Wodanis Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 Is anyone else bothered by the huge gap on the side door? Below the arch and above the door. It seems like a huge gap. I wonder if there is a good way to fix that. I am glad I'm not bothered by the official minifigures of these sets. Although I wouldn't mind having that hairpiece, but only because I actually want the Umbridge character for my HP collection. My next dilemma: With my modified CC, I currently have the official set oriented straight instead of around a corner. Meaning, it takes up like 44 studs (or something close). I was planning on stretching it out to 48 width (essentially 3 16x32 baseplates), but I'll have to modify a few bits. Or do I shrink it down to only cover a 32x32 baseplate. It would essentially only have the tower on one side with the upper floor like normal and then the side door where it normally would be. If I keep it large 48 studs, it will have both sides of the upper levels, but the tower may look too small because of the width. Also, that would be centered and may look too much like Town Hall and Fire Brigade with they central tower and symmetrical sides... What do you guys think? That is, if I made sense and you can picture it in your heads. I thought about building the upper floor and see how small the tower looks, but I may change it to a smaller 32x32 baseplate design just to be different, yet again. So far great pictures Sin! I wouldn't worry about the tower looking too small. If you feel it is after its built you could always add another level of arches. Will you have another entrance on the far side? At your current size I think it will look really great! Plenty of space for the interior decor. I would use a 32x32 and a 16x32. Quote
TheLegoDr Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 Well I have it set up as the corner, only straight. So imagine holding the corner building at the tower and folding the two sides to be straight in line with that along the front sidewalk. So the first floor is the same set-up -- windows all along the bottom until the central doorway and then the side door on the far right. With the 48 stud width, another door could certainly work. Although it does technically have the cafe doorway I guess. Granted I wasn't going to include the outdoor eatery area since the Parisian Restaurant did a really great job with that. So far with the widened building, I do have a double wide first floor entryway, which looks really nice. The downside is that makes that 8-10 studs wide instead of the 6 studs wide the original had (4 studs for doorway, 1 stud either side with the pillar). This makes the bottom level wider, but I wouldn't be able to widen the upper floor tower due to piece availability (the tan 1x6 arch doesn't come in a 1x8 arch, so would change the height also if I used a 2x8 arch). At the current size it will have a lot of room for an interior. The L shaped corner I was doing originally had even more space inside, but cost and shelf space decided against that route. This will at least fit on a shelf now. And I am using a 32x32 and a 16x32, I just said 3 16x32s to simplify my typing. The only straight CC I've seen was also a 48x32 and they had the tower on the left side (and they moved the dark blue archway entrance below that) and then a double wide center door for the cafe. The only appealing thing about this design was the ability to have HOTEL written across the roof instead of vertically on the side. But I didn't love how the rest of the building looked like that. So I wanted to change it up, but I like the idea of symmetry, so that leaves the tower centrally located. I may end up changing it so I can have HOTEL across the top. I really liked how that looked. (reminds me of Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, SD) Quote
antp Posted February 22, 2014 Posted February 22, 2014 It is a curious design decision why they decided to use 5-high doors for these early sets in the first place. Maybe it was a transition period where there weren't a lot of 6-high options yet. According to bricklink, the 6-high frame is from 2007 and the glass door only from 2008. Indeed they used the new frame with fixed glass in the set. The 5-high doors seem not used after 2007, replaced by the new 6-high door glass. The CC was one of the lasts just before the change. Quote
sin Posted February 22, 2014 Author Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) I got started on the second floor last night... The only modifications for this section are the use of 1x2x3 windows instead of the wall panels that were in the original set. I added a 1x2 white tile to the inside of each window to act as an interior window sill, I like the look of it. The other difference will be the lack of the 1x2 light blue tiles that originally would have been placed onto the top of the inside of each pair of wall panels/windows. My windows will be recessed on the interior all the way to the top of the arched 1x2x3 windows that sit on the upper part of the window assembly. I haven't finished that part yet but I will take some pictures when I do! Edited February 22, 2014 by sin Quote
sin Posted February 22, 2014 Author Posted February 22, 2014 Second floor is now complete Here is a shot that show the interior of the modified window assembly. I'll post more pictures when I get working on the third floor... Quote
