# Question
Title: What was the first Christmas themed Lego set?
For as long as I can remember Lego has been making Special Christmas themed sets every year. Advent calendars, Winter village sets, Christmas trains, and on and on.
What was the first Christmas themed Lego set?

# Answer
I don't know whether this quite qualifies as a set, but there is a LEGO promotional Christmas box from 1964 listed on bricklink
> 9 votes

# Answer
There have been Christmas-themed sets for a long time, for example set 246-2 Santa and Sleigh from 1977.

Scrolling through all LEGO sets on Brickset, starting from 1949, shows that this is also the first set in their records that is Christmas themed, together with the (likely unreleased) two Santas set 245-2.
> 8 votes

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Tags: sets, history
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# Question
Title: How would one add custom made 3rd party pieces to LEGO Digital Designer?
There are a number of producers of custom LEGO compatible pieces, how would one add such a custom piece to the LDD software, or otherwise make use of them?

# Answer
In the comments you wrote:

> ...For the record, I am willing to consider answers that address other software as well. But I currently only have the LDD, so am completely unfamiliar to any other software out there. – nijineko

*Brinklink* offers two programs that could be right up your alley:

1. *Studio 2.0* \- A popular alternative to *LEGO Digital Designer*, and
2. *PartDesigner* \- A side-tweak program to make custom bricks, where you're able to export directly into the *Studio 2.0* program.
> 5 votes

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Tags: software, ldd
---


title: Can someone tell me what this piece is?

text:
# Question
Title: Can someone tell me what this piece is?
The entire piece is 6L long and the axle portion is 4L. It has 2 pin holes perpendicular to the axle on the ends. Dark Bluish Gray.

*© Lego* printed on the side, but no part number or date. The number 5 is also printed.

# Answer
This is a TRACK ROD 6M,etc., which is mainly used as a steering arm in Technic cars like in this 8048-1: Buggy.
> 5 votes

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Tags: part-identification
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# Question
Title: What is this piece that looks like a coat rack or armor stand?
It appears to be a coatrack or armor stand. Only marking is LEGO inside the 2 studs on the arms. The bottom is completely blank which is uncharacteristic of a LEGO piece. It is 3 bricks tall with 2 arms with studs at 2 bricks high and a single stud on top. On a 2x2 base.

# Answer
That would be part 4289 Boat Mast 2 x 2 x 3 Inclined with Stud on Top and Two Sides

As the name implies, it is typically use for a boat mast on modern boat models.

It only ever came in black in one set, 4669 Turbo-Charged Police Boat.
> 3 votes

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Tags: part-identification
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# Question
Title: How many BIONICLE store display tubes were created?
I'm an avid BIONICLE collector and am curious as to how many unique store display tubes were created during the lines original run. To add some known information to my question I *know* there was a Tahu Nuva display tube very early on but then there seems to be a gap. I hear there may have bee a Rahkshi display but have never seen it if anyone can confirm this? From 2005 every line had a tube produced including TWO for the Piraka for some reason. But I'm curious about the missing years. Toa Mata, Bohrok, Bohrok Kal, Rahkshi, Toa Metru, Vahki, do any of these have store displays? Or is it something that only started in 2005 and Tahu Nuva was an exception (as photographic proof exists of this one!)

Anyone with any knowledge on this it would help to fill a gap in the line's history! Also, where are the new 2016+ store displays? I've seen a single Tahu tube and a Tahu display case but nothing outside of that (except I believe a case of skull villains?) Are there any more being produced?

Here's a link to better explain what I'm talking about : http://www.bzpower.com/board/topic/18801-retail-items-topic/

# Answer
A friend in the BIONICLE department says:

> Somewhere like 20, a lot more than I expected. We haven't really made anything new that I know of. The last one I remember was Mata Nui, and really Hero Factory heralded an age of models too big to display for a reasonable price. They're sorta like the special dolls that come in the clear-plastic boxes. You can't make them too big. We may see some new ones, but that means we first have to go back to a smaller standard BIONICLE figure size. There's a reason that Scopio, Ackar, and Takutanuva don't come in displays. Fikou or the Ragaha or the other little dudes, on the other side of that, would be too small. Gali and Tahu, if we could get some new guys like that, that would be ideal. But we're honestly moving to really small or really big, medium-size isn't flashy enough for customers.

TL:DR:

1. Like 20
2. Not unless mid-size models come back.
> 1 votes

# Answer
As it turns out, a Rahkshi store display tube does exist and was recently re-discovered.

The following display tubes are known to exist.

# G1

## 2002 Rahkshi Panrahk

## 2003 Tahu Nuva

## 2005 Hordika Vakama

## 2005 Visorak Keelerak

## 2006 Inika Jaller

## 2006 Piraka Hakann

## 2006 Piraka Vezok

## 2007 Barraki Kalmah

## 2007 Mahri Nuparu

## 2008 Mistaka Lewa

## 2008 Mistaka Lewa and Tanma

## 2008 Mistaka Tahu

## 2009 Glatorian Gresh

## 2009 Glatorian Mata Nui

## 2009 Stars Tahu

# G2

## 2015 Tahu

# Others

## 2001 Onua Sculpture

(Technically a display tube, but a brick sculpture rather than the set.)
> 2 votes

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Tags: bionicle
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# Question
Title: What are the programming languages that can be used on Lego Mindstorm EV3?
My son is interested in robotics. For me, I would like maximum flexibility for programming. For my son, I guess something simpler would be preferable so that his interest is not killed by complexity right from the start.

What are the programming languages that can be used on Lego Mindstorm EV3?

I am new to Lego Mindstorm.

# Answer
With ev3dev pretty much any programming language you can run or compile for the ARM board can be used. All you really need to be able to do is read and write to a file. This is because ev3dev is based on Debian Linux and has drivers to communicate with the hardware through virtual files.

That being said, typically you will probably want to use a library which abstracts the low-level API. The following are currently well-supported.

* Python
* Java
* Go
* C++
* C
* Prolog
* Vala, Genie, and other GObject-based languages
* Rust

You can find the full list and some other 3rd-party libraries on the ev3dev Programming Languages page.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I would definitely check out EV3Dev. You find a large variety of different languages to program your Mindstorm Ev3. You can use EV3Python to program with python which might be a level-appropriate step up from the Lego programming interface.
> 3 votes

# Answer
If your son has no previous knowledge from other programming languages I suggest to start with the LEGO language called `EV3-G`. That's the visual one included with the EV3. As an alternative you an use the Open Roberta Project which uses a visual language too, but a slightly different one in terms of concepts.

If you want to program the EV3 by yourself you can choose between various options. There are bindings/libraries at least for C, C++, C#, Java, Python. Good mentions are MonoBrick (C#) and LeJOS (Java).

With a little bit more information about your preferences and your goals I think you can get more detailed recommendations.
> 2 votes

# Answer
There's an extension for Scratch to work with EV3 - might be worth a look.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I know three variants:

1. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition
2. LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3
3. ROBOTC
> 1 votes

# Answer
Another option is Small Basic, designed for children. Download EV3Basic and get started!
> 1 votes

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Tags: ev3, programming
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# Question
Title: Hidden Side Paranormal Intercept Bus, Ghost Video Game?
The Hidden Side Paranormal Intercept Bus makes several references to classic LEGO sets and video games, like Rock Raiders and Bionicle.

I'm wondering about the game sticker featuring a ghost. It seems like it is also a reference to another LEGO game, but I don't know what it is.

Here's a picture I found of it, it's the purple sticker on the left.

Is this also a reference to a LEGO game?

# Answer
> 6 votes
I'm fairly convinced that it is not a reference to any other past Lego product, but was designed entirely for this set. It's hard to prove a negative, so while I list three reasons for this, none of them is a complete proof and all these could be false.

As far as I know the only Lego games to feature ghosts were either based on the Ghostbusters franchise, which uses different aesthetics, or had different ghosts (like that of Vitruvius, various characters from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or the characters Ghost Rider or Beetlejuice), which do not look like the ones featured on these stickers.

