All Questions
8
votes
1answer
496 views
Can I use a generic (non-Lego) transformer with a rechargable Power Functions battery?
I've recently ordered a LEGO® 8878 Rechargeable Battery Box:
I was wondering if I really need to get the (rather expensive) LEGO® Power Functions Transformer or if I can substitute a (cheaper) ...
8
votes
2answers
469 views
What is the Mindstorms NXT Education kit?
I am considering gifting some Mindstorms NXT 2.0 to school, because I think they would get great value from it. I see that there is an "education kit", and I wondered if that's the way to go.
Does ...
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?
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Why does LEGO have a maximum age limit?
I am wondering why do LEGO boxes have a maximum age limit printed on them?
My girlfriend has just gifted me LEGO Starfighter (8088) and it has an age range of 8-14. Why not just write 8+? Are there ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
How to get started with Mindstorms?
I want to introduce my 8 year old son to Lego Mindstorms.
Where should I start?
Is there a starter kit which is the best starting point?
0
votes
1answer
706 views
Is there an official LEGO brick color reference? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How many different colours of lego brick are there?
Is there a canonical reference for the different colors of LEGO bricks?
Ideally this would be a color-matching ...
11
votes
2answers
937 views
Is it possible to change the battery in a 54604 light brick?
I got 4 of these in in a bulk lot of Lego, but the lamp is getting quite dim in a couple of them.
Is it possible to change the battery in a 54604 light brick?
It looks like the brick should open, ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I make a working pin tumbler lock?
I'd like to make a working pin tumbler lock out of LEGO bricks. I have already designed a key I'd like to use that should be compatible with five cylinder lock.
9
votes
1answer
270 views
Where do the pieces numbered 4255629 go in the Death Star (set 10188)
I just finished up the Death Star set, and while it comes with the usual smattering of leftover pieces, I've got two pieces numbered 4255629 (shown below) that never got used. I've scanned the manual ...
8
votes
1answer
255 views
How can I connect the RCX 2.0 to an external power source?
I want to build an auto-feeder with the RCX 2.0 for my cat. The problem is, that I often had to exchange the batteries. Is there an adapter for the RCX to connect it to a power point?
8
votes
1answer
293 views
How to repair leaky pneumatics?
Some of my pneumatics parts, mostly pistons, have seals which no longer prevent the air from escaping completely. On some parts they are unreliable and on others they are not working at all.
Why do ...
8
votes
3answers
375 views
Does the basic 2 x 4 brick have a common nickname?
Some bricks, such as the Erling brick, seem to have common nicknames in the LEGO building community. As the basic 2 x 4 brick appears to be the foundation of the system, it is reasonable to suppose ...
11
votes
4answers
253 views
How can I fix a flattened gear?
I have an old small gear that somehow got flattened to an oval shape. The axle hole is too narrow to slide a bar through, although it is not completely closed shut.
How can I repair this gear?
6
votes
3answers
338 views
Can Lego soccer (football) parts be used for anything other than soccer?
I had the Lego soccer field, but took it apart. What else can the parts be used for besides soccer? I'm specifically wanting to know about the green bases and minifigure stands.
7
votes
1answer
492 views
How can I build Victorian Style windows?
How can I build Lego Victorian style windows, like those on the White House or Capital Building?
This is one style I have done, which, as far as I know, was an original idea by me:
12
votes
2answers
644 views
Are LEGO elements safe to use in an aquarium with fish?
Are LEGO elements safe to use in an aquarium with fish? I've never seen LEGO elements in a working fishtank.
7
votes
1answer
241 views
How can I make a brick-built wheelbarrow?
I'd like to make a brick-built wheelbarrow to fit on a construction site that can be held by minifigures hands. I've seen prefabricated Duplo/Fabuland wheelbarrows as well as a new wheelbarrow in a ...
8
votes
1answer
421 views
Why does the Erling brick have a ridge below its outward facing stud?
Why does the Erling brick (#4070) have a ridge below its outward facing stud?
Whereas the more versatile and less common #87087 does not? The #87087 piece also has a better use in SNOT usage, as it ...
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 ...
8
votes
1answer
347 views
How can I create a visually appealing Castle wall from one colour?
I have a bag of hundreds of classic light grey 2x4 bricks, and 2x1 bricks.
How can I use these to make some interesting castle walls?
16
votes
3answers
995 views
What causes these 'bite marks' that appear consistently on new bricks?
I purchased a set (second hand) which has the following defects on the 75°-sloped, inverted 2x1x3 blocks:
I assumed they were teeth-marks and asked the seller for replacements, and he found and ...
4
votes
2answers
549 views
Is there a good way to build a dome on the top of a building?
How can I build a dome on top of a building, similar to a state capital or something similar?
The building has a base of 16x24 studs.
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?
