6_3

Here's a tower design for set #6. Although the structure looks as though it might fall down, it's remarkably stable. My initial design for this tower was much taller, but I find this version more pleasing.

There's a slight flaw in the hints. In the last two steps, the image didn't render correctly. I'll have to correct this at another time.

Here's the build in progress:

6_2 (plans)

This is the 6_2 model, but from a different angle.  In my haste, I didn't post any plans for this construction.

So here they are:

I have mixed feelings on the new style I'm using for drawing hints.

I like the conventional layer plans used in the Anchor Stone books, but it's easier for me to create hints showing the construction in progress.

For now, I'm taking the easy approach. I hope the hard core Anchor builders don't mind...

6_1 (new)

The initial 6_1 model was a simple construction.  I decided to make it simplier.

I sometimes over embellish models with extra blocks. I'm trying to break this habbit. I think it's better to share the basic plan, then let the builder add their own style to it.

I also thought I'd experiment with new design plans (I've been calling them hints).

These plans differ in style to common Anchor Stone plans. Instead of showing cross sections of each layer, I'm showing the construction as it's being built.  Hopefully the visual will make it easier.

6_2

This construction turned out rather nice. It was built using set #6. Note the overlapping blocks in the tower section. One must imagine there's a spiral staircase that winds up inside the structure. At least that's what I was thinking when I made it.

This design was initially meant to be a church, but it can be made into a tower by simply removing the lower section to the left of the door.

enjoy!

6_1

It's been a long time since I've built anything using set #6. This small house was constructed from that set.












I'll need to rework the hints at some point and create some real design plans.

h27

Here's a construction that breaks my usual trend. This design, like the last one, was inspired by my 3yr old son. He loves trains. This construction was made with a Heinzelmannchen set.

h26

It's been a long time since my last construction. So here's one to get me going again. This model was built using a Heinzelmannchen set. It uses a little more than half the box, and it's simplistic by design.

I've recently had some good block play with my 3yr son, and I found several of my designs to be too complicated for him. I built this with his skill set in mind.

g27

This Gernegross design may look slightly familiar.

I've been known to repeat myself every now and then, and other times I just repeat myself. Every once and a while, I create something new. This isn't one of those times.

Still, I like this design for it's simplicity. It's a variation of the Gernegross g5 design. Similar, yet very different.

g26

One can never build enough towers. This Gernegross tower design has a balcony off the side.

Some designs never make it to this blog. They get created, then destroyed. I generally share (what I feel) are my best work.

In a previous post, I shared a design which I felt was not one of my better works. To my surprise, an avid reader expressed his appreciation of the design calling it one of my best. I'm deeply honored by his comments (thank you Alan).

As a follow-up, I'm posting a design which I did not intend to add to this blog. I created this model last night, then dismantled it. After reading Alan's comments, I decided to recreate the model from memory. Here it is Alan. A tribute and brain teaser for You to work on.

NOTE: The 210 + (2)69 + 31 arrangement replaces the 210 block on top of the 98 arch. I was not able to draw this arrangement in place due to limitations of AnkerCAD.

BTW: This is a set #4 design.

4_6

This set #4 creation has an interesting door. It could be the entrance to a palace, or it could be the home of a person with a large head.








Here's an alternative block arrangement that emphasizes the doorway a little more.

4_5

This arch was created using set #4. It's a variation of several arches available in the book (that accompanies the set).

Given more blocks, a builder could someday turn this design into a small castle.

4_4

Book #4 contains several nice images of shrines, arches and fountains which can be constructed using a set #4. Here's another shrine which can be constructed.

NOTE: The backside image (at the bottom right), shows slight clipping. It appears as if the #15 block is floating. This is a defect in the way AnkerCAD draws some blocks. Sometimes I can rotate the model slightly to remove the clipping. Other times I can't. Call it magic.

4_3

This model was constructed using set #4. The Heinzelmannchen set and set #4 are packaged in the same size box. What differs is the selection of blocks you get. Set #4 has a nice selection of roof tiles as well as a large arch. Both of which add variety to constructions which can be created.

4_1

This bridge was constructed from set #4. Does it look familiar?

4_2

Set #4 includes a book of several nice designs. Those designs were the inspiration for this construction.

Updated 7/15: I built this design from memory and I forgot a few blocks. This revision uses all the blocks in the box.

Heinzelmännchen designs as PDF

For those with a Heinzelmannchen set, I created a one page (US letter) PDF of all the Heinzelmannchen designs. You can download the PDF file here, or you can select the PNG image if you prefer.

NOTE: After clicking the PDF link, select option #2 to download the file. You do not need to create an account. The file size is about 2.25Mb in size.

Kleine Gernegroß designs as PDF

Every once and a while, I create a one page (US letter) PDF of all the Gernegross designs. For anyone interested, you can download the PDF here. Or, you can select the PNG image, if you prefer.

NOTE: The PDF link above will take you to a free file hosting web site. When you get there, select option #2 to download the file. You do not need to create an account. The file is about 2Mb in size.

As always, comments are appreciated.

g8

Here's a Gernegross church design. This church was initially constructed with a Heinzelmannchen set as seen here.

Same church with a different block arrangement.

g25

Here's a church design for the Gernegross set. 2D designs are not as interesting as 3D models, but they're a great place to start for new builders. No design plans needed.

NOTE: This design has been corrected from it's initial posting.

Updated (7/10): Sometimes I just can't leave a design alone. Here's the same church using all the blocks in the box...make that two alternative designs. Vote for your favorite today!

g24

This building was constructed with a Gernegross set. The Gernegross set is one of the smallest (is it the smallest?) Anchor Stone block sets. Not only in size, but also in the number of blocks contained in the set. There are only 38 blocks in a Gernegross set.

It's been mentioned that a Gernegross model can be constructed with a Heinzelmannchen set with a few substitutions in block color. It's also possible to construct any Gernegross model with a #6 starter set. One only needs to substitute two #4R blocks for two #4G blocks.

Hints:

g23

Here's another tower design for the Gernegross set. There's no door into the structure. Maybe it's a prison. Be careful when constructing the roof. It's easier to construct the roof on a flat surface, then lift it all at once to place it on the tower.

Here's a GIF animation of the build in progress.

g12

This tower was built with the Gernegross set. The original tower under the same title had an error. Here's the corrected version.

g22

This arch design was constructed from a Gernegross set. If you like this arch design, you may be interested in this one as well.

Heinzelmännchen Packing Plan

Putting Anchor Stones into their storage box can be a puzzle. Thankfully, all sets come with a packing plan on the inside lid of each box. Here's an alternative packing plan for the Heinzelmannchen set.

Kleine Gernegroß - Packing Plan

Putting blocks away can be entertaining. The Gernegross set comes with a packing plan on the inside lid of the box. Here's an alternative packing plan one can use.

g10

This building was built with a Gernegross set. If built with a Heinzelmannchen set, it would look like this. Note the slight change in block colors. An image of this construction can be seen here.

Hints:

g6

Here's a Gernegross monument. To build this monument with the Heinzelmannchen set, look here.

Hints:

g13

A Gernegross design.

g16

A Gernegross design.

g18

Here's a Gernegross design which uses all the blocks in the box.

g4

Here's a Gernegross design resembling a clock tower or government building. A variation of this structure built with the Heinzelmannchen set looks like this.

g2

A Gernegross design. A similar design built with the Heinzelmannchen set is here.