Which leads to the second point: there is the computer screen in your picture, but a laptop is included as well with a similarly themed screen: It would be strange to include a reference to the same thing twice in the same set, but if course it still does not prove anything.

The third point is much more intangible, being based more in the reason of meta-knowledge. When Lego designs a set like this, it is primarily meant to be played with. In this set, the focus is on catching ghosts, any Easter eggs are of secondary importance at best. But if the green ghost screen were a reference, that would make the other similar one a reference as well, resulting in a set with no screens dedicated to the primary play function. Which, of course, while highly unusual, would still not prove anything.

So these are the reasons for my conviction that these are not references to anything from the past but were created specifically for this set (or product line).

Or one might argue that the sticker is referencing the Lego Hidden Side application, but that would be stretching the definition of a reference, as the application is specifically designed to work with this set :)

# Answer
> 14 votes
According to the set designer for the Paranormal Intercept Bus set, Niek van Slagmaat, the released product contains 3 references in total, which he identified in a presentation at BrickFair Virginia 2019.

You can skip ahead to the 22:43 time to hear him talk about the sticker sheet and the references it makes, which are listed below.

1. Rock Raiders icon
2. License plate number `GG 4940` (Rock Raiders set **4940** The **G**ranit **G**rinder)
3. Bionicle video game (The Legend of Mata Nui, the unreleased game which leaked online shortly before the set was being designed)

He also identifies the purple sticker in question as a radar screen.

> I decided to just pick whatever Bionicle video game I could find and this one worked quite well so we ended up putting it on the secondary screen so while she's hunting for ghosts on this computer here using the radar she's also just playing some Bionicle game off on the side.

This confirms this screen is intended to represent the world in which the set takes place, and not reference another old Lego game.

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Tags: piece-information
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title: Missing parts in a Lego Mindstorms box

text:
# Question
Title: Missing parts in a Lego Mindstorms box
Could it be that there are parts missing in a LEGO box? I've a new set of LEGO Mindstorms *(reference number 31313)* and I'm missing the parts

**4499858**

**4211805**

Where could I get them?

# Answer
If you have a brand new set, and a few parts are missing, you should definitely contact LEGO Customer Service, so they can send you the parts you are missing.

> **New sets with missing parts**
>
> We’re really sorry to hear that something was missing from your new LEGO® set. We do our best to make every set perfect and we take it very seriously when a faulty one sneaks through. Don’t worry though, we can send you the parts you need!
>
> Please click “Missing Bricks” on the Bricks & Pieces section of our Customer Service site to order the part you need to finish your set.
>
> If you can’t find what you’re looking for, make sure you include a complete description of the part (the part number provided in the inventory page at the back of the building instructions is useful) along with the set number. Once your part is on its way, we’ll send you a shipping confirmation email.
>
> If you’ve lost some bricks over time, please remember to click “Buy Bricks” instead.
>
> -- LEGO Customer Service FAQ

Just tell them the part numbers you are missing and they should send you the parts for free.
> 6 votes

# Answer
You can purchase them both at *Bricklink.com.*

***Here*** for *ElementID #4499858*, and

***Here*** for *ElementID #4211805*.

> Could it be that there're parts missing in a LEGO box?

Yes, it is possible that pieces do end up missing from the time a set leaves the *LEGO* factory to the time the box ends up in our hands.

Without further information we don't know the exact reasons why this happens without proper polling, collecting, and disseminating these results.

We could speculate the reasons through past experiences. In the past I had recently finished watching the movie *Gremlins* and was sure one of those things got into my box and took a piece, but in reality that piece was stuck in the inner crevasse of the box.

So, for me: User error or *self-Trolling* was the culprit.

Or at any rate, you can follow what *Alexander O'Mara* has suggested, and contact *LEGO Customer Service* to get your parts replaced for free.
> 4 votes

# Answer
> Could it be that there're parts missing in a LEGO box?

Rin Rio-Oki has pointed you to the place where you can definitely get replacement parts, but to answer your first question, yes, it is indeed possible, though the chances for it are negligible. In any case, you should let LEGO know about it via their official support channels (even if you are planning to get the replacement parts from Bricklink), so that they are aware of the problem and can take steps to mitigate such accidents in the future.
> 2 votes

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Tags: piece-information, mindstorms, replacement-parts
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# Question
Title: Can the Powered Up Remote (latest train version) pair with the Boost Move Hub?
I've got the latest Powered Up remote, I was hoping it would pair with the Move Hub instead of using the Boost App.

At the moment it doesn't want to pair.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Since June 2019, this is possible. See here: https://www.hispabrickmagazine.com/content/2019/06/03/powered-up-ii-powered-up-ii-networks/

Look right at the bottom of the article.

> The latest version of the Powered Up app (2.2.0) as well as the latest version of the Boost app include new firmware for the Boost hub. After this update it is possible to control the Boost hub with a remote control.
>
> Establishing the connection is a little more difficult than connecting a single Powered Up hub to a remote. It is not enough to just press the start button on each device and wait. You need to press the start button on both devices simultaneously after starting them to establish the connection (as if the Boost hub were a second hub in an existing network).
>
> Now you can control the internal motors (A and B in the Boost hub) with the remote control.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is not possible at the moment. This could be enabled in a future firmware update, but I'm honestly not sure how this would work. The Move Hub has 4 possible outputs. Mapping those to the pair of outputs normally controlled by the current remote seems like it would be somewhat clunky or non-intuitive.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you use third party software to form a Powered Up network you can pair the remote and the Move hub to a computer and control them both from there. You could write your program such that pressing the green button would change the LED colour and swap between controlling ports A/B or C/D.

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Tags: powered-up, boost
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title: What part # is this? (Is it even LEGO?)

text:
# Question
Title: What part # is this? (Is it even LEGO?)
I have a bunch of these little curved yellow pins with a ball at the end. Are they LEGO? If so, what part are they?

(2x2 Orange brick for size comparison)

# Answer
This looks like the arm of a Minion minifigure by Mega Bloks / Mega Construx without the hand.
> 5 votes

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Tags: part-identification
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# Question
Title: Replace Battery in LEGO Dino Attack Light-Up T-Rex Head?
Is it possible to replace the battery of the LEGO Dino Attack T-Rex head?

There's a button on the top of the head that makes the eyes and tongue light up red, presumably via a red LED.

There doesn't seem to be any obvious way to take it apart like other light-up LEGO elements from the era. Is it possible to disassemble this element and replace the batteries?

# Answer
Unfortunately after attacking this piece from every angle with some plastic opening tools, I'm quite certain there is no non-destructive way to open this piece.

I tried slipping a spudger in every seam where the plastic joins and was unable to find anywhere I could get any leverage, or even push it in more than a few millimeters.

Even the jaw piece is held on by a cylinder of plastic running from cheek to cheek. There isn't a good way to photograph it, but here's an illustration to show you what I mean.

Based on this experience, I believe it is held together by single-use plastic clips that snap into place on the inside without any way to detach them, short of breaking them. I do not think it is glued together, because the two halves do shift a tiny amount under pressure, and some points were much more resistant to inserting a spudger than others (perhaps because a clip is in that area).
> 3 votes

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Tags: repair, electronics, battery, lighting
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# Question
Title: How to make Spik3r move without the pincers moving
How do you make Spik3r move without the pincers moving as well? Seems like the legs are only controlled by the motor on port B, but the move tank and steer modules only allow for the use of 2 ports. Using ports B and C (vacant) results in an error, while there appears to be no way to tell the motor on port A (pincers) to not to move when ports A & B are selected.

# Answer
Don't use the Move Tank or Move Steer blocks. Use the Large Motor block for controlling a single motor instead.
> 1 votes

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Tags: ev3, mindstorms, programming
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title: Plate 4x6+4x4+4x6

text:
# Question
Title: Plate 4x6+4x4+4x6
Does anyone know the part number for this plate? I think it's from the late 1960s or early 1970s.

