Very helpful, thank you!! For my purposes, this helps solve a long -standing problem of building “subterranean” scenes. This makes for a consistently repeatable size, and makes it possible (although probably fairly difficult) to rearrange or replace the modules. Sewer systems, old burial crypts, mines, entrances to the center of the Earth…it’s really a great idea; thanks for bringing this to the table!
Nice design! Very clever to leave the tops of the columns slightly higher than the top surface, so that the weight is directly on them. Though it occurs to me that you could alternatively make a built-in MILS plate for the top, instead of just a square frame, and then you could set buildings directly on it without needing to first reinforce the base of the building. In any case, I’d suggest 3 minor changes to make it even sturdier: • for each vertical column, instead of (4x) 1x16 Technic Brick, use (3x) 1x16 Technic Brick and (2x) 1x8 Technic Brick. Stagger the bricks so that they overlap and you can lock them together with friction pins in addition to the plates and tiles. • for the last step of enclosing the lower corners, don’t use a 2x4 plate on the top. Instead use a 2x6 plate, and shorten the plate on the topside of the outside of the lower corner to a 2x4 to make room. Right now, that inner brace on the corners is only connected to the outer square of technic bricks on one side, and it’s the side that’s under less force. This would make a solid rectangle all the way around the base of each column. • I would put a technic pin in the middle of each side of both the top and bottom frames when you bring the 4 corner assemblies together. Again, locking the technic bricks together so that it’s not only the plates and tiles holding them together. Again, very nice design, and a clear tutorial.
Thanks and thank you for the detailed feedback! 🍻 I agree with all three minor changes for even more strength. As far as the MILS on top goes - this is entirely possible via just copying the bottom layer. I feel like it sort of commits you to filling both the cube AND whatever goes on top in one go instead of keeping things modular. That said, if you take my design and merely swap the top and bottom, it can be used as a crown for a double height cube build with a hollow center, and you'd only build on top of it!
So I watched it all wondering what use is this grey cube? What is its purpose? Is it so you can build a realistic mountain and not use half a million bricks? Is a train going to run through it? How does it work?...Now I sort of get it, but after measuring, the space inside the cube is not big enough to fit any of my modular buildings. Which is what I thought it was for. What goes inside the cube?
This indeed also was my question, I do see the posibillity to make the connection stronger by adding the possibillity to add more technic pins but this also could've been done with two mills plates on top of each other, just as you mentioned, the possibility to add a cave system or subway network underneath the city is possible now with this technique, yet it would cost allot of more parts then raising it with some wood or something else. The reason why you should or can use this style of building seems to be lacking in the video. At least for me.
The purpose for this is to fill it with additional buildings - while the modular buildings won't fit, there are many smaller City, Friends, etc buildings that would in their entirety. In the end, I can create a sub-level city with these (though not entirely without modifying them), and possibly caves, tunnels, etc.
I'm not very good at MOCs -- 99% Lego sets AFOL. But I really like "elevated cities" and the closest I have are the 4 Ninjago city sets. Thanks for this tutorial.
Honestly I don't think I'm there yet either, I just started getting into it to getting all the modulars glued together more naturally/immersively than just having them all in a row... The bookcase city videos really just me figuring out as I go along 🍻
So it's sorter like that fish tank set build. Well the black frame of a fish tank. An so it's. To be yoused as a structure to make diffrent level s for in a Lego City. Manny say s of making diffrent. Level s trying to you s as less part s. Another great way. Is infill structure yousing old scratched 2 hand bulk .than yousing. New Lego bricks. An structure yousing duplo an cover with Lego. Bricks
For us noobies who have just stumbled on your channel, a brief description of why Mills plate cubes are needed/used could be helpful
If you want to build a sci-fi/cyberpunk Lego city, these cubes are very useful to give your city multiple levels (like in Bladerunner, 5th Element).
Or if you want to integrate a subway system into your city.
Very helpful, thank you!! For my purposes, this helps solve a long -standing problem of building “subterranean” scenes. This makes for a consistently repeatable size, and makes it possible (although probably fairly difficult) to rearrange or replace the modules.
Sewer systems, old burial crypts, mines, entrances to the center of the Earth…it’s really a great idea; thanks for bringing this to the table!
