Round shapes out of rectangular parts? Seems a little crazy but you can make one of these bad boys for yourself with normal 1x2s and basic building skills. Impress others or use as a wall decoration.



This circle is made out of standard rectangular Lego bricks. When enough bricks are stacked together they start to bend a bit and eventually you can complete a full circle. 

Though smaller circles can be made, making one with 100 bricks per layer doesn't put too much stress on the bricks. I always use 3 layers of bricks because they hold better and have a lesser chance of exploding all over the room. 

 
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Step 1: Parts

You will need:
-150 black 1x2s
-150 white 1x2s

Of course you can use any color combination that you like. You can even go "rainbow warrior" and just use whatever colors are available. As long as you can gather 300 1x2s, you're good. 
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Adum24 says: Dec 16, 2012. 6:34 PM
But...but...its physically impossible!!!! JK great job!!
criggie says: Dec 13, 2011. 4:03 PM
http://criggie.org.nz/pictures/misc/Instructables-LEGO-circle1.jpg

http://criggie.org.nz/pictures/misc/Instructables-LEGO-circle2.jpg

We did this with Duplo blocks and made a tower like this, but 10 rows high...  not sure if it would hold with smaller lego ones.
Instructables-LEGO-circle1.jpgInstructables-LEGO-circle2.jpg
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to criggieDec 19, 2011. 12:42 AM
AH! I can tell you that it does indeed hold with smaller ones... that is one of my upcoming projects! That is so funny :) I haven't written it yet but I have all steps and photos set up on an unpublished Instructable. It's pretty cool seeing it done in Duplo though. Are you planning on writing up an Instructable on it too or am I safe haha?
criggie in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 19, 2011. 11:03 AM
No I'mnot, so go for it - publish your work.
I just wanted to show that traditional lego encourages rectilinear thinking.
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to criggieDec 19, 2011. 12:45 PM
Ok, great! Just wanted to check so I didn't step on any toes.
CrLz in reply to sherrycayheyheyApr 26, 2012. 1:01 AM
That duplo-ring is pretty neat! Really holds up to compression, although ends want to crumble off. Had fun putting that idea together. Only prob is after ~10 levels, it starts to want to shrink in radius. Feels like a block won't line up. Need to gently spread the cylinder. Probably why the ends crumble so well. Photographs brilliantly.
duplo cylinder.jpginto wormhole.jpgalt universe.jpg
willannison says: Dec 20, 2011. 4:49 AM
this is great you have inspired me to get the lego out from the loft. unfortunately i don't have anywhere near enough 1x2 lego to attempt this but i do have the motherload of duplo so not to be put off i produced this... circle of duplo 2x2 blocks 2 high.
IMG_2635.JPG
blossom9283 says: Dec 18, 2011. 7:52 AM
Do you know the diameter of the circle (i'm thinking Hula Hoop)
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to blossom9283Dec 19, 2011. 12:46 AM
Haha great idea, so fun. I don't have any numbers for you but it's a good say. I'm going to guess that most adults (even the more rotund ones) would be able to fit this around themselves. I think you should try it but I don't know if hula hooping would work out because of the weight of the bricks.
blossom9283 in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 19, 2011. 8:27 AM
yea im was more worried of once the hoop falls will it collapse but hey its worth a try
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to blossom9283Dec 19, 2011. 12:27 PM
That was another thing. Play around with different sizes though, a smaller one will be under more pressure but will create a more rigid hoop while a bigger one (like the 100 per layer) will offer more hula space but may not keep it's shape good enough. If you do it and are successful please capture and share on video :)
blossom9283 in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 19, 2011. 1:42 PM
If it's successful I will post but I need bricks so I'm going to chk ebay
elizle says: Dec 4, 2011. 8:21 PM
You could use Megabloks and make a Halo ring and then have your Megabloks Master Chief blow it up!
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to elizleDec 5, 2011. 11:29 AM
Don't talk to me about the "M" word...
elizle in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 5, 2011. 11:36 PM
lol, I have to because Lego doesn't make Halo stuff.
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to elizleDec 6, 2011. 3:16 AM
buuuuut...you could make Halo stuff out of Lego :)
monsterlego in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 9, 2011. 7:25 AM
Picture 15.jpg
abrucker2 says: Dec 6, 2011. 8:11 AM
Sherry, have you checked out http://www.brickbending.com/ yet?
NightElectric says: Dec 4, 2011. 8:17 PM
Square blocks... round circle....


WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!

*head explodes*
greybunny in reply to NightElectricDec 5, 2011. 11:36 PM
Well, technically it's rectangular blocks :)
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to greybunnyDec 6, 2011. 3:16 AM
rectangular prism blocks...with short cylinders :)
simplifiedbuilding says: Dec 5, 2011. 2:05 PM
Nice work.. kids loved building this one.. even searching for the 300 legos it took to build

photo (4).JPG
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to simplifiedbuildingDec 5, 2011. 5:20 PM
I LOVE IT! This made my day! Thank you for sharing, it's great to see someone use an Instructable that I made.

Tell the kids to keep those bricks out because I have some exciting upcoming designs.
simplifiedbuilding in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 5, 2011. 7:05 PM
Yeah we already built the triangle type ones that I saw today. Your projects are excellent.. keep it coming and we'll keep building!
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to simplifiedbuildingDec 5, 2011. 8:14 PM
You seriously have no idea how cool that is to me. Thank you so much :)
pietzeekoe says: Dec 5, 2011. 10:11 AM
lambsb says: Dec 4, 2011. 1:20 PM
Hmm... Lets see, if you used 100 bricks per layer, every 25'th brick in the center layer could be a 1x2 corner brick, allowing the corner peg to protrude into the center of the circle, therefore leaving a brick to attach 4 spokes onto to create a hub for a wheel....... Very cool, shopping on brick-link for bricks now...
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to lambsbDec 4, 2011. 5:11 PM
Cool idea using the corner piece. I was thinking of using a 2x4 brick as the anchor but that would give a 2-stud wide axel. If you make it I would love to see pictures. I have a few circle shapes that have stuff going on in them but no crossing axels like you're talking about so that will be really interesting to see.
imfasa says: Dec 4, 2011. 6:53 AM
That's using the malshaped pieces for benefit :)
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to imfasaDec 4, 2011. 7:14 AM
Malshaped? They are standard 1x2 Lego bricks without defect. It's pretty uncommon to find a messed up brick and they are made very precise, that's why bricks from 30 years ago fit in flawlessly with ones made today.
imfasa in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 4, 2011. 9:57 AM
i know, i know, but there's a little margin between them, otherwise you wouldn't be able to make a circle out of them
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to imfasaDec 4, 2011. 5:07 PM
Haha ok, you're right there is a little bit of give that makes this possible. Just didn't want the good name of Lego sullied :)
m_68 says: Dec 4, 2011. 11:00 AM
Now that's really great. How durable is it? What do you think if I made one, it could hold some weight by a center axle without collapsing? I'm thinking about 3 or 4 Newton of weight.
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to m_68Dec 4, 2011. 11:47 AM
Well the black/white one that uses 100 bricks in each level probably wouldn't. It is strong and stable but it you stand it on its side it will sag due to its own weight. Now the smaller lime green one that I made that uses 75 bricks per level retains it's shape when stood up. Try experimenting with the sizes but you shouldn't have any problem because they are very sturdy.
m_68 in reply to sherrycayheyheyDec 4, 2011. 2:51 PM
Thanks. I'm thinking in usage as wheels, but I they must tilt. I give them a try. Thank you for the idea!!!
bparent says: Dec 4, 2011. 12:16 PM
You said "50 sets of stairs in white" twice and missed the black ones :-)
sherrycayheyhey (author) in reply to bparentDec 4, 2011. 1:04 PM
Good catch! Thanks :)
a4great says: Dec 4, 2011. 10:21 AM
Nice work! now someone make a car that has wheels like this...
ryanmercer says: Dec 4, 2011. 8:41 AM
That is fantastic!
merijnvw says: Dec 4, 2011. 7:19 AM
nice idea! and after you keep them this way for a while don't they all get stretched out a little bit just like old pieces so they don't interlock perfectly anymore making them useless?
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