Making an Epic FANTASY Castle Using 2500+ Bricks!

Today we're making an epic wizard castle with 2500 tiny bricks!
Patreon: / nerdforge
PART 1: MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT:
• Making A Miniature Fan...
CODE FOR FLICKERING FLAMES W/ ARDUINO NANO:
github.com/han...
This is one of the longest DIY projects we've done so far, but it was worth it in the end! It only took 2500 bricks in total to make this magical fantasy castle with torches burning around it. The Arduino code is available above if you want to make some flickering flames yourself! I made the environment with the tiny tree, epoxy river and mountain in a previous episode, also linked above, if you wanna check that out too.
MATERIALS:
The electronics / torches:
Arduino Nano: bit.ly/ard-nano
Directional / side emitting & individually addressable RGB LED lights: bit.ly/side-em...
3 pins RGB connectors: bit.ly/3pin-co...
Wires: bit.ly/flat-wires
Power plug: bit.ly/dc-fema...
5V power supply: bit.ly/5V3Asupply
Hot glue flames
The castle itself:
PVC pipe (5cm & 7cm)
Hot glue
Styrofoam (& real rocks for texturing)
Various wooden sticks & stain
Tiny metal chain
Cardboard & cardstock
Black spray paint
Acrylic paint (grays, browns, greens, reds for the rocks and blues and silvers for the roofs)
Faux grass for miniature model making
TOOLS:
Hacksaw
Dremel / rotary tool
Pliers
Hot glue gun
Styroslicer / hot wire cutter (DIY edition: • How To Make The "Styro... )
Soldering iron: bit.ly/solder-s...
Heat shrink: bit.ly/heat-shrink
Paintbrushes and sponges
Scissors & x-acto knife
FOLLOW:
Instagram - / thenerdforge
Facebook - / nerdforge
Twitter - / thenerdforge
Website - www.thenerdfor...
BUSINESS CONTACT: [e-mail]

[@Potatobrains_]

I can picture Martina going into a craft store: "I'd like some more hot glue sticks please." "Don't you think you've had enough-" *"I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I'VE HAD ENOUGH!"*

[@danalynch118]

That’s a mood!

[@erizamisorafujoshi7002]

LOL Yeah!

[@daxenzo58]

instablaster...

[@PierredeVasselot]

I need a pallet of hot glue sticks !

[@TitoRigatoni]

"Just bring me all the hot glue sticks you have..."

[@Stargod]

"Lets over do this, and I'm going to regret it so much" - She knows herself so well. Looking at you, 30,000+ brick castle video

[@AadenKDragon]

My favorite thing about this, above all, is that it looks *worn* . The castle looks like it's been both lived in and forgotten over time. It looks like it's seen wars and generations of royalty and just *some* repairs in between. Too many people try to make "new" castles and they just are not the same. This is awesome.

[@ThatCrazySylveonIsAtItAgain]

During the final shots of the castle, I was imagining a few wizards playing heavy metal. It just seemed to fit.

[@tracks6984]

Jacky Anderson that actually ruined the whole last scene For me

[@arlynnecumberbatch1056]

XDDDDDD

[@skidez5717]

Jacky Anderson strangely it does

[@ishnifusmeadle]

Only if one of em is skwisgar....

[@ReadyBeforeYou]

@@tracks6984 well learn to like metal lol

[@millinicholls4422]

Martina: *teaches us amazing LED and Electrical skillz* Also Martina: *tapes lightbulb to ceiling in workshop*

[@sea81793]

I now have a favorite channel! It is channel Nerdforge! I love the music choices! I love the enthusiasm! I love the creativity! I love the wackiness! It is inspiring! I am sitting here watching you build creative and unique items, and it makes me want to build things of my own! Thank you for the fantastic entertainment!

[@mairanoor7182]

me too

[@StCreed]

And can I just say that I'm quite impressed by the range of skills displayed here? Woodworking, electronics (I tried soldering led-lights, it's not nearly as easy as it seems), Arduino integration, styrofoam work, and especially the painting seemed much easier than it actually is. Well done!!

