Back with Some BrickArms Modding Tips!

Back from a long break from here, thought I'd awaken the blog. ;)

If you know me, I'm fairly well-known on the BrickArms Forums (BAF) for my modifications. These are some tips on how I do mine.

1. Cutting

Ah, probabaly the most dangerous part of modification. I always use a small wooden block to place the plastic victims before cutting. I use an X-Acto knife (Only about a month old, if that, after the blade in my old one literally snapped...a new one seemed like a good opportunity)that you can buy at any hobby store for around $3. Of course, just in case, buy some extra blades which don't cost much, and they sometimes come in 5's.
To replace a blade, un-screw the grip closest to the blade (Counter-clockwise) and carefully, without forcing it, remove the old blade and slide in a new one, make sure it is secure and in as far as it goes, and screw it back in clockwise again, very tightly.

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2. Glueing

This part is the one that takes concentration and patience. What I personally use is "Gorilla" Super Glue, but there's tons of different super glues out there. If you have to take it apart and re-glue it on the same areas with "Gorilla" Super Glue, there's a small area around it where everything turns white (Just a couple of millimieters around), so if you use what I do, have some black paint in case, or scratch it off when it's dry. Just read directions on whatever glue you want to buy.

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3. Painting

Probabaly the funnest modification there is! It's fun to customize models and toys with color, and for me, it's BrickArms, either for making camouflage, or painting certain parts to look more realistic. I have a large selection of paint colors to choose from, and I got into camouflage last month, starting with an M4 (Link leads to a subfolder also containing two more camoulfaged BrickArms). I use Testors' model paint, and if you choose this also, always buy paint thinner! Pour a very small amount in a cup, and after using a color, clean it off the brush by dipping it in the thinner, and then dry it, but never dip the brush directly in the bottle! Also, you can use the small bottles like in the picture below. And honestly, I really need new brushes...

To show some of my works, here are quite a few fairly-sized pics of some of my favorites:

I've plenty more favorites of mine, and you can see all of my creations on my Brickshelf.

Brickarms ("Extended")

There are tons more Brickarms accessories available.Most are sold for the reasonable price of $1,some in pairs for $1,and a few of the larger/harder items are sold for $2.Will also sells custom minifigures sporting Brickarms,most with custom decals designed by Damien Knight (Anthony Lombardi),used specifically for Brickarms minifigures.Each minifigure can range from $12-$15,but are currently all backordered.Will buys the parts for his minifigures in large quantities for relatively low prices,and doesn't buy newer pieces,as they are more expensive.Some of his accessories are discontinued due to reasons beyond Will's control.These would include the Brickarms MP7,MP5,PSG1/PSG-1,and G36,my personal favorite.The M1 steel pot helmet was not designed by Brickarms,but by a legitimate LEGO brand called Oxford,which also makes other neat military accessories,which are very detailed,and very nice,too.The M1 helmets were discontinued because the supply ran out,and he had few left,and are now used for minifigures (I.E. the U.S. Rifleman) that are sold at conventions only.

The Enigma That is Badger (or Badger) and Will have a new thing called "Black Lodge Customs",and are custom minifigures made in low-quantities (around 100) for forums members only,and always include brand new prototypes that are unveiled at the show,and other prototypes in various colors.

~fk~

Dragonator's Wonderful Review of BrickArms (March 2009)

I wanted to see the very first review written on the BAF (BrickArms Forums),and came across Dragonator's incredible review of Brickarms again.

It's far too long to post the whole thing,so here's a link to the BAF review,and he also did it on Eurobricks.

The enigma that is Badger (Most commonly referred to as "Badger" on the BAF, and is Enigmabadger on Flickr) sent Dragonator a parcel containing prototypes of upcoming items (most are now being sold),and he wrote a review.

~fk~

Links of Interest

Hello lego fans!

Sorry, I know I've posted to much but, Here are some links of interest for the LEGO community:

Lego.com

Brickarms.com

Brickarms Forums

Brickforge.com

MMCB

Fine Clonier Decals

Flickr Brickarms pool

Flickr Brickarms group

Flickr Decal group

Flickr Brickarms trading group

If you live in the Mid-West, Flickr Mid-West BrickBuilders group

Mocpages

Brickshelf

Saber-Scorpion's lair

Minifig world

MinifigForLife

Bricklink

LEGO Conventions:

BrickFair.com

BrickWorld.us

BrickCon.org

BrickFest.com

Bricks By The Bay

If anyone has anymore, Post em'!

Note:
Admins just edit this post.

~Jared~

People to know

Hello lego fans!
These ae some mportant people in the LEGO community that you should know:

Will Chapman- Owner and Operator of Brickarms

Kyle "Armothie" Peterson- Owner and Operator of Brickforge

Dan Siskind- Owner and Operator of Brickmania

Jared Burks- Owner and Operator of Fine Clonier Decals

Mark Parker- Owner and Operator of MMCB "Custom Cloth Accesories"

Jasbrick- Very vey talented customizer

Andy and Ann Watts-Owners of Minifig For Life


If anyone knows anymore, post em'!

