January 23, 2011:
I haven't really been doing any sketching for a while. So, I decided to take a few minutes to do a quick sketch of my Angry Scientist (couldn't have a plain old "Mad" Scientist) mascot as a custom USB minifig. Needs some tweaks, but I think it's OK for the amount of time I spent on it.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 22, 2011:
The final custom USB minifig based on the Collectible Minifigures Series 5 packs I found over the weekend, a 4GB Gladiator. This is such a great figure that I thought he deserved more than just a 2GB drive.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 21, 2011:
Another custom USB minifig from the Collectible Minifigures Series 5 line, a 2GB Boxer.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 17, 2011:
Came across a store that still had some of the Collectible Minifigures Series 5 line. Took advantage of the long weekend to convert the first one into another custom USB minifig, a 2GB Royal Guard.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 15, 2011:
Decided to keep working on minifigs with decorated waists/hips. This time, it's a 2GB Jay ZX from this year's iteration of the Ninjago theme.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 14, 2011:
I've been a little concerned about doing minifigs with decorated waists/hips, because they're not as easy to replace if something goes wrong. Last night, I decided to go ahead and take the plunge. I think this one, a 2GB Kendo Cole, came out fairly well.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
I'm going to have to wait for some parts to arrive for the police drive order. So, I'm going to see if I can complete a few others over the long, holiday weekend.
On a side note, looks like I've made my decision on a 3D printer. Think I'll be going with the new Replicator from Makerbot Industries.
January 13, 2011:
Still refining my technique a bit, and making more custom LEGO minifig USB drives for friends and family. This one, a 2GB Green Army Man, will be a gift for a friend. Was going to go with a green rifle, but the radio just seemed more appropriate for a flash drive.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
I got an actual order the other day to buy a bunch of drives all in the police style of the first minifig drive I made, but I'm going to try to keep squeezing in other minifig styles for requests and for fun.
January 09, 2011:
Managed to complete one more custom LEGO minifig USB drive last night, an 8GB Forest Firefighter. This one is for my personal use, and the minifig that finally got me to start making these drives.
Like the Astronaut, the only parts glued together are the torso to the pelvis/belt, and of course the drive itself. Other than that, all the joints still work and all the parts are still separate.
You can see a larger version and another photo on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 08, 2011:
Did another minifig USB drive today, a 2GB Astronaut. This is the first one I've done for someone else, and I'm really happy with the outcome.
The only parts glued together are the torso to the pelvis/belt, and of course the drive itself. It's important to me that I keep the figure as posable as possible and the accessories as interchangeable as possible. So, the sholuder joints still work, and the head, hands, helmet/backpack, and visor are all still separate pieces.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
January 03, 2011:
Do you have a 3D printer? I'd really like to hear from you.
I've been looking at them for a long time, and I think it's time to take the plunge. I've had a really hard time finding objective information, and even the cheapest ones are kind of a big purchase for me, so I'd like to hear opinions from people that actually own them. Currently, the top contenders in my budget appear to be the BotMill, the RapMan, the 3DTouch and the Thingomatic.
I'd also like to hear opinions on 3D CAD software for use with a 3D printer. I took a class in Inventor (2011), I was given a copy of ViaCAD 2D/3D for Christmas, and I'm trying to make time to test a trial version of Alibre Design 2012.
Thanks.
January 02, 2011:
Have decided that this year's New Year's Resolution will be to start and maintain a To Do List. I have too many ideas, not enough time, and a lousy memory. So, I made up a starter list, including a number of projects I've either started, or gotten materials to start, but have never finished.
The first project on the list is LEGO minifig USB flash drives. I did a lot of searching for materials, and bought most of them, in 2011, but never seemed to get around to making any. Today, I put together my first prototype. It is a 2GB (same size as the only official one LEGO ever did) using the new, American-style police torso.
You can see a larger version on my Flickr photostream. Please, feel free to leave a comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
In a follow-up to the link I posted for the Clockwork Con Steampunk convention in Austin, I was also given links to a couple of Steampunk portals, Airship Ambassador and Steampunk Empire.
Finally, if you're looking for any of the posts from last year, I've moved them to a new page that you can access using the 2011 Blog Posts button on the right side of the screen.