I haven't been able to identify it myself via Google or by browsing BrickLink plate inventory...

# Answer
> 12 votes
That would be 781 Vehicle, Base 6 x 12.

It only came in 3 sets from 1972-1975, with only 379-2 Car and Caravan having it in white.

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Tags: part-identification, vehicle
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title: Where to get bulk GBC soccer balls?

text:
# Question
Title: Where to get bulk GBC soccer balls?
I am running a middle school robotics club, and this year we are focusing on building a Great Ball Contraption (GBC). One problem I'm having is acquiring the balls. On BrickLink, the discontinued soccer balls are going for nearly $1 each, and I figure we'll need about 200.

Any ideas?

# Answer
> 3 votes
You should research if there is an RLUG (Recognized Lego users group) active near where you live. These are groups of LEGO fans for which the LEGO company provides various levels of support.

Often they have the means to buy LEGO directly from the LEGO company through the LUGBULK program. The program allows the members of the LUG to buy LEGO in bulk directly from the LEGO company itself at a discount rate.

I have in the past succeeded in purchasing a reasonable amount of soccer balls this way (among various other elements).

However, there is only a narrow time frame in which you are able to register for the program and it takes nearly a year until the lugbulk is delivered, sorted and sent to the various members. I'm not sure if the registration is still open or already closed. At least the final selection of items hasn't happened yet AFAIK, so perhaps your RLUG can still select the elements as a favor...

# Answer
> 3 votes
On LEGO's customer service under "Bricks & Pieces" (not sure what it's called in english the page is in danish here, and I couldn't quickly see a way to change that) you can buy parts. If I search for part id 6261264 (an orange "BALL Ø14,2"), it "only" costs DKK 4.94 which is ~$0.76, quite a bit less than $1, and shipping is usually quite cheap from there, but I think there's a limit on 100 of each piece, so you might need to make more orders.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I got them from here; https://pv-productions.com/product/lego-gbc-balls/ work perfect in my gbc modules. Also they have very cool glow in the dark gbc balls

# Answer
> 1 votes
Here is a link to LEGO compatible soccer balls. These GBC balls work flawlessly and were tested at the Brickworld Show on several dozen GBC machine. The balls are still working and are GREAT! 100 pcs = $22.77 or a sample pack of 25 = $9.48.

https://www.brickloot.com/products/white-soccer-balls-for-gbc-great-ball-contraption-fits-lego-balls

Note: I work for Brick Loot on our Original Light Kits and Light Linx, Brick Loot's DIY Lighting items for MOCs. Basically my title is "The Light Guy" lol. If you were at Brick World Chicago you may have met me as I am always there :)

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Tags: shopping, gbc, balls
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title: How can I mount a Dino head to a wall?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I mount a Dino head to a wall?
I would like to mount the head of the Dino Triceratops, Item No: 30460, onto a brick/connector so it would be possible to fix it to a wall or over a door entrance. Any ideas on that?

# Answer
> 11 votes
I don't have this particular piece but my advice for most 'non-standard' connections such as these is to use a part that is flexible enough to fit the gap.

The 'Technic, Axle Connector Double Flexible' piece under compression can make a snug enough fit to mount a sharks head.

In this example, you can use two Technic Axle-Pin attached to another two Technic 1X1 bricks.

If you turn the rubber brick 90 degrees on it's side and place two of them together you might be able to attach something that isn't as wide.

# Answer
> 1 votes
* **PROJECT: Dinosaur mount.**
* **Black plaque construction and cradle.**
* **Mounting plaque to a wall.**
* Reconstructed *Ambo100's* nice entry, which works beautifully for
*Mr. Shark*, but the width is too sore for *Lady Dinosaur*.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The horn piece I have from an old castle set, and you can grab it with minifigure hands. I can't think of a visually appealing way to mount it by the horn,but it is still an option.

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Tags: connections
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# Question
Title: What plane is the Aviation Adventures set based off?
The title states my question. I think it looks something like a Japanese Zero fighter, but it's slightly off.

# Answer
My understanding is this model's design is meant to resemble a WWII style warbird, but probably not any specific model.

LEGO has a pretty strict policy about creating army-related sets, and when they do they are usually fantasy-based.

> **Are there any chances that Lego will ever start producing modern day warfare Lego, with tanks and helicopters and what not?**
>
> We have a strict policy regarding military models, and therefore, we do not produce tanks, helicopters, etc. While we always support the men and women who serve their country, we prefer to keep the play experiences we provide for children in the realm of fantasy.
>
> -- Gizmodo - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lego

The most-modern military planes they have made so far are WWI models of Red Baron and Sopwith Camel.

For this reason, it would make sense that they would avoid making it look exactly like any specific military plane.
> 2 votes

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Tags: model-identification
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title: 8386 Ferrari F1 Racer convert to an RC

text:
# Question
Title: 8386 Ferrari F1 Racer convert to an RC
Help convert 8386 Ferrari F1 Racer to an RC

# Answer
If you are looking for direct instructions converting this set to RC you won't probably find it here. It is just a big of a job for such a simple request.

However I could suggest placing PF Servo motor where the steering wheel is and PF L-motor where fake engine sits. You can probably fit smaller PF battery box in one of the side covers with fake radiators. And PF IR-receiver can be placed wherever it is convenient. Don't forget you need PF remote control to drive your model. There shouldn't be a need for extra gears if motors placed in suggested places.

I can also suggest to try converting such set to RC on your own. It has plenty of space, a lot of potential to gain experience and shouldn't be a big of deal to convert. It might not look great on the first iteration, but with a bit of persistence and more practise you can make it look much better.
> 1 votes

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Tags: remote-control, customization, racers
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# Question
Title: Does someone know this tire's origin? What set contains this piece?
I bought a box of LEGO in a second-hand store for my niece and in it was 4 of these wheels. Can someone help me find it so I can build the rest?

# Answer
> 6 votes
It's *Part #32197 - Wheel 81.6 x 34 ZR Three Spoke Swirl*. made only for one set.

*Set #8448 - Super Street Sensation*.

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Tags: part-identification, set-identification, piece-information, set-numbering
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# Question
Title: Does the LEGO Star Wars Holiday X-Wing (4002019) contain any unique pieces?
The 2019 LEGO Employee Gift 4002019 is a holiday-style Star Wars X-Wing Fighter.

From what I can tell, this set is based on the current LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Fighter, with some different colored pieces and a few extra models like Yoda's hut and sleigh.

Does this set contain any unique pieces (and thus likely as expensive as the set on BrickLink), or would it be possible to build this set by redesigning the current X-Wing set with pieces from my collection and/or other sets which are widely available? If it does contain unique pieces, what are they?

# Answer
> 5 votes
Checking part inventory for this set on Rebrickable I found following part to be unique:

10169 - Minifigure, Utensil Sack / Bag with Handle in Green

Review posted on New Elementary also suggest pilot's torso and legs are new/unique prints.

The rest seem to be released in other sets. Some parts are quite old or have been produced in small number of sets.

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Tags: piece-information, sets, set-modification
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title: Please help identify this Ausini piece

text:
# Question
Title: Please help identify this Ausini piece
The one that looks like a rocket head or a projectile tip. I hoped there was a corresponding LEGO piece. There is no inventory on the instructions.

# Answer
Even though there's no corresponding *LEGO* piece, you could get away with this substitution:

*Part #89522 - Horn (Unicorn).*

This is how it would look with the pieces you have, and color wise the Horn comes in metallic silver too.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Bar with Light Cover (Bulb) / Bionicle Barraki Eye is close to the shape you are looking for. Can be placed over the round 1 x 1 brick. It comes in Light Bluish Gray color too.
> 1 votes

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Tags: part-identification, piece-information, clone-brands
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title: Lego train magnet strength

text:
# Question
Title: Lego train magnet strength
Some questions about these train magnets:

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=73092

I'd like to know roughly how much weight two of those could lift or what force is needed to separate two of these...