Note: Admins just edit this post and comment what you edited.

~Jared~

Admin color choices

Hello lego fans!

Well, I think it'd be a good idea to have each of the Admins pick an "Official" color to use when modrating. I wil use orange. Fk and Testacer, When you decide just fill in the blanks:

fluffy kittens: Hmm...I may go with two (If it's alright-wait,do I need permission?),red (I prefer bolded) and blue.

EDIT: That's fine.

Test Acer:

~Jared~

One more rule!

Rule 8: There is one language for this blog,English!
If you say something in another language other than English,please include a translation to English!

I only know so much French!

Yes,I realize how much times I have posted something. ; )

~fk~

Terms (for those who are new to the LEGO world)

For new people to the LEGO world,here are some terms you may see in this blog,or anywhere else on the internet:

MOC=My Own Creation

"Vig/Dio"=Vignette/Diorama,or "scene"

BF=BrickForge (Brickforge.com)

BA=BrickArms

BAF=BrickArms Forums

WIP=Work In Progress

V#=Version #

CNC/CAD=Computer Numerically Controlled/Computer Aided Design

AFOL=Adult Fan Of Lego

BW=BrickWorld

BFR=BrickFaiR

BFT=BrickFesT

BC=BrickCon

TLC/TLG=The Lego Company/The Lego Group

BAP= BrickArms Prototype

For those of you who aren't familiar with past events that are popular in LEGO creations,

WWII=World War II (Roman numeral two)

WWI=World War I (Roman numeral one)

~fk~

My very own WIP V3 WWII Amtrack landing craft

This has been my longest project,I've been working on it for 5 months,and I still need 6 dark gray Brickarms U-Clips,or Universal-Clips,and a whole lot of buildable tread pieces.

I don't plan on posting it on the Brickarms Forums until it is done.It's gotten a lot taller and changes since the last time it's seen the BAF.

I completely re-did the interior yesterday,and it can hold 8 figs total in the back,just like the real thing!Yes,this has Brickarms.

Side,bottom,looking through window,Monopod being used as a mounting for turrets (I.E. Browning M1919),Browning attatched,back,front,interior,6 Monopods being used,overhead view of interior,drivers seated,top closed with drivers seated,looking through window w/ drivers,top taken apart.

Look at how it's come to be in the folder in my Brickshelf.

I will not accept any requests regarding instructions for this model.

~fk~

Drilled Bazooka and Rocket Technique

Hello lego fans!

I know it's been a while so, I've finnaly found something good to blog. Ewok master's Drilled Bazooka. He is a very talented customizer and I'd bet you'll be seeing alot more of him.

The build of this just struck me as "He needs more recognition". He is a long time member on the Brickarms Forums. I've noticed his fantastic works before, but this is my favorite. The creativity here is very unique. It showcases the Brickarms Bazooka and M6 Rocket. I wouldn't be suprised if it won Octobers Moc of the Month on the BAF, (Brickarms Forums).

~Jared~

"Defying the brick with a U-Clip!"

Back over on the Brickarms Forums,I came across Ewok in Diguise's useful idea again called "Defying the Brick with a U-Clip",and really shows a whole new realm of possibilities for this already-extremely versatile Brickarms accessory!

Will (owner of Brickarms LLC) never thought of this,and this truly struck me the first time I saw it.
A wonderful discovery while exploring the Brickarms U-Clip.

This fantastic discovery was also chosen for the "MOC of the month-September" on the Brickarms Forums.

It works by taking a flat piece (or brick,maybe),and setting the Universal-Clip (or "U-Clip") in the side of the brick,and about half way sticks out,and you then attatch another piece,adding for a back-to-back position.

Photostream.

~fk~

Another new Admin!

Hello lego fans!

Please welcome fluffy kittens! He is the newest adition to the administrating staff, treat him as you treat the rest of the staff, respectfully.

~Jared~

Welcome new Admin!

Please welcome new Admin, TestAcer! He is a good friend of mine and, I know no one follows this blog, (Except Him), But, treaet him with the respect you treat me. And, to TeastAcer, Sorry you got the E-mail so many times, Technical Difficulties...

Another terms of service change

Rule 7: Keep the size standard. Don't adjust the text size. Bold and Italic are however appropriate.

Interveiw with JasBrick

Hello lego fans!

I was very lucky to be able to get an exclusive interveiw with one of the most talented lego custoizers around, Jasbrick. He is a AFOL- Adult Fan Of Lego. This is the interveiw:

1). Your one of the most talented customizers around, What's your secret?

