Tim Zarki says that his latest hardsuit has 35 points of articulation and fits a minifig. Sweet! More on next-gen.
Tag Archives: Custom
Big Bens Bricks wheels
(Advertisement by Anthony Sava featuring his Hudson 4-6-4)
Since it’s the season of giving I felt it was timely to remind our readers of another great LEGO supplementary piece manufacturer: Big Bens Bricks LLC. Ben Fleskes has been manufacturing high-quality ABS wheels for LEGO trains for a few years now and it’s almost impossible to build steam trains without using his excellent products. The wheels are designed to be fully compatible with standard LEGO train pieces with diameters and spacing chosen to fully integrate with the regular system. There’s even LDRAW parts for instructions.
As one recent convertee puts it they allow him to
expand my building options by embracing the supplemental elements produced by community members in order to complement the excellent range offered by LEGO.
On a personal note along these lines, BBB wheels are the only pieces not produced by TLG that I will use in my own models.
And as Peter Norman demonstrates in the above truck design they are not just for steam trains. You can also see how close they match to the (later released) official small wheels with the rubber bands.
Upcoming sci-fi items from BrickArms
BrickArms will soon release some recognizable and highly-anticipated custom sci-fi weapons for your minifigs. These include the plasma sword, energy pistol, photon pistol, and the needle gun.
These items will be mass produced in a variety of colors, including transparent colors. The exact release date has not been determined, but according to BrickArms spokesperson Badger, “fans of BrickArms can expect these accessories to join the BrickArms family sooner than later!”
As usual, you can expect the highest quality custom accessories from BrickArms and 100% compatibility with LEGO products. The energy pistol and needle gun prototypes have different colored sections for added detail, while the full-production versions will be available in single colors.
Visit the BrickArms Forums to discuss these and other accessories and see what else is coming in 2009!
BrickArms under attack in recent Sun edition [Editorial]
We weren’t going to dignify this attack on BrickArms by posting it here, but we have been getting a flood of emails concerning it. So, here it is.
In the December 4th edition of the UK-based SUN, this article appeared.
Article Scan by Andrew Summersgill
The full text is as follows:
A RANGE of Lego-style fighting figures — including an al-Qaeda terrorist — has been slammed by religious leaders.
The masked follower of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden comes with a rocket launcher, assault rifle and grenades.
Mohammed Shaffiq, of Muslim organisation The Ramadhan Foundation, branded the toy “absolutely disgusting”.
He said: “It is glorifying terrorism — the makers should be ashamed.
“We should be coming together to unite against terrorism, but how is that possible when children are playing with toys like this?”
The £9.50 two-inch figures are customised from Lego toys by makers BrickArms, who hope for a Christmas hit.
They also include a Nazi major, bearing the chilling SS insignia, and a stormtrooper brandishing two grenade launchers.
Edie Friedman, director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, said: “These distasteful toys are something we could all well do without, especially when there is so much tension around.”
LEGO UK today issued a statement saying it is not associated with the toys being sold by BrickArms which have been customised without its knowledge or permission.
It continued: “BrickArms is not licensed by LEGO UK to customise LEGO figures and has no links to the LEGO brand.
“LEGO UK is committed to developing toys which enrich childhood by encouraging imaginative and creative play – and does not endorse products that do not fit with this philosophy.”
Fox News, among other news sites, picked up the story. The only significant difference was that Fox contacted Will Chapman, owner of BrickArms. He was quoted as saying:
“We do not sell an ‘Osama bin Laden’ miniature figure. We sell a generic bad guy minifigure with a Ninja scarf head wrap, the same minifigure that we have been selling for over a year now, with no associated ‘outrage.'”
“It does not represent anything; it is simply a bandit — a bad guy for the good guys to battle. Attempt to assign it a ‘personality’ only serves to create controversy that does not exist.”
The article has sparked much indignation throughout the Lego Fan community. The overwhelming majority supports Will and BrickArms.
I personally believe that this spurious attack, by a disreputable tabloid, was merely to stir up trouble. Their pathetic attack on one of our own is aggravating, to say the least.
The Brothers Brick has an extremely positive and long-standing relationship with Will. He and his family are wonderful people. We firmly stand with him, his family, and his associates. Go BrickArms!
LEGO-inspired bling
What to get that LEGO geek in your life who has every set released so far (even the brand new stuff)? How about a set of rings with LEGO-compatible studs for showing off their favorite bricks?
Available in one, two, and four-stud varieties, these custom accessories aren’t necessarily inexpensive. But oh so cool!
Custom Gears of War 2 LEGO minifigs by HAZEL
HAZEL burst onto the scene with a Gears of War APC we featured less than a month ago. HAZEL’s latest batch of creations includes a set of absolutely amazing custom LEGO minifigs inspired by Gears of War 2.
Tai Kaliso, Marcus Fenix, and one of the Carmine brothers are all decked out in custom armor and weapons created by HAZEL. I can’t wait to see what this master customizer will cook up next!
New colors from BrickForge
Recently, Brickforge has released their quality custom minifig accessories in new colors including sand green, tan, blue, and transparent blue.
Some items are exclusive to BrickForge forum members, so sign up today to purchase stuff such as the tan space marine accessories and more.
Starting December 1st, the colors green and orange will be available. Come back then to get your favorite accessories in these new colors. In fact, check back during December for releases of 11 new items!
Keep your eyes peeled for future releases of more transparent colors!
Next stop: Everywhere!
Alan McMorran has been working on a LEGO TARDIS and the 10th Doctor (“Doctor Who?” you ask. Exactly…) for a while now, and this his latest version is definitely my favorite.
Note the venerable LEGO pieces Alan’s used in the TARDIS — perfect for an ancient device that’s seen many years and many miles.
Dr Transistor
Malaysian LEGO fan Teikjoon introduces us to Dr Transistor. And let’s not forget the lovely Nurse Muggins. Enough said.
The Brick Testament updated with Book of Job
Comforting to some, deeply challenging to others, the Book of Job has long stirred discussion among believers in the Judeo-Christian religious tradition.
The Rev. Brendan Powell Smith gives Job The Brick Testament treatment with eight pictorial stories, including God speaking to Job from within a whirlwind:
Terror in Tabletown contest [News]
The last couple of months of the year really are the “contest season” in the LEGO fan community. Klocki is trying out a Contests page to capture many of the contests going on at the moment. We’ll try to feature as many as we can get to, but I’m not making any promises. ;-)
Andrew “Doctor Sinister” Summersgill from Tabletown.co.uk is hosting “Terror in Tabletown”, with a couple really cool categories.
With prizes from UK BrickArms reseller Minifigforlife.com, the two categories are “Best Use of LEGO Elements” and “Most Novel Use of BrickArms Weapons.”
Most of us limit our use of BrickArms to their “intended” use as minifig accessories, so that second category has my interest piqued.
Minifig-scale Alien Chestburster by pirie1
The Fine Clonier Haunted Halloween Custom Minifig Contest has resulted in some great minifigs, including all of Jamie Spencer’s spooky figs.
One of my favorites so far, though, is this custom Chestburster (from Alien) by pirie1:
