Construction Techniques for the needy!

[IVhorseman]

okay, i'm kicking this thread off as an all-encompassing "HOW DO I BUILT (ITEM) LOL?" sort of thread. when you're looking for an idea on how exactly you're going to make the joints for something, or a good way to make a gun type, this is your thread.

and to start off, i have a dilemma. i built a REALLY cool turret for a heavy battle tank. Specifically, i built a turret that has a body with an attached (interchangeable) gun barrel. now, the main body of the turret has a really cool hatch built on top that opens up, and reveals space for a minifig to enter the tank. THE PROBLEM: i want to be able to place the turret on a tank body that would utilize this hatch for entry, AND include a full, 360 degree rotation of said turret. this is more difficult than it sounds; to fill these requirements involves the turret rotating around a hollow point. i don't know how to do it, but i've seen tanks on Brickshelf that do this (for example, sean sullivan's Panzer VI Tiger tank). halp plox?

[Carrnevil9]

Idea stage: 100%
Prototype stage: 100%

Dimmy Colorization Hazard
Rare Part Warning



Essentially, I built a turntable from scratch. The round parts can be found on the latest Castle castle and the Millennium Falcon. Essentially, you need to create a wheel for the rotating turret to stay in contact with at all times that does not hamper rotation. Side note: without any kind of lip to seal the top of the turntable in place, the 'lid' may come off relatively easily.



Method 2

Idea stage: 100%
Prototype Stage: 72%

Part(s) Missing: Quarter Semicircle Slope x2, 2x2 Cylinder



This is the same basic idea, but backwards. There is less maneuvering room inside however.

There may be other methods of of solving this puzzle.

[G2]

The way that I have seen it done, is to build the turret on "stilts", and have these stilts attached to a turntable which sits a lot lower inside the tank body, this should give you the hatch access you need.

Have a look at this turret design (by one of my favourite builders).

[IVhorseman]

okay, i THINK i'm going to attempt something like Carrnevil9's second method. it's less inside maneuvering sure, but i've got both all the pieces, and it takes up far less space (i think). i'll go test it out in a bit.

EDIT: okay, so i did it, and i am VERY VERY VERY impressed. i was up until around 1 in the morning with my eyes wide open and my jaw on the floor.

unfortunately, i ran out of lego pieces for a full on tank. in fact, i used almost all of them making a ridiculous looking gun

fortunately, i've informed my friends i am willing to buy their legos off of them, and am currently in the process of buying a 5 gallon bucket full of brix at 4 bucks a pound XD.

[G2]

Hey IVhorseman, keep us informed as to how you go with that turret design, and don't forget to post some pics if you get a chance.

[Almighty Benny]

I want to keep this thread alive because it's a great idea. I have no idea why it was abandoned after only one help request. Anyway, to avoid looking like a shameless bump, I need to do something drastic. HAZZAH!

[Commander Evil]

I want to keep this thread alive because it's a great idea. I have no idea why it was abandoned after only one help request. Anyway, to avoid looking like a shameless bump, I need to do something drastic. HAZZAH!

OH GOD, I REMEMBER READING ABOUT THE ORIGINAL IN BASIC DESIGN

[Moronstudios]

I want to keep this thread alive because it's a great idea. I have no idea why it was abandoned after only one help request. Anyway, to avoid looking like a shameless bump, I need to do something drastic. HAZZAH!

OH GOD, I REMEMBER READING ABOUT THE ORIGINAL IN BASIC DESIGN

That is a wonderful creation, who built it?

[Almighty Benny]

I don't know the name but this is their website: http://www.lipsons.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Also, for the future, you really don't have to quote the last thing that was said, if you just respond then people will generally know that, yes, you are in fact a part of the conversation. Also, if you feel it absolutely necessary that we reread exactly what we just read, at least delete the very large image that was included in the quote so that we don't have to scroll through it 3 times. Quoting is meant for referring back to a specific piece of a post that you want to single out, or for going back to something that was said much earlier in the topic.

[Carda]

Clicked the link, got a huge 404.

I'm mainly trying to figure out how it's possible to actually build something like that out of Lego and maintain the optical illusion...

EDIT: After killing about 3000 retinal cells staring at that pic I'm positive that this thing has to be ten kinds of photoshopped, and I will be pleasantly surprised and impressed if someone can prove to me otherwise...

[Tzan]

Wow thats nice!

*resisting temptation to quote everything in this thread*

[Olothontor]

You're kidding me! That's gotta be photoshopped!

PASS ME THE BRAIN-O, MA!

[Almighty Benny]

Yeah, don't know why the link doesn't work, it was fine last night.
Anyway, there was no photoshopping involved at all, you just have to learn not to trust your eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIpdajUH ... re=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ukdpt7ZrUJA&feature=related

And if you REALLY want me to ruin the secret...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHxiYM62 ... re=related




WARNING: The preceding video links contains spoilers, if you've already watched them, too bad.

[Bonn-o-Tron]

Nice, thanks for those videos.

[Almighty Benny]

You're welcome Bonn-O

How's THAT for a construction technique?

Another satisfied customer. Keep this thread alive!