Hey all,
Another entry for the MA here. Had lots of fun working with the mechanics of this, and hope to do some more stuff like it in the future. It was a huge challenge though. Getting the machine to start and stop on its own, by strictly using touch sensors was quite difficult, especially considering I had to try and conceal all of the machinery.
Still, here it is in all its glory. Judges, please be sure to watch the video. Its a pretty boring build without seeing the movability of it, haha.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
-Blake
EDIT:
Alright fellas, here's the deal. In effort to close this controversy once and for all, I will try to explain this as clearly as I can. As the above picture proves, these are in fact bookends. These can be viewed in multiple ways, but the way that I intended them and the way in which they are presented is that the bookend on the left (the one with the swinging door and the dummy books attached to it) and a bookend on the right (the simple grey end piece) are the two end pieces which can hold any number of books between them.
I purposefully chose to build the actual end pieces rather plainly and dully in order to "not draw attention" as would be wanted considering they hide a secret compartment. Instead, I chose to make them as realistic as possible. The two pieces work in tandem to operate the secret door. The right one has a touch sensor which sends a signal to the left one which has a motor that opens the door inside the case. On the removal of a book, the touch sensor is activated which opens the door. This can be achieved through any number of books between them, not simply my stand-in black book. The wooden case on which they stand was built for showiness, as well as provide a stable base for some of the mechanics involved. The books themselves were built for showiness also. Nobody else in the competition has yet to build actual books for their bookends, mind you.
If you look at the bookends as being the little grey pieces, then you are sure to be underwhelmed. If you look at them as being only able to hold one book, then you are again sure to be underwhelmed. If you look at the entirety of this creation as one whole piece, then, again, you are sure to be underwhelmed. As the picture above shows, they can hold any number of books (LEGO or real). Chris' comment tells me that I am out of the category (and my score is adjusted for this) but I humbly ask how I can be out of the category when I built two bookends (and an actual book to go between them, haha)?
Bookends
"Design a pair of wickedly cool bookends. Show them off holding up your library of Barbie Fairy Princess books, or whatever you read."
I designed a pair of bookends, and I showed them off with LEGO books. How is this out of the category? The only possible nitpick could be that I didn't show them off with my "Barbie Fairy Princess books", but I did show them off as with LEGO books (indeed, LEGO books were apart of the bookends).
So that is my take on this situation. Thanks, judges, for your time and consideration.
God bless,
-Blake
PS, David, I would hope that the judges vote merely on my build, and not on my so-called reputation.
Blake, I saw this before your edit and it was going to be a two for effort. Be very thankful that Chris allowed that edit. Very clever idea and one that quite rightfully had many people fooled about how 'bookend' this was. In context with the other books, its a 5 from me too. You can quit sweating now :) ~Thoy
hmmm.. this is pretty awesome I love the simpleness of the bookends it really kinda draws the eye even though its not supposed to =) and the functionality of it is awesome [really takes it to the next level]
Are you kidding me?!? *sigh* Blake, this is just too awesome. Why can't you just be a normal builder, instead of being ridiculously AWESOME! :D Again, you amaze me!!! (What's next??)
Now THAT is impressive. You continue to push the limits of what Lego can do, and I think I speak for all of MOCpages (and McDonald's) when I say I'm loving it! Fantastic work!
Good work, Blake, your bookends really fit in with the rest of the books displayed. I like the ambiguity here, because for me almost every book is a safe, containing wonderful worlds, knowledge and adventures. Good video, too. Your old style burgler gloves were a nice touch.
Quoting David .
... I certainly hope it doesn't damage what you think about me. Will you accept my apology? *Holds out hand*
Thanks for the apology David! I have even higher respects for you because you had the humility to ask forgiveness. I understand slips of the tongue like that, and thank you for your apology. Cheers mate! :)
Fun idea, Blake! Great job on the books, too. I'm a huge bibliophile, and while they probably don't have that sweet, old book smell, they'd still look good on the shelf. Nice work!
I get what you mean. :) Ignore what I said about reputation, it wasn't very sensible and not at all polite. Again, Great work! I see how they work, but before, I was merely focused on the two, bland, grey little bookends. I hope this doesn't damage what people think about me, I certainly hope it doesn't damage what you think about me. Will you accept my apology? *Holds out hand*
Blake these are amazing. And as fabulous as the play feature is, I believe you will get low scores. (Having looked at older entries and how strict most judges are) The category was to build a set of bookends, and while this build as a whole is amazing, the bookends themselves aren't so great. Good luck!
Just wanted to add my take on this. I think that the build is stellar, and by making the bookends with less swag, it makes the main idea of a book safe stand out a lot more. I thinks it fits the category perfectly. :)
To my mind, you've obviously built two bookends. There's no rule saying that they can't be disguised as books. AND you've included a motorized hidden compartment, surely a win-win? Whatever the scores, it's a fantastic idea and perfectly executed.
LOL ... Talking about getting of category .... Still, this build is very cool and will for sure leave the rest of the judges numb on how to judge it .... I cant do anything but laugh and think of how it was to judge my rat build last year ..... Great build mate ... :)
Ok, so you went a bit out of category on this (to a degree)... but the build is simply AWESOME. Taking the rules into consideration about staying within category I can't go with the five that a build like this would normally earn. However, for the outside the book... I mean box thinking and skill involved, I will go with 4 points for this. Don't be surprised if other judges see it differently OR see it exactly as I have. Your scores could be all over the board on this one. 4 points ~ Chris. ~ Chris.
BRILLIANT!! I like how you used a gloved hand in the video! The only thing I could say against this is that I wish there were more pics of the actual mechanics. But over all, very well done!
Note to judges: There seems to be some controversy over this creation. As the category is "design a pair of wickedly cool bookends", I went ahead and designed a pair of cool bookends. I wasn't quite expecting people to view this as only a secret safe/compartment, and miss the actual bookends(the creation as a whole, not just the grey end pieces) and books they held as an integral part of the build. The actual bookends are the entire section of books on the left, and the smaller section on the right. They hold one book of a predetermined width. Hope that makes sense and clears up some of the confusion. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and encouragement.
God bless!
This completely fits the category. I see how people might make the mistake that this "doesn't" fit the category. I think it's easy to miss the fact that this creation is essentially one epic bookends. The category doesn't specify how many books it needs to support, or if they had to be 'non lego' books.
This functionally is an epic set of bookends for a single book of a determined width. People may find it easier to see if the width was wider, and was filled with "real" books, but the build of the lego books is probably the best I've ever seen...
In response to one of the comments, I think our excellent judges show NO partiality because of anyones particular fame. And would hate to see anyones efforts towards a 5 attributed to that.
Quoting Paul Vermeesch
While the bookends themselves aren't noteworthy...
Purposeful. I chose to portray a rather bland and unassuming pair of bookends, which would then draw the viewer to the real brilliance behind this build, namely the mechanics. Thanks Paul! :)
Unique take on the category! While the bookends themselves aren't noteworthy, you certainly took it to the next level with complicated functionality and playability. Awesome work, and good luck with the judges, Blake! Not that you'll need it!
Wow, totally original. That's really ingenious. The books look very realistic and the mechanism works smoothly. Although not exactly a "bookend" you took a very clever approach!
-LB Senior
