All Questions
11
votes
9answers
8k views
LEGO cleaning techniques and tools
Previously I've used toothbrushes but maybe these would eventually scratch the surface? What have you used? And was it easy?
As well as cleaning, what about drying and buffing? Anyone tried polishing ...
37
votes
8answers
1k views
Do any programs exist that allow you to build your own LEGO manuals?
What I'm looking for is a program or website/webapp that allows "virtual" building of a LEGO model, step-by-step, and allows you to save these single steps to get a complete building plan in the end. ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
How many different colours of LEGO bricks are there?
Excluding translucent pieces, how many colours of official LEGO bricks are there?
13
votes
4answers
6k views
What are the dimensions of a LEGO brick?
What are the real world dimensions of bricks? (starting with 1x1 brick) Plates? Studs? Does LEGO think of this in metric or imperial units or something else?
17
votes
2answers
4k views
What kind of plastic are LEGO bricks made of?
It’s rather obvious that Lego bricks are made from plastic, but there are many kinds of plastic.
Is the recipe for LEGO bricks plastic secret?
17
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the bley (blay) color?
I keep reading on various lego web sites about an elusive brick color called "bley" or "blay".
What is it and what is the story behind this?
16
votes
2answers
1k views
What is an Erling brick?
I have seen people refer to the "Erling brick" or "headlight brick" on LEGO forums. What kind of brick are they talking about?
20
votes
3answers
3k views
What's the most cost effective and efficient way to buy bricks?
After a 20 year hiatus I picked up LEGO again as a hobby. I've been into the Trains lately and need bricks. I found a couple places to pick them up but they all suck for various reasons. The first was ...
11
votes
1answer
3k views
How are LEGO bricks categorized?
What are the names and categories of LEGO bricks? Is there a consistent naming scheme? Does Lego have an official name or identification for different pieces?
14
votes
1answer
752 views
Are transparent neon Lego bricks made from a different plastic than usual?
There are several colors of transparent, fluorescent Lego bricks. In particular, "trans neon yellow" and "trans neon orange", introduced in the early 1990s, exist in a variety of specialized shapes ...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
When did Lego decide that it was okay to put a stud into a technic hole?
At one point, Lego didn't really support putting a stud into a Technic hole, stating that it caused too much stress on the bricks. And for a while, there were no sets where that's the case. However, ...
24
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I store LEGO bricks as long as possible?
I have some LEGO bricks which are probably about 10 years old. They've neither changed color in any way nor dried out or anything, so it seems to be as stable as ever.
How should I store them so that ...
20
votes
5answers
800 views
How do I change the color of a brick?
I have a uniquely-shaped brick that I would like to make a darker shade of gray (it's currently blue).
What media is the best in terms of durability for continued use (i.e. re-use, ...
30
votes
2answers
987 views
Is there anything like a 'recipe generator' for LEGO models?
For me, most of the fun of LEGO toys, is building new things from the instructions. Rebuilding things can be fun, but if I know I have certain bricks (or even sets), is there somewhere to ...
17
votes
6answers
341 views
Where can I find instruction booklets?
Is there any place where scans or PDFs of instruction booklets can be downloaded?
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Are companies producing custom molded LEGO pieces legally entitled to do so?
We have seen (or I have seen, given I am a member of a few popular BIONICLE fan sites) an uproar from custom molding companies -- that is, companies that create their own LEGO pieces.
My question is ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the largest Lego kit commercially available?
I believe the Imperial Star Destroyer is the biggest in terms of size, at 58.8 cm by 50.5 cm by 21 cm, and the Death Star in the number of pieces, at 3803. Are there any newer, bigger models?
21
votes
10answers
4k views
What tool can get two 1x2 plates apart without damaging them?
Teeth and pliers tend to leave unsightly marks on the bricks.
Fingernails don't work too well.
What tool do you recommend to separate them?
14
votes
6answers
929 views
How can I easily remove a jumper plate without a brick separator?
How can I easily remove a jumper plate?
I find a it very difficult to remove this kind of brick with a brick separator.
13
votes
2answers
1k views
How to minimise or remove sun-stains/fading from blocks?
In particular, I've had white blocks that have yellowed in places. Can the colour consistency be restored? Or at least improved?
I'd be more interested in people's actual experiences rather than ...
9
votes
1answer
282 views
Why did Lego use the same number for two different sets?
For example, Ricky Racoon on his Scooter from 1979 is a completely different set from House with Garage from 1996, but they share the same number (324). Why did Lego recycle numbers like this? Do they ...
4
votes
1answer
4k views
Lego Mindstorms RCX RIS 2.0 IR tower Windows 7 / Windows XP driver
So I've recently dug up my old Lego Mindstorms RIS 2.0 (RCX) and have spent the past few days trying to install it into my Windows 7 laptop. It worked fine, except it could not find the correct ...
24
votes
6answers
5k views
Is there any other way to program the Lego Mindstorms NXT other than the provided software?
I'm curious to know if there is any way to program the NXT other than the provided software.
I don't necessarily have any issue with the software.
Does the program created by the software translate ...
14
votes
7answers
601 views
What are some storage options?
I have several Lego sets and I usually build them and then make them small enough so they fit back in the box for long term storage . . . but my dream is that I can take apart my model and organize ...
20
votes
8answers
11k views
What glue should I use for permanent LEGO construction?
The incredible precision of LEGO parts makes them attractive for building precise jigs, but the fact that they can come apart fairly easily isn't so helpful for this application. Can anyone recommend ...
15
votes
4answers
3k views
How can I use more than three motors with one NXT brick?
I'm building Caterpillar Excavator with my NXT, and at the moment I'm trying to control 4 points of motion:
2 Caterpillar Tracks - These should be controlled independently to allow for cornering, ...
17
votes
3answers
1k views
Has anyone automated the LEGO hand sorting process beyond “pawing & piling”?