According to BrickLink, the magnet was produced from 1980-2009, would there be a considerable loss of strength between magnets produced in the early days and later?

I suppose how they were stored or how much they were played or dropped would also influence heavily their remaining strength...

I suppose I could re-magnetize them with a neodymium magnet, anyone care to guess or experiment about how strong such rejuvenated LEGO magnet would be?

# Answer
## Test setup

1. Take 20 magnets from my collection
2. Build a test stand with a magnetically attached bucket containing an adjustable weight:
3. Designate one of the magnets a reference (#0)
4. Repeat for each one of the 19 other magnets:
    5. Attach the magnet to the bucket
    6. Carefully add Technic beams to the bucket until the combined weight of the bucket, batteries, beams and the magnet reaches the limit and the assembly falls onto the rug below:
    7. Measure the weight of the assembly and note it:
5. Measure the two strongest magnets against each other to get an estimate for the upper bound
6. Measure the two weakest magnets against each other to get an estimate for the lower bound

## Limitations

The magnets were mostly purchased between 1990 and 2000 and were stored for several years in a sunny attic room and then for a few additional years in a cold basement in various states of assembly (separated, joined in pairs or assembled into a column of several magnets).

The weight of the bucket was increased by adding Technic beams, which weigh 2-4 grams each, thus limiting the precision of the breaking point (but see the next paragraph for a more serious limitation).

The kitchen scale has a precision of about 10-20 grams.

All pairs were measured only once.

Care was taken to construct the bucket in a way that results in the center of mass being as close to the symmetry axis as possible, but the amount of deviation was not measured.

## Results

The 19 pairs have resulted in the following measurements (all values in grams):

```
220 (#1)
240
220
220
220
240
250 (#7)
240
240
230
210 (#11)
240
240
230
240
240
240
250 (#18)
240

```

This results in an **average value of 234 grams** of force required to pull the magnets apart (including the weight of the lower magnet)

The two strongest (#7 and #18) together: **260 grams**

The two weakest (#1 and #11) together: **200 grams**

---

*I'm aware of the inherent imperfection in this test method, but in my opinion, it represents a reasonable compromise between time investment and attained precision. I would welcome any critique aiming to improve it though.*
> 7 votes

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Tags: piece-information
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# Question
Title: Instructions for the LEGO Star Wars Holiday X-Wing (4002019)?
The 2019 LEGO Employee Gift 4002019 is a holiday-style Star Wars X-Wing Fighter which is a pretty similar build to the current LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Fighter.

Are the instructions for this set available in a digital format anywhere (note that in past years, LEGO has not made these instructions available like they do for publicly released sets)?

# Answer
> 1 votes
PDF's for scanned official building instructions can be found at the very end of set review at New Elementary.

# Answer
> 5 votes
I found a YouTube video which has pictures for each page in the instruction booklets. The quality is pretty good and each step is readable.

---
Tags: sets, instructions
---


title: Which are the most expensive LEGO sets?

text:
# Question
Title: Which are the most expensive LEGO sets?
Which is the most expensive LEGO set at sale price?

And which one is the most expensive ever sold, even considering old ones at auction?

# Answer
The most expensive (and second largest) LEGO set to date is the #10179 LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon released in 2007, with 5,195 pieces, and the cost of $500. Equally expensive (also $500), but much smaller is the recently released #75159 LEGO Star Wars Death Star with 4,016 pieces.

As far as what is the most someone paid for a LEGO set in a private transaction would be impossible to tell. You could use the BrickLink Price Guide for prices sets sold for in the last six months, and you can also do something similar for eBay, but there are many other places people buy and sell LEGO (social-media sites, forums, commercial websites, auction sites, and more). You would really have to narrow down what data you are looking for, and go from there.
> 5 votes

# Answer
In 2017 the $500 2007 UCS Millennium Falcon was surpassed by...

... an $800 UCS Millennium Falcon numbered 75192, which is currently still available.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sets
---


# Question
Title: Which is more environment-friendly: LEGO bricks or Mega Bloks?
Which is more environment-friendly **LEGO bricks** or **Mega Bloks**?

# Answer
> 7 votes
There are multiple ways to look at this question, but in any case, probably LEGO.

# Production

LEGO has been prioritizing sustainability as of late, with all of their electrical uses and more already coming from sustainable sources.

> ## Our sustainability mission
>
> Our mission is to make all LEGO® bricks sustainably by 2030. Why? Because being sustainable is good for the planet! We want to make bricks out of things that we can grow again or are recycled. This is not easy as we want sustainable LEGO bricks to have the same high quality that you are used to, but what we know is this: big ideas may start small, but they will help us build a greener planet one brick at a time.
>
> ## Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
>
> At the LEGO Group, we want to play our part and make a positive impact on society and the planet, which our children will inherit, and it is this focus on future generations that drives our work. We believe we have a responsibility to minimise the environmental impact of our operations. However for us, minimising is not enough, we want to aim for zero environmental impact on the planet.
>
> The LEGO Group aims to send zero waste to landfill by 2025, and in 2018 recycled 93% of all waste from our operations. Additionally, 100% of all plastic waste produced during the moulding of LEGO® bricks was recycled. This includes reusing some of the plastic resin in our own processes, as well as sending some of the waste to suppliers to be recycled and turned into other plastic products.
>
> ## We’re big fans of wind power!
>
> We’re proud of our achievement of being 100% balanced by renewable energy, due to the investments made in offshore wind farms in Germany and the UK by KIRKBI A/S – parent company of the LEGO Group. In 2018, the energy output from our investments in renewables was greater than the energy used at LEGO® factories, offices and stores.

I am not aware of nor was I able to find a similar effort being made by Mega Bloks, though I suppose it's possible they are doing it without advertising.

# Disposal

As far as the environmental impact of the product when it reaches a landfill, it's a bit tougher to answer that question. It's unclear how different the plastics the two companies uses is, and what the impact of those plastics is. The amount of plastic each company might use for a given piece might also differ. One thing I can say though is that LEGO is much more likely to be repurposed as it holds an after-market value much better.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Something perhaps worth mentioning is that LEGO has announced that they have put $155 million into a new Sustainable Materials Center to develop new materials as an alternative to plastic.

Plastic are mostly derived from finite resources like petroleum. Plastic can be recycled but the recycled material can often be inferior, particularly depending on the quality and sorting of the plastic material used.

Some of the newest pieces (mostly plants) are made from sugarcane-based, rather than oil-based, plastic. However, almost 80% of LEGO pieces consist of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), a petroleum-based substance that polyethylene may not be able to replace.

As far as I know, Mega Bloks and other clone brands are not investing as much into developing new sustainable materials as much as LEGO, if at all.

---
Tags: lego-group, 3rd-party, sustainability
---


# Question
Title: What is LEGO terminology for measurement of normal bricks and common scales?
Where can I find basic LEGO terminology illustrated with LEGO parts, e.g. what's a stud? What's a plate? I also need to know the names of the most common scales of basic LEGO kits, and measurement of a most fundamental part(s) at each scale.

# Answer
> 8 votes
## Terminology

This is the most basic terminology in a single image:

A bit more verbose version is found in this slideshow, but there are a few factual errors, highlighted in the comments below.

The various parts are named based on their main characteristics, then their sizes in studs, as seen here:

After getting the hang of it, it's time to advance to the more complex terminology, with the help of the indispensable blog New Elementary.

## Measurements

The fundamental sizes for the basic bricks are seen in this answer, or a bit more simply:

The height of the plates is 1/3 of the bricks, or 3.2 mm.

