it suited the build, more-so with a black visor. Anyway, thats it for now: hope you like it. Dan

Hi guys, Many thanks for the responses. The second tile was more of what I'd had in mind: and there are a couple of UK sellers that have one, one with a small minimum purchase so I think I'll go for that. You weren't lying either, I can't believe how many printed tiles there are! I was determined to just have a quick flick through, but 25 minutes later I decided to put my iPad down and get some sleep!

Hi guys, I have the recent 75094-Tydirium release. It's sitting on a shelf in the lounge and looks really cool. What I'd like to do is have the figures out on display, but not just stood on a length of Lego. I'd like to do similar to the Ghostbuster Ideas set: Thing is, I'd like to have something like the Ghostbusters logo, in the centre. Does anybody know of any specific Star Wars parts (printed or stickered) that could be used like the Ghostbusters Logo? My knowledge of sets isn't in-dpeth enough to know of anything off the top of my head! Any pointers appreciated! Dan

I get more excited over second hand stuff like this than new sets some times. I was a late 80's/early 90's Lego sets kid, so a lot of the things you've turned out so far really peak my interest. I've had two lots like that to this day: one set was £2 from a charity shop, but ended up like this (which was 99% mint condition but missing all instructions [which have since been sourced]): [/url] ...and the second buy cost me a (air) bit more, but I only wanted one set out of it, so cleaned it, sourced instructions and built everything-sold it all, paid for christmas: There was also fair amount of Aquazone stuff in the second lot, but that never sold so it's gone into my loose Lego. Sorry-hijacking here really, but as I said, I love stuff like this because you don't know what you're getting. It's like Christmas! Super jealous! Enjoy!

I can see the pro's and cons. It's the potential knock on, long term effect it has. I have a friend who is self employed, and when money allowed, he'd often double-up the sets that he bought (I'm talking £100+ sets, Star Wars in particular). That way he'd have one for himself and one to sell on. His logic behind this was that most of the expensive sets would go up in value as not many people had the free cash to buy them, so if he ever hit some difficult times or whatever, he knew that he'd have some sealed sets to sell on. He was quite savvy, doing the same with 70's Star Wars figures and sets. Admittedly, you'd need to have quite an inventory to sustain any type of normal life if business was poor, but these were more to 'help out' if times were tighter than normal. He has some extremely valuable sets that I'm sure will serve him well if sold on. Even the opened sets would fair well for him. So, in that sense, I can see the thinking behind it. What I hate, which I have seen within the last few months, is people selling the day after a set is discontinued, sometimes near double the RRP. There were some sets that I wanted but couldn't afford, but now they're even more unattainable because people want ridiculous amounts of money for them. I know thats the way it goes-and I've no issue with collecting to sell, but it's the greed that goes with it. I've been into, and always saved for Lego, all my life. And I've had to save for some expensive sets but thats what I've done. I have a real passion for the product, whereas many people now just buy to make money, driving up the price for people who can't afford a lot-and usually have little to no interest in the product at all. And as mentioned earlier: even second hand Lego. I've seen a massive increase in price for loose, mixed lots on eBay-where it didn't used to be like that. I've no issue with people trying to make money, but Lego is supposed to be a toy-and I know that there are many children now who are missing out on even the more basic lines because the used values are pricing them and their parents out of the market. I know that sounds extreme, but it's a reality!

Hi guys. I don't know if this is an odd request or not. I'm putting together a little additional Christmas present for my brother this year. I've managed to build a Cosmicopter/Particle Ionizer out of my box of spare Lego. I've bought a set of great condition instructions-all the bricks have been cleaned and bagged. I want to box it up for him, but obviously original boxes are as rare as rocking horse poo. I've got a nice thick cardboard box about the size of a DVD case too, just plain. I want to make it like getting the set again like when he was younger! What I'm looking for now is a scan of the original box. I can find images online, but they're either poor quality/photo's etc. I don't need it to be big enough to blow up 10 times the size of my house, but good enough to be a decent quality at about 9"x6". This is the box in question: I want to print it off and stick to the top of the box, just to dress the presentation up a little. I could scan the instruction front page but it's not the same! Can anybody help me out? Or is there a big database of box art/scans hidden on the internet anywhere? Any help appreciated! Dan :)

It is a shame to tell kids it's not to be played with when they come over and see models on display. However, I do have a massive box of used car-boot Lego for them to play with. I'm 34, my partner is 27: she's really understanding and kinda' nurtures that part of me. She is also really good at letting me have it in the lounge on display as long as it's not OTT. I have a Millennium Falcon out, Imperial Shuttle Tydirium, Ecto 1 and LOTR Attack on Weathertop. As the years have gone on, I've made no secret that I love Lego, even the teenage kids at school know-so people tend to be quite respectful about it. I think it's different as an AFOL as the models tend to be more intricate, and not like Lego the way they usually see it. Film themed sets generally generate a lot of interest: I wouldn't have City sets out for example. But a great deal of my friends are also into similar things as me so it's never an issue, and family members have known about my love of Lego since i was about 7 years old, so are accepting and not at all surprised!

I was quite lucky, I managed to pick up two Lego Movie Sets half price: 70817 - Batman & Super Angry Kitty Attack and 70819 - Bad Cop Car Chase. I also managed to sell the remainder of my London 2012 Olympic Minifigures and they paid for half of this....: The 75094 - Imperial Shuttle Tydirium. Loved this build, very heavy and fairly intricate build. I've seen people giving it mixed reviews but I love it. I've wanted one since the original was released in the early 2000's. And last night, I also managed to buy a 2nd and 3rd Ideas Exo-Suit. One is open and was displayed so is like new, the other is sealed. I already have one, but they came up for £40 on a local Facebook selling page, and I've wanted to get a sealed one to keep for a while, and my other half gave me the green light: I think £40 was a good buy! Rey's speeder looks really cool. Be good to see a photo when it's done!