I need to rephrase my question. Has anyone built or used a large pigeon hole/ chute/ bin collection system to sort LEGO elements? The sorting system doesn't need to be made of LEGO bricks. I just want ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
Has anyone made their own custom LEGO bricks?
As I've just learned, LEGO bricks are made from ABS plastics.
I wonder if it would be possible to make some simple molds at home, get some ABS pellets, melt them up and make your own custom bricks? ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
How much heat can LEGO bricks withstand?
I was thinking on making a decorative LEGO candle holder. It would be made out of regular ABS LEGO bricks, but also transparent ones. Because there will be an open flame involved, I want to make sure ...
9
votes
3answers
682 views
Is there a database of original Minifigure configurations, including their personal gear?
Is there a minifigure museum? I have a gallon jar (& more) of minifigures that my kids have mixed and matched. Is there a website I can reference in order to put the minifigures back in their ...
7
votes
3answers
5k views
Alternative products compatible with LEGO [closed]
I heard that lately a patent for LEGO expired and now everyone can create a company to produce bricks that are compatible with LEGO.
I am wondering how many of such companies are there.
I know one ...
14
votes
1answer
563 views
Why are old LEGO bricks more brittle than new ones?
My vintage LEGO sets (circa 1980) are difficult to unbuild. Some pieces are prone to break. Did the plastic recipe change with time or are the bricks simply degrading?
13
votes
7answers
724 views
How can a sticker be removed?
In my younger days I may have placed a few stickers on my bricks. Including some that covered multiple bricks.
Now my daughter has the tendency to do the same thing :)
How can I best remove the ...
12
votes
4answers
4k views
Is it safe to wash LEGO pieces in the dishwasher?
I've heard from a lot of people that LEGO can be washed in the dishwasher, but I'm concerned about warping, losing stickers, wearing off of painted pieces, etc. Is it safe to actually wash them in the ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
What does the acronym MOC stand for?
This is a common acronym used in the Lego community - what does MOC mean?
9
votes
5answers
553 views
Does Lego market sets that were designed by fans?
My {son, daughter} read on a LEGO box that the set was designed by a LEGO fan. That is amazing! Is this common and how does my {son, daughter} get into that?
What sets were designed by fans so far?
6
votes
2answers
401 views
Does Toy 'R Us (or more expensive-than-average) retailers have more extra parts than average?
I haven't bought LEGO sets for a while, as my kids are just getting old enough to make the sets, but I am assembling the LOTR sets which I find impossible to resist.
I bought Gandalf Arrives (9469) ...
2
votes
2answers
367 views
What is a good ratio to buy bricks in?
I want to add to my collection by buying an assortment of 2x4,2x2,1x2, and 1x1 bricks in a variety of colors. I want these to be general purpose bricks, primarily for sculptures and buildings.
What ...
18
votes
3answers
1k views
What is inside the “weight element” brick?
I own a few bricks that contain a weight inside of them. 52g according to Lego.
What exactly is inside of these bricks that makes them heavy?
12
votes
1answer
7k views
In what ways are LEGO and Megabloks incompatible?
I know that the basic bricks of LEGO and Megabloks fit together, but was wondering if other elements do too.
Such as:
Plates
Rods (Ones Minifigures can hold, not Technic)
Right angle (such as ...
11
votes
1answer
366 views
What are these Technic “Zapfen” (“stoppers”) called in English?
What are these pieces called in English? Google translator doesn't help in this case...
9
votes
3answers
255 views
How to find out if an element is out of production
Is there a way to know if Lego has officially stopped making a certain Lego element?
As an example, from the 580 Lego set, I haven't seen this conveyor belt (along with those wheels and the ...
7
votes
1answer
276 views
Historically, what types of sets have proven to be a great investment?
My brother recently sold some of the lego he had as a child, and they went for a lot more than they cost originally, even taking inflation into account.
So, what types of sets have risen in value ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I make my own LEGO stickers?
I'd like to make my own stickers like the ones produced for LEGO sets using a design I've made in Photoshop.
What do I need to make stickers for LEGO, what kind of printer do I need?
Will the ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
What parts are really required to motorize 10219 Maersk Train?
The Official site detailed page states that:
Motorize your Maersk train by adding LEGO Power Functions #8878 Rechargeable Battery Box, #8887 Transformer 10V DC, #8884 IR Receiver, #8879 IR Speed ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Mindstorms 2.0 can't download to NXT brick with error 142023
Using Mindstorms education 2.0 on a Windows 7 computer I can't seem to get the program to see the NXT via USB or bluetooth dongle.
When connected by USB nothing appears in the NXT window with device ...
68
votes
3answers
8k views
How much usage can a LEGO piece take before it loses its 'clutch power'?
In this article it's mentioned that one very important feature of the LEGO bricks are their 'clutch power' which is "the ability of its bricks to snap together tightly while also being easy to ...
20
votes
4answers
439 views
What are proven methods to sort/categorize a large number of parts?
How would you recommend to sort your lego parts? Finding a certain part in a box with parts of about 20 models takes ages :)
Should I sort by color? Or by size? Another category?
12
votes
1answer
505 views
Can I write programs for the LEGO RCX 2.0 in Java/C++?
Is there a library which makes it possible to write LEGO Mindstorms programs for RCX 2.0 in Java or C++? With the LEGO software it takes so much time to write good programs.
16
votes
2answers
2k views
How does one get a job as a LEGO designer?
I always fantasized on the mysterious (and admittedly cool) job of LEGO designer. Is there anyone who knows what it takes?
Do you need to go to the Lego university and get good grades?
Is there any ...
