Grum's Shed

[grum64]

Good job!

Thank you

[BusterHaus]

Good work, Clive, this went much fast than I expected. I think you'll enjoy building with bricks, although taking them apart may be a different story.

[grum64]

Good work, Clive, this went much fast than I expected. I think you'll enjoy building with bricks, although taking them apart may be a different story.

Thanks Bart.

I also was surprised how quick the build went. I certainly don't set out to get a build done quickly, I like to enjoy the process and if I can, learn from it.

As for the bricks, although I can manage to get them together I have a Sister in Law to take them, and any Technics, apart. Thank you Jen.

30/03 08:30 - Edited to correct my lousy spelling

Edited March 30, 2016 by grum64

[Beard]

I'm neither eloquent or knowledgable enough to write reviews. That I leave to those far more qualified than I to do.

I'm pleased that my often inane ramblings have helped you in your decision to buy this set or not. For what it's worth I think if do you have the chance to buy this set I'd recommend that you do. It's a really good build experience and when built, an impressive showpiece.

As for the photos, I've now taken to using a selfie stick held in my teeth and the model on the floor of my shed. Seems to be working pretty well so far.

Thank you for your very kind comments.

I will probably buy the newer helicopter at some point, which gives me the big rotor blades. After that, I have all the parts, except for the small rotor blades. I'm ok with it, because I won't display them. I will build both helicopters one by one, just because of the building experience. Then take them apart and use the parts for something else.

[Jim]

I will probably buy the newer helicopter at some point, which gives me the big rotor blades. After that, I have all the parts, except for the small rotor blades.

That's easy to solve without spending a lot of money ;-)

http://brickset.com/sets/42020-1/Twin-Rotor-Helicopter

[Beard]

That easy to solve without spending a lot of money ;-)

http://brickset.com/sets/42020-1/Twin-Rotor-Helicopter

Fantastic, I didn't remember that one at all!

[Edwin Korstanje]

Very good to see and hear that you haved a lot off fun building the helicopter .

[grum64]

I will probably buy the newer helicopter at some point, which gives me the big rotor blades...

On the subject of rotor blades.

I'm certain I've got them on the right way round on the 9396 but if that's the case, what's with the all too visable mould marks? Surely they could've been on the underside where they're less likely to be seen.

NOTE: If I've not put the 'blades on the correct way round please ignore the above and I'll consider my wrist smacked!

Very good to see and hear that you haved a lot off fun building the helicopter .

Thank you Edwin.

[JGW3000]

Kids don't care about the mold marks, only us anal types . I placed mine high enough on a shelf that you can't see the marks.

[grum64]

Kids don't care about the mold marks, only us anal types . I placed mine high enough on a shelf that you can't see the marks.

You're absolutely right, it's only me who minds. It's not as if they're small marks, they really stand out. Mine's up on the shelf now so no one will see them.

But I know they're there

Edited March 30, 2016 by grum64

[9v system]

@grum64 planing to do any GBC modules?

[grum64]

@grum64 planing to do any GBC modules?

I enjoy watching GBC's on YouTube etc, but I've not thought about building them.

[grum64]

I'd like to present my latest WIP, the 10242 Mini Cooper.

Before anything else I guess there's the 'elephant in the room' to deal with, namely this forum being entitled Technic, Mindstorms & Model Team and the 10242 is none of those, it's clearly marked Creator.

I'm as big a fan of the Model Team theme as the next guy, I have several of the sets, but since it's demise there's been nothing that really fills the gap between Technic and Creator.

I've been through the forums and have been reading all the views on what constitutes a Model Team set, what's defines it as such and to be honest I'm more confused than I was before I started. It seems we all have our own interpretation of what features a set should have if it's to come under the banner of Model Team.

Some say a Model Team set should have steering, others say it's to be a highly detailed set then there's those that say it should have a reasonable proportion of Technic Parts. Reading on through the threads and there's those that say a Model Team needs to be feature rich, opening doors, boot, engine cover, sun roof etc. OK, it's a given that the 10242 has no steering but it is relatively feature rich, it has opening doors, folding front seats, a bonnet and boot that open, the latter with picnic basket, rug and drinks bottle. Lift up the boot floor and you'll find a space saver spare wheel.

After reading through the numerous posts on this subject further I'm still just as confused but even so I'm inclined to think that the 10242 Mini Cooper is the modern embodiment of what a Model Team set should be. Same goes for the 10220 VW Camper.

If the strength of feeling is more towards this set failing to meet with what a Model Team set should be may I ask the moderators to move this WIP to that which you feel most appropriate.

Build Day 1 - Today's building time 3hrs 50mins - Total build time 3hrs 50mins

Brick building isn't my strong point or theme of choice. The last brick builds (beside a few recent builds) I did were those little Police sets a very young Jake asked me to repair for him. That was a good few years ago now and proved to be my introduction to me building Lego now.

As soon as I saw the 10242 I wanted it. My dear departed Grampy had a Mini when I was a little boy and everywhere he went in it I was there at his side. I had a 1959 Mini when I was 18 and Gilly has had a couple of Minis over the years so I have great affection for this characterful little car.

