Microscope

For those people in Mrs. Henry's 04-05 class, this is a familiar model. I don't like it so much (because this is not what a real microscope looks like) but my mom likes it. Ironically it got me a hundred on my science project.

This model does everything a real microscope can do except magnify. the body tube moves up and down and there are actual fine and coarse adjustment knobs. These knobs move the body tube at different rates. The fine adjustment knob moves the tube through gearing but the coarse adjustment knob is a large gear that turns the fine adjustment knob many times. There are stage clips and nosepiece work as well. I solved the problem of a sliding body tube by using a worm gear (this allows high-torque output from one end but not input from that same end). Therefore the body tube only moves through the input of the knobs and not gravity. Furthermore, the rack and pinion arangement I used were also essential because it converts rotational movement into lateral movement. There is a closeup on the worm gear and rack and pinion gear above.

Artist

This is one of my mother's favorite models because she paints. The artist can be seen painting a house. I got this idea from one of my idea books but the design of the hat and pallet were my idea. I made a similar model when I was living in New York bet it got destroved when I moved to New Jersey.

The entire creation, from the painted picture to the model, has a blocky pixelated feel, addingto its lego-ness.

(year made:199something, recreated:2003)

Helicopter Truck

I got the idea for this truck from a lego magazine. Obviouly it is a mini model. The helicopter can lift off the trailer and can be securely fastened on to it. The rotor on the helicopter spins.

(year made: 2004)

2 Wheeler

I designed this model to test a concept: to see weither a car can run on two wheels (I conveniently had only two big wheels lying around). I partially succeded: the cockpit keeps on spinning with the wheels. In theory, this model would have a heavy weight in the cockpit to prevent it from rolling with the wheels. It can comfortably seat one lego person.

However, the creators of Star Wars had more sucess than me while making the Hailfire droid as pictured below.




(year made: 2004)

SpyRunner

This plane is called the SpyRunner (don't ask me why because that's what is says on the rudder). There is a secret compass, engine compartment, and navigator's compartment. The reason I made this model is because it demonstrates that I can use a certain technique (attaching the wings to a right angled plate). I saw this technique being used in a model from a Lego magazine.

(year made: 2004-2005)

James Bond Car

This is one of my all-time favorite model. More appropriately named the James Bond truck, is one of those models that people seem to like. It stresses a very important concept of adding new and interesting features : if the model is going to be awesome then it must do something (this model does a lot of things!).

The James Bond car took me several months to make. This is because I was constantly improving it. When I first built it, it only had the AA laser and a whimpy turbine at the back. Now its packed with gadgets including missiles, special slide up doors (gull-wings are so 20th century) doors, side grenades, machine gun, mini-cruse missile, and oil slicks. A gatling gun revolves around when the car is rolled across the floor. This is because it's axle is attached to the car's spinning rear axle through a rubber band. Feel free to click the thumbnails for a better view of the gadgets.

(year made: 2004-2005)

Creating Lego Models

The most frequent question I am being asked by friends and family is how do I make such amazing models? My answers to their question are:

>Always think and formulate ideas for new models
>Always improve current models
>Most importantly, practice!!!

Always think of ideas for your new models - One should keep on thinking even if it gets that person nowhere (it's better than not thinking at all). Look through books, magazines, and the internet for ideas. One will always find something. I usually prefer futuristic concepts (Popular Science, concept cars) because these are very motivational. Then one can start with replicas of classic cars, famous landmarks, airplanes, etc... One can even test out their own concepts (like projectile launchers, rubber band suspension, etc).

When a model is first made, it is never perfect. However one might have spent hours making it. This should not discourage any Lego builder rather the person should take a well-deserved rest and improve the model. This process might have to be repeated many times till the model is close to perfection.

And finally... the most important aspect of making models...practice. The models I make now are the result of twelve years of lego building. When I think of my previous models, I can remember blocky shapes with very little details and overly colorful models that would be classified as poor by my current building standards. I firmly believe from my twelve years of Lego building that it enhances one's spatial abilities and creativity. So the sooner a child gets involved with Legos the better will be his/her Lego experience. According to my mother, my father introduced me to Lego toys since the age of 1 and I have been playing with them ever since. Because of him, I have a stack of Lego magazines over six inches thick (from the year 1996).

W-transport

My father being a civil engineer firmly imprinted the importance of reinforcement in every model (which I cannot stress enough). This model is an excellent demonstration of this concept. The thick walls make it unnecessary to add reinforcing plates on the cargo floor.

This model is called the W-transport(water transport because it has the capability of landing in water). Ok, I admit it, I had no idea what to call it. On this model there are several turrets which can pivot in all directions. The cockpit is well detailed and the cargo space is cavernous (this is the biggest I have ever created). It can accomodate almost any other lego model I have made. There is even a section for missiles and a secret compartment!

My inspiration for this is the Millenium Falcon and the cavernous hangars of Star Wars but for some reason, I don't think my model captures the glory and grandeur of its role models. Maybe this is because my model looks like a cigar with a bow and stern (and a battering ram :D). However, I am very proud of the fact that any point on a sphere around my model can be targeted by its lasers...very Star Destroyer-like. 

(year made: 2005)

SupercarX

Another concept introduced to me by my father in Lego building was symmetry. This is considered as a key concept in this car.

It features a turbocharget v12 (2000 horsepower) , a gas-turbine engine (3500 horsepower), gull wing doors and a luxurious interior. I have entered this into a lego contest. the turbine actually spins when the car is rolled across the ground!

(year made: 2005)