53

I want to be able to center a 2x2 plate in the middle of a 3x3 plate - specifically to put minifig on. Another option would be to center a 2x1 plate on a 3x1 plate.

Improve this question

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
79

I saw this technique in LEGO's Disney Castle for offsetting parts of a column by half of a stud. You can see the column on the left in this picture is shifting half a stud above a 3x3 plate:

Castle picture

Of course you can do it too! Here is the process:

  1. Take your 3x3 base plate and stick 1x1 "dots" between each of the studs. The "dots" are LEGO part 4073 which BrickLink calls "Plate, Round 1 x 1 Straight Side". So you end up with 4 dots on your 3x3 base. I didn't have a 3x3 handy so I start with a 4x4 to demonstrate:

    dots added to base plate

  2. Those dots form a new layer that is half of a stud off from the base plate (3x3 for the OP, 4x4 in the pictures). So you can just stick your next plate on it. (2x2 for the OP, 2x3 in the pictures) 3x2on4x4

Addendum

A friend wanted to verify this and so we get to see the parts originally requested:

2x2on3x3

Improve this answer
0
47

For centring a minifigure on a 3×3 plate, I would do the following (though it’s not exactly what you asked for):

  1. Arrange 2×1 plates with centre studs as follows:

    Step 1

  2. Add 1×1 panels for optical harmony:

    Step 2

  3. Put a 3×2 plate on top:

    Step 3

  4. Place your minifigure in the middle:

    Step 4

Improve this answer
18

If stability is not an issue, consider the following:

  1. Put a 4×4 dish on your 3×3 plate (yes, this fits):

    Step 1

  2. Put your 2×2 plate in the middle (in any orientation you like):

    Step 2

  3. If you want to centre your minifigure, add a layer of 2×1 plates with centre studs:

    Step 3

    … and place your minifigure on top:

    Final result

(This also works with a 1×1 plate instead of the dish, but it looks rather puny.)

Improve this answer
17

Another soloution if rotational stability is not too much of a concern and you don't like having studs on show.

Put a 1x1 plate in the middle of the 3x3 plate and surround it with 1x1 or 1x2 flat tiles so you have a 3x3 surface with a single stud popping up in the middle.

You can now stack a 2x2 plate on top held in place by the single stud.

Improve this answer
0
9

In 2017, LEGO introduced a new 1x3 Jumper plate (34103).

The first sets to include this piece are:

As of 2019 the piece is available in 10 colours in over 100 sets.

Hopefully in the future we can expect to see it in more sets with varying colours.

enter image description here

Photo: New Elementary (70620 NINJAGO CITY)

Improve this answer
3
  • Nice! I saw this on New Elementary this morning but didn't think to add it here. It looks like a great new part!
    – jncraton ♦
    Commented Sep 20, 2017 at 19:18
  • 1
    You would still need two layers of these to center a 2x2 on a 3x3 while other soloutions do it in a single layer.
    – Peter Green
    Commented Sep 21, 2017 at 17:51
  • @PeterGreen In the question it mentions "Another option would be to center a 2x1 plate on a 3x1 plate.". I believe this achieves that with only one piece. Although you're right, it wouldn't be as suitable for a 2x2 plate on a 3x3 plate.
    – Ambo100 ♦
    Commented Sep 21, 2017 at 17:54

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.