sin Posted February 24, 2014 Author Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) I was anxious to get the third floor done today so I got an early start this morning... The only modification on this floor is my use of 1x4x3 window panes instead of the 2x4x3 ones used in the original set. I also used 1x2 shutters instead of 1x4's, I am not fond of the look of the 1x4's and I wanted some consistency between this and my GG ( and MS when I get it built ). Just like on the second floor, I added white tiles as window sills on the inside of the windows. Voila, the completed building! I am still waiting on the light bley garbage can and light bley turntable bases ( I used black for now but will swap them out when I get delivery ). I am still surprised at how affordable this building turned out to be, I'm quite pleased with the results. I plan on designing interiors for all three floors, no timeline but I have some solid ideas for the ground floor cafe, second floor hotel desk/receptionist and third floor hotel room. Now on to MS Edited February 24, 2014 by sin Quote
sin Posted February 24, 2014 Author Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) So I was very anxious to try out some of the changes I had in mind for MS. I did not build a modified version in LDD as I had with CC so I was a little nervous that the change to 6 high doors would cause me trouble with parts. As it turned out things went very smoothly, though there are a few things that I am not fully satisfied with. I'll start with one problem with the original build that bugs me, the tiled awning on the first floor... This awning is actually 2 separate pieces, the 3 tiles on the left are one part and the two on the right the second. As can be seen the part on the right is sagging They are attached individually to this piece... The problem is that the two tongues on this plate are not identical, the inside of the right one has a notch open to the top and the one on the the left has a notch on the inside open to the bottom. I will rectify this by getting 2 of the 1x2 variety. I do not like the way the railings in the original set are built ( bars, hoses and robot arms ) so I decided a while back that I would build them using the straight and curved railing pieces that are used in quite a few other modular buildings. I basically replaced the 2x6 plate that made the base of the balcony with 2 4x4 curved plates and place the curved railings onto those. It came out ok, but for the doors to be able to swing out I will have the replace the 2x3 plate that attaches the balcony to the building with a 2x4 tile - the studs on the plate collide with the door when it is opened. I also plan on ordering some white, straight robot arm/bars to try and build these two balconies in the same fashion as those from TH. When I can see them in the flesh I will decide which build I prefer. The other major change I decided at the last minute when I was organizing my parts for the build. I replaced all of the 1x2 bricks w/ grill profile to the new masonry profile bricks. I think this makes a huge difference and am happy with the result. Last, but not least - I don't understand the design decision to not have windows on the back of the building... I will be adding 4 additional 1x4x3 windows with half panes to replace the tan bricks that are in the original set. These changes are going to have to wait for a bit, I have a two week work trip starting this weekend. At least that motivated me to get these built quickly! Many thanks to everyone who shared opinions and experiences in this thread, this has been a very rewarding process ( started only 7 short weeks ago! ). Now I can focus my attention on getting some interiors designed for CC, MS and the upper floors of GG Edited February 24, 2014 by sin Quote
Wodanis Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 We are definitely thinking alike on the MS Sin. I wanted to replace those grill bricks with the new profile brick. I did add in windows on the back of the building in LDD. The balconies you've created are much better than the original. Did you change the interior at all? I wasn't quite happy with the stair case being in the centre of each floor. I surmise now after seeing you creation that I will have to build this. Hehe. May be awhile though as I am desperately trying to save to move back to England. Quote
TheLegoDr Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Very nicely done! That Market Street looks significantly better now. I may have to build this too! Grr!!! I would definitely go with the masonry profile bricks too. I never liked the grill bricks. I also planned on changing the back to have windows. I like your railing effect better than the original, although I would definitely go with the Town Hall version, but that's just me. Can't wait to see some interiors! Quote
JayCal Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) Wow, great progress so far Sin! Last weekend most of my parts arrived to finish up my GG, CC and MS (still missing the odd bit and piece but it's getting there). My mods are more or less the same as yours: 1x8 sandgreens replaced by 1x4 and 1x6 plus the trainwindows replaced by the current 1x2x3 windows on GG. My CC uses the latter windows too and includes the same 6 high doors as yours (although I used a light bley frame on the side door). Still waiting on the arrival of 2 blue pillars and the old style skis for that one. My MS is pretty much built up using all new parts including the replacement of the 1x2 grilles with masonry bricks. Once again I chose light bley doorframes for that one and my balcony solution differs from yours.. I chose to go for the route that the lego movie made and made the balconies using the 6L stick with stop and 3 battledroid arms. I've read here that most people are planning to replace the faux windows at the back of the building. I chose not to for the faux windows are a bit of (dutch?) heritage. In the past, peoples wealth was shown by the number of windows they had in their house. To cover up a limited number of windows, it was common to paint faux windows on your house. I like that detail so for me, the faux windows are there to stay. Brick on everyone! (I'll post pics when completely done) Edited February 25, 2014 by JayCal Quote