[@watchmedrawthis]

"There's probably a whole section in hell where they only sit and glue bricks to castles" 😂😂😂

[@ItsNessaTho]

Killed me 😂😂😂👌🏾

[@suliel5591]

I would be totally fine there. Like I glued 500 tiny feathers to an angel wing by hand with hot glue and I found it one of the most relaxing activities I ever did

[@annabanana1160]

Hell no! 😱🤣

[@mu4705]

Watch Me Draw I feel that

[@kolpik3708]

12:43 d:

[@Jeracraft]

Literally How I feel every time I finish a new project 0:01 but somehow keep uploading them, just found the channel and your stuff is so cool! :D

[@leonardoamoraes]

You should try to build a Worlds of Greymane version using bricks and hot glue, bet you can get it done by 2090 or so xD

[@siliasporter4424]

Hey Jeracraft. cool!

[@JustAnotherPerson811]

Jaracraft watches nerdforge! My day is made.

[@brunobucciarati834]

I read this in his voice😂

[@marijnisn00b]

SIMPPPPP

[@ethanwagner6418]

Difficult as it was, I love the appearance of hand-placed bricks in this build.

[@hermesdosanjos4765]

I'm impressed about how a "tiny" base like that could hold a very EPIC castle!! What a great work!!

[@lissbelfort7728]

dividing it in two (or more, if it's the case) videos is great bc we get to see all the steps. and you guys' works are always so delicate and detailed that we get thristy for every tiny step!! love the journey and the final result even more!! you're so talented, but your dedication is very admirable, too. amazing work as always and thanks for sharing!

[@jlv61560]

That really came together for you. (I gotta admit, I didn't think the hot glue flames would really work!) It's amazing to see how much you've progressed and grown as craftsmen (craftspeople?) over the course of your channel. I've been "bingewatching" now for three days and I'm just really in awe of both of you.

[@cherishmason3700]

Same.

[@azulemclain-kogane4603]

This is so random, but I love that she keeps in the clips of her forgetting a word in English because it’s so relatable to people who don’t use English as there first language, I will forget the word and say it in my native language and sometimes I need help figuring out what the English version is so I love that she doesn’t cut out clips of her doing that she keeps them in🩵

[@JGulickx]

Found this channel a few days ago. This is one of those uniquely wholesome and inspiring channels and I LOVE IT!! Thanks Martina!!

[@mauromoretta4181]

Are you kidding? this is the most insane job i ever see, the glue torch my god!!!! this is insane!!!!!!! good job!

[@creatrixcorvusarts876]

Omgods Marta!! This is fabulous!! Did you know that you can get flickering bulbs LEDs from dollhouse suppliers? Not that making your own code is not awesomeness!! And, I think you could have cut this whole build into short videos, and just post one a week.....? Anyway, I love your flavor of insanity! Thank you for this wonderful thing you did!

[@TheLukemcdaniel]

The pre-made flickering bulbs aren't bad, but by using a diy board like this, you can change it any time you want.

[@TheLukemcdaniel]

Also, if you use rgbs, you can change the colors by season/situation(i.e. green for a necromancer's tower or st patrick's day, red for Christmas or a fire mage tower, etc)

[@fredy0908]

Why did you say her name?!

[@creatrixcorvusarts876]

fredy Because sometimes you do that.....? Why do you think its weird that I did?

[@TheLukemcdaniel]

@@creatrixcorvusarts876some try to hide their real name for a myriad of reasons, but I thought I heard her say hers at the beginning of the video and once or twice throughout...

[@Sage1990x]

I think this is one of THE MOST ambitious and detailed projects yet. It's amazing. 100% becoming a Patron.

[@oheyethere]

This entire project was so incredible! Extra kudos for powering through such an arduous task of gluing a gazillion bricks, what a test of perseverance that was!