"Sewer systems, old burial crypts, mines, entrances to the center of the Earth" yeees, yeeeeees...... lol 😁🍻
You forgot the eco friendly wood veneer and screws borrowed from your aunt
😂
Nice design! Very clever to leave the tops of the columns slightly higher than the top surface, so that the weight is directly on them. Though it occurs to me that you could alternatively make a built-in MILS plate for the top, instead of just a square frame, and then you could set buildings directly on it without needing to first reinforce the base of the building.
In any case, I’d suggest 3 minor changes to make it even sturdier:
• for each vertical column, instead of (4x) 1x16 Technic Brick, use (3x) 1x16 Technic Brick and (2x) 1x8 Technic Brick. Stagger the bricks so that they overlap and you can lock them together with friction pins in addition to the plates and tiles.
• for the last step of enclosing the lower corners, don’t use a 2x4 plate on the top. Instead use a 2x6 plate, and shorten the plate on the topside of the outside of the lower corner to a 2x4 to make room. Right now, that inner brace on the corners is only connected to the outer square of technic bricks on one side, and it’s the side that’s under less force. This would make a solid rectangle all the way around the base of each column.
• I would put a technic pin in the middle of each side of both the top and bottom frames when you bring the 4 corner assemblies together. Again, locking the technic bricks together so that it’s not only the plates and tiles holding them together.
Again, very nice design, and a clear tutorial.
Thanks and thank you for the detailed feedback! 🍻
I agree with all three minor changes for even more strength. As far as the MILS on top goes - this is entirely possible via just copying the bottom layer. I feel like it sort of commits you to filling both the cube AND whatever goes on top in one go instead of keeping things modular.
That said, if you take my design and merely swap the top and bottom, it can be used as a crown for a double height cube build with a hollow center, and you'd only build on top of it!
This is interesting design - Looking forward in seeing how you use it going forward - nice job
Thanks, can't wait to show you!
Super informative, thanks for doing this!
You got it, thanks for watching!
So I watched it all wondering what use is this grey cube? What is its purpose? Is it so you can build a realistic mountain and not use half a million bricks? Is a train going to run through it? How does it work?...Now I sort of get it, but after measuring, the space inside the cube is not big enough to fit any of my modular buildings. Which is what I thought it was for. What goes inside the cube?
This indeed also was my question, I do see the posibillity to make the connection stronger by adding the possibillity to add more technic pins but this also could've been done with two mills plates on top of each other, just as you mentioned, the possibility to add a cave system or subway network underneath the city is possible now with this technique, yet it would cost allot of more parts then raising it with some wood or something else.
The reason why you should or can use this style of building seems to be lacking in the video. At least for me.
The purpose for this is to fill it with additional buildings - while the modular buildings won't fit, there are many smaller City, Friends, etc buildings that would in their entirety. In the end, I can create a sub-level city with these (though not entirely without modifying them), and possibly caves, tunnels, etc.
Amazing work!!!😮
Thank you!
I'm not very good at MOCs -- 99% Lego sets AFOL. But I really like "elevated cities" and the closest I have are the 4 Ninjago city sets. Thanks for this tutorial.
Honestly I don't think I'm there yet either, I just started getting into it to getting all the modulars glued together more naturally/immersively than just having them all in a row...
The bookcase city videos really just me figuring out as I go along 🍻
This would be great for a subway system too
Indeed! I might have to fake a subway for now though since it'd have nowhere to go...
Hi, this is an excellent tutorial!!! Can you post what parts we need to build about 8, I really want to to buy the parts asap please? Thanks!!!
Hi! I've posted the parts list in the description (both bricklink and pab versions)!
Unfortunately your Bricklink page of the MILS Cube is under review and I can't see the parts list.
Parts list is also in the description of this video!
thx for sharing❤ u r a hero man!
Wow 😮
I finally started building stuff in it!
I recommend watching this vid at 1.5x speed
Go for it, I know I talk relatively slow!
Nice but parts intensive. Might as well just grab a wooden stool and put your modular on it.
It isn't for everyone, I just want to have as much brick-built as possible since I'm already working around the bookshelf furniture for my city....
So it's sorter like that fish tank set build. Well the black frame of a fish tank. An so it's. To be yoused as a structure to make diffrent level s for in a Lego City. Manny say s of making diffrent. Level s trying to you s as less part s. Another great way. Is infill structure yousing old scratched 2 hand bulk .than yousing. New Lego bricks. An structure yousing duplo an cover with Lego. Bricks
Exactly this! More layers!
wtf are you talking about? thumbs down
I'm talking about more room for more Lego!