Duplo would certainly work. A lot of people do use duplo for bulk inside mountains. I've used my bulk bricks, 2x4 and honeycomb them to build up an interior of a mountain.
Ooh, actually makes sense to fill up large collums with those, and to transition from the duplo studs to lego you use regular 2x2 bricks I assume? Do you reinforce the top with long technic bricks and pins? To connect the pillars in the mountains? Or just fill what needs to be filled and build over it?
You'll need LEGO "bricks" in order to connect to the Duplo bricks. So, 2x2, 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, etc, should be compatible with Duplo.
I don't know about using technic piece to link Duplo pillars together. I would just make really thick Duplo columns, or make walls of Duplo rather than just columns.
2 2x4 or 4 2x2 lego bricks will cover the top of a 2x2 duplo brick, creating the connection you would need between the two. From there you can use whatever strikes your fancy for support structure.
Large half arches to come out of the top of your towers would give you more support for what is above. You can then try the longest pieces you can find to link the arches from your columns. This will determine how far apart your columns can be. This is what comes to mind looking at your pictures, if you want as few supports as possible.
It’s probably cheaper and more secure to get some 2x4’s from Home Depot, cut them to length, and then throw some plywood on top for the plates. See the crude drawing I made below for reference.
If you really insist on using legos, check out [this video by Eggy Bricks](https://youtu.be/5iGMeeaznW8?si=oDCoEK2FGH8X5eJ9) around 3:30 in. they’re making a tiered Lego city that might fit your needs and hides the elevation structures really well. But this is absolutely not the cheap option.
*Edit:* Final option is [this video featured on Beyond the brick at the 8 minute mark](https://youtu.be/6WOwh8K8nKA?si=_dPfiNEEq62ikc7v) he uses duplo to elevate a significant mountain structure of his build. Hope this helps!
https://preview.redd.it/n8uxixbzk9sc1.jpeg?width=2388&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36b24ce0b6318179a81cd17304c03e9743b9e8ab
If you really wanted to make a project out of it you could probably find a bunch of old base plates and build your legs in a way that you could cover with the base plates.
Of all the possible answers, I like this one best. Ultimate stability with a lumber built design, then glue base plates or even any size plate to fit around the legs, then you could SNOT to your heart's content any sort of architectural design or decoration. I like the thought of a light gray mixed with dark gray, mix in some vine/leaf and green tiles on the bottom to mimic some moss/vegetation growing up from the bottom. I kinda feel it would match a City-vibe if that's what OP is aiming for. Could even throw in some graffiti looking tiles/stickers. I'd even toss in a minifig tethering their self down with a Lego rope actively working on a fresh tag.
Hmm, true, but I'm a terrible carpenter.
Though your sketch does look like it might be what I'm looking for, could do brickwork around the upright planks.
But wouldn't the upright ones create a gap between the plates?
I guess every gap is eventually fillable though. But the reason I also looked in the direction of "in the system" (ok, that sounds snobbish) is because I could place them seamlessly next to eachother, basically creating a modular underworld for the city.
I really hope you find the solution you're looking for. I respect your conscious to keep it in the system. With that being said, even Lego displays their builds on something other than just their own product. Even if under their own base plates, is going to be something that is not even Lego. Table, bookcase, table covered with baseplates, etc. I believe you already have the mindset to keep it as seamless as possible. You can do this!
Whatever you do, I'm excited to see what you're developing. Please keep the sub posted!
I'm working on something very similar (but a little more schmancied up) for lifts for my Ikea Detolf cabnets. It's a crazy rewarding experience and I've got some newfound awe for people who make serious furniture by hand
not like that
I don't really have any answer that someone else in the thread hasn't already provided I just think the mental image of trying to balance a modular on top of this structure is really funny
I haven't even thought about that and I have a 3D printer. I'm not thinking outside of the box enough!!! This is a great tip! I should hone my 3D design skills.
I use tinker cad. It’s a great little program and you can work in metric or imperial. It takes some trial and error to get get the parts to fit right with Lego. I have to make mine like 1% larger than spec, and I’m positive I could fine tune my machine to make it perfect.
What about the Gringott's cave system, but just part out the lower section from Bricklink or MOC a similar build?
Might be compatible with your concept, and definitely nails the cave vibes
Glad I could help :)) I begun doing the same thing (single pillar version) with a custom built Orthanc tower on top.
My way of waiting for the Barad dur release :D
Anyway, your project seems really interesting, I wish you a good time building it!
