GBC Show Kit

[dgeehot]

Good day,  Here in the US a few Lego - GBC shows are in the works. I am new to the world of GBC and while 

being cooped up at home, I have built over 10 GBC modules. I have been invited to participate in a few of these

shows and was wondering if some of the more experienced GBC folks could share with me what they bring with them

in their show Emergency repair kits. Thanks for any advice that you are willing to share. - Daniel 

[RohanBeckett]

I usually bring a small collection of spares... axles.. gears, pins.

I also bring bricks/plates/panels - sometimes balls start spilling off the edge of a module, and you need a way to block it off

 

Depending on your modules, if they are all built from others' ideas/instructions, they may be pretty reliable

If they are your own creations, only you will know where they fail - Hopefully you've run your whole collection for several hours non-stop.. this will give a GOOD indication of where modules spill balls, jam, or otherwise fail.

Always good to have a spare motor. I highly recommend building modules, or modifying them so that the motor can be quickly swapped out.

I very much dislike modules where the motor is built-in, buried, or structural to the module

 

Also factor in that the tables you display on may not be perfectly level, unlike your workbench, or dining table at home!  be prepared to add shims (plates, bricks, or even pieces of cardboard) under corners of modules, so that they are level, and run better.  Some modules are very sensitive to the level they are on!

 

And lastly, ensure that your modules meet the standard as much as possible, especially with regards to input and output height. It's very hard to link up with other peoples' modules, who have built them non-standard!

 

But have fun!  GBC shows are hectic, but very popular with the crowds.. you can spend a lot of time talking with people, and explaining how everything works!

Edited June 9, 2021 by RohanBeckett

[dr_spock]

Are yiou doing your own GBC display or part of a group display?   If in a group, your GBC co-ordinator may already be prepared for emergencies.  Contact your coordinator and see what they advise.  

[dgeehot]

Unfortunately, I live in Arkansas and trying to start a GBC group as part of the ArkLUG. Do you know any GBC co-ordinator that I might be ABLE to reach out to on how they prep for a show and what is in their emergency kit 

Edited June 10, 2021 by dgeehot
additional info

[Captainowie]

On 6/9/2021 at 2:46 AM, dgeehot said:

what they bring with them in their show Emergency repair kits.

I have a bunch of spares, but it seems I always pick not quite the right things to have spares of!

[dgeehot]

Thanks for responding, what are the most common spares that you bring?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and recommendations. Does anyone know anybody who has been a GBC show coordinator. I would like to learn how they 

prepare for a show? 

[dr_spock]

I've been asked to coordinate before but I don't have the balls to do it. 

As mentioned, have spare modules.  If you have 10 modules, keep at least one aside as spare in case one of the others breaks.  I have my less reliable ones for spares.  

If a module breaks, toss another in its place and the show goes on. I have yanked out other people's broken modules. The broken module can be repaired later by the owner. 

Shims for leveling tables. I do hospital kids picnics in the park, the ground and grass are all uneven.

Have extra AC power extension cords.  Gaffer or duct tape to tape down and prevent tripping.

Charge up your rechargeable batteries if applicable.  I use sealed lead acids out in the field. They are heavy and good at holding down table cloths in gusts of wind.

My LUG brings play brick to events.  That's my emergency parts bin.  It saves me from transporting more stuff with the GBCs.

Extra 9V or PF extension cables.

Chopsticks or something to poke and pick up stuck balls.

Water to keep hydrated as you could be doing a lot of talking.

Do a few shows and learn what your particular situation needs.

Have fun and don't over-stress yourself or the modules. 

 

 

[dgeehot]

Dr Spoc, Thanks for the great information 

[Toastie]

3 hours ago, dr_spock said:

Have fun and don't over-stress yourself or the modules.

The entire post of @dr_spock:

Learn from the experienced.

I don't do exhibitions, nor GBC's, I am not a member of a LUG. I do research "shows", blast balloons of certain colors with laser pointers of certain color not allowed in Germany, but who cares, when apparently overqualified but in essence incapable personnel is operating the stuff .

Point is: Learn from the ones who >did< it all. Multiple times. Not the super high power modules, or models. But the actual way of >doing< it. For hours.

Thank you very much for compiling that list. It tells a lot, and it is exactly to the point.

All the best
Thorsten