This is it, the final week. It’s been a long time coming, so let’s finish up with a bang. I’m really glad I finally get to use this title; I’ve been super excited for it.
Banners and Stickers
I went ahead and printed the sticker sheet I had, and used the Cricut that was available in the DKC (after getting the appropriate training for it) to cut them out, along with some extras just in case.
They turned out pretty good, but I still wanted the extras in case something messed up.
For most of these, I will still have to wait before I can use them, although for one of them, I can go ahead and get it added now.
I used some cardstock and cut an outline of the sticker, where I then simply placed the sticker on top of it, which gave me…
The weird Piraka hazard sign.
I personally think it almost looks exactly like a decal Lego would use officially, so I’m super proud of that.
But with this added thickness, I can easily just lay it down somewhere on the display base for that last bit of detail.
A Loss of Direction
It was about at this point that I started to get scatterbrained and distracted with other aspects of the project. I wanted to try out the Plexiglass to make sure it would fit, and try various methods to make it stick.
Originally, I started with magnets since I figured it would be easiest, but the DKC unfortunately did not have any that were strong enough to hold the Plexiglass in place, so I had to redesign.
After a short break, I came back to it and suddenly got hit with the idea to make a specialized holder that would slot the sheets into place. I sketched out the design, but I couldn’t figure out how I would make it attach to the platform raisers I already had.
I got stumped on it for a little bit, but after another short break, I got struck with inspiration again. Instead of making an entirely new part, I could just incorporate the design into my already existing platform raiser!
I quickly got to work in Blender, and created this (while also getting the hang of using proper modelling techniques! My model is no longer incredibly messy):
I didn’t realize it while making it, but this also keeps the profile super low and overall lightweight.
But while I set them out to print, I decided I would have time to go get the border trims printed as well, so I went out and got that done, courtesy of Cartland’s fancy glossy paper.
I’m more than satisfied with the results. The paper looks incredible, and I’m happy with my design overall.
It’s a much higher quality paper than what’s used in stores for Lego’s banners (generally), which is perfect.
What isn’t perfect though is that I have to get these perfectly cut out without being able to rely entirely on the help of a paper cutter, since the longer strips don’t fit within the blade length.
I was able to get a good bit of them cut out by removing the bar on the paper cutter, and by going slow and careful with the blade, but I still reached a point where I needed to do it manually as the pieces just got too small for the blade.
I simply used a ruler and knife to line it up and cut it out. I did make a few mistakes, but nothing that was super-duper noticeable thankfully. It was a very tiring process however, and I much prefer cutting foam to this.
With those done though, I just need to wait for the new platform raisers to finish up.
A Proper Fit
Once they finished printing, it was easy enough to remove the bolts from the old ones and stick the news ones in. They fit just as well as the old ones did, as expected.
The next step is to apply the trims. I talked to Cartland for ideas on how to get it done, and he suggested using some glue, which I don’t think is a bad idea, but I had another one in mind to try out first.
I could easily slot the trims into the platform raisers alongside the plexiglass. It wouldn’t be very smooth, but I think I could make it work.
It isn’t perfect, but it is pretty good, and that’s fine enough for me.
Now, my original intention was to place the stickers directly on top of the trim so they would sit behind the plexiglass, but I don’t think they would’ve fit. The fit was already tight enough with just the trim and glass alone, and I think the added millimeter or so from the stickers would’ve made it impossible for it all to fit properly.
So instead I will have to place them on top of the plexiglass, which isn’t an issue, I just need to wait before I can do that, as I need to do some drilling.
I need holes for both the button on the front, and the power supply in the back. One of those is going to be a lot easier than the other, but we carry on nonetheless.
I decided to start on the back since I could just use my hand drill to make the holes.
After a bit of work, it turned out messy, but functional.
So now I just need to do the same, but on the front.
I decided the easiest route would be to just cut a small square out that was the size of the switch for the button. It took a lot of finagling and a good chunk of time, but I eventually managed to come out with a result I was satisfied with.
And that, thankfully, marks the end of cutting into the plexiglass. It’s time to move on to the finishing touches.
Finishing the Fight
The first thing I did was add some rocks around the base to help it look more natural. I did a very quick cutting and painting job, but I think they turned out okay.
