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[echoshifting]

So, I have been lurking this thread for quite a while, and I now seek the collective wisdom of LEGOGAF. To make a long story short, I am quite terrible at greebling. If anyone has any tips, etc, I would love to receive them.

Helm's Deep had some beautiful "flat" greebling I plan to use in the future. I'm not even sure if that's technically greebling, but it's a great effect with similar visual results. The recent Kingdoms Joust set had some nice corner greebling technique I plan to use in the future. I'd hit up bricklink and look at the manuals for those sets. Hopefully they give you some ideas!

Simply using several of those 1x1 pieces that allow you to place tiles along the sides of buildings produce a nice greebling effect if spread out properly...that's probably the easiest way to do it, but all of the 2x1 pieces with slightly different textures help, too (see Moria or Vampyre Castle manual).

Hope that helps! I'm hardly the expert moc-er...right now I'm just lifting techniques from standard sets and learning how to exploit them in my own builds.

 

[The Lamonster]

It's not even that big really. It feels like they are just exploiting it because of all the minifigs that are exclusive in it such as jabba.

$100 on Amazon...so tempted...

 

[BattleMonkey]

$100 on Amazon...so tempted...

It is small, so be warned. I thought it looked good but saw it at the lego booth at Star Wars Celebration VI and wa surprised how small the whole playset is. Totally not worth $100

 

[The Lamonster]

It is small, so be warned. I thought it looked good but saw it at the lego booth at Star Wars Celebration VI and wa surprised how small the whole playset is. Totally not worth $100

Support Group Gaf came through. Thanks dude

Spoiler

now hoping for a sweet deal when the Rancor set comes out

 

[echoshifting]

Jabba's Palace is only 700 pieces? Well, my interest in that set just dropped to zero. I was wondering why everyone was saying it was too expensive.

 

[The Lamonster]

Jabba's Palace is only 700 pieces? Well, my interest in that set just dropped to zero. I was wondering why everyone was saying it was too expensive.

Hopefully it just doesn't sell and they will be forced to lower the price, à la the UCS Jedi Starfighter.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

I gotta say I paid $130 for Jabba's Palace and found it worthwhile. It is very expensive but the minifigs make up for it and the future connectibility with the Rancor pit should be amazing. I get why it's a turn off to some though. It also makes an outstanding display piece.

 

[Calm Killer]

I think I would pay $70 for Jabba's Palace at the most. Set is just to small.

 

[Tempy]

I can imagine why it's so much more expensive though. New figures (Jabba, Salacious), new moulds, and Jabba is huge. A much nicer Gammorean guard, and other rare pieces like Han Solo in carbonite.

The Rancor set will probably command a similar premium as well.

I want it, but yeah, I'm waiting for a good deal. Lowest I've seen so far is 99 euros on amazon.es (it's 140 euros on S&H).

 

[Rootbeer]

Why is this set so expensive? Is it because of the Jabba figure? $130 MSRP for 700 pieces is just nuts.

It has to rank amongst the most ridiculously priced LEGO sets in history, if not the first.

But I think the likelihood of finding it much cheaper will be rare, at least for me. So... I caved.

The cool thing about this set is that it will connect to the Rancor set coming out later this year. I'm sure it will be cheaper, but fully expect it to be in the $79 range if Jabba's Palace is any indication I'll wait for a sale on that one as well.

I know most GAFers prefer the ships when it comes to SW LEGO, which I understand. But this is one location I felt I had to have. Well, and Yoda's Hut if they ever re-release it.

 

[GhastlyGaseous]

Helm's Deep had some beautiful "flat" greebling I plan to use in the future. I'm not even sure if that's technically greebling, but it's a great effect with similar visual results. The recent Kingdoms Joust set had some nice corner greebling technique I plan to use in the future. I'd hit up bricklink and look at the manuals for those sets. Hopefully they give you some ideas!

Simply using several of those 1x1 pieces that allow you to place tiles along the sides of buildings produce a nice greebling effect if spread out properly...that's probably the easiest way to do it, but all of the 2x1 pieces with slightly different textures help, too (see Moria or Vampyre Castle manual).

Hope that helps! I'm hardly the expert moc-er...right now I'm just lifting techniques from standard sets and learning how to exploit them in my own builds.