0
votes
0answers
254 views
Tips to separate lego bricks [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What tool can get two 1x2 plates apart without damaging them?
what are some of the cheap methods that does not require and special tools like the lego separator are used ...
14
votes
6answers
932 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.
27
votes
2answers
1k views
What is SNOT building?
I have seen reference on LEGO forums to "SNOT building". This sounds gross! Are there really squishy-sticky LEGO bricks, or what?
14
votes
1answer
410 views
What are LDUs and how do they relate to LEGO bricks?
What are LDUs? I see technical people talking about plans and designs in terms of LDUs. I understand it's a measurement unit.
What does it mean and how do LEGO bricks relate to them? Why are they ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views
NXT screen either flickering or blank, what do I do?
The screen on my LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT brick has just stopped working. It is either flickering, or blank. I have tried turning it on and off, installed fresh batteries, and I can even hear the selection ...
9
votes
2answers
334 views
How should I model a Heroica scale castle bedroom?
My son has requested that we add a bedroom to our Heroica castle. I'm looking for some advice on the creation of the bed area.
The Microfig characters are 1x1x2, and the rooms are generally designed ...
5
votes
1answer
521 views
Which BIONICLE combiner sets do official instructions exist for creating?
There is a diversity of BIONICLE combiner sets (sets made by combining multiple individual sets together) for various groups including Toa, Matoran, Bohrok, Rahkshi, Dark Hunters, and a number of Rahi ...
8
votes
1answer
339 views
Are the X-Pods balanced?
I own a few X-Pods and want to play the X-Pod "Play-Off" game again. While I want my game pieces to look neat, I also want to win.
Does each X-Pod have the same chance of winning? If not, then I ...
5
votes
1answer
383 views
Are there LDraw files for the standard Heroica components?
I'm using MLCAD to design and polish some Heroica maps. As I go I've made various LDraw files for the common map components (6x6 tiles with 4 spaces, 4x1 hallways, etc.) as well as some aliases for ...
9
votes
1answer
325 views
How much weight can a handle of Technic pegs and beams support?
Some Lego spaceships have handles attached, made out of Technic beam and pegs, and attached to the model using Technic bricks, pegs, and axles.
For example, 7644: MX-81 Hypersonic Operations Aircraft ...
11
votes
2answers
514 views
Is there a Technique or Algorithm for Building Spheres?
There are times when I would like to build a sphere or a dome like this one:
From Small Lego Sphere Project
While this example is great, I find it difficult to scale it to another size, whether ...
15
votes
3answers
555 views
How would you make a good pivot-arm suspension?
I once tried to make a 4 wheeled Lego robot using a pivot arm suspension system. The robot was motorized using 2 Mindstorm (2.0) motors (one one each side). I can't find and original picture but it ...
15
votes
2answers
348 views
What is “micro-scale” building?
I have seen references to "micro-scale" building in LEGO documentation. How is this different than the "normal" LEGO building scale?
9
votes
3answers
689 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 ...
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?
10
votes
1answer
274 views
How many copies of each set is produced?
Is there any way to find out how many copies of a set were produced? I would like to know how rare some of my older sets actually are.
12
votes
1answer
617 views
Is there difference between different colors of LEGO axles?
There are a few different colors of LEGO Technic axles, but not enough to really use for artistic variation - black, grey, some beige, and recently I have started seeing blue.
The particular color ...
11
votes
1answer
343 views
Who is (or was) Susan Williams?
I've heard the name "Susan Williams" associated with LEGO products, especially in the 1980s. Who is / was she?
6
votes
1answer
152 views
How well does the new interior lighting system intergrate into a new build?
I enjoyed the interior LEGO lighting I saw at Brickcon 2011. How does the lighting system affect the fit of the LEGO elements involved?
16
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I build a functional gearbox?
I'm looking for a fully functional (manual) transmission / gearbox for my Technics motorized vehicle. How can I build this?
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Best way to store instruction manuals?
Currently I store Lego set manuals/instructions in hanging file folders in a file box, grouped by set type. This makes it hard to dig through and find the one I need, and manuals tend to get tangled ...
4
votes
2answers
433 views
How strong are blocks in general - is adhesive necessary when building large structures?
I'm really intrigued by all the amazing bridge architecture and designs people come up with (for example: Lego Cable Stayed Bridge) and it got me wondering, do larger structures like that need any ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Is there a standard scale for building “minifig scale” creations?
I've seen many impressive models built to "minifig scale" (e.g. the enormous USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier), but is there a standard (or at least widely adopted) scale e.g. 1:60 that these ...
6
votes
1answer
486 views
How can I automate orders from Lego Pick-a-Brick?
Is there a way to automate the process of ordering from Lego's online Pick-a-Brick? I'd like to be able to go from a .csv with part IDs to a filled cart on their site, or even all the way through to ...
14
votes
1answer
565 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?
14
votes
1answer
753 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 ...
20
votes
4answers
441 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?