[@ThorneyRose]

I can’t decide what I liked best... the project, your presentation style or the cats!!! 💖💗❤️ the project... don’t care how many parts you upload it in; whatever works best for you. One thing I’d consider, seeing as it’s quite an imposing formidable castle, is dirty up the drawbridge chains. The brass looks a bit too new money! 😊 so to speak! Your talent is awesome! You are awesome! And the cats are awesome! Please give both a scratch behind their ears for me 😁🤗. Thank you for sharing. 🌹Rosie of Oz 🇦🇺

[@dragonsknights]

Rosanne, i like your comment and that U noticed the brand new chains :) . Especially i like "Please give both a scratch behind their ears for me " Seldom there are nice, polite, and lovely comments as yours one. I have a cat too, red, looks like Jones, the cat starring in Alien... will scratch him a little bit once at home later :) Greetings from Italy

[@annbrookens945]

I thought the same thing about the chains but figured there was no way she wouldn't get to them. Then I looked again at the thumbnail of the completed castle. Yup, bright shiny chains.

[@SH-qs7ee]

Just stumbled onto this vid; anyone that works that hard and creates something so amazing (extra shout-out to the paint job on the roof, the best I've ever seen done), and still throws in a cat break, well, you got me hooked

[@mjsimunovich013]

If you ever decide to add more to it make sure to make little statues of people or gargoyles or a dragon.

[@iAurorii]

IDEK how you're able to paint so realistic xD Every time I try to do that, I fail HARD! Good job! It looks epic! :)

[@MonkeyJedi99]

99 percent perspiration, 10% inspiration. A.K.A. just keep working at it, learning tips from the people whose work you like.

[@aaronlittle5478]

This was an adventure just watching this whole build. I started with one of your books because I'm interested in that kind of leathercraft and then I found your massive castle build. Other than the epic and realistic project itself, I think my favorite bit started at 4:50, the montage of attaching the second pipe. The funky music suddenly cuts and you're fretting over feeling like you're destroying your project.

[@annwahlstrom149]

Totally awesome! I so loved the "two episodes" of this making. 💖 Thank you for making these videos. Cheers from Sweden. 🇸🇪 🤩💖💖💖👍

[@danielleburchette2599]

You are such a talented young woman! The castle is amazing. Who would think you'd made it from foam, PVC pipe and,, some cardboard. I'm seriously impressed. With everyone on this channel. I'm thinking that you guys are going to make a huge mark, no matter what you put your mind to. ❤️. I watch often so please keep making videos. You make my crafty heart Happy.😊 Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into all you do.

[@ovalearth2645]

This is such an underrated channel.....I feel like all this while I was on the wrong side of KZbin. Absolutely love love love the WHIMSICAL stuff that you make.

[@jonescalypso]

It's BEAUTIFUL!! :D -- The whole time I watched you make all those bricks (and the paper shingles) I kept wondering over and over: "How the heck is she gonna paint this thing??" Then you did, and it just got better and better with each added layer of color! And I about died of adoration when you showed the little door and the drawbridge, they're so cute! XD SPECTACULAR work! I'm so inspired!

[@MonkeyJedi99]

I really liked the sponge application layers. Instant addition of depth and color.

[@skully7763]

I love the final build. It's good to see the stages of the build, where it gets disheartening and looks a bit odd and as if it's not going to work, because I think a lot of people give up at that stage and stop, but you show it is just part of the process and that we all need to keep pushing on to the end, because it is worth it in the end.

[@jasonphang8980]

This is EPIC. Too bad I can't repeatedly smash that thumbs up. Really love how you let us witness its transformation and bring us on this journey to see the final product! Absolutely LOVE this!

[@TheCraftMaiden]

Hahaha, yes! Do it! Nothing beats the feeling after days of repetitive work and seeing the final result! 🤣 The castle looks amazing! 🤩✨

[@danielribeiro1433]

This is beyond what I thought amazing. I was genuinely concerned when you started cutting the base, but everything came out so great. Well done

[@BartvandeGriendt]

I just stumbled upon your channel and I watched the whole video with a big smile on my face. Jeez... this is just... AWESOME! I admire your patience while building this and how realistic and cool it turned out. I'll definitely hit that subscribe button! Keep on creating such amazing video's! Gr from the Netherlands

[@Melissa-fe5ul]

HOLY MOTHER OF NERDS AND EPICNESS, this looks AMAZING!!! I love all the small details you added and the LED's definitely brought life to the project. This is the first time I've seen your work and you now have a new subscriber. I look forward to watching more of your videos😁

[@kittymowmow12]

9:15 Its time for Super Fast Build Mode!