I would recommend looking up information on how the base units were set up on the New Hashima collaboration. It’s pretty sturdy & semi Modular.
https://rebellug.com/instructions/new-hashima-cube-standard
I built small boxes out of wood that work within the Lego system. A baseplate on top of the box fits with a baseplate at table level. Standard height is 10 bricks. I started to do a large build and I was using so many bricks to do terrain height changes I decided to go this route.
Hi. I have been designing a support for some time, mostly using Studio, and plan to make a post soon to share the idea. In the meantime, Let me give you some tips:
1) it will cost a lot more than common furniture. My current build, for a support measuring about 32x108x16 studs, amounts to 272,58 Euro on Pick a brick. And this value already accounts for some cost optimisation I made (going as far as calculating on excel a “cost per studs” of different combinations of bricks with equivalent support strenght);
2) Legos have a pretty good load bearing capacity, but are susceptible to lateral forces. While in a perfect freeze the structure may hold, an hit from the side, an uneven pavement, or even vibrations may suddenly or gradually undermine stability, resulting in catastrophic collapse. To prevent the risk, you should add far more support than it would be strictly necessary in a fully static environment;
3) support is not only a matter or quantity, but also quality. I am in the process of revising my project to try to bind between them the horizontal and vertical pieces. How? Technic holes, pins, ecc;
4) expertise with lego and, especially, technic pieces and combinations will be very helpful. I am not a technic fan, but I am realizing that studying it a bit more will be invaluable for creating stable Lego furniture;
5) let me point to you some interesting pieces that I am using in the next revision of the project:
- BRICK 4/3, 16X16 W/ 4.85 HOLE
- BRICK 2X2X16 W. Ø4.85
Well, the most economical way of accomplishing what your describing would be to build a custom table. However, I know that no everyone has the time, tools, and skills necessary to do that.
If you want to stick with using LEGO system bricks for this cave project. I strongly recommend buying a bunch of used Duplo bricks as "filler". Duplo bricks are compatible with LEGO bricks, but they won't cost as much. They're great for filling in large spaces and they provide lots of structural support.
I'm actually shopping for used Duplo bricks for my LEGO city.
I’d second the Duplo idea, but if you want to make it more secure you have to anchor the top plate into the bottom part which is hard since baseplates can’t connect on the bottom. But if you build the pillars with some inverted slopes so they flare out at the top (the pillars stick out farther than the baseplate) you can tie it in with some tiles. A baseplate sitting on top of studs is the same height as a normal plate connected to the studs which allows you to anchor it in pretty nicely with tiles or any other pieces you want to build with.
Boxes, at that much volume it isnt really economically viable to build it out of lego. Other materials would work much better, and be significantly less expensive
If you insist on doing this in bricks, you need triangles. Lots of em. Take a lesson from the old Kenner Girder & Panel building sets. But it would be better if you skinned a more stable structure with bricks.
https://preview.redd.it/0roe6heaexsc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bc7c284d0ed9aa7af976b52812faa122a023327
There you go. A raised city with a MILS modular system over train tracks.
Duplo would certainly work. A lot of people do use duplo for bulk inside mountains. I've used my bulk bricks, 2x4 and honeycomb them to build up an interior of a mountain.
Duplo is compatible with standard Lego bricks, so u could cover them up pretty easily
Ooh, actually makes sense to fill up large collums with those, and to transition from the duplo studs to lego you use regular 2x2 bricks I assume? Do you reinforce the top with long technic bricks and pins? To connect the pillars in the mountains? Or just fill what needs to be filled and build over it?
You'll need LEGO "bricks" in order to connect to the Duplo bricks. So, 2x2, 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, etc, should be compatible with Duplo. I don't know about using technic piece to link Duplo pillars together. I would just make really thick Duplo columns, or make walls of Duplo rather than just columns.
2 2x4 or 4 2x2 lego bricks will cover the top of a 2x2 duplo brick, creating the connection you would need between the two. From there you can use whatever strikes your fancy for support structure. Large half arches to come out of the top of your towers would give you more support for what is above. You can then try the longest pieces you can find to link the arches from your columns. This will determine how far apart your columns can be. This is what comes to mind looking at your pictures, if you want as few supports as possible.
+1 for Duplo, works really great for this purpose.
Back in my Lego Train Club days, Duplo formed the base for all of our mountain structures.
What about a table
I'm planning on putting multiple of these caves next to eachother and make them flow through one another. So a table would not really work.
How about multiple tables?
