Introduction: Lego Portal Turret
These are the instructions for my popular design of a laser turret from Portal. It's all Lego; you won't need any other materials to make this nice display piece.
Step 1: Parts Needed
Here are the parts you'll need. You may have some, most, or all of these in your own collection; if not, you can get them from Bricklink.com (or Lego's Pick-A-Brick , but they tend to be much more expensive, if somewhat easier). Part names may be different between Bricklink and Pick-A-Brick.
No. Color LDraw no. BL no. Part name
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4 Black 48729.dat 48729b Bar 1.5L with Clip
2 Dark-Gray 44728.dat 44728 Bracket 1 x 2 - 2 x 2
2 Dark-Gray 4733.dat 4733 Brick 1 x 1 with Studs on Four Sides (color doesn't matter)
2 White 4733.dat 4733 Brick 1 x 1 with Studs on Four Sides
2 Black 47905.dat 47905 Brick 1 x 1 with Studs on Two Opposite Sides (can be Dark-Gray)
2 Black 4593.dat 4593 Hinge Control Stick
3 Black 3820.dat 983 Minifig Hand
1 Black 4497.dat 4497 Minifig Spear
2 Dark-Gray 30162.dat 30162 Minifig Tool Binoculars Town
2 Black 4006.dat 4006 Minifig Tool Spanner/Screwdriver
2 White 3024.dat 3024 Plate 1 x 1
8 Dark-Gray 4073.dat 4073 Plate 1 x 1 Round (color doesn't matter)
1 Trans-Red 4073.dat 4073 Plate 1 x 1 Round
2 Black 4085c.dat 4085 Plate 1 x 1 with Clip Vertical Type 3
2 Dark-Gray 4085c.dat 4085 Plate 1 x 1 with Clip Vertical Type 3 (type 4 is even better)
2 White 3023.dat 3023 Plate 1 x 2
2 Black 3794.dat 3794 Plate 1 x 2 with 1 Stud
4 White 3710.dat 3710 Plate 1 x 4
4 White 3460.dat 3460 Plate 1 x 8
2 White 3021.dat 3021 Plate 2 x 3
4 White 50746.dat 54200 Slope Brick 31 1 x 1 x 2/3
2 White 3048.dat 3048 Slope Brick 45 1 x 2 Triple
22 White 50950.dat 50950 Slope Brick Curved 3 x 1
5 White 61678.dat 61678 Slope Brick Curved 4 x 1
4 Black 4599.dat 4599 Tap 1 x 1
2 Black 41677.dat 41677 Technic Beam 2 x 0.5 Liftarm
2 White 6541.dat 6541 Technic Brick 1 x 1 with Hole
2 Light-Gray 4274.dat 4274 Technic Pin 1/2
1 Black 6558.dat 6558 Technic Pin Long with Friction and Slot
1 Light-Gray 4697b.dat 4696 Technic Pneumatic T Piece - Type II
4 White 3069b.dat 3069 Tile 1 x 2 with Groove
An Excel sheet of the parts with links and more information is attached.
Attachments
Step 2: Step 1
Onto the build! I'll add hints down here for the Lego-illiterate. ;)
Step 3: Step 2
Yes, the tiles are supposed to swing back and forth loosely here. They will be secured later.
Step 4: Step 3
Unlike the previous step's bricks, these have studs (the knobby things) on all four vertical sides -- they are often called "travis bricks". This step ties the whole assembly thus far into one piece.
Step 5: Step 4
Step 6: Step 5
Step 7: Step 6
None of the non-white pieces' colors here matter much; they won't be very visible.
Step 8: Step 7
Notice that you do the same thing on the other side.
Step 9: Step 8
Step 10: Step 9
Step 11: Step 10
Step 12: Step 11
This connection may be a little loose; using newer clips or gently squeezing the clips before attaching the brackets can help.
Step 13: Step 12
The 1x1 slopes are called "cheese slopes", one of my favorite parts.
Step 14: Step 13
Step 15: Step 14
This one can be a bit tricky; the bases of the sticks, when put in together, should stick tight in the red plate.
Step 16: Step 15
Fit the previous assembly in the 1/2-plate gap that goes around the body. Try to fit the balls of the lever handles in the gap in the middle; this may take several tries. Once they're in, gently squeeze the body to slightly shrink the gap, to hold the eye in place.
Step 17: Step 16
Did you get the eye in? Great!
Step 18: Step 17
Step 19: Step 18
The tap's top can move around a bit within the slope, making for some nice angles.
Step 20: Step 19
Depending on the parts you have, you may have to pull the hands out of your minifigs' arms. It's okay, they won't mind.
Step 21: Step 20
Step 22: You're Done!
Once you've adjusted the legs to your liking, congratulations! You now have your very own Portal turret. I recommend using it only as a display trinket; it won't hold up to much play.
Step 23: Credits
These instructions were built in LDraw/MLCad, then screencapped in LDView and edited in Photoshop Elements.
Step 24: ...But What About the Laser?
Oh, right. You're wondering how I achieved the laser in my photograph? Don't worry, your turret won't actually kill you.
Materials needed for laser effect:
Laser light (warning: don't shine in anyone's eyes, etc.)
Misting humidifier or something else that creates a mist or fog
Step 1: Shine laser into turret's eye (it's okay, he can't be blinded)
Step 2: Fog up the area with the humidifier to make the laser visible
Step 3: Take picture
Here's my setup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ltdemartinet/4653056529/in/photostream/

Finalist in the
game.life challenge

Participated in the
MakerBot Challenge
143 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
THIS WAS A TRIUMPH......
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I'm making a note here
HUGE SUCCESS!!!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
its hard to overstate my satisfaction
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Aperture Science.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
We do what we must because we can.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
For the good of all of us
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
except the ones who are dead
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
but there's no sense crying over ever mistake
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
You just keep on trying 'till you run out of cake
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
And the science gets done and you make a neat gun for the people who are still alive
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i'm not even angry.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Im being so sincere right now
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
even though you broke my heart and killed me
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
"And tore me to pieces"
Thanks, all! Glad you like it. Feel free to continue the song ;)
-Ryan H.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
And threw every piece into a fire.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
As they burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Now these points of data make a beautiful line.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
and we're out of beta we're releasing on time
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
So I'm GLaD. I got burned.
(so proud of you guys ^_^)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Think of all the things we've learned,