## Scale

As for scales, this question is a bit complicated, as the basic reference unit is the LEGO Minifigure, which has weird proportions, resulting in inconsistent scales:

However, there are a few official ones, including:

* minifigure scale (about 1:40)
* microscale: anything way smaller than that, see these examples or these official ones.
* midi-scale was only ever used officially for two sets, which are sized very differently, as both models are around 30 studs long, so it's 1:100 - 1:6000 which would definitely fall into microscale category.
* towards the other end of the scale, there is life-sized, which of course does not get used much for official sets for sale, but rather for one-off projects:
* and it is definitely possible to create larger than life LEGO builds:  Or models of microscopical structures, like cells:  or even of subatomic scale:

# Answer
> 3 votes
From the book Crazy Action Contraptions page 47 has a nice graphic showing the relation between the sizes of different pieces.

I'd add that it is more common to call a "sideways brick" a stud. All lego elements are measured in studs. Using the same example as on the far right of the image, this Technic Axle is four studs long.

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Tags: piece-information, terminology, scale
---


# Question
Title: What is this light and sound LEGO brick?
I have some sort of light and sound LEGO brick I obtained in an assortment of various brand's bricks. The piece has three black buttons which flash red lights and play different sounds when there are two AA batteries inside the piece. It is genuine LEGO because of the *LEGO* mark on the studs; however, I can't find a part number on it.

# Answer
That is actually two parts 30351 Electric, Light & Sound Rocket Engine and 30353 Battery Box Cover. That sound and light brick was made in 1999 and only ever came in two sets.

If you look through the assortment you got you might find the Rocket Engine Nozzle that goes with it.

Image from Brick Instructions.
> 16 votes

---
Tags: part-identification
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# Question
Title: Ain't no mountain high enough... - what is the tallest LEGO piece?
What is the tallest LEGO single piece ever?

**Clarifications**

* It must **not** necessarily be a purchasable block.
* By tallest, I mean a piece *preferably* in its natural standing position, although also the lying longest pieces could go, provided their exceptionality fits the requirements...
* No restrictions on the materials.

# Answer
> No restrictions on the materials.

Well then, probably a component to the old wooden furniture LEGO used to produce, like these:

## 5003483 - 3-Seat Playtable Creative Play Station Center Pack Duplo

Or the similarly designed 4509g - 3-Seat Playtable, 5004063 - 3-Seat Playtable, or 5003468 - 3-Seat Playtable Creative Play Station Center Pack.

## IF-LTW2C - Activity Table and Chair Set

They did require some assembly, so I'm not sure if any parts stood up on their own, but you could probably balance a table leg for example.
> 4 votes

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Tags: piece-information, size, records
---


# Question
Title: Can you identify this Black Plane or Spaceship with black arches for wings?
Can anyone help me to ID this incomplete LEGO set? It looks like a black plane or spaceship to me.

# Answer
> 6 votes
This is not a set,

The Tile 2 x 2 with Gold Crown on Light Bluish Gray Background Pattern comes from 70404-1: King's Castle

the Brick, Arch 1 x 5 x 4 in Black does not appear in this set so it is probably a part of a MOC

# Answer
> 2 votes
It's definitely the base of the Batwing from 7782-1: The Batwing: The Joker's Aerial Assault with a few random plates and tiles added on.

You can see from page 26 and 32 of the instructions that the structures are the same.

There are just a few plates added on top what do not belong, perhaps because someone started to build a MOC based on the Batwing's structure.

---
Tags: set-identification
---


# Question
Title: Which part is this pin with varying diameter?
Can you tell me which part# is this?

# Answer
> 5 votes
The part is a Technic, Pin 1/2 with 2L Bar Extension (Flick Missile), part number 61184. It was released in 2008 and used extensively in the LEGO Agents theme as "flick missiles".

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Tags: part-identification
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# Question
Title: How can the A and B models of the 42055 Bucket Wheel Excavator be modded to fit together?
The 42055 Bucket Wheel Excavator has a B model, a mobile aggregate grader:  which shares the mining theme with the A model and seems to be designed to sort the mixed output of the excavator into smaller and larger pieces.

But as the Brickset review states:

> Unfortunately the chute is too high for the BWEs exit conveyor to feed into it if both are on level ground. Its edges are about 21cm from the ground; the bottom of the BWEs conveyer is about 18cm.

How can one modify either or both models in order to make them compatible with each other? The obvious solution would be to raise the A model on a platform of some kind, but I would prefer some kind of more natural solution.

# Answer
I have found someone in this video doing that mod.

---

The modification consists of removing a part of the hopper wall to let the BWE drop it's output into it from the side.

These are the relevant pictures:
> 4 votes

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Tags: compatibility, set-modification
---


title: Chaining Connections

text:
# Question
Title: Chaining Connections
The LEGO 2x4 brick is somewhat of an icon of LEGO, and the majority of official LEGO bricks can connect back to it. However, the number of bridging bricks required can vary, depending on the piece. Some pieces, like a 1x1 Round Tile, can be connected directly to it; however, others, like the Technic Axle 32, require additional pieces (in this case, the Technic Brick 1 x 2 with Axle Hole) to bridge the gap.

The piece I can think of that requires the most of said bridging pieces to connect back to a 2x4 is the body of the Bohrok Canister assembly, which requires 4 pieces to reach the 2x4: the lid, the hanger clip, a Bohrok ribcage, and a 1x2 Brick With Pin. My challenge is, can you do me one better? What piece takes the most bridging pieces to connect back to a standard 2x4, and what is the chain required for it?

Rules:

* The piece must be official LEGO; no messing around with off-brand pieces with absurd new connection types.
* All connections used must be legal; no strapping things together with rubber bands and calling it good (that would take all the fun out of it).
* There must actually be a method of connecting the pieces together; pieces like the ball used in Scorpion Palace or any of the BIONICLE canisters without built-in studs are just cheating.

# Answer
*This answer is based upon the **wrong** assumption that Technic chain links and conveyor-belt links (a.k.a. bulldozer chain links) connect to nothing except each other. As remarked by Ivan Sanchez, this is contradicted by this set, which uses a connection between a conveyor-belt link and a standard arm/rod.*

Assuming that these chain links only connect to each other, the only way to connect them to something else, is wrapping eight of them around a standard 16-cog gear. (You can also wrap six of them around an 8-cog gear, but I would not consider that a robust and intended connection.)

Finally, the gear can be connected to a length-3 axle with stud, which in turn can be connected to the bottom of the 2×4 brick.

For bulldozer chain links, this looks like this:

Now, it depends on how you interpret the challenge: You need **nine** other pieces to connect the chain link to the 2×4 brick. However, many of those pieces are again chain links and there are only **two** pieces between every chain link and the 2×4 brick.
> 6 votes

# Answer
### Thornax, 7 connections.

This is just a start, but here's a 2x4 connection to a BIONICLE thornax.

### BIONICLE Ball, 6 connections

The extra two pieces are needed to hold the ball in place, making it truly connected.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I have another case for 4 connections. 18592 \- Propeller 3 Blade 13 Diameter (Ninjago Airjitzu Flyer Vortex Rotor), can be attached to 2 x 4 brick with a help of following 3 parts below:

* 18590 \- Technic, Gear 8 Tooth with Pin Holes and Ninjago Flywheel Socket - Short Shaft
* 18585 \- Brick, Modified 2 x 4 with Pin Holes and Flywheel Socket (Ninjago Airjitzu Flyer Handle)
* 16965 \- Human Tool, Rip Cord Flexible with Handle Thick for Ninjago Airjitzu Flyers
> 4 votes

# Answer
Are you counting sub-assemblies as separate pieces?

How about part 983 a Minifigure hand.

That requires 981 Arm, 973 Torso, 970 Hips, and 971 a Leg.

For a minimum total of **four interconnections**.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Maybe one of the LEGO storage systems (https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/lego-8-stud-black-storage-brick-drawer-5005718) or apparel could be a candidate?
> 2 votes

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Tags: challenge
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# Question
Title: What is this 2x2 headless driver body part?
I found this Black 2x2 Piece which looks like a drivers torso, but I have no idea where it comes from.

