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Piggybank

teaser

In September 2005, I had the idea to build a piggybank from Lego bricks. It was supposed to be as small as possible, yet still recognizable and beautifully roundish. In addition, it was to be a functional piggybank, providing a lot of space for the money.

Golego.de-Video

Steffen Troeger and Sandra Abele from www.golego.de have made a video of the piggybank. But just look:

Planning Stage

In the beginning, I used Google to find a suitable photo of a piggybank. Afterwards I drew the countours of this picture on the computer and created the front view, too. Then the front and side view were transferred to brickpaper and the outer lines were adjusted to the shape of the Lego basic bricks. At this stage, I had not yet made any plans for the eyes and nose of the piggybank, so these were only indicated. A mouth was not yet planned to be included.

The various levels were drawn on paper based on the side and front view.

Building Stage

The challenge in constructing the piggybank was to enlarge the internal space of the belly (for the money) without losing stability. I managed this quite well. The side walls are up to two studs wide and the piggybank is generally very stable.

I built the first version in red. The eyes consisted of white and black basic bricks and plates, the nose was made up of 1x2 technic bricks with hole and black technic pins. But the pig looked rather cranky. That is why it got some funnier ears and a grinning mouth from black plates. The second piggybank was built simultaneously to the digital version in yellow and Vanessa built the third blue pig a short time later.

By the way, there is no exit for the money. Of course it was constructed this way intentionally. If one wants to get a hold of the money, the pig must literally be slaughtered. Afterwards it can be rebuild with the help of the building instruction (see below).

Exhibition Pictures

Building Instruction

As mentioned above, I created a digital version of the piggybank in MLCad along with the model of a yellow pig. So I dared to design my second building instruction. A detailed description of it can be found here: Building Instruction: Piggybank and Tutorials: Building Instruction

Variations of the piggybank and piggybanks built by other Lego fans

For me, it is the utmost praise, if other Lego fans send in photos showing them with their models built with the help of my building instruction. A few fans created excellent and imaginative variations! Thank you very much.

A big Piggybank lives in France

It was built by Thierry Meyer, his wife Eliane and some friends! Awesome!

Once upon a time ... the biggest Piggybank on earth

It was built by Thomas Cornel and Andreas Schädlich (building time ca. 1 week in October 2010, ca. 50.000 pieces) with sixfold increase in size: each with length, width and height! Unfortunately, it is already fallen victim again for another MOC!

Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen at the Legofanwelt 2008 in Cologne

Media: Brickjournal

Brickjournal, Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2008

A two page article about my piggybanks was published in the second issue of the new second volume of the Lego fan magazine.

Last modified on 2010/12/04 - Copyright 2000-2021 - Tobias Reichling

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