Friends Advent Calendar - Day 14
Posted by MeganL,
Yesterday we learned just how the elves are able to build so many toys for children around the world - they are fueled solely on sugar! Between the cookies of Day 10 and the waffle station yesterday, the elves have plenty of energy. Let's see if today's build is another product of their efforts.
Today's build is a toy penguin and a wrench. This is a deceptively small build - with 6 spares, there are 18 parts today. I think the designer has done a really good job with this, and the use of the heart piece for the penguin's feet is quite novel. It's also very cute.
I'm a little puzzled about the inclusion of a wrench - maybe it's to tighten up that connection between the body and the feet, which I found to be rather loose. In any event, I'm relieved that it's clear this is a toy penguin, so there won't be any concerns about a sugar-buzzed elf chasing a penguin around with a wrench.
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14 comments on this article
What is the connection between the feet and body?
I’m guessing a technic stud pin?
I altered the orientation of the body, with the hole at the back. This meant that I could attach the wind up key via the technic pin, rather than the feet. The key now turns like a wind-up toy should, and the feet are secure.
I thought sticking a technic pin into the base of a brick was an 'illegal' technique. Or is the pin not being compressed because it's the frictionless version?
If there’s six parts left, that means twelve in the build?
1: feet
2: ankles
3: body
4: left wing
5: right wing
6: chest
7: key
8: beak
9: eyes
10:scalp
11: wrench
12: ?
13: extra feet
14: extra ankles
15: extra wing
16: extra chest
17: extra eyes
18: extra scalp (makes you wonder what happened to the rest of the other penguin)
What am I missing here?
This is a much better build than the Star Wars gift today, not gonna ruin the surprise on how boring that gift is here.
Wait ... has one of Batman's villains invaded Santa's workshop with a wind-up exploding penguin?
Wow! This is a solid 5.0. Will Friends actually rule the calendars today?
@M_Jibril said:
"I thought sticking a technic pin into the base of a brick was an 'illegal' technique. Or is the pin not being compressed because it's the frictionless version?"
That particular brick has clearance for the peg. It'd be an illegal connection with a standard 1x1.
This is really nice. Even with the heart piece, it's not limited to friends. Would be perfect for Batman or any toy shop etc.
@TheOtherMike said:
"That particular brick has clearance for the peg. It'd be an illegal connection with a standard 1x1."
Cool, something to bear in mind for future MOCs!
Is there supposed to be two penguins ?
Was two with my daughters calendar.
The hollows of the open-core studs in the sides of the brick allow the technic pin just enough room to pop back out to size inside it, unlike in an ordinary 1x1 brick. It's a loose fit and turns easily, hence @GeneralSpookyWasp suggestion of having it rear-facing, to allow the clockwork key to turn. It's been used in the past in sets to attach aeroplane propellers.
@TheOtherMike:
I haven’t brushed up on the “illegal connections” presentation from several years ago, but I do know that many 1x bricks have ridges formed inside that are positioned just right where a Technic pin will grab onto them if you rotate them so the grooves on the tips are oriented in the long direction. But I’m not sure if that’s considered illegal or not. I know it’s not commonly used (if ever) in official sets, and I don’t really use it myself because the flange prevents flush connections between the bases of two bricks.
Excellent build! There's really been some winners this year. I love the use of the black skate!