Only found this piece, *Part# 30599*, that looks kind of similar, but mine has no head...

Any ideas?

FOUND IT its Brick, Modified 2 x 2 Racer Driver No Head Item No: x351

How can I delete the post?

# Answer
I just confirmed your own self answer, and yes, you are right this part is indeed

*x351 Brick, Modified 2 x 2 Racer Driver No Head*

This unique piece appears only in 20 sets. Look ***HERE*** to see where yours might come from.
> 5 votes

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Tags: part-identification, piece-information
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# Question
Title: How To Deal With Hydrogen Peroxide After De-Yellowing?
I was able to remove the annoying yellowing effect from old white and lightgray bricks with the usage of hydrogen peroxide. With great results I have to say. Now I wonder what to do with the remaining fluid. Is there a danger to poison someone when it's used in my household? Is it ok to drain it down the sink? Any advice on how to deal with it is welcome.

Another thing, when do I have to change the fluid? Will the effect gradually decrease?

# Answer
After doing a simple search, it seems that the general consensus is, it's okay to pour the *used* amount down the drain.

Most of us get it. The stuff's been sitting in your house taking up space, and because of the unfamiliarity with this chemical, you and environmentally conscious thinkers such as yourself, would never want to further harm our shared environment.

Bottom line: No new bubbles means no more potency, the green light to pour away.
> 2 votes

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Tags: cleaning, piece-usage, sustainability
---


# Question
Title: What is the name of this almost triangular shaped 3x5 Technic beam?
Okay so, I've been on BrickOwl.com for the past day or two, trying to find the names of the pieces for a LEGO GLaDOS that this guy made because he doesn't give the names, at around 12:50 he uses this piece:

and then he also uses some pins shortly after. Does anyone know the name, number, or a place I can buy one or two of the piece and/or the pins? Or do you have a BrickOwl wishlist with all of the items on it?

# Answer
> 4 votes
That piece is called a Triangel: http://brickset.com/parts/6010864 You can buy it from the Lego store (no direct link, but it is element id 6010864).

# Answer
> 4 votes
The piece you are looking for is 2905 Technic, Liftarm Triangle Thin. There is similar Technic piece with similar looks and same functionality - 99773 \- Technic, Liftarm Triangle Thin, Type II

Difference is clearly seen on this image:

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Tags: piece-information, technic
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title: What brick number is this?

text:
# Question
Title: What brick number is this?
Can anyone help us to identify what this part number is?

# Answer
That's 18649 \- Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handles on Ends
> 10 votes

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Tags: part-identification
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# Question
Title: How create a custom Roller Coaster? Where I can get the track pieces?
For some random reason, I watch some videos on YouTube showing a "Roller Coaster" built using Lego.

I never enjoy to follow Lego instruction, and I always prefer to build something my own, mixing any Lego bricks from any set.

I only found that set #10261, which wasn't used in the video. But is the only official Lego that I found, but it's too much limited, and I can't imagine built anything rather than the intended build. Buying multiples times the same set (5x #10261) appears too much expensive and still restricted.

I found another non-Lego set, called "CoasterDynamix Roller Coaster Factory", which allows some creativity. However, I can't find it to buy.

---

What is the recommendation for the track? There's any set like the old "CoasterDynamix Roller Coaster Factory"? Also, since I don't have any brick, what set of random blocks, for the support structure, is better?

# Answer
> 9 votes
You can buy tracks directly from LEGO. You go to LEGO service web page and follow steps below:

1. Click on BRICKS & PIECES just below the banner
2. Then BUY BRICKS
3. Provide your age and location (please be aware the list of countries where LEGO is shipping to is limited)
4. On the left side you have an option to chose parts from particular set. In this case use "10261".
5. You might need to click "Show more" a few times to get to individual pieces you need.

Note. 10261 Creator Roller Coaster set does not have every type of element within track system. You may use part numbers provided below to look for individual tracks using the option on the right side in Step 4.

Alternatively you can purchase all the pieces on Bricklink. Look for:

* 25061 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Curve, 90 degrees
* 26559 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Ramp Large Lower Part, 6 Bricks Elevation
* 26560 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Ramp Large Upper Part, 6 Bricks Elevation
* 34738 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Ramp Small, 3 Bricks Elevation
* 26561 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Ramp Steep, 6 Bricks Elevation
* 25059 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Straight 16L
* 26022 \- Train, Track Roller Coaster Straight 8L

# Answer
> 4 votes
There's already a good answer for where to get the track pieces, so I'll tackle the reset.

> Also, since I don't have any brick, what set of random blocks, for the support structure, is better?

If you are relatively new to building with LEGO, building a custom roller coaster design may be a really difficult first challenge.

There aren't any official LEGO sets aimed directly at building a custom roller coaster. A set of random bricks would be designed so that you can build a variety of things, not one specific thing. To build a structure for your roller coaster you will probably want a bunch of 2x2 bricks. Buying those pieces from a BrickLink seller with a sufficient quantity of them would likely be cheaper, as the price-to-part ratio for these relatively generic pieces appears to be lower than that of a set with a variety of bricks, many of which may not be that useful.

LEGO uses the round variety of 2x2 because they also use Technic axles to make it stronger.

You can look over those instructions to see how LEGO builds their.

However if the roller coaster isn't too big the square variety would also work. You will probably also need a variety of 2xY plates to build structures to connect your different columns.

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Tags: building, tracks
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# Question
Title: LEGO EV3 Ultrasonic sensor missing from Home Edition programmer
I'll get straight to the point: When I open my LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition programmer and try to use an ultrasonic sensor, there is no option for it in any blocks. I don't even see any allusion to the ultrasonic sensor existing at all. Is there any way at all to use the US sensor AND the IR sensor at once? Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
EV3 Home edition software does not come with blocks for ultrasonic sensor, unlike Education edition. However you can still add them as explained in this guide.

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Tags: ev3, programming, sensor-ultrasonic
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# Question
Title: Can I use Microsoft Makecode to programme Lego NXT bricks?
As a teacher, I only have access to Chromebooks and I cannot (IT will not let me) use Linux on them. I'm trying to use a text-based coding language to programme NXTs. I would use ROBOTC, but I cannot get it to run on my Chromebooks.

I also have about 32-35 students per class times four classes, so I cannot buy cheap Windows machines, because I'd need at least 15 to make this work well.

I want to use the JS feature in Microsoft Makecode, but I cannot find information on whether or not this will work. Does anyone have a solution? Thank you in advance!!

# Answer
> 2 votes
Just heard from Microsoft, MakeCode only works with Lego EV3, NOT NXT.

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Tags: nxt, software
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title: Any TV news pieces/stickers?

text:
# Question
Title: Any TV news pieces/stickers?
I'm looking for pieces to make a TV transmitting news. I looked on Bricklink "News" sets but only found 2 existed. Does anyone know of any set that contains a news anchor on TV piece or sticker?

# Answer
There are a few that I'm aware of.

Here's one from the 7208 Fire Station:

And another from the 7288 Mobile Police Unit:

This TV element from the 7639 Camper may also work for you:

These are all very affordable on Bricklink. Note that they are stickered parts. I'm not aware of printed parts with this pattern, but perhaps someone else here knows of some.
> 4 votes

# Answer
The trend I found on *Bricklink* is a news icon graphic with an image of a lined globe and the letters "TV".

*This* is the earliest set that has multiple iconography with this Globe TV theme.

This theme evolves in later sets to TV 6+ News Channel/Station still sporting a lined Globe.

Here is a set with this modification on that TV6 theme.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Quick search for "tv" provides a list of 57 parts on Bricklink.
> 0 votes

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Tags: bricklink, part-database, sticker-identification
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title: LEGO kit 42082 step 1041 issue

text:
# Question
Title: LEGO kit 42082 step 1041 issue
Gray part will not fit into black pieces labeled 1 and 2. Tried them all, doesn’t fit right. If I put the gray piece in the other end it fits, but that’s not how it’s supposed to go. It’s like the hole on the one side is too small... Help please?

