Working with PV-Productions

I recently had the opportunity to work with Philip Verbeek at PV Productions.  Philip is what I would consider a Master GBC builder.  His main focus is taking existing Lego Technic sets and turning them into interesting GBC modules.  It was Philip who inspired me to do the original Roadwork Remix module.

Our collaboration was simple, I modify the Roadwork Remix module to match Philip's core fundamentals, and he would produce the module instructions, and promo video for his website.

The key design changes I needed to make were the following:

- Build a hand crank that can be used to power the module. (In addition to the motor)
- Add a re-circulation feature. (For stand alone playability)
- Do not use the extra parts that were leftover after building the regular set.
- Keep the spinning Technic 40th anniversary sign.

This was extremely challenging yet also extremely satisfying to get each of the changes done.  I felt like I was making a GBC module on hard mode.  I had to recover many parts to make the changes, but not reduce the functionality, reliability, or structural integrity.

The end results are great, the module looks better then before and now has even more features.

I'd like to thank Philip for the opportunity to collaborate, and hope to work with him more in the future.

You can visit Philips website at https://pv-productions.com and check out the instructions for this module and many others that Philip has created.

Here is the resulting video that Philip created for the model!

Why doesn't Lego offer an official GBC set?

I was thinking about this again today.  Why doesn't the Lego group offer an official GBC set?

Lego Great Ball Contraptions have been around for over 13 years, and many awesome GBC sets have been uploaded to the Lego Ideas website.

I believe the unwritten core rules of having a Lego Ideas set published is the following:

Interest - What % of Lego fans would this interest?  What % of non-Lego fans would this interest.
Playability - Does the model use interesting building techniques and parts?  Is it fun to play with?  What about re-playability?
Cost - How much will the set cost?

Now lets imagine that a GBC set on Lego Ideas met those criteria and received the 10000 votes required, why might the Lego group still not want to make a GBC set?

Durability - GBC models use and wear parts down all the time.  Lego wouldn't want to deal with complaints over a GBC model wearing down after a weeks use.  Parents may also be concerned kids breathing in, or eating ABS dust.

Design Resources - Lego has a limited amount of designers, and GBC modules can be quite complex when you need to factor in extended use and reliability.  Would lego have an existing designer who is an avid GBC fan to work on the project?

Community Interaction - Lego was not involved with the creation of the GBC Standard rules.  Would they use them?  Would they want to alter them?  Would they collaborate with GBC creators in order to make sure the standards are met?

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Interest in GBC is growing as you can see at most conventions, the layouts are getting bigger and bigger.  However at this time I feel that it wouldn't be profitable for Lego to pursue a GBC set.  And lets be honest, Lego is a business trying to make money.

Maybe this will change in the future, but until then it's up to us builders to keep growing the publics interest in GBC.

Mid-Week GBC Observer

Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a great week.

Here are a few GBC modules that caught my eye over the last few days.

Sawyer's Fork Conveyor has a nice timed movement.




Huw has created a scissor lift module.  The abrupt lift is quite something!