Inzane Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I chose not to for the faux windows are a bit of (dutch?) heritage. In the past, peoples wealth was shown by the number of windows they had in their house. To cover up a limited number of windows, it was common to paint faux windows on your house. I like that detail so for me, the faux windows are there to stay. So you're going embrace a tradition that really is akin to a person putting an 'M' badge on a 323i, or a Cobra badge on a V6 mustang, etc.? ;-) Great work sin. I like your changes on MS. Curious on the masonry bricks, did you BnP or BL those? I'm still waiting on several key parts orders before I can get started on either GG or MS. Quote
JayCal Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 So you're going embrace a tradition that really is akin to a person putting an 'M' badge on a 323i, or a Cobra badge on a V6 mustang, OMG since when has that sacrilege been upped to the term 'tradition'? :-) Quote
sin Posted February 25, 2014 Author Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks guys! Did you change the interior at all? I wasn't quite happy with the stair case being in the centre of each floor. I did not change the interior layout. I agree that the placement of the staircases limits possibilities for the interior but I had bought the plates for this portion of the build pretty early on. We will see what happens when I start designing the inside, I think it would make a lot more sense to have those stairs tucked into one of the back corners... I may have to build this too! Grr!!! ... I like your railing effect better than the original, although I would definitely go with the Town Hall version, but that's just me. Can't wait to see some interiors! Sounds like I may have helped the economy and cost you and Wodanis a bit more money . I am looking forward to trying out the TH style balconies, that is now the only modular that I don't own so I haven't seen that build in the flesh. The parts for that and any work on interiors will have to wait for a while though, I need to leave town for a couple weeks starting this Sunday Curious on the masonry bricks, did you BnP or BL those? I actually picked them up off of BL. I had a tough time sourcing the one hairpiece for GG ( the one that cost me $2.50 ) and I didn't need anything else from that seller so I looked for some other stuff to justify the postage and tossed in 90 of the light bley masonry profile 1x2 bricks at $0.08 a piece. I wasn't thinking about their use for MS at the time but I was sure glad I had a pile of them on hand when the idea came to mind! JayCal, I look forward to seeing your completed pictures! Quote
Wodanis Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 Well my final order came in! I now have all three mini-figs from Market Street! 100% authentic and new. My GG is now officially complete as well. I have the Kitty Eyes 2 and the red tile for the mail boxes. So the only changes made to GG are the 1x4 Medium Blue bows, 1x6 and 1x2 sand green bricks instead of the 1x8 bricks and the train windows. Everything else is completely original and new. The only minor changes to CC are the new style windows (really doesn't matter looks just as grand), a decent side door (should replace with a 1x4x6 door or leave out) and the newer ski type. I may order the old ski type at a later date. All in all pretty damn good! So aside from not committing to build Market Street, may do so later on. I just need the two newer modular buildings. Coincidently I made the bartender mini-figure for CC, an extra EMS medic, scout kids and two citizens with this order. God I love mini-figures haha Quote
stevkir Posted March 7, 2014 Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) I started building my GG from parts about 2 years ago and was able to scrounge up about 1000 parts from sets I already had. Then I moved into my moms basement and it was shelved for a couple years. I have now moved out and have space to display my modulars again and have started picking up pieces again. So far I have done a $35 PAB order that I used a $25 VIP points on to get with 204 pieces in that order. I am now currently pricing parts on BL and when I saw the prices on some of the Sand Green bricks I was horrified. My wife was like hell no your not spending that much money for 50 pieces. After seeing the prices on the Sand Green bricks I decided to look into what others did to get around different issues with their builds and found this thread. This has given me hope once again on knowing my wife will give into me spending $$$ on my LEGO addiction. I had also started going through my lego's for a MS since it would be relatively easy to build since its only a bit over 1200 parts. I have been able to locate about 280 parts that I already had so 1000 to go to complete that. I loved the idea Sin had for using masonry bricks for 1x2 brick replacements and the change of the balcony's on the MS and I plan on using them as well on mine. I plan on changing the look of the alley way to better match the GG as to extend the outdoor market with more baskets to put produce in and maybe make the top part into a nice patio space for either the GG or MS living space. I also think I will use some of the new flower pots that showed up in the PR and replace those hideous yellow 2x2 round bricks currently being used on the MS. Once finished with the GG and MS I will begin working on the CC and do a better job at designing the insides of these 3 Modulars. Sin, any chances of me getting ahold of your LLD changes to your CC and MS? Edited March 7, 2014 by stevkir Quote
MusicaRibelle Posted March 8, 2014 Posted March 8, 2014 I'm still new to my reborn passion for Lego, but I've learned a lot just from this thread. Thanks to all of you for the good work, and congratulations to Sin for a job well done! Quote