Thanks, I'll take a look at those two, my main problem is that I work mainly with micro-scale, which means that it becomes hard to produce the "detail" inherent with greebles when you are only working with 4 or 5 studs worth of space. I'll post some pictures up later so that you can see what I am talking about.

 

[ghostmind]

It has to rank amongst the most ridiculously priced LEGO sets in history, if not the first.

But I think the likelihood of finding it much cheaper will be rare, at least for me. So... I caved.

The cool thing about this set is that it will connect to the Rancor set coming out later this year. I'm sure it will be cheaper, but fully expect it to be in the $79 range if Jabba's Palace is any indication I'll wait for a sale on that one as well.



I know most GAFers prefer the ships when it comes to SW LEGO, which I understand. But this is one location I felt I had to have. Well, and Yoda's Hut if they ever re-release it.

According to Brickset, the Rancor Pit will be $69.99USD.

 

[Christian]

According to Brickset, the Rancor Pit will be $69.99USD.

Piece count?

 

[Anton Sugar]

Lego Gaf + Dark Souls Gaf, rejoice!

Ever since completing Dark Souls about a fortnight ago and loving the absolute shit out of it (play it if you haven't!), I had been toying with the idea of making my foray into MOCin' with a "Legofied" DS knight clad in the Elite Knight armor set (my favourite set in the game and an iconic set for the DS universe, too). Ambitious, I know, but I figured that I'd at least come out of it with some humbling knowledge.

Anyway, I decided to take a chibi approach, as that's what I was feeling at the time and it seems to have translated nicely, if I do say so myself. Also, the reason he is sitting down is because I am attempting to replicate the bonfire scene depicted in the second picture, so yes, a Lego bonfire is certainly in order.

I spent the entirety of today creating the torso and the helm consumed the entirety of last night. The helm was killing me for a good hour; I just couldn't figure out how to nail the aesthetic, but luckily, it came to me. The torso I based fundamentally on my previous MOC ("Steve", according to the girlfriend; posted on page 315), but I more or less just went mental with experimentation. All I can say is, thank heavens I bought Ewok Attack, Cannibal Escape and Apple Tree House some time ago!

Keep in mind, it is still a WIP, so some pieces need to be sourced in their correct colour, shoulder armor needs to be added, etc. As always, feel free to give me any pointers/feedback!

So, without further ado, my Chibi Elite Knight. Praise the sun!

Cheers, guys.

(Apologies for the detail-lacking photos. It's nigh on bedtime for me and this little guy has drained me, both physically and mentally, so I thought I'd just get something up ASAP).

This is awesome!

 

[ghostmind]

Piece count?

I don't think we know that yet, but I doubt it will be a great deal, because with Lucas-tax, SW theme sets rarely are.

 

[Avixph]

Do you need a vip acount to buy the mini modulars? Also is the maersk train worth the money?

 

[MattKeil]

Piece count?

Going to guess in the 600 range at that price for a SW set.

 

[echoshifting]

Thanks, I'll take a look at those two, my main problem is that I work mainly with micro-scale, which means that it becomes hard to produce the "detail" inherent with greebles when you are only working with 4 or 5 studs worth of space. I'll post some pictures up later so that you can see what I am talking about.

Ah, yeah microscale greeble sounds like a tricky problem. I will be interested to see anything anyone comes up with as well.

 

[Borman]

I plan on picking up Jabba's Palace eventually, but like you guys say, its just a tad too much. 90$ is when I would really have to consider it.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Woot my haul came in!

Edit: wtf, not sure why it's rotated, but anyway...

 

[Calm Killer]

Woot my haul came in!

Edit: wtf, not sure why it's rotated, but anyway...

Very Nice. Lego why are you so addictive...

 

[BattleMonkey]

It is mine!

Vader seems happy

 

[The Lamonster]

What did you get that for if you don't mind my asking?

 

[wetwired]

Woot my haul came in!

Edit: wtf, not sure why it's rotated, but anyway...

I love those lego keychains but they're just not made for the wear and tear, my black burton batman one has a frayed cape, scratched to shit, a missing leg, a missing hand one one side and missing arm on the other.

I bought a TDK batman and sean connery from indiana jones at the same time but I don't want to ruin them now by using them.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

I love those lego keychains but they're just not made for the wear and tear, my black burton batman one has a frayed cape, scratched to shit, a missing leg, a missing hand one one side and missing arm on the other.

