Building A Better Computer
Christian Simpson on creating a Commodore 64 out of Lego
Christian Simpson talks us through his amazing Lego Commodore 64
We’re big fans of Lego and its Ideas range of creations. It’s not only a brilliant way of giving money back to the community of fans that has made Lego such a global success, but it continually tickles our nostalgia glands, thanks to creations based on Ghostbusters, Voltron, Back To The Future and countless other classic franchises.
One of the latest ideas to be put forward to public vote is Christian Simpson’s exceptional blocky recreation of a Commodore 64 – which actually works as a computer. We caught up
with the talented master builder to find out how it came to be.
Why make a Commodore 64 out of Lego?
I mean, why not? Seriously though, I always want original and unique projects to feature on my retro Youtube channel, and had known about a tiny Lego Commodore 64 by Chris Mcveigh that fits in the palm of your hand. I wondered what a full-size one might be like. And of course, I had to name it The Brixty Four. The Commodore 64 is my favourite retro machine and the one I have the fondest memories of. You could say I Comm-adore it, so it was a true labour of love.
How long did the project take? From start to finish I worked on this and the build videos for six weeks solid. Feel free to join me at youtube.com/ perifractic, take a look, and maybe even subscribe while you’re there!
Did you build the C64 physically first or with a computer program?
I found a great program that’s called Stud.io where AFOLS like me (Adult Fans Of Lego) can design more complex Lego shenanigans, and directly order the real bricks to build them. I began playing around to see if there were Lego pieces that would even work. And to my surprise and delight, there were two key pieces I found that really made this possible.
Was it tricky creating the distinctive curved shape of the Commodore 64?
Well after a lot of experimentation, one such piece was the smooth round front block to recreate that evocative bullnose design. It’s actually from an aircraft hanger set! The other was a shock absorber from a Nineties Starguider land crawler, and I realised that I could line four up along an axle, to create a vertical line of keys for a