With that wanting came the thought, it's a brick build - groan. Then there was all those bargain priced Technic sets, and that's where my money went. Earlier this month I had a birthday and Gilly & the family knowing that the 10242 had been listed as Hard to Find bought it for me along with the 10220 VW Camper which, with your blessing, will be my next WIP after this.

It's only the first day and it's slow going but what's to say about this build so far. Well, it's brick with a few Technic elements and is actually an enjoyable build, it really is. I've had a bit of practice of brick building recently with a few of the Racers 1/17's so they've put me in good stead to build this.

Anyway, as usual I've waffled on for far too long so, without further ado, here's a photo of today's progress.

Edited April 1, 2016 by grum64

[RohanBeckett]

I had a very similar feeling a few years ago...

grew up on regular system lego.. got back into Lego a decade ago... pretty much only bought technic sets for years....

and then I went back and got some decent Creator set, and it was a real joy to go back to bricks, after working with pins and liftarms for so long!

[Jim]

I think I have the same feelings. I love the pins, gears and liftarms, but I also love building with "regular" LEGO bricks. And obviously mixing the two styles is great!

[Lego2016Lego]

Ya.

[Dafgek81]

That's why I like the Actros I am building so much, brick cabin, dumpbed and chassis, but lots off Technic along that...

[Jay Psi]

I actually thought this was an April Fool's at first - Grum not building a Technic model surely has to be a windup

If you don't mind expanding on it, I would be interested to know how System building presents different challenges for you compared to Technic. Regardless though I will be eagerly awaiting the next update.

[dr_spock]

The Mini is a fun build. I had an opportunity to speed build it in an AFOL convention contest. Didn't have time to savour it.

You could get creative with that Creator set and add some Technic Power Functions to drive it.

[grum64]

I actually thought this was an April Fool's at first - Grum not building a Technic model surely has to be a windup

If you don't mind expanding on it, I would be interested to know how System building presents different challenges for you compared to Technic. Regardless though I will be eagerly awaiting the next update.

You're not the first today to think that me building with bricks is an April Fool. I've been inundated with texts/emails from disbelieving/sceptical friends and family all thinking they've seen through the joke! A few still won't believe me when I tell them it's not a windup

You ask how building with bricks differs from building with Technic. Brace yourself. As is usual with me, this might go on a bit.

I find building with bricks far more difficult than Technic. It's one thing holding a pin in your teeth and guiding it towards hole in a liftarm balanced on the back of my hand, it's something entirely different placing a brick, wedged between the ends my middle and forth fingers, onto another and hoping it stays there while I get ready to press it down with the end of a finger or 'whack it down' with the palm or side of my hand (known as a Grum knock in the family ). If the brick hasn't gone onto the other straight, when whacked it shoots off into the distance!

Also, often whist building I 'manhandle' the part constructed build to put a part on, or is often the case, to remove a part put in the wrong place, and during that process half the build falls apart! That doesn't happen with Technic. Often.

Technic is and always will be my first LEGO love but now brick building has become enjoyable I'll be doing more of it. I've several Model Team sets that are just crying out to built.

I hope this makes sense.

[grum64]

Build Day 2 - Today's building time 2hrs - Total build time 5hrs 50mins

Didn't have a great deal of time today so there's not too much in the way of progress. What building I did get done went well with no dramas to speak of. Hopefully I'll get more done over the weekend.

Edited April 1, 2016 by grum64

[Nick Barrett]

Love this topic - thankyou Grum for sharing.

[grum64]

Love this topic - thankyou Grum for sharing.

Thank you. You're very kind.

I really like the 42853

The Mini is a fun build. I had an opportunity to speed build it in an AFOL convention contest. Didn't have time to savour it.

You could get creative with that Creator set and add some Technic Power Functions to drive it.

Like you I'm finding the 10242 to be a fun build. Unlike you I'm in no danger of speed building it

I'd like to try adding PF's to the Mini at some stage. I've got loads of sets to get built and once they're done maybe I'll have a go at modding a few of them.

Edited April 1, 2016 by grum64

[grum64]

Build Day 3 - Today's building time 3hrs 10mins - Total build time 9hrs

Building this is turning out to be something of a revelation. I'd never have thought it but I'm really, really enjoying it. It incorporates some interesting building techniques, a few of which I may use if/when I get round to building the Cobra 'in the brick'.

There have been frustrations. Fixing the ends on the bumpers resulted in them surrendering their grip on the studs holding them and launching themselves across the shed at a rapid rate of knots. After many mutterings, mostly over 18 in nature, Gilly picked them up whilst laughing hysterically at my airbourne ABS induced mood. She was if course right, there are far more serious things in this world to worry about than flying Lego.

Todays progress.

[BusterHaus]

Looking good, Clive. This is a set I refuse to get, not because it's not great, but because I don't want to get hooked on an expensive collection (I also have the same policy on the Architecture, Creator buildings and Train collections). I'm really enjoying your updates and had a good laugh at the flying ABS - maybe you'll be the first to figure out how to make Lego fly.