I know that feel. My Admiral Ackbar now has no facial features. It's quite threatening.

 

[Jables Swan]

It is mine!

Vader seems happy

That looks awesome. Does it come with mini figs?

 

[nicoga3000]

It is mine!

Vader seems happy

Nice buy! Bricklin/eBay?

 

[mrklaw]

Do you need a vip acount to buy the mini modulars? Also is the maersk train worth the money?

yes but you can sign up at the same time. great set.

I like my maersk, its a beautiful display model, and is designed to take power functions discreetly if you're interested in that. Build isn't particularly complicated, but there is some nice variety in how you can lay things out with the different containers, the carriages and the truck.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

It is mine!

Vader seems happy

I would love a redesigned one to come out. One not involving magnets and using some of hte new techniques they did in the newer UCS stuff.

Mainly, I just want a big honkin' Star Destroyer on display in my home. The SSD will come soon enough, but the regular Star Destroyer is a cooler looking ship.

 

[ghostmind]

It is mine!

Vader seems happy

Congrats! Hope to have that one in my collection some day. How much did it set you back?

I would love a redesigned one to come out. One not involving magnets and using some of hte new techniques they did in the newer UCS stuff.

Mainly, I just want a big honkin' Star Destroyer on display in my home. The SSD will come soon enough, but the regular Star Destroyer is a cooler looking ship.

Agreed on all fronts. The ISD is The iconic Star Wars capital ship.

 

[ssowinski]

Woot my haul came in!

Edit: wtf, not sure why it's rotated, but anyway...

Wife ordered this with the free roadster set for $200 shipped a few days ago. Gonna be great for the kids to build for month of Halloween.

 

[biggyfries]

Nice haul, everyone!

My HH came today, but will wait to open until October, so we can set the mood in the house.

 

[BattleMonkey]

What did you get that for if you don't mind my asking?

About $690 which included shipping. It's complete and in pretty good shape outside some dings on the box. Some of the stuff never taken out of the bag and the decal for the plaque still on it's original sheet.

I would love a redesigned one to come out. One not involving magnets and using some of hte new techniques they did in the newer UCS stuff.

Mainly, I just want a big honkin' Star Destroyer on display in my home. The SSD will come soon enough, but the regular Star Destroyer is a cooler looking ship.

Yea at Star Wars Celebration few weeks ago in the big lego area someone had built this bad boy. It's far more accurate and detailed, course it's almost 4 and a half feet long too

Considering making those parts that go over the center middle in the front that the original UCS is missing as this one picture shows

 

[anonymous_abc]

It is mine!

Vader seems happy

now come on drop the bomb and tell us what you paid

 

[PhoncipleBone]

My alt builds from the first GAF MOC Contest.

 

[neonglow]

Since everyone else is posting their haul, here's my 2 latest pickups. The Haunted House box was very heavy.

 

[antonz]

Imperial Star Destroyer set is fantastic but as mentioned the magnet system they used is kinda disappointing as some of the magnets seem very cheap and dont hold very well.

 

[Rodney McKay]

Here's a look at what I've been putting the finishing touches on for the last few days...

Here's a picture of the full-sized version and a picture that I based my design off of:

I after months of on-again-off-again tweaking I think I finally have an almost completed design for a mini-modular version of the Pet Shop. I based it off of an image on flickr, but the uploader only put up pictures of the front (and didn't include instructions), so I had to work out how to make all the rest of it, and I've made a few improvements if I do say so myself.
I redesigned the upper floor of the Pet Shop building and there are a few differences here and there.

I'm not totally done, but very close. I think I'm going to replace the current entryway with the window piece you can see there. The archway of that design seems a bit ugly to me now that I've built it with the LDD, and the little window piece should work even better IMO; placing it directly onto the green baseplate will make it the perfect height, too.

I also think I'm going to replace the middle floor of the Pet Shop with the window that you can see next to the building. I like the way the current windows look, but there's a drawback that you can't see. As you can see on the back view of the Pet Shot building, there is an ugly gap on the side of the building that can't be filled in with it the way it is. The other other set I made still keeps the same number of windows evenly spaced, but it does sacrifice the tan color features of the original windows. I think it will look better overall. I also think I need to shrink my skylight down a little, it's a bit out of proportion as it is right now, haha.

