JU

Jonny Utah

LEGO collector, investment enthusiast & building technique explorer

About Jonny

I've been hooked on LEGO since my dad brought home a 6990 Monorail Transport System in 1990. I was seven years old, and that one set sparked a lifelong obsession with the brick. Like a lot of us, I went through my "dark ages" in high school and college, but the 10179 UCS Millennium Falcon in 2007 pulled me right back in.

These days, at 38, I've got a dedicated LEGO room that my wife tolerates and my kids think is the coolest thing ever. I spend my time hunting for retired gems at garage sales and estate auctions, analyzing which current sets might become tomorrow's collectibles, and building MOCs that'll never quite live up to my childhood imagination. I've learned a lot about what makes certain sets appreciate - and made my share of mistakes along the way.

I'm also a huge tech nerd - I love finding ways to blend technology with LEGO. Whether it's motorizing builds with Powered Up, programming Mindstorms robots, or just using apps to organize my collection, I'm always looking for that intersection where bricks meet bytes.

Through Brick by Brick, I share everything I've picked up over three decades of collecting, investing, and just plain loving this hobby. Whether you're trying to find the perfect gift, debating which set to add to your collection, or wondering if that sealed box in your closet is worth anything, I've probably been in your shoes.

Articles by Jonny 173 articles

Programming

GBC Watchdog: Building a Safety System for Great Ball Contraptions

Great Ball Contraptions (GBCs) are intricate LEGO machines designed to move LEGO balls in a continuous loop. A GBC watchdog system is essentially a mechanism or set of mechanisms integrated into a...

Programming

Power Management for LEGO Robots: The Complete 9V vs 5V Guide

Power management is where most hybrid LEGO/electronics projects fail. LEGO motors need ~9V, microcontrollers need 3.3V or 5V, and getting this wrong can melt your bricks, fry your electronics, or...

Programming

LEGO Home Automation: ESPHome and Home Assistant Integration Guide

ESPHome offers a "no-code" solution for LEGO smart home integration. By defining your project in a YAML configuration file, you can create BLE clients that connect to LEGO hubs and expose them as...

Programming

Building an AI LEGO Sorting Machine: Raspberry Pi + OpenCV Tutorial

The automated LEGO sorting machine is the "holy grail" project for LEGO hobbyists. This guide covers building a complete vision-based sorter using Raspberry Pi, OpenCV for image processing, and...

Programming

GBC Watchdog: Building a Safety System for Great Ball Contraptions

Great Ball Contraption (GBC) builders know the pain of burnt motors. A single jam can destroy an expensive motor in minutes. This guide shows you how to build a universal safety module that detects...

Programming

LEGO Home Automation: ESPHome and Home Assistant Integration Guide

Want to combine your love for LEGO with the power of home automation? You absolutely can! This guide walks you through integrating your LEGO creations with ESPHome and Home Assistant, opening up a...

Programming

ESP32 + LEGO Powered Up: Complete Wireless Control Guide with Legoino

The ESP32 has emerged as the premier choice for LEGO integration, primarily due to its dual-core architecture, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stacks, and exceptionally low cost. This comprehensive...

Programming

Power Management for LEGO Robots: The Complete 9V vs 5V Guide

Choosing the right power system for your LEGO robots and trains can be tricky. Should you stick with the classic 9V system, or embrace the newer 5V Powered Up platform? This guide dives deep into...

Programming

Building an AI LEGO Sorting Machine: Raspberry Pi + OpenCV Tutorial

Imagine sorting your LEGO collection with the precision of a robot! This article explores building an AI-powered LEGO sorting machine using a Raspberry Pi and OpenCV, a powerful computer vision...

Programming

Raspberry Pi Build HAT: Complete Python Guide to LEGO Motor Control

The Raspberry Pi Build HAT is a game-changer for LEGO robotics. This add-on board connects to the Pi's 40-pin GPIO header and provides four LPF2 ports, natively accepting LEGO Technic, SPIKE, and...

Programming

Hacking LEGO's LPF2 Connector: Complete Protocol Guide for Makers

Want to take your LEGO creations to the next level? Hacking the LEGO Power Functions 2.0 (LPF2) connector opens a world of possibilities for makers, hobbyists, and educators. This guide provides a...

Programming

Smart LEGO Train Network: ESP32, RFID, and MQTT Automation

Transform your LEGO train setup into a smart, automated network using ESP32 microcontrollers, RFID technology, and MQTT communication. This article guides you through the process, showcasing how to...

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