stevkir Posted March 8, 2014 Posted March 8, 2014 I have a limited amount of cash I have to use at the moment for purchasing the needed parts for my GG, MS and CC. But I did manage to order from the guy in Denmark that sells the 1x2 Sand Green brick with groove for $0.90 each and 17 other lots he had that I needed, for a total of 131 parts. I also happened to find the 1x2 Medium Blue and Dark Blay bricks at my local Lego Store today. My build is coming along slowly but in time I will have my 3 remaining modular buildings I don't have. Current progress GG 1242/2335 MS 333/1236 CC 50/2040 I am sure I have more for the CC available but I have not gone through my Lego supply to see what I have for it. Quote
Heppeng Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 I have finally got the last little bits for my Market street and it is now complete. I think that its appearance is almost indistinguishable from the genuine article, yet I have not forked out for the expensive hoses, doors, windows etc. The only departure from the instructions is to build the top story opposite hand as I believe that it fits better with its surroundings - better the patio area looks out over the Parisian Restaurant rather than facing the wall of the Palace Cinema! Not the best of photos, but see what you think... Quote
Inzane Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I started building my Green Grocer the other night. However I'm still waiting for one last PAB order which is taking forever (should arrive this week I hope). Most of that last order contains parts for MS, but of the remaining GG parts I need those include things like 1x8 and 1x10 light bley plates, 1x8 light bley tiles, etc. I was only able to complete the 1st ground floor up to a point. Then I started on the 2nd and 3rd floors, again to a point. Unfortunately those plates were needed to finish the floor in some spots so I didn't complete the walls very far around. Yes, I still owe some pictures. Working on it. :) Quote
stevkir Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I started building my Green Grocer the other night. However I'm still waiting for one last PAB order which is taking forever (should arrive this week I hope). Most of that last order contains parts for MS, but of the remaining GG parts I need those include things like 1x8 and 1x10 light bley plates, 1x8 light bley tiles, etc. I was only able to complete the 1st ground floor up to a point. Then I started on the 2nd and 3rd floors, again to a point. Unfortunately those plates were needed to finish the floor in some spots so I didn't complete the walls very far around. Yes, I still owe some pictures. Working on it. :) with you talking about your 1x8 light blay plates reminded me of when I ordered them 2 years ago when I first started to gather up the parts for the GG. I put in an order with the online PAB and they hadn't shown up after 20 days from when they first said they were shipped. Called up the customer service and told them I hadn't even seen the tracking info come in to the USA yet. The lady on the phone said most likely they had gotten lost or stuck in Customs, but to make sure she put in a rush order for the same parts. I received them 4-5 days later and then about a week after that the original order came in. I was told I did not need to send back any of it so I ended up with enough spares of those parts for my MS and a few left over for my CC. Ever since there is a small part of me that wishes that can happen again. Quote
Inzane Posted March 13, 2014 Posted March 13, 2014 GGRRRRrrrrr... that PAB order still hasn't arrived yet. Its driving me crazy (ordered on Feb 18th). Every night after work when I get home I'm hoping its there so i can finish my Green Grocer. I can't even really start Market Street because there are a lot of key parts for that one I'm lacking too. Please please please let it be in my mailbox tonight. Quote
JayCal Posted March 13, 2014 Posted March 13, 2014 that PAB order still hasn't arrived yet. Same here, still awaiting my LEGO order (mine was ordered a bit later so I'm still patient). When it has arrived, I'll post some pics of my modulars that I ordered through PaB, BL and BnP. Quote
TheLegoDr Posted March 13, 2014 Posted March 13, 2014 ^Well, I have pieces on backorder from last November that still haven't shipped. I contacted them recently (few weeks ago) and they still didn't have a date for them to be shipped. My other BnP order hasn't arrived yet either, going on 3+ weeks now. It just takes time and patience it seems. If it doesn't arrive soon, I will contact them again about it. Quote
Wodanis Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) ^Well, I have pieces on backorder from last November that still haven't shipped. I contacted them recently (few weeks ago) and they still didn't have a date for them to be shipped. My other BnP order hasn't arrived yet either, going on 3+ weeks now. It just takes time and patience it seems. If it doesn't arrive soon, I will contact them again about it. The pieces on back order are from BnP? Three weeks seems a bit lengthy for a BnP order. Was it a huge order TheLegoDr? Usually it is the shipping period that takes the most time to arrive. (I'm in Canada) However I have noted lately that the orders have been taking longer to process and ship. I blame the Lego Movie! How dare they inspire kids to buy more Lego. Haha. Edited March 14, 2014 by Wodanis Quote
rockethead26 Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 The pieces on back order are from BnP? Three weeks seems a bit lengthy for a BnP order. Was it a huge order TheLegoDr? Usually it is the shipping period that takes the most time to arrive. (I'm in Canada) However I have noted lately that the orders have been taking longer to process and ship. I blame the Lego Movie! How dare they inspire kids to buy more Lego. Haha. Kids? Yeah, right! Quote
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