[@Veganophob]

Omazing!

[@kyrademaerel172]

i literally came down o the comment section to search for this comment 😂

[@Veganophob]

@@kyrademaerel172 yeah, me too! XD

[@grandadmiralmanatee]

Lol I noticed that too

[@roxannaweaver2155]

This was a great project! 2 part video was probably the way to go since both sections took so much time and we would have missed out on more of the creation in doing only one video most likely, just to keep it shorter than 1 hour. I love the detail in this and the vision you had for your completed work. I absolutely don't have the patience or imagination to do stuff like this so I'm glad I can watch Nerdforge and enjoy all the great stuff you two get up to.

[@scottdahlberg4890]

Where were you 25 years ago when I was playing AD&D? Damn it. I love your work. Don't stop,

[@ClareAngel78]

Totally love the music that you always play in the background wish you would list the music that is in each video in the videos bio

[@suzanneanderson4631]

Wow!! There's no stopping YOU!! When you imagine something but don't know where to begin; you never stop, you keep pushing till you get what you want!! That looks so fantastic!! Well done!

[@ClareAngel78]

Omg it’s incredible. I love how excited you always get with each project 🥰🥰

[@billieinka]

YES UR BACK!!! THE TALENT, THE PASSION, THE CREATIVITY, MY WIG!!!!

[@TheSpazzedMan]

Got to say this looks AMAZING! I can easily see this as a set piece for one of my D&D adventures. Thanks for sharing the build with us and the great content as always.

[@beaker8115]

The flame electronics are amazing! I applaud your patience with all the bricks (it looks great!). And your cat is adorable.

[@billyt9830]

The attention to the detail is amazing. Such a beautiful piece. I've only seen real castles when I traveled to the UK over 20 years ago, but I can tell you this: None of them were anywhere near as exquisite as your fictional one. You are a true artist!

[@debibeverly0609]

I so love watching you work, you are so upbeat and energetic! I talk to myself while I’m working, I try to be energetic and rock music helps me.

[@funme7770]

Finally I was waiting for it! 😍❤️❤️Your cat is soo lovely and you’re really talented🙏👌

[@Samw1ze]

It looks awesome, and shows loads of different materials and techniques plus I like the way you keep it lighthearted. loved watching your book making as it has inspired me to make one for my daughter. Wish me luck. I look forward to your next projects.

[@Redrabbit_studios]

Awesome castle! The drawbridge chain's needs some weathering.

[@xaviakoantich1699]

AWESOME love it, gonna make something similar, thanks for the ideas and the teaching that overcoming the moments of frustration we can achieve a very worthy result.

[@Cianuro26]

Wow! This really is a labor of love! You guys put so much effort and love and goodness into your projects!!! Keep on the AMAZING work!

[@cartoon80s90s]

Seriously impressive project and the torches look amazing. That the towers are cylindrical means you had to add a bevel to the sides of almost every brick which made your life so much more difficult. If their sides were flat, it would probably take you half the time to finish with the bricks. btw, what's the title of the music playing during this video, like at 15:15? So epic and fitting to the theme.

[@mimnimpetite8681]

This is so so so freaking amazing and can I just say I really appreciate the captions being done properly instead of auto-generated.

[@jamesjensen2239]

24:20 this castle is so epic that the gods started playing orchestral metal

[@ISS600]

I noticed the GoodTimesWithScar time-lapse music and was like "yeees". It's a great song and it's perfect for such a magical build. Even though it was torture, it was all worth it and looks amazing. All of that effort payed off with an astounding craft and piece of artwork.

[@mattieuasselin8501]

That was an amazing build, my hats off. Splitting it up into 2 parts was a good idea. Cosplay Chris from Australia likes to use dirt from his driveway in his customs. It's a good look.

[@ragingredpanda3257]

I like big projects being in more than 1 episode! Cool idea and well done with the castle! I can't believe you have so much patience and creativity and I hope that you will make more big projects! I LOVE IT!!

