Subject:
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Re: Spanning large areas
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build.arch
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Date:
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Sat, 15 Apr 2000 05:53:42 GMT
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Highlighted:
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(details)
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Brad:
Great List!
Well, I tell you... this is an issue that I have thought about a whole lot.
Most of my buildings are at least 5 floors (one is 20!), and most span at least
16, 32, or 48 studs. Thats a lot of floorspace! I have tried a lot of the
things you've mentioned, and all have their advantages and their drawbacks.
For buildings bigger than 32 studs, it doesnt make sense to use plates or even
"mega bricks" (or whatever they're called.) And even after you've added technic
beams, you end up using $100 of plates just to make the floors of a large
highrise. I think the best method I have found so far is using regular lego
baseplates as floors & cielings in my buildings.
Whenever possible, I try to use the standard size baseplates as floors in my
constructions. (48x48, 32x32, 32x16, 16x16, 8x16, etc). But 90% of the time,
the building isnt shaped or scaled right...
So what I do is buy X-Lg grey baseplates, and use an exacto knife to get the
right size & shape. I then use a row of 2x4 bricks that extend 1 stud into the
building around the inside lip, to rest the floor on. Depending on the size, I
may add columns or cross beams for structural integrity.
I know, I know, dont all gasp in horror, let me explain my reasoning. Yes, its
sort of cheating, and I'm also destroying Lego as I go... but hear me out. I do
this for 4 good reasons:
1) It's a lot cheaper. I can make 4 cielings in a relatively large building out
of just one $10 extra-large grey baseplate. (Opposed to getting 10 of the
"plates" packages from shop-at-home, which would cost $55)
2) It's sturdier than using lots of smaller pieces. Plus, adding cross beams or
pillars help hold up the cieling, and they add in making the building stronger
anyway.
3) It looks a lot nicer to have one clean, finished piece for a floor, opposed
to using a lot of linked smaller pieces. (Especially from below!) And doesnt
grey just look cool anyway?
4) And lastly, since the baseplates don't have studs on their bottom side, I can
slide a floor out from behind to either work on it, show it to someone, or
photograph it.
- Sean
---
Sean M. Kenney
http://www.seankenney.com/lego (...under reconstruction)
In lugnet.build.arch, Brad Hamilton writes:
> What happens when you need to span a LARGER area than this? Plates are only
> so big. Also, it is often desireable to leave the back of a building open
> to let in more light and to save on bricks. This makes the structural
> challenge of spanning the roof (or adding an extra story) all the more
> challenging.
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Spanning large areas
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| Most stock LEGO sets use large, thin plates to create roofs and second-story floors. In some cases (like Fort Legorado, 6769), they have created super-large plates (black in this case) to do the job. What happens when you need to span a LARGER area (...) (24 years ago, 8-Apr-00, to lugnet.build.arch)
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