All Questions
4,575
questions
11
votes
2
answers
966
views
What is the history of "Modulex" blocks?
I have seen a few very small models using something called "Modulex" pieces and have even heard that they are somehow directly related to LEGO? They don't seem to be around anymore so I was wondering ...
- 1,399
10
votes
3
answers
14k
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 ...
- 209
15
votes
5
answers
4k
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 ...
- 251
11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What changes were made to Maersk blue?
I read that LEGO recently changed the colour of Maersk blue. Is this true? If so, why did they make a change?
- 9,121
18
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How are the LEGO instruction manuals made?
I wish to know how the LEGO instruction manuals are made. What is the process currently used?
- 3,242
41
votes
2
answers
19k
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?
- 3,242
22
votes
10
answers
24k
views
What are the largest Technic-compatible tires on the market?
I am looking for the largest LEGO wheels with tires available to build a nice-sized RC LEGO car.
Of course I will start with the simplest prototype, but I would like to achieve a design which will ...
- 1,336
30
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why are LEGO slope bricks textured?
Why is the slope part of bricks textured instead of the usual flat & glossy edge?
Are there any non-textured forms of these bricks?
- 5,216
7
votes
1
answer
719
views
Does the LEGO company sell LEGO brick organization bins? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are some storage options?
Are there official LEGO brick storage and organization bins available? If not, then what good 3rd party options are there? I'm looking to ...
- 189
9
votes
1
answer
573
views
What are the names for these two pieces of a car chassis and a piece for above the wheels?
I have the following pieces but cannot find their names nor precise usage on BrickLink or elsewhere
The black one has a wheel well on each side - sorry for the poor image quality.
Both the red and ...
- 495
76
votes
11
answers
280k
views
What's the most cost effective way to buy bulk LEGO bricks?
I've found a couple places to pick up bulk LEGO, but they all have various issues.
Bricklink - I found their user interface confusing, clunky, and straight out of 1998. I'm aware of a couple of ...
- 1,749
23
votes
3
answers
47k
views
Where are LEGO parts made?
Are all LEGO parts made in a single factory, or are there multiple factories? Where abouts is it/are they? If there are several, are there different factories for different pieces/sets, or do all ...
- 3,204
33
votes
4
answers
14k
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? ...
- 1,350
30
votes
2
answers
32k
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?
- 13.5k
37
votes
4
answers
12k
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, ...
- 1,839
33
votes
8
answers
8k
views
Why did Technic bricks have holes in the studs?
Lego Technic (/ Expert Builder) bricks have always had a very different design than the normal Lego brick, with peg holes lining the sides serving fairly obvious purposes, but they also have had (as ...
user23
30
votes
2
answers
43k
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?
- 1,350
20
votes
1
answer
1k
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.
- 2,175
33
votes
6
answers
5k
views
Which hand is this minifigure extending normally?
I remember more than one argument with a friend over which way LEGO minifigures' hands should be oriented to be correct (with the thumb pointed upward/inward, like a human hand's neutral position).
...
user23
21
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How can I motorize City-scale wheels?
I'd like to build city-scale (6 studs wide) vehicles motorized with either PF motor or clockwork. The primary problem right now is connecting wheel(s) to motor. Are there small enough LEGO wheels with ...
- 789
23
votes
9
answers
17k
views
How can I efficiently pick up bricks off the floor?
My floor is covered in bricks. My bare feet can't take much more abuse. Is there a way of collecting up the bricks easily, or should I just get on my knees and start scooping them up with my hands?
- 3,204
39
votes
4
answers
17k
views
How can I store LEGO bricks to prevent damage?
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 ...
- 2,175
20
votes
4
answers
8k
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?
16
votes
1
answer
6k
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 ...
user23
21
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How can I build an (automatic) Mindstorms charging-station?
I'm thinking about buying LEGO Mindstorms and start programming robots. I'm a software engineer and LEGO fan since I was a child so this sounds like the perfect combination of my dearest hobbies.
But ...
- 5,603
18
votes
9
answers
5k
views
Are there any mirrored LEGO bricks?