[@royalylockdup6736]

Loving the Music!!! 12mins in and I've just been jumping around in my room😂😂😂

[@CrowBuilds]

So damn good. The effort with the bricks really paid off. And thanks for the warning at the end haha

[@Skyliner03]

I like the Diorama you create, a selection of accompanying music, sometimes funny scenes, just super whole Nerdforge channel

[@frankyoualot]

Hey thank you for the code - I appreciate the approach with making individual torches - because NONE of the flame/torch code out there does individual, rather the entire strip - thanks a ton

[@mkenji79]

This work is amazing. You are super talented! Your cats are adorable

[@Starlight0429]

So I love to play the sims and I'm using your design for my inspiration building my Castle in my game. 😍

[@brucevila]

Amazing! You both are geniuses . The best channel 💙

[@shiroumxm2052]

looks awesome!! im doing a LED tree with cold porcelain its the first time i do this kind of things.. next time I wanna try a Castle this gave me lots of ideas! thanks for sharing your work

I´m asking myself, why I´m sitting by your videos already 3 hours, when I´m old enough (42) and usually completely not interested in fantasy world :ooo?...You are unbelievably good :))! Your projects are really awsome :)!

[@theinfernalfae]

Ahhhh that looks like something straight out of dungeons and dragons! THE NERD GODS ARE PLEASED!

[@SilverSin]

My 6 year old daughter wants to say 1st she loves your hair. 2nd she thinks you're a great artist and 3rd she thinks you should keep up the great work. Also she wanted to mention that she loves your van conversion videos.

[@pKaiyeanimations]

9:15 she used the same song as goodtimeswithscar uses for his buildlapses. :)

[@asmonde420]

Whats the name of the song? I like it.

[@pKaiyeanimations]

@@asmonde420 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWWvpJSebMd4gLs there you go

[@nothinginterestinghere7612]

I love how you made all the bricks and glued them individually, I personally would have painted thr drawbridge chains to make them look more weathered. I like that you divided it between two videos, makes sense to me. and finally I love your hair, it always looks amazing

[@chrisdecke5147]

I have watched so far three of your videos starting off with the book nook and I have to say the attention to detail and the prep work all pays off with the final look which I now is time consuming and I am sure very exhausting, but when you see the work on the models you are making and adding the lights for cool effects etc it is all worth it and I love the camera work you are a true artist. I think you do another castle but use model clay😁 WELL DONE.

[@ThiagoWilliamTR]

Sorry, but I really really want more. Please, you are a very hardworking and creative person. Hugs from Brazil.

[@loricathey5416]

It is so fantastically cool that my brain literally hurts

[@karolinkiehl4097]

Mine hurts aswell ;-;

[@FacilityD20]

I know right.

[@lindaschultz7253]

Love it! And you always have such awesome music in the background.

[@gaberettberg4196]

the music is so epic on the final shots. this was a great 2 part series. really amazing and in depth. brilliant work!

[@manythingslefttobuild]

Great castle build. I think splitting it into the natural side of the landscape and the castle was a good thought, they were mostly different techniques and it gave more time to show both.

[@thepwee]

Ive been doing this stuff for years... I would have to say you've done an awesome job... Great work

[@ryoshiun]

Somewhere in Australia, Shad just woke up in the middle of the night screaming

[@blbblb21223]

Lol im so glad im not the only one who thought that xD

[@feliciam.bertelsen8590]

What?

[@doubleheadedeagle6769]

I wondered what that was😉

[@mikee5909]

MACHICOLATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

[@austenhead5303]

@@feliciam.bertelsen8590 Shadiversity, youtube's highest authority on all things medieval, especially swords and castles.

[@user-dn9om6cx6q]

OMG yes! Look, I am literally doing something with the same system. I do like a diorama of a lost city sort. I need to make the walls look realistic and have to make each stone individually and it takes me so much time! I need approximate 1 minute per stone, and it’s like alot of damn stones. I‘m not even halfway through.. I did the maths and alone the stone cutting will be 16 hours! Then placing them so they look nice and realistic, then I have to paint everything plant life in it it’s nuts.. I am so happy to see this done so nicely. If I would give any advice, and it’s hard this is really good, I would recommend improving your base, I think you could make the stone look more realistic.. Otherwise excellent work!