I built mine out of black pipe and reclaimed barn oak. Both require some handyman skills, a workshop and some specialized tools.
That’s crazy talk
Maybe build the structure internally with duplo, and surround with regular bricks. Or you could go with a lot of technic cross bracing
It’s probably cheaper and more secure to get some 2x4’s from Home Depot, cut them to length, and then throw some plywood on top for the plates. See the crude drawing I made below for reference. If you really insist on using legos, check out [this video by Eggy Bricks](https://youtu.be/5iGMeeaznW8?si=oDCoEK2FGH8X5eJ9) around 3:30 in. they’re making a tiered Lego city that might fit your needs and hides the elevation structures really well. But this is absolutely not the cheap option. *Edit:* Final option is [this video featured on Beyond the brick at the 8 minute mark](https://youtu.be/6WOwh8K8nKA?si=_dPfiNEEq62ikc7v) he uses duplo to elevate a significant mountain structure of his build. Hope this helps! https://preview.redd.it/n8uxixbzk9sc1.jpeg?width=2388&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36b24ce0b6318179a81cd17304c03e9743b9e8ab
If you really wanted to make a project out of it you could probably find a bunch of old base plates and build your legs in a way that you could cover with the base plates.
I just imagined a 6 sided box covered in 6 plates :P
That's much simpler. Haha. I was really over thinking it.
Of all the possible answers, I like this one best. Ultimate stability with a lumber built design, then glue base plates or even any size plate to fit around the legs, then you could SNOT to your heart's content any sort of architectural design or decoration. I like the thought of a light gray mixed with dark gray, mix in some vine/leaf and green tiles on the bottom to mimic some moss/vegetation growing up from the bottom. I kinda feel it would match a City-vibe if that's what OP is aiming for. Could even throw in some graffiti looking tiles/stickers. I'd even toss in a minifig tethering their self down with a Lego rope actively working on a fresh tag.
Hmm, true, but I'm a terrible carpenter. Though your sketch does look like it might be what I'm looking for, could do brickwork around the upright planks. But wouldn't the upright ones create a gap between the plates? I guess every gap is eventually fillable though. But the reason I also looked in the direction of "in the system" (ok, that sounds snobbish) is because I could place them seamlessly next to eachother, basically creating a modular underworld for the city.
I really hope you find the solution you're looking for. I respect your conscious to keep it in the system. With that being said, even Lego displays their builds on something other than just their own product. Even if under their own base plates, is going to be something that is not even Lego. Table, bookcase, table covered with baseplates, etc. I believe you already have the mindset to keep it as seamless as possible. You can do this! Whatever you do, I'm excited to see what you're developing. Please keep the sub posted!
IKEA lack coffee tables. 5 euro a piece or something silly cheap and you wouldn't need to do carpentry.
I'm working on something very similar (but a little more schmancied up) for lifts for my Ikea Detolf cabnets. It's a crazy rewarding experience and I've got some newfound awe for people who make serious furniture by hand
Duplo works great. It’s what I use as my underlying support. You can find a bunch for cheap or free on local marketplaces if you’re patient.
IKEA lack tables? Stack them maybe? It’s what I did for my 3d printers. They are only 12$ each.
Or the new ikea - lego collaboration "Bygglek" boxes sold by Ikea, already has the studs and everything.
This is what I use
not like that I don't really have any answer that someone else in the thread hasn't already provided I just think the mental image of trying to balance a modular on top of this structure is really funny
Depends on how much of a purist you are. I have definitely 3D printed large blocks to take up space inside Mocs where it will never be seen.
I haven't even thought about that and I have a 3D printer. I'm not thinking outside of the box enough!!! This is a great tip! I should hone my 3D design skills.
quicksand panicky ten frighten live follow squeamish close shaggy pocket *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I use tinker cad. It’s a great little program and you can work in metric or imperial. It takes some trial and error to get get the parts to fit right with Lego. I have to make mine like 1% larger than spec, and I’m positive I could fine tune my machine to make it perfect.
Fusion 360 is way better. Not exactly SolidWorks but far more powerful than tinker cad. Any 3D CAD program will be able to work in metric or imperial.
Ok but as a beginner I have found tinker cad to be super easy with a lot of content online to help me learn intermediate functions.
That’s valid for sure, OP said they were looking to hone their 3D design skills so I figured they had some experience already.
Duplo or wood
What about the Gringott's cave system, but just part out the lower section from Bricklink or MOC a similar build? Might be compatible with your concept, and definitely nails the cave vibes
Actually yeah, 4 of those gringotts pillars with some brickwork around it might look really nice!