Next up was to apply the stickers. I decided on putting the logos in the top left, to mimic the actual canisters from the sets, but I was less sure about where I wanted to put the icons of the Toa.
On one hand, I originally wanted to place them on either side of the display, to help fill it out more, but I feel like it would leave the front too empty, especially with the button having to do all the work to fill it up. So considering that, I opted to place them on the front.
I definitely put some of the icons on a bit crooked, but hopefully it won’t bother me too much. I don’t have a lot of time to spare to reprint unless I absolutely need to.
With these small additions, that leaves the last task left: put the lid and bottom on and seal it all up!
Sealant
As I was measuring the sheets, I realized I will need a bit of extra support, as the plexiglass on the top dips down slightly, and it concerns me enough to do something about it.
To this end, I pulled up my platform raiser model in Blender again and tried to work off of that. My idea was to essentially take the raiser I have now, and translate the design to be on its side.
The print was going to take a while, so in the meantime I started working on cleaning up all of my various supplies I’ve accrued over the last few months. It’s been a very fast semester, I feel like. But I’ll save the retrospective for the end of this post.
As soon as the helpers finished printing, I went ahead and tried to screw the plexiglass on. This came to a very quick halt as soon as I cracked it.
I was a bit upset, but I quickly thought back to when I did my research on this. The threat of cracking the acrylic glass was very high, and something that was always warned about. And yet I managed to forget it.
This scared me off from trying to screw anything else into it, and I immediately went back to the old reliable Blu Tack to keep the panels in place.
It’s not the prettiest solution, but I don’t have any time to brainstorm about it now.
But with those panels put on, it’s finally time to come to a close here.
Journey’s End
Shannon requested that I get “as many pictures of the completed project as I can”, so I’ll abide to that request now.
And of course, it’s time for the big function reveal, at long last. These lights have been working for a good few weeks now, so it’s time to finally show them off.
And with that, it’s time for a retrospective.
Like I said before, it’s been a fast few months. Spring semesters typically are though. This project was both a lot of fun, and also really tedious to do. I, rather surprisingly, didn’t make as many compromises as I figured I would, but maybe I just don’t realize them.
While I did mostly enjoy writing these blog posts, the novelty started to wear off in the last three weeks or so, and it became a chore. I do wish I had more fun facts to bring up, but I was limited by trying to keep the facts related to what I was talking about, which means I couldn’t do very many when all I got to talk about was the process of how I created stuff.
I know I’ll come to regret having so little details about some of my processes in the future, but hopefully by then we’ll have tools to extract memories from our brains, or something like that.
Being in the DKC this long has essentially turned it into home for me. If it weren’t for weekends, I probably would’ve spent more time here than my actual home. I liked getting to talk with Shannon and Cartland so often (and Jerry too, even if our interactions were brief), and I’m glad to have bonded more with all of them. It was also interesting seeing all of the people that came in throughout the days.
It’s funny thinking back to one of my meetings with Shannon and Cartland where I expressed worry about finishing this project too soon in the semester, as I sit here writing this only one and a half hour before the DKC officially closes… on the very last day of the semester. It quite literally took me every second.
I definitely could’ve been more efficient, but that’s just how I am. Some weeks were destined to be slower than others. But in the end, even only missing two days and leaving early only a handful of times, I managed to complete it.
I definitely wouldn’t mind doing another one of these, but I’ll need more time and definitely more money, which is scarce for me currently. But if I did do another one, I’m stuck between doing a single tube-style one for Toa Jovan, or doing a full display like this for the Piraka. Only time will tell if I do either.
I think that’s about everything on my mind regarding this. I know I’ll remember something else a week later, but oh well.
Throughout completing my duty in this process, I’ve gathered unity, and now it’s time I continue towards my destiny. There’s no better way to end this off, than with one of the final quotes spoken in Bionicle:
“All journeys must come to an end, but this time, there is a new beginning as well. There will be challenges to face and enemies to fight, but I know you will overcome. All that has gone before, my friends, has only served to give birth to this new day.
Let unity, duty and destiny be your guides. Be well, be strong, care for this world and for each other. Farewell.”
– Mata Nui, Journey’s End
My friends, it is time to go.