# Answer
I'm assuming all parts you have are not damaged as this is possible, but highly unlikely, event.

I've tried to connect both parts myself. And this piece

is indeed harder to push into desired location as pictured in step 1041. Unlike the same hole from the other side of the panel. I've encountered this myself quite a few times while building other models. If you check both ends of the hole on a panel you'll notice that one has outer ring, which helps centering the connector, unlike the spot in 1041 step. I find it just a little harder to center the piece, but eventually it goes in and feels like it supposed to be there.

You can use something to help you with a task, like a 3L Technic pin, which can be attached to connector to help with a task.
> 7 votes

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Tags: technic, piece-information
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title: What part is this?

text:
# Question
Title: What part is this?
I need some help identify this part number or name. Thanks in advance.

# Answer
This is part of either:

TOOL WHEEL (1999 - 2012)

or

TOOL WHEEL (2007 - 2019)
> 6 votes

# Answer
Looks like *Part #6246d - Minifigure, Utensil Tool Box Wrench - 6-Rib Handle*.
> 4 votes

# Answer
This piece looks to be an older Wrench piece: Minifigure, Utensil Tool Box Wrench - 6-Rib Handle. Picture shows the part in, what seems to be, in a shade of brown color. Unfortunately this piece doesn't come from LEGO in similar color.

There's a newer piece, with less ribs: Minifigure, Utensil Tool Box Wrench - 3-Rib Handle. This part isn't produced by LEGO in any shades of brown too. At least for the moment of this answer. However it comes in a few other colors compared with an older 6-rib piece.
> 1 votes

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Tags: part-identification, piece-information
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# Question
Title: Can someone identify these Ninjago face mosaic sets?
I have 2 built 6x16 sets that appear to be Ninjago portraits. Each built on a Light Bluish Gray 6x16 plate with 1x1 colored bricks on top. I suspect they may be Toys R Us builds but i just can't find them.

Does anyone know the set name or # or link to instructions?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Apparently it's from a 2015 Toys R Us building event, in which there were 5 different mask kids could choose to build. There does not appear to be an item number associated with these builds.

All 5 designs and 3 of the instructions can be seen in these images (click for full-size).

I also found a video where all 5 are built and the booklet is flipped through.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Here's a fan built back panel to combine and prop them up all nice and proper like.

The pictures are detailed enough to suss out build instructions or a workable modification.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This was a giveaway at Toys'R'Us March 2015. The image I have found suggests me these masks don't have a have a set number. Here you can also see how instructions looks like. These are not your standard LEGO instructions you can find in sets or with other promos. The lack of set number and the appearance of the booklet with instructions suggest me you cannot get PDF instructions from LEGO Service for this set of bricks.

Keeping in mind this is just a bunch of 1 x 1 bricks on top of the plate, there shouldn't be much of an issue replicating the rest of the masks.

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Tags: set-identification, instructions, ninjago
---


# Question
Title: MindSqualls - can I connect more than one NXT brick using USB?
To access my NXT brick connected via USB with the MindSqualls library, I do the following:

```
var brick = new McNxtBrick(NxtCommLinkType.USB, 0);

```

The 0 is serialPortNr. If I were to buy a second NXT kit, would it be possible to connect it in a similar way (e.g. by setting the second parameter to 1)? Or can only one brick be connected at a time?

# Answer
I’ve had a quick look through the MindSqualls code and it looks like you can. I cannot test this however as I don’t have two kits.

Note: I believe it is preferred to NxtBrick class rather than McNxtBrick class as the latter is for a special program used for precise control over the NXT motors.
> 1 votes

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Tags: mindstorms, nxt
---


# Question
Title: Looks like total number of parts and sum of them differs on bricklink
I've recently purchased the 42063 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. It was assembled and looked complete. I took it apart and calculated total number of parts. It was around 550. Then on link above I've read total is above 600. With about 10 extra still about 40 less. I rechecked individually starting with rare ones than actually went through all list.

Discovered maybe 3 small ones missing, but again maybe I was not attentive, also discovered that some parts could be taken apart which I missed initially. With extra it was about 570 finally.

Still about 30 less than expected total. My guess is that maybe total includes all stickers separately even when they are listed as 1? Why else can be such discrepancy? Can somebody proficient with bricklink API sum up the list to check against total?

# Answer
Brickset says 602 elements, brickset takes its data from Lego Customer Services.

Bricklink says 603 elements, bricklink count includes a stickersheet while brickset does not. To get the bricklink total, select "Part out" on the catalog page, it will suggest to add 603 pieces to a "wanted list".

Adding the number of elements in the back of the manual I get also 602 elements. Going through the instructions and adding all element counts I get 598, this certainly does not include any spare parts, so about 4 spare parts seems right.

Conclusion, your set is lacking elements or you miscounted. I think easiest would be to group by element and count and see if those counts match the brickset or bricklink list or the back of the manual inventory. Plus side will be you have everything sorted and you'll know exactly what pieces are missing.
> 6 votes

# Answer
To add to the comment above, the part count is directly printed on the box itself. It can't be more official than that: https://brickset.com/sets/42063-1/BMW-R-1200-GS-Adventure
> 1 votes

# Answer
US retail boxes have printed number of parts included in a set. For 42063 set this is 603 parts:

Bricklink is unofficial LEGO market place/catalog has 42063 set inventoried. This means this set has been taken apart, each part has been accounted and put accordingly into inventory of this set. It also contains 603 parts. There's sticker sheet in set's inventory, but this is something LEGO does too, probably since Part tab on Brickset states it has 602 parts (Brickset fetch data directly from LEGO, but sticker sheets are never included as a part). I'd like to note that set inventories are highly accurate on Bricklink as each web site member can submit change if there are errors (and this is done fairly often when inaccuracies are found). LEGO, sometimes, alter the model slightly and this is being noted with an alternative items inventory, like in the following model. With 42063 set there's no alternate inventory.

Counting all the parts used in each step of official building instructions got me 599 parts. I agree, there might be few parts I've missed, but this is number is closer to 603, than yours 550.

Part inventory at the very end of the same building instructions gave me 601 parts. Again, one or two must have been missed, but still closer to 603 than 550.

I found video review for this set (with speed build), and if you check it on exactly 9:36 you can see all the spare parts left, which are not accounted in total part count. It is just a few pieces, which means almost all of the parts are used to assemble the set.

Rebrickable also state 603 parts for the 42063 set. However I'm not sure what is the source of the part list.

I don't know any other more reputable sources than provided here. You must have made a mistake while calculating the parts.

Alternatively, I could suggest to disassemble the model entirely, with all pieces removed and then assembled back together following the building instructions mentioned above. This way you'll be sure you have complete model with no missing parts.
> 1 votes

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Tags: bricklink
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# Question
Title: How to check completeness of a bought set?
Trying to solve problem for which I asked help in Looks like total number of parts and sum of them differs on bricklink I understood I did not have the skills to check contents of a set. I did Web search for "site:bricks.stackexchange.com how to check completeness of a bought set" and did not find relevant info so making new post. The question How to check the missing pieces of a given set? is titled similarly, but asks about different thing from mine.

Initially I tried to count parts by tens, put them in one place and keep count of tens. I miscounted set of 602 by about 10‰ of parts. Then I tried to go by bricklink list again keeping track in tens. Again I failed though twice less.

Finally I separated parts by each "type", taking large area on the floor and going by bricklink list I glanced at the parts, checked presence and added up. On that way I found several occasions where I misplaced parts, but finally I got exact count, so I bought complete set as expected. Picture of layout below:

What are your favorite ways to check completeness of bought sets?

