How Do You Bring Your Creations to Conventions?

Lord Felix · Post by **Lord Felix** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:45 am

So, my question arises. How do you transport big creations, mainly over long distances, to conventions or displays? I'm thinking of convincing my parents to bring me to NWBrick Con. and bringing my Castle Town which will be complete, with me. However, how do you bring it? I've seen some of Sava's (or Tony's) packing methods for packing Ulmaris, but what do you guys do?

Confused in CA,
Lord Felix[/i]

Remyth · Post by **Remyth** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:04 am

When I took my market to Brickfest, it fit nicely into a plastic box.

I know Chris took his Wolfpack redux in nothing at all. The base was solid enough that he could just put it on the floor of his car with the other things we were taking around it (after taking off the trees), and it arrived mostly in one peice. I'm thinking of doing similar with my contribution to NWBrickCon (if I can go, that is.)

It is good to make large MOCs modular, at least if you plan to take them anywhere, so they can be much more easily stored and such. Making section of about 2 32x32 baseplates is a nice size.

I know a lot of people brick their stuff in boxes of various types. This helps to protect the MOC from getting knocked around too much (at least if you can find a nice-fitting box) and also can help with packing your car, as things can be put on top of it and such.

For your town, I think that that best way to go would be to remove the stuff that falls of easily (like people, carts, boats, trees, whatever) and put those all into bags or another smaller box. Then you set the main bulk into the main box, set the bags or smaller box inside of the large box if there is room, and them fill the rest of the box either with other things you are taking or any packaging material that will fit.

I sure hope that both you and I can make it. I would like very much to meet you.

In Christ,

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:23 am

Depending on the size, how modular/sectional , what is "fixed" down, how tall it is and a few other factors you could either transport it flat or stand some of it on end to conserve space. Also of course what size of vehicle has a large factor on what you can bring. I have a van and I happen to push my limits on how much I bring.

These 2 images are from packing up from Brickfest 2007.

Back of van

Side of van

I pack all my houses, minifigs, details, trees and foliage in separate boxes. The trees being fairly fragile and take up a lot of room being packed with air bag padding, all the rest gets packed pretty tight to conserve space. Doing so can make set up time go on for a bit long but generally pretty fun.

I didn't do the best job of padding for the ride home so I've got a ton to rebuild if I'm going to use any of it again.

It would be great to see your Castle Town in person and I hope you can make it.

Thomas

plums_deify · Post by **plums_deify** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:37 pm

The Cathedral just sort of sat in my trunk. Anything that would fall off easily actually chills inside the Cathedral, as it actually does have an interior and the roof is removable. It survived just fine this way.

Post by **Bruce N H** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:07 pm

Hey,

Lenny wrote an article on this.

Bruce

Lord Felix · Post by **Lord Felix** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:19 pm

Thanks, you guys. Thomas (not Wunz), that is an insanely large amount of green baseplates and tiles and bricks.. I thought I had a lot

Thomas (Wunz), thanks. It seems logical and easy.

Bruce, thanks for the article link... I was unaware of it.

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:22 pm

When I went to Brickworld, I had to pack away everything. I suggest taking a train so that things don't role around, and carry it on the train car. In an airplane, your stuff WILL get destroyed, no matter how well it is packed.

Nick Dean (Kcaster) used FedEx
for his starship. That may be a good idea.

P.I

JPinoy · Post by **JPinoy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:35 pm

I transported my Chinese troops, super-tank, and insurgent militia and their vehicles in a box.

Lord Felix · Post by **Lord Felix** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:11 am

When I went to Brickworld, I had to pack away everything. I suggest taking a train so that things don't role around, and carry it on the train car. In an airplane, your stuff WILL get destroyed, no matter how well it is packed.

I probably will never travel on a train again. My last experience was horrible. To make things short, my backpack (I was going to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch [it was also smaller then a suitcase]) was forced to be checked in, and it received quite a beating. Also, because of how the train rode, my shampoo bottle burst open. I know that has nothing to do with the train, but this next idea does.

On the train, it was delayed about 1:30 minutes, right from the start. After I got on the train, I sat for 22 hours to get from Albequeque (sp) to LA. After arriving in LA, I waited another 2 hours in Union Station, and then traveled on another train for 5 hours. That last five hours was delayed by 4:30 hours, because our train ran over a man and his dog. Yes, we killed a man, and investigators, police, etc. all came. I arrived home at midnight, when I was originally planned to arrive at 4:30.

But, that shouldn't damper my spirits. It's just that the train takes a long time, and you really can't carry as much stuff as you'd think, and it's close enough to plane ticket that it is worth 100 extra dollars to get there 30 hours quicker.

Asterios · Post by **Asterios** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:58 pm

well for starters when i create things i design them firstly to be transportable,secondly for size (i have a habit of building things large

),1st. rule of thumb if possible avoid making any creation or section of a creation bigger then 64 x 64 so this way it is large enough to set up without alot of parts but small enough to transport.

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:38 pm

Get yourself a sturdy box, and get driving.

If your flying, bubble rap and table will hold your creation together relatively, but wont do much.

You are going to have to expect to rebuild at fest, which they give you a day to do.

P.I

JPinoy · Post by **JPinoy** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:02 am

In a box...

But make sure they are arranged in such a away that they won't move about while in transit.

DaleDVM · Post by **DaleDVM** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:01 pm

I would think filling a box with foam popcorn after the whole thing is in would keep any shifting at a very minimum. If I was flying that is the way I would do it. Can't take a huge MOC of lego's on the plane I am guessing.

Danielas · Post by **Danielas** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:51 pm

well if you only have one creation you could put it on your lap or on the floor just in front of you (if its a car trip)

Voran_the_Scholar · Post by **Voran_the_Scholar** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:22 am

Danielas wrote:well if you only have one creation you could put it on your lap or on the floor just in front of you (if its a car trip)

Yeah, can you imagine how boring that would be after four hours?