I recently built LEGO Creator 5770: Lighthouse Island which features a clever trick to build the lighthouse's lantern, using stickers on on a Slope Brick 2x2 and Slope Top 1x2x2/3:
Step 54 from ...
user23
1
vote
0
answers
119
views
Cleaning a lot of bricks after a very long time in storage [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Lego cleaning techniques and tools
I have a lot of bricks that have been in storage for a few years. They've been stored in a closed big box.
They're now very dirty. It's ...
- 111
28
votes
1
answer
6k
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 ...
- 653
48
votes
2
answers
40k
views
How do I identify a LEGO part?
Over the vast years of collecting bricks of various sizes and sets, I find that during my free builds I run low on a specific type of brick. How can I go about identifying what the brick is named and ...
- 583
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What different bricks exist with studs on the sides? [closed]
(Partially inspired by this question.)
I have been wondering recently just how many different LEGO bricks there are with studs on the side.
Which LEGO bricks have studs specifically on the sides?
...
- 1,390
16
votes
1
answer
7k
views
What does "AFOL" mean?
I've seen the term AFOL around; for example, this site has an afol tag. What does AFOL stand for?
- 279
27
votes
1
answer
3k
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?
- 3,242
23
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why are minifigure head studs now hollow?
Comparing my childhood minifigure heads to my post dark age ones, there is now a hollow stud at the top vs the solid ones I grew up with. At what point did this change happen and what was the reason ...
- 403
32
votes
2
answers
34k
views
What does the acronym MOC stand for?
This is a common acronym used in the Lego community - what does MOC mean?
- 481
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What are the characteristics of "Miniland" scale?
I have heard many references to "Miniland" scale. From what I have seen, this style of building mostly includes figurines that are larger than normal mini-figs.
What are some other characteristics of ...
- 1,399
25
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How do you plan large structures for easy and safe transport to shows?
Imagine I am building a large display that will cover many square feet and have both tall buildings and lots of small details. What are some techniques for making these things modular? Is it safer to ...
- 4,261
48
votes
17
answers
61k
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? Has anyone tried ...
- 2,149
36
votes
3
answers
11k
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?
- 5,216
44
votes
9
answers
12k
views
What are the best LEGO 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 ...
- 2,478
18
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the name of the Lego product that snaps together with knobs?
I remember owning a very strange Lego set, but have forgotten the name.
The pieces were similar to Technic parts, but different. They were green rounded frames and connected using purple squares with ...
- 5,216
16
votes
1
answer
1k
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...
- 2,175
41
votes
7
answers
24k
views
How are LEGO sets designed?
I've often wondered how it is that LEGO goes about creating new sets. I can easily imagine a person sitting in a room all day with unlimited pieces of every shape but with some of the complicated sets ...
- 511
4
votes
1
answer
593
views
Is there virtual LEGO designing software? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Do any programs exist that allow you to build own LEGO plans?
Some years ago, there was a really good program to build models from LEGO. But today I can't find it. Do you know ...
- 2,175
56
votes
2
answers
16k
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 cross-...
- 2,149
39
votes
4
answers
6k
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?
- 493
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's the largest LEGO construction ever?
In terms of the number of bricks used.
Is this house, constructed by James May for the show Toy Stories, the biggest?
- 3,204
38
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How has the basic brick changed over the years?
The basic 2x4 brick has many versions. For example the modern one has thinner walls and funny shaped tubes compared to an early 1980s brick. What were the changes over the years and how did they ...
- 4,261
2
votes
1
answer
6k
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 system like ...
user23
3
votes
0
answers
145
views
Cleaning lego: substances that can be safely used without causing damage? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Lego cleaning techniques and tools
I've used a normal washing up solution of Fairy washing up liquid and warm water to good effect previously, but I do find the blocks attract ...
- 2,149
69
votes
4
answers
12k
views
Is it possible to build simple logic gates with LEGO mechanics?
I built a simple bitshifter in Minecraft yesterday. I wondered if something like this could be built with LEGO?
Maybe there is a possibility to build gates with rubber bands and those movable ...
- 2,175