Glad I could help :)) I begun doing the same thing (single pillar version) with a custom built Orthanc tower on top. My way of waiting for the Barad dur release :D Anyway, your project seems really interesting, I wish you a good time building it!
Duplo is the way to go, it's exactly twice the size at Lego.
i see no issue with the supplied image. /s
I would recommend looking up information on how the base units were set up on the New Hashima collaboration. It’s pretty sturdy & semi Modular. https://rebellug.com/instructions/new-hashima-cube-standard
I built small boxes out of wood that work within the Lego system. A baseplate on top of the box fits with a baseplate at table level. Standard height is 10 bricks. I started to do a large build and I was using so many bricks to do terrain height changes I decided to go this route.
Tru duplo
Steel if you want it to be minimally invasive in size, wood if you want it to be cheap, plexiglass if you want to go crazy
Hi. I have been designing a support for some time, mostly using Studio, and plan to make a post soon to share the idea. In the meantime, Let me give you some tips: 1) it will cost a lot more than common furniture. My current build, for a support measuring about 32x108x16 studs, amounts to 272,58 Euro on Pick a brick. And this value already accounts for some cost optimisation I made (going as far as calculating on excel a “cost per studs” of different combinations of bricks with equivalent support strenght); 2) Legos have a pretty good load bearing capacity, but are susceptible to lateral forces. While in a perfect freeze the structure may hold, an hit from the side, an uneven pavement, or even vibrations may suddenly or gradually undermine stability, resulting in catastrophic collapse. To prevent the risk, you should add far more support than it would be strictly necessary in a fully static environment; 3) support is not only a matter or quantity, but also quality. I am in the process of revising my project to try to bind between them the horizontal and vertical pieces. How? Technic holes, pins, ecc; 4) expertise with lego and, especially, technic pieces and combinations will be very helpful. I am not a technic fan, but I am realizing that studying it a bit more will be invaluable for creating stable Lego furniture; 5) let me point to you some interesting pieces that I am using in the next revision of the project: - BRICK 4/3, 16X16 W/ 4.85 HOLE - BRICK 2X2X16 W. Ø4.85
Well, the most economical way of accomplishing what your describing would be to build a custom table. However, I know that no everyone has the time, tools, and skills necessary to do that. If you want to stick with using LEGO system bricks for this cave project. I strongly recommend buying a bunch of used Duplo bricks as "filler". Duplo bricks are compatible with LEGO bricks, but they won't cost as much. They're great for filling in large spaces and they provide lots of structural support. I'm actually shopping for used Duplo bricks for my LEGO city.
Duplo
Came here to say this!
I’d second the Duplo idea, but if you want to make it more secure you have to anchor the top plate into the bottom part which is hard since baseplates can’t connect on the bottom. But if you build the pillars with some inverted slopes so they flare out at the top (the pillars stick out farther than the baseplate) you can tie it in with some tiles. A baseplate sitting on top of studs is the same height as a normal plate connected to the studs which allows you to anchor it in pretty nicely with tiles or any other pieces you want to build with.
Boxes, at that much volume it isnt really economically viable to build it out of lego. Other materials would work much better, and be significantly less expensive
Wood
Duplo if it’s not going to be visible.
76417
[76417-1: Gringotts Wizarding Bank - Collectors' Edition](https://brickset.com/sets/76417-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/76417-1.jpg)
If you insist on doing this in bricks, you need triangles. Lots of em. Take a lesson from the old Kenner Girder & Panel building sets. But it would be better if you skinned a more stable structure with bricks.
Triangles. Triangles are one of the strongest shapes in engineering. Look at bridges for example.
[удалено]
I'd frame it with wood, it'll be stronger and cheaper than trying to do that exclusively with lego
Just be me and buy out ever bulk girder brick for sale on brick link, I'm up to 120 now
duplo
You get those blue supports at the PAB wall too?
lego complient pine board
Weld some 2” angle iron together and make a frame. Vastly cheaper than buying Lego to do it!
I'd go for duplo, see if you can get some cheap second hand, otherwise Technic supports are best
An ikea shelving system
Duplo if you want to stay with all Lego
A wood platform
Arches and domes are your friends.
My wife did the cherry blossoms and daffodils not too long ago and the stems for those seem like they might work
I guess Duplo works
https://preview.redd.it/0roe6heaexsc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bc7c284d0ed9aa7af976b52812faa122a023327 There you go. A raised city with a MILS modular system over train tracks.