There's one tweak I want to make with the apartment building as well. The rear top floor window section is a little too high which is causing the grey stripe that goes around the building to be crooked. It should be an easy fix, though.


I built this in LDD so that I could get a correct parts list so that I can Bricklink the pieces and actually build them. After I finish the LDD file of these I plan to do the mini-modular Town Hall version I've been working on too (a taller version of one I found online). I need to figure out how I can print a tiny sticker that says PETS so that it can look even better.

 

[mrklaw]

...and then post the LDD and bricklink lists here...?

really enjoyed reading your posts getting the mini petshop done.



Got the latest catalogue (UK) through.

- £5 off an purchase over £50 between 5th Sept - 5th October (instore only)
- free monster fighters car with purchase over £50 until end September
- free delivery for orders over £50 until 19th September

£5 off is close to the extra you'd get from double points, so might jump on the Haunted House while the free car is on offer.


edit: Oh and only the Town Hall and Pet Shop - no Fire Station or Grand Emporium. But then no Tower Bridge, Death Star or SSD either. Probably just focusing on the new sets. Helms deep looks really nice just as a modular castle set

 

[wetwired]

I've done the brown coat of paint on 3 of the 5 camo tumblers, I still need to touch up a few bits here and there. The sticky tape I used to mask the brown paint left some sticky residue on the pieces too which I need to clean off when the paint has dried a bit more but apart from that they're done.


Nearly Finished by Brent Waller, on Flickr

 

[anonymous_abc]

really sweet brent
but im curious what do you plan to do with your army of tumblers?

 

[wetwired]

really sweet brent
but im curious what do you plan to do with your army of tumblers?

Sell them, 3 of 5 are claimed already and to be honest if I can't find buyers for the last 2 I'm happy to keep them for my collection

 

[Risible]

Why is Lego so insanely expensive? Is it merely because "people will pay those prices" or is there something else?

I understand licensing is expensive, but look at the Monster line. Nothing to license there, yet the Haunted House goes for $180. C'mon son.

I love the Lego sets but just can't justify buying them anymore. The prices are insane.

 

[anonymous_abc]

Why is Lego so insanely expensive? Is it merely because "people will pay those prices" or is there something else?

I understand licensing is expensive, but look at the Monster line. Nothing to license there, yet the Haunted House goes for $180. C'mon son.

I love the Lego sets but just can't justify buying them anymore. The prices are insane.

well the prices (per brick) scale fairly linearly.
so usually along the lines of 0.1€ per piece.
I'm sure we all agree that it isn't cheap but the quality is good and people buy it.
also if comparing it with other toys I always consider the amount of replayability in LEGO, its insane if you are willing to invest the time and money.

 

[Cosmonaut X]

Joining in the thread on a far more modest scale...

Picked up Alien Conquest 7051 - the tripod - for my daughter for £10. It arrived yesterday and we spent an hour or so building it, with her doing all but the slightly fiddly leg assembly. It's a fantastic little set, a good size but relatively-few pieces (165, IIRC), and the complexity - the legs aside - is perfect for her. Throw in the detachable vessel, the little capture pod, the moving laser and the great detailing and we couldn't have asked for a better first "proper" kit.

 

[kamorra]

Lego Gaf + Dark Souls Gaf, rejoice!

Ever since completing Dark Souls about a fortnight ago and loving the absolute shit out of it (play it if you haven't!), I had been toying with the idea of making my foray into MOCin' with a "Legofied" DS knight clad in the Elite Knight armor set (my favourite set in the game and an iconic set for the DS universe, too). Ambitious, I know, but I figured that I'd at least come out of it with some humbling knowledge.

Anyway, I decided to take a chibi approach, as that's what I was feeling at the time and it seems to have translated nicely, if I do say so myself. Also, the reason he is sitting down is because I am attempting to replicate the bonfire scene depicted in the second picture, so yes, a Lego bonfire is certainly in order.

I spent the entirety of today creating the torso and the helm consumed the entirety of last night. The helm was killing me for a good hour; I just couldn't figure out how to nail the aesthetic, but luckily, it came to me. The torso I based fundamentally on my previous MOC ("Steve", according to the girlfriend; posted on page 315), but I more or less just went mental with experimentation. All I can say is, thank heavens I bought Ewok Attack, Cannibal Escape and Apple Tree House some time ago!