Firstly thanks… extreme flattery always works ;-) I am glad you like my work. I am not sure it is a secret but my age is probably on my side when it comes to customizing, being 36 and having had the benefit of a dark age full of wargaming, painting and modeling means that I should have picked up a few tricks.With regard to the figs I produce it is probably also evident that I make the things that I love based on the influences all around me… I watch a film, read a book, play a game and all of a sudden I want to recreate some aspect in minifig form.

2). How do you find time for all your customs?

Customising fits with my schedule (being a father and having a very busy job) as I can produce a fig very quickly without all the sorting, building and re-building required with MOC builders. I generally get an idea refine it in my mind during my daily commute and knock out a design in the evening when my kids have gone to bed. I wish I had more time to dedicate to building as I would really love to create vehicles and settings to show off my figs in the best environment.

3). You've done alot of customs, Wich was the hardest?

Hardest based on technical construction would probably be my American Paratrooper.Hardest based on painting alone is probably the Joker minifig torso.

4). Are you a long time AFOL, or are you just now starting out with legos?

I have been an AFOL for about 6 years… my dark ages stretch back quite a way and it is mainly due to changes in the Lego set design and accessory providers like Will Chapman at Brickarms that I regained my interest. A typical story for a lot of AFOL’s is the fact that after having children you start spending time in toyshops again and it is Lego that conjures up the most nostalgia and gets you hooked again.My AFOL interests mainly revolved around collecting (mainly Star Wars and Castle sets) with no intention of parting out or creating anything other than official designs. It was only when I joined a AFOL group that I started customizing… and only really in the last 6-7 months. The reason for this mainly comes down to getting annoyed when a member of the group dismissed my interest in minifig combining / customizing as something I would “grow out of”…. You can imagine the cursing that comes from a 36 year being told to grow-up! Anyway I decided the best way to prove him wrong was to show exactly what could be done if you did not close your mind to something different…. Hopefully I have done that!?!

5). What drives you to keep customizing legos?

A number of factors, firstly and most importantly because I enjoy creating things and it makes me happy to finish a very unique fig that I can display, use and enjoy. Also important is support from the community… a lot of people have a very blinkered attitude and can be very aggressive in their dislike for anyone who harms their beloved plastic pieces, however I have found a few places where a positive culture allows everyone to share constructive criticism and feedback. Most notably for me is the Brickarms forums along with a huge number of friends and contacts on Flickr.

6). What's your favorite part of customizing?

Difficult to say really… every aspect is great, conceptual design through to inspecting the finished fig all have distinct pleasures. However if I was to be honest if has to be when you post a fig for others to comment and they really like what you have done.I hope that is what you wanted.

Kind Regards,
Jason

The picture above is his avatar. Checkout his Flickr, (LInked to above in his name), For more awsome work!

~Jared~

Terms of Service change

Rule 1: Now only Admins may use colored text.

remyth's Flashlight

Hello lego fans!

While browsing the Brickarms Forums I noticed somethung that I liked alot, remyths flashlight (Pictured above). I like the way this shows off the Brickarms M24 grenade. Here's a link to the set, and his Flickr photostream.

~Jared~

Brickarms forums

Be sure to visit the Brickarms Forums. Great lego community!

Brickarms

Hello lego fans!

I've decided to blog Brickarms. Brickarms is a custom lego comopany owned and operated by Will Chapman. Will dedicates absolute perfection to his products. Brickarms has been in buisness during since 2006. It started when his kids asked for custom WWII legos. Brickarms, (BA), are made of solid ABS plasttic, the same brand of plastic Lego uses. They mesh perfectly with standard legos. Will sacrifices nothing for quality. All his products are tested and perfected through the prototype process, Where he molds them at his house with ground up lego bricks amd spruces left over from trimming production molds. This process was implemented before his third mold. All his products are designed on CAD, and his molds are cut with CNC-CAD= Computer
Aided Design, CNC= Computer Numerically Comtrolled. His firat two molds were sent directly to the molder with no prototyping process. That was before there was a minifig template in CAD. He shrunk them to 1x1 on the computer,print them, and put them in a figures hand. It worked and the two molds came out perfect, luckily. He just released mold 5. I'll have alot more information later when I'm not so tired.

The one shown at the top is the WWII German SMG, The MP-40. My favorite and first Brickarm.

~Jared~

Terms of service for ilego

If you chose to follow this blog, follow these rules:

1. No colored text, only admins may used colored text.

2. All post must have content.

3. All post must be on topic of this blog or post.

3. No trading of lego products unless permited by me or another author.

4. Be respectful to other members of this blog.

5. No profainity.

6. No adult content. Keep it clean.

7. Keep the size standard. Don't adjust the text size. Bold and Italic are however appropriate

Any attempt to break these rules won't be tolerated.

Introduction

Hello lego fans!

This blog is for custom lego users, like myself. I will invite more to join soon.

First interveiw coming soon!

~Jared~