What exactly is a slope? What's the difference between a tile and a plate? Why is it bad to simply stack bricks in columns to make a wall? The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide is here to answer your questions.
Focusing on building actual models with real bricks, The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide comes with complete instructions to build several cool models but also encourages you to use your imagination to create your own fantastic creations.
Inside, you'll learn:
The best ways to connect bricks and creative uses for those patterns
Tricks for calculating and using scale (it's not as hard as you think)
The step-by-step plans to create a train station on the scale of LEGO people (a.k.a. "minifigs")
How to build spheres, jumbo-sized LEGO bricks, micro-scaled models, and a mini space shuttle
Tips for sorting and storing all of your LEGO pieces
The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide also includes the Brickopedia, a visual guide to nearly 300 of the most useful and reusable elements of the LEGO system, with historical notes, common uses, part numbers, and the year each piece first appeared in a LEGO set.
The firm foundation for your LEGO hobby starts here!
Chapter 1 The LEGO System: Endless Possibilities
A Brick Vocabulary
Precision, Geometry, and Color
Review: The LEGO System
Chapter 2 Back to Basics: Tips and Techniques
Decisions, Decisions: The Best Ways to Connect Bricks
Building Walls
Bracing: Unseen but Not Forgotten
Review: Basic Building Principles
Chapter 3 Minifig Scale: Oh, What a Wonderful Minifig World It Is!
Scale: It’s All Relative
From the Ground Up: Creating a Minifig-Scale Building
Substitution: When Other Parts Will Do
Review: Building Techniques and Alternatives
Chapter 4 Miniland Scale: The Whole World in Miniature
Miniland Scale: Bigger but Still Small
Creating a Basic Miniland Figure
The Best Bits: Useful Pieces for Miniland People
Basic Miniland Figure
Miniland Buildings
Review: Miniland Scale, Big Possibilities
Chapter 5 Jumbo Elements: Building Bigger Bricks
Scaling Up: How It’s Done
Other Scales: What Scales Work, and Why
Review: Jumbo Bricks Are Just the Start
Chapter 6 Microscale Building: More Than Meets the Eye
Microscale: Small Scale with Big Possibilities
Getting Started: Ignore the Details
Translating Ideas into Bricks
How Do I Know What Scale I’m Using?
Replacing Full-Size Parts with Microscale Stand-Ins
Review and Suggested Subject Matter
Chapter 7 Sculptures: The Shape of Things to Build
Spheres: Round and Round They Go
Divide and Build: Two Sections Means Twice the Fun
Beyond Spheres: Sculpting Other Subjects
Review: Sculptures—In the Eye of the Builder
Chapter 8 Mosaics: Patterns and Pictures in Bricks
Two Types of Mosaics
What Can You Do with Mosaics?
What You Need to Make a Mosaic
Designing a Studs-Out Mosaic
Designing a Studs-Up Mosaic
Design Grids for the Studs-Up Technique
Mosaics on Edge
Review: Mosaics of All Sizes and Shapes
Chapter 9 Technic: Not as Technical as It May Seem
Technic: A System Within a System
Technic Pieces: An Overview
Getting Started with Technic: Assembly Notes
Technic Meets Basic Elements
Putting It All Together: Building a Technic Model
Review: What Is Technic?
Chapter 10 Putting It All Together: Where Ideas Meet Bricks
Thinking Like a Model Designer
Bringing It All Together: The Final Design
Review: Taking On the Role of Model Designer
Chapter 11 Beyond Just Bricks: Other Things to Do Besides Building
“I Give It a Nine Out of Ten”: Writing Reviews of LEGO Sets
How It’s Made: Creating Instructions for Your LEGO Models
Having Fun: Making and Playing Games with LEGO Pieces
Review: Enjoying Every Aspect of LEGO
Chapter 12 Sorting, Storage, and Sitting Down to Build Something
Sorting vs. Storing: What’s the Difference?
Sorting Bricks: Divide and Conquer
Storing Bricks
Setting Up a Building Area
Review: Unique Solutions for Every Builder
Chapter 13 Making and Using Tools for LEGO Projects
Presser Tool
The Ruler
Pin Stand Tool
Brick Separator
Non-LEGO Tools
Other Useful Items
Review: The Right Tools for the Job
Appendix Brickopedia
Brickopedia Breakdown
Review: Bricks, Plates, and So Much More
Appendix Design Grids: Building Better by Planning Ahead