Blimey... Thats some list! Thanks very much! I had no idea it was as comprehensive as that. Best get that printed off and posted somewhere so I can learn them all.. Cheers!

Ah man, the nearest Lego Store with PaB to me is 120 miles away-but that drive is up a notorious stretch of awful roads in the UK called the A12. Therefore, it takes the best part of 2 and a half hours to get to Bluewater. The last time I went there (2007 I think) the PaB wall was pretty disappointing, as was the shop itself in all honesty. I'm gutted really, having spent the last 3 years re-building my childhood sets, I've paid a small fortune on Bricklink for parts: no doubt, for the simpler parts, this would have bee ideal! Next time I'm that way I'll have to pop my head in and see what it's like. Anybody been to the Bluewater Lego store in the UK recently? I want to have a go at cramming: I'm pretty good with Pic 'n' Mix so hopefully some of the skills and techniques are transferrable! :: Edit :: And, am I to assume that the content on the PaB walls changes too?

Hi guys, I have done a search, but may have over-looked the answer so apologies if this has been answered before. Being a recent 'noob' to the site, I've been flying the Lego flag for years on my own and as such, have little to no idea what a lot of the acronyms stand for, or indeed, what they are. Would you guys and gals be good enough to fill me in? Everything you know (I believe theres one for a Lego widow or something??!), from DIY builds to nicknames etc. I want, no, need to be educated! Many thanks :) Dan

Snap! They're the same models I'm after-Stellar Recon always seems to command good money, with or without a box. With regards to the Satellite link up, obtaining the parts for that is pretty easy thankfully! Once my collection of bricks starts to increase (at the moment it looks like a very well organised oversized collection of Lego 'Basic'!) and I can start getting a little more intricate with my details, M:Tron is something I'd like to tackle! Don't hold your breath for anything in the near future though, but I will keep my eyes peeled here!

Hi guys. I've been looking for a Lego forum for a long time: I don't know how I ever missed this! Me: I'm 34 (in a few days), my first baby is on it's way. I graduated with a Degree in Graphic Design in 2005, but currently work in a High School in the pastoral department-so I do a lot of work with the students that may have personal/family problems, or with local council services etc. I am a massive car cleaning addict, always have been: bit of a petrol head, although I own a 'proper' car now that I'm not allowed to modify (so I'm told)! I really like interior design and do all my own decorating etc (it's not a show home I must add, I'm not show off-I just like being creative). Still love Graphic Design, although I just read it now. I love The Designers Republic, and typography in general I'm also really into my motorsports (not F1 though!). I watched all but 4 hours of the 24 hrs of Le Mans this year on the TV. I combine my love of cars with photography and do a lot of motorsports photography. I love my older games consoles too, although I'm not a gamer per-se. All the above can be found in my Flickr account with I'll link to at the end... Anyway: Lego. I got into Lego as a child and loved it. I moved away from City/Town sets around the time M:Tron was released and fell in love with the Space themed sets. Over the last 4 years I've rebuilt all the sets I had when I was younger as I kept all of my instructions. The only things I've had trouble with are the stickered elements (Shell petrol Station was my biggest headache). I found a guy on Facebook via eBay who does repro's though, and although not 100% size perfect, they're more than good enough. All they do is highlight the discolouring of the white Lego. But for me, it kind of adds to the charm, knowing that all the sets I have have been with me since I was about 7 years old. I did inherit my brothers Lego, which did have large quantities missing, instructions too, but other than a handful of charity shop finds in recent years I've managed to replace everything, instructions and all. I collect a few bits and pieces now: I don't obsess over full sets of a particular theme (although I'd have loved all the Lego Movie sets), because as you get older, the size of the sets you wants increases, so naturally the price tag does also. I pick bits and pieces up through the year. What I'd like to do is replace some of the Technic sets and Model Team sets I sold in the early 2000's as I really regret it. I also foolishly sold a tonne of Star Wars Lego around the same time which had some really cool models in. I replaced the Snow Speeder and am looking for the Land Speeder (the 1999 models), but the rest I'll leave as retired sets cost so much money! As a result of re-building my childhood sets, it doesn't leave me a large surplus so custom building isn't something I do a lot of, although I'd buy a lot more off the internet if I had more money. I built a kinda' cool blue/trans neon-green spaceship which is in the Lego Misc folder on my Flickr. It's not 100% finished, but it's finished until I can get the parts I need to finish it off. Anyway: thats me and a very lengthy intro done: well done if you got to the end! Looking forward to my time here! Dan :) My Flickr

I regret selling several sets from my youth in my late teens/early twenties. It was a time when the Lego sets had changed quite a bit for me, and didn't seem like 'Lego' any more. I sold the bits that would command a bit more money and (fortunately) kept all of my childhood Lego. It was mainly Technic I sold initially: I had the Pneumatic Digger/Combine Harvester, the Motorbike with chain and pistons: and the biggest regret: my Model Team Lorry/Helicopter. I carry a bit of guilt for the other two Technic sets as well as my parents never really had a lot of money, and the digger and motorbike were presents (Christmas and Birthday). They went towards funding my car hobby... I also sold, early 2000, all of my Star Wars Lego. Tie Fighter, Darth Vader with light up saber, Snowspeeder, Land Speeder etc etc. Idiot! But at the times, needs must and I didn't think I'd ever get back into Lego like this. I've got the Snow Speeder back (as new), so really pleased with that-I just can't justify the cost of some legacy Star Wars when there's new bits and pieces that I'd like. And now I'm earning 'grown-up' money, the sets I usually want are bigger and more expensive!