The publisher provided this book for review, as well as prizes for the draw, but all opinions are my own.

Deepak Shenoy is well known in the online LEGO Community as Deepshen6 on Instagram, or for his Facebook page, formerly Towering LEGO Creations (now Brick Builder’s Handbook), to say nothing of his contributions posted at Bricknerd.com. His massive LEGO Towers, both real and virtual, have astounded thousands of AFOLs over the past 8 years. In The LEGO Builder’s Handbook – just released through No Starch  Press – he takes the lessons he has learned in creating these magnificent structures and clearly communicates them to the reader. He uses worked examples to explain how we too can ensure that our models will take on the shapes that we wish.

This book will not provide you instructions for a massive creation. It will give you a background in sophisticated techniques that will help you achieve your goals!

Read to the end to find out about our giveaway, and our exclusive 25% off code, valid until the new year!

What’s Inside?

I was impressed when I took hold of this hardcover, 200 page book. The pages stayed open without flipping back and forward without deliberate intention. This is always useful when you are trying to fill your hands with bricks. The Foreward by Joe Meno gave me a warm glow. Joe’s work on Brick Journal was one of my core introductions to the world of the AFOL, 15 years ago.

In the first part, we are guided to learn the basics of the LEGO system. We learn the concepts of scaling your model. Techniques are taught that would allow us to build a simple, sturdy house. 

Having covered the basics, the second part of the book focuses on ‘going off the grid.’ Those standard brick heights and stud spacing can be so limiting! We are taken take through creating partial stud offsets, and applying SNOT (Studs not on top) techniques, using brackets and elements with studs on the side to enhance the detail in our models.

Shenoy is not afraid to reintroduce us to a bit of geometry. He explains how to use Pythagorean Triples (right angle triangles with whole-number side lengths) to take the buildings off the rigid square afforded by the standard base plate. We are taken through how to use turntables and plates with vertical hinging to set walls on non-orthogonal angles. Near-Pythagorean triples – where the exact distance may not perfectly fit the grid but be within the tolerances of hinged elements are also discussed. From here, we are guided through other examples of moving a build off the standard grid in a way that fills you with confidence to start applying it straight away.

We look at the creation of round shapes, initially simple curves using SNOT bricks and curved slopes, employing brick bending techniques, and approximating these curves using polygonal forms with multiple hinges.

From here, we move onto three-dimensional curves such as spheres and domes. He starts by using stacked plates and bricks before moving onto the SNOT-based Lowell spheres and their modifications. Most of the structures here are considered more circular curves. Perhaps, touching a little more on compound curves/ ellipse fragments could have been interesting, as not much has been available.

The final section of the book looks at computer-assisted model design for both mosaic and sculptural models. We are introduced to concepts that must be taken into account before proceeding with such builds, along with suggestions for available software. These will, by the nature of the market, never be comprehensive, and as such, I appreciate the author’s broad discussion of basic techniques and terminology in this section.  

In conclusion

This book is aimed at people ready to start planning their own LEGO®️ builds. The author is well-known in the community for his large LEGO towers in both physical and digital forms. He imparts the lessons he has learned in developing these models, from basic brick stacking through SNOT (Studs Not On Top) and offset techniques to more advanced methods to help you take your builds off-the-grid, regardless of the scale you wish to work at.

As a hardcover book, it is sturdy and stays open on the desk without effort, making it easy to pore over the details on a page time and again while you use your hands to experiment with the bricks. The language used is clear, and well illustrated with examples throughout. In this world of TikTok and Instagram posts to communicate information, I love a usable book.

I believe that even experienced builders will have something to learn from this book.

Win a copy of the LEGO Builder’s Handbook

Thanks to our friends at No Starch Press, we have 10 copies of The LEGO Builder’s Handbook: Become a Master Builder to give away in ebook format. Simply comment on the post at ramblingbrick.com (not facebook) with how this book might help you, and sign up for our mailing list. For an additional chance to win, follow ramblingbrick on Instagram and tag a friend who you think might appreciate it, in the post advertising this prize draw.

Entries are now open. The Draw will take place at 2200 Australian Eastern Summer Time, November 30th 2024. Winners will be contacted by direct message, and will be announced after confirming contact details. An email address will be shared with the publisher to allow the delivery of the ebook.

Can’t Wait? Buy it now!

The LEGO Builder’s Handbook is available now from No Starch Press for USD19.99 (ebook)/$USD24.99 (Hardback) and other retailers. If you use the code RAMBLE25 at the checkout, you will receive a 25% off the price. Just what you need to have more to invest in more bricks or storage! This code is valid until December 31st 2024

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Until Next Time,

Play Well!