Keep in mind, it is still a WIP, so some pieces need to be sourced in their correct colour, shoulder armor needs to be added, etc. As always, feel free to give me any pointers/feedback!

So, without further ado, my Chibi Elite Knight. Praise the sun!

Cheers, guys.

(Apologies for the detail-lacking photos. It's nigh on bedtime for me and this little guy has drained me, both physically and mentally, so I thought I'd just get something up ASAP).

So awesome. Oh and I'm sorry for kinda stealing your idea but your jungle themed mech was so nice I had to try to create my own. So here is my Ent Mech. I call him Bark-1000.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

well the prices (per brick) scale fairly linearly.
so usually along the lines of 0.1€ per piece.
I'm sure we all agree that it isn't cheap but the quality is good and people buy it.
also if comparing it with other toys I always consider the amount of replayability in LEGO, its insane if you are willing to invest the time and money.

It's also worth noting that the toy has been around for a very long time and the pieces still work to do this day with the newer stuff. The value of Lego doesn't really fade as well either. Also I don't think I've ever come across a kid who doesn't like Lego. All of this adds up to one of the highest quality toys and brands ever. They can afford to be expensively priced as they've built that brand up.

 

[nicoga3000]

Why is Lego so insanely expensive? Is it merely because "people will pay those prices" or is there something else?

I understand licensing is expensive, but look at the Monster line. Nothing to license there, yet the Haunted House goes for $180. C'mon son.

I love the Lego sets but just can't justify buying them anymore. The prices are insane.

LEGO pricing has ALWAYS been a sour point. The LEGO Group (TLG) has actually remained relatively consistent with their pricing over the years (in terms of price per piece, or pp), though. Some sets fetch a higher pp, but I think we'd all agree that those are more often than not the licensed sets. Star Wars comes to mind, but even with my recent foray into that theme (with the SSD and soon, the Death Star), I'm still VERY impressed with what you get for the price they ask.

As sets get larger, the pp stabilizes around 8-10. Anything in that range would be considered a fair and reasonable price (for smaller sets, too). Smaller sets or licensed sets will see anywhere from 10-15 pp. With non-licensed sets, I imagine we as consumers are absorbing more of the printing and packaging costs. But with licensed sets, we're likely seeing the costs of maintaining the license AS WELL AS the packaging and printing costs. TLG definitely pays a premium to keep that Star Wars license exclusive. The same can be said about the new LotR and Avengers lines.

E: Regarding what moop said, TLG has kept a pretty consistent pp over the years. While it seems like sets are getting more expensive, I feel like it's got more to do with the fact that 15 years ago, my parents were the ones paying for the sets - now I'M feeling the wallet strain.

Also, any other building block toy is simply inferior in all ways. I'll pay a premium over Mega Blocks and Kre-O and whatever else is out there for blocks that FIT and stay "grippy" for years to come.

 

[Calm Killer]

Okay Guys. I got into the modular game late and my first purchase was Fire Brigade. I fully believe I can find a good deal on Green Grocer and Maybe even Corner Shop in the next year or so. At least that is my plan. Market Street is way out of the price range though so would it be easier for me to purchase individual bricks and build it based off the list of bricks in an instruction booklet? What is my best option. I am a completionist and it will drive me nuts if I don't have them all. I don't really care if its an actual boxed set in this case. I just want the finished building on my street. What should I do?

 

[nicoga3000]

Okay Guys. I got into the modular game late and my first purchase was Fire Brigade. I fully believe I can find a good deal on Green Grocer and Maybe even Corner Shop in the next year or so. At least that is my plan. Market Street is way out of the price range though so would it be easier for me to purchase individual bricks and build it based off the list of bricks in an instruction booklet? What is my best option. I am a completionist and it will drive me nuts if I don't have them all. I don't really care if its an actual boxed set in this case. I just want the finished building on my street. What should I do?

I know someone did a recolor for some of the super expensive/rare bricks on ALL of the OOP modulars, so I'd start your hunt with that info. Eurobricks likely has a thread or two on how to rebuild those sets in the most frugal manor possible (irony!).