[@theantichrist6524]

Even at the 11 minute 16 second mark it began to look good seeing the bricks on it changed everything really like this video hoping to see more from you also just wanted to say that your method for shacking up the foam in a bag filled with rocks really worked out a close up of the bricks after the rock texture was added made the bricks look just like hand worked stones the final finish was G O O D !

[@JMWxx]

*Please do more mini builds... Like fantasy buildings even. You’re REALLY TALENTED!! You made it look both BEAUTIFUL and some of the details are quite as in what are on/would’ve been on castles. 🏰.*

[@taraleblanc7494]

The final result is so splendiferous I almost wanted to weep 😭 its so beautifuuuuuuuul❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 you are such a mastercrafter! & even though the bricks looked tedious as shit lol like you said SOOO very worth it for the final result. Love love love this project, & amazing job as always

[@petertidey2677]

Im lurning how to do this stuff and thanks to you guys and other's on youtube im starting to get to the point i think i can have a go at a project so thanls for being an good teacher and i Subscribed as well 😁

[@fictions_in_motion_07]

"I'll never do this ever again." I can relate to this so much XD. Like me when I start a story project but end up like you once I finished with it.

[@stevelapierre4776]

LOVE IT... LOVE IT... LOVE IT..... JUST MAGICAL.... ALL YOUR WORK, EVERY TIME CAMERA ZOOMS IN, JUST LIKE A SET ON A MOVIE... WOW.......JUST WOW...!!!!

[@IyandaElDesigns]

Nerd Forge genius creativity on the overhead, workshop light 😂Duct Tape 🥰.

[@GodMadeMeStupid]

That looks amazing, really cool, it makes me want to start modeling.

[@paulfranklin206]

Great work, love the brick work and LEDs, you have given me some ideas to integrate into my own terrain. Keep it up !

[@WadeWilson-]

You're amazing. It's so nice, that my brain automatically creates a whole adventure just by looking at it.

[@2000blackstang]

I think this is the 3rd or 4th time watching this one. Lol I just love the 80's montage music you put in while building. And always your infectious laughter and smiles!

[@apocolototh1948]

I recently got into terrain crafting because I joined a mordheim campaign, and its so much fun. latest thing that got me hyped is 3d-printed texturerollers and air dry modelling clay. its just so awesome

[@lifewithlolo9746]

I just discovered your channel and feel in love with your creativity. I know it may seem a little random but I'd love to see you and Bobby Duke arts do a challenge with each other. I think it would be epic. Stay safe.

[@XxSharpieItBlackxX]

"I'm gonna think about that later..." famous last words of any creator *cries* how I feel when I'm like "lol we'll see how this goes idk what I'm doing"

[@sarahthomas7692]

All videos should come with a purring kitty break.

[@Akaiyro]

I vote yes for this! Also, great vid guys! Well done!

[@whiderboss]

I'd prefer a cuddling dog break :))

[@Akaiyro]

@@whiderboss Maybe both, if possible. Hahah!

[@mslita09]

No.

[@noracanellakis6322]

Incredible 🤩🤩🤩 amazing I love it! And the two videos is really nice to go into depth of the whole process and to see all the details come to life!! Thank you for being you and having such an incredible channel!! ❤️

[@johnhealy4647]

Amazing! Great imagination and your sticking to it is legendary! Good to see your being honest with our human doubts and patience...

[@adwwhz5229]

After seeing some of your videos I get inspired to do this stuff but then I remember I don’t have the patience and end up sleeping 😂

[@tkmccoywv]

This is so beyond amazing, I can't even express. Yes, multiple videos are great, especially for a project like this. Love seeing it all, with it's tribulations and everything. Great work!

[@TheCrazyTamis]

Matt Mercer would approve! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 It looks awesome! You never cease to amaze me ❤

[@Jestunes]

I love how you split it up into 2 episodes. I love all your videos. This one was really cool from a miniature standpoint. Was going to say a herculean feat, but it was definitely a wonder woman task. Yeah more more more. haha. So glad I haven't seen this one yet. Thank you so much for your videos. It's definitely one of the ones I wait to see.

[@thenar]

Another entertaining bit of brilliance. You two are remarkable...especially you Martina. Thank you for entertaining an old fellow who still does smaller projects. Watching you, I join you in your creative adventure.