6

Who hasn't tried following some MOC instructions only to discover problems? This TIE Outlander build (free instructions) is neat but has several issues, the biggest of which are steps 44-46.

enter image description here The directions show a 3-length technic pin (6558) that connects to four pieces. The "orphaned" pieces do connect to other things in later steps but are never connected as shown in step 46, leaving the build less durable than I'd like. The directions later use the opening for other technic pins as well (steps 86-91), so even if a 4-length pin existed, it would not solve this issue.

Is there a way to connect two pins directly together, end-to-end? I know there are rods that can fit inside of pins; is this a legal connection, and would it work here? (I'm not sure if "rod" is the right term.)

Improve this question
3
  • Looks like there are 4 pins of length 3, though the instructions show two sets of 2x. Are you perhaps trying to put the same pin of length 3 through two pieces meant for 2 separate pins?
    – Daniel Stevens
    Commented Feb 7, 2023 at 21:55
  • @DanielStevens No.. It is clearly 4 3L pins with 4L worth of pieces on each one.
    – Tonny
    Commented Feb 9, 2023 at 14:48
  • 1
    In the MOC instructions it is clearer (in later steps) that it is intentional. The outer pieces on each pin are "floating"and kept in place later by the wing that gets added. Then a 2L pin is stuck in each of them to further extend the length. Fragile construction. Putting a narrow bar in the 3L+2L pins would work and is a technique used by Lego themselves at times.
    – Tonny
    Commented Feb 9, 2023 at 14:57

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
10

The canonical way of connecting two pins is using part 62462 "Technic pin connector":

part 62462

Those are shown in step 89 in the instructions of that MOC.

I know there are rods that can fit inside of pins; is this a legal connection, and would it work here?

Remember that "legal" means "doesn't put parts under stress".

By "rod" I guess you mean "bar". As far as I can tell, bars will fit snugly into technic pins. While this might be a legal connection, the pins themselves won't be able to compress to be fit into a technic hole (or to get out of one, for that matter). So while putting a bar through a pin might be legal, putting that pin through a hole will not. Putting the pin in the hole, then the bar through the pin, would be better.

A flex tube has the same diameter as a bar (IIRC), and would be a better option.

For the MOC in question, note that the wing (in steps 60 & 81) will connect all the 2x1 plates with perpendicular technic hole, so there's no need to put extra pins. Yes, the instructions could have been better.

You can also try replacing the pins with a 10L axle, the inner pin connectors with axle connector 2Ls, and the 2L pins from step 89 with pin axles.

Improve this answer
4
  • The axle route would hold things together, but unless I miss something it wouldn't have any means of holding the wing position. So it would work for other applications with this problem but not this particular one
    – Taejang
    Commented Feb 7, 2023 at 2:07
  • Oh, I didn't realize the position of the wings is held just by the friction of the pins. My bad.
    – IvanSanchez
    Commented Feb 7, 2023 at 6:42
  • 1
    @TomCarpenter No, that won't work well. The MOC is designed so that the wings can be (un)folded as a play feature. Locking the axle in place and locking the wings to the axle would disable that feature.
    – IvanSanchez
    Commented Feb 7, 2023 at 15:17
  • The question was how to connect pins, and this answered that so I've marked it as such. A solution to the MOC is different; like Ivan said, it is meant to fold but needs to be stiff enough to hold position. I might use a hinge, perhaps a liftarm, or maybe just say screw it and use 44224
    – Taejang
    Commented Feb 7, 2023 at 21:02
4

Putting bars through pins is legal in my opinion, and is done in official Lego sets from time to time. Especially the "flick missile" is used in technic sets to extend pins with one more module:

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=61184

part 61184

Here is an example of such usage (from the 42039 24 Hours Le Mans Race car): page from Le Mans car instructions

Another example; the recent 31127 street racer: page from street racer instructions

for aesthetic reasons flick missiles are used here with length 2 pins rather than length 3 pins.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Note how the pins go through the holes first, and then the bars go through the pins.
    – IvanSanchez
    Commented Feb 8, 2023 at 11:11
  • 1
    Yes, and when deconstructing the other way around, first remove the bars from the pins, then compress and remove the pins from the technic holes... imho it IS possible to create an illegal connection that way if the bars can't be removed from the pins anymore
    – Michael Verschaeve
    Commented Feb 8, 2023 at 11:26

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.