In the Netherlands, wind turbines are a big part of the transition to renewable energy. With the turbines getting bigger, moving their components to wind farms requires ever larger vehicles. My latest LEGO model represents such a vehicle: a Volvo FH16 with a so-called mega-windmill trailer, in the livery of Dutch heavy haulage company Van Der Vlist. The real truck has a six-cylinder engine that produces 750 HP. It needs all that power because the Vestas wind turbine nacelle that it carries weighs a whopping 70 tons. And the nacelle’s transport frames add another four tons. This also explains the combination’s large number of axles. They distribute the weight to protect the road surface. As a result, this is a big model. Even on a small scale suitable for LEGO minifigures it has a total length of 93 cm (about 3ft). The post There is no substitute for a big Diesel...

It’s not the biggest or most elaborate LEGO creation we’ve ever showcased here on The Brothers Brick but I was excited to write about it nonetheless. This little offering by Josephine Monterosso is called Illegal Robot and apparently, that was enough to pique my interest and get this wee bot onto my to-write list ASAP. She goes on to explain that this was built from modified parts and illegal connections. The shoulders and upper arms are cut ends from a chain and the hands are held in place via cut stickers wrapped around the pegs. The purists would not like this; the last time we upset them we got a record number of complaints from folks with AOL email addresses. I’m chuckling inside, Josephine. Thanks for being a total rebel! The post Avert your eyes, purists! Illegal Robot is here! appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Lino

You’ve built your first LEGO creation (MOC = My Own Creation). You’ve taken pictures, edited them as best you know how, and now you’re ready to share with the world. The only question is… which world? Where are you going to post your masterpiece? Let me share with you my totally unbiased opinion. Along the way, we’ll ask penetrating questions about motivation, community, and emojis. Warning 1: this is not a dissertation and I haven’t researched my thesis. Don’t take my thoughts here as a final conclusion; this is just a preliminary expression of a tentative opinion. Some of these opinions, I admit, are more tentative than others. Warning 2: This is just one LEGO builder’s opinion, founded on a limited decade of experience. I haven’t tried every photo-sharing site out there by a long shot. I haven’t interacted with every slice of the LEGO community. I’m just thinking aloud and inviting you to join me....

The LEGO Botanical Collection introduced LEGO lovers to a different kind of model, translating organic forms into life-like brick sculptures previously only seen in MOCs and the now-retired 21301 Birds set from LEGO Ideas. The relatively affordable price point (only one set, 10289 Birds of Paradise, retails above $60 USD) and stunning models have made it extremely popular to both experienced and novice builders. Today we chat with Floss Barrett, a grandmother from the United Kingdom, whose love for the Botanicals line prompted her to help start the Botanicals Blocks Fans Facebook Group — an online haven for lovers of all things related to brick-made flowers.  Floss with her brick garden on full display. Inez: Hey, Floss! Thanks for agreeing to chat with us. Could you tell us something about yourself and your LEGO story? Floss: I remember going to the local toyshop as a child in the ‘60s and buying...

Writing an introduction to a piece about X-wings honestly feels like a waste of time. It’s an icon of cinema, a hallmark of special effects, and a reason thousands of AFOLs roll their eyes every year when LEGO decides to release “just another X-wing.” Case in point: it is the spaceship that has the most LEGO products dedicated to it, surpassing both the beloved Millennium Falcon as well as the classic TIE Fighter. With “just another X-wing” entering the market this month we wondered what makes the ship so fascinating and decided to sit down with Tom Loftus (Flickr/Instagram) to talk shop ships. Tom, a spaceship builder extraordinaire from the UK, just recently published his fourth take on the iconic starfighter (along with free instructions!), and considering his third has found a home in AFOL displays all over the world, we can only imagine how many people are frantically BrickLinking the...