# Answer
> 14 votes
You've already discovered yourself two good ways:

* count by ten
* put elements on large surface by type

The latter technique can be extended to an art called "knolling":

Place all elements by type in right lines with right angles on a large surface... Its a very relaxing exercise and fun in its own right. Checking completeness becomes trivial, building afterwards can also be done with much less frustration.

Update: Here's another very impressive knolling. The UCS Millenium Falcon 75192 (7541 pieces) https://i.redd.it/q51wrtua5yb41.jpg (can't insert picture here directly since too large)

# Answer
> 6 votes
This might sound crazy, but:

**JUST BUILD IT!!**

Follow the instructions step by step and you will see when something is missing. You can make a copy of the instructions and strike out every part you have used if you have trouble keeping track.

# Answer
> 3 votes
I have found that following solution works best for me.

1. Download and install BrickStock. This software has multiple uses, however for this case we would explore just a single feature.
    2. Once installed go to File \> Import \> BrickLink Set Inventory and filter by set number. Don't forget to select **All Items** in Category list.
    3. Now you need to select all parts (Ctrl+A) and set quantity of all parts to zero (right-click any item while all of them still selected and Quantity \> Set \> 0)
    4. Now you have a full list of parts within that particular set. Here is your main job to seek parts you have and mark their quantity accordingly within the list.
    5. In the end you'll have a list of parts you actually have. For next step I suggest you to delete lines for Counter Parts (noted as **CP** in first column) and, if you don't need to check against extra parts, remove lines with **+** in first column too.
    6. Save your file and note its location.
    7. Go to Rebrickable and login with your account.
    8. Create custom list via My LEGO \> My Custom Lists menu \> "Add new list" button
    9. Import your previously saved list you created with BrickStock software using "Import/Delete Parts" button into newly created custom list.
    10. Once completed, go to Sets \> Compare Sets menu within Rebrickable and choose you custom list on one side and a set you are checking against on the other.
    11. You will be presented with a of bit of details, with shared parts as well as unique ones. Unique parts listed under set's inventory are the ones you are missing.

I've used this quite a few times to check used sets I bought.

Alternatively, you can just create a list of parts you have following steps 1-6 above and compare it manually with set's inventory on Bricklink. This worked for me as well.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You're definitely going in the right direction with this. I've done this for sets that family had that had missing pieces as well as to part together sets that I wanted to build.

* I print out the bricklink part list, sorted by color. I write on the part list how many I find of each part.
* To help with sorting the parts I will stack things that are easy to put together and get apart like bricks. Tiles can be stacked as well, but it is probably better to zig-zag a one stud gap between each layer of tiles so you have a chance to get them apart later. I find that the stacking of the parts makes it much easier to manage the bricks during the process as well as count them.
* For times when you have hundreds of a given small part I'd weigh them and divide by the bricklink weight per part to get a reasonable estimate of how many you have.
* I find bamboo cutlery trays are excellent for sorting. The trays that came with the Architecture Studio are excellent as well.

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Tags: sets, set-database
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# Question
Title: What set are these large quarter circle curved bricks from?
I got a random box of Lego! I'm trying to figure out what set these bricks are from:

# Answer
Few pieces to be certain, but I believe it's from the set Maula's Ice Mammoth Stomper (70145):

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=70145-1
> 11 votes

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Tags: set-identification
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# Question
Title: Will the Duplo train track extension set 10872 work with Duplo train set 2700?
I am thinking about buying the Duplo train expansion set 10872 Train Bridge and Tracks for my niece, but her primary Duplo train set is actually a vintage 1983 2700 Freight Train set from her father's childhood.

Will these new tracks work with the old train and tracks? I've been looking at pictures and the tracks appear identical except for color, but, considering the 37 year difference, I wanted to check with the experts first. I am aware the the musical actuator almost certainly will not work with a 1983 train. I'm really asking whether the tracks will interconnect and whether there will be problems running a train from one era on tracks of the other era, or, if as I suspect, they follow the same standards and any differences are cosmetic only.

# Answer
From a train point of view those wheels will fit happily within the guides of the bridge, and the connections on the tracks should just about fit as well.

I'm fairly sure we bought our bridge when we were staying in a holiday cottage that had a load of the old black track, and it connected to the track successfully, but you may need to work with some curves to find the ideal length as the black ones tend to be slightly longer than the newer grey ones.

LEGO Customer Support have the following to say on compatibility:

> DUPLO® train tracks haven’t changed much over the years, so older tracks are fully compatible with the current ones. You can tell old and new tracks apart by the colour: the older ones are black, while the tracks we currently make are grey.
>
> While the different tracks can be used together, we do recommend alternating between them since the older, black tracks have less grip. If you’re building a track with a bridge, we’d suggest using newer rails around the slope.

Their recommendation for using grey around the slope may be aimed at the motorised options so that the train isn't slipping in the build up to the ramp, or skidding at the bottom.
> 7 votes

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Tags: sets, trains, compatibility, duplo, vintage
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title: Compatibility of maxi sized Mega Bloks

text:
# Question
Title: Compatibility of maxi sized Mega Bloks
Maxi-size Mega Bloks are larger than Duplo. As far as I can tell they have two times the stud pitch and much larger studs:

What, if any, compatibility is there between the maxi-sized Mega Bloks and either Lego elements or the smaller sizes of Mega Bloks?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes, maxi sized mega bloks are compatible with LEGO duplo and LEGO system pieces, but only if the duplo piece is 2x2 studs or larger or the LEGO piece is 4x4 or larger. Also, you can only connect LEGO system pieces and duplo pieces to the undersides of maxi size mega bloks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The other brands generally fit LEGO bricks. What you have and the Duplo bricks work together. I noticed with any brand that isn't LEGO the pieces are compatible, but they are slightly off like they had a problem perfecting the proportions with the Lego brick. They kind of stick sometimes, and sometimes they are loose enough to just fall off.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is a Duplo - Maxi Mega Bloks adapter part on Thingiverse, if custom, non-official 3D parts are acceptable.

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Tags: compatibility, clone-brands
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# Question
Title: Is connecting LEGO studs on Technic pins legal?
I see it in MOCs all the time, and I’ve seen studs connect on half pins in official sets, but what about full pins?

# Answer
The presentation that senior Lego designer Jamie Berard held at Brickcon 2006 and that spawned the entire legal vs illegal discussion can be found here:

https://www.hellobricks.com/pdf/jamieberard-brickstress-bf06.pdf

The particular case you ask for is discussed in slides 9 and 10:
> 45 votes

# Answer
According to LEGO, this type of connection is illegal, since the pin is stressed when connected to an anti-stud and eventually deforms.

People's MOCs do not follow same policy as TLG does. So you may encounter illegal connections from time to time. Pins are also cheap and usually owned in high numbers, so nobody's really bothered if one gets deformed.
> 13 votes

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Tags: technic, connections
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title: Help identify Duplo Toolo brick

text:
# Question
Title: Help identify Duplo Toolo brick
I found a thick brick in my set, but couldn't find it on Bricklink by part number. It's look like an Intelligent Brick, but there are no extended pins. Thanks!

**UPDATE** \[11.01.2020\]:

Currently I have these Sound Key bricks:

```
● - pin
○ - no pin

41489  45752  45753
 ○ ○    ● ○    ○ ●
 ○ ○    ○ ●    ● ○

```

According to sound manual from 3590 set, I missing last row of sounds (CHUCA..CHU. DRRILLL...DRIL.). After going through all the pin options, I found the right sound in this combination:

```
 ● ●
 ● ●

```

And it should be part number 45751, which is replaced by 41489 in my set.

Thanks all!

# Answer
> 2 votes
It's *Part #41489c01 - Duplo Toolo Sloped Brick.*

In comments you wrote:

> "I also thought that its #45751c01, but the number on brick is 41489" – k1psead

Good question. This is what *LEGO.com* says about the molded numbers on individual pieces.

So, *LEGO* is saying the molded number is this piece's specific *Design Number* and that we can plug this number in on their Part Database and find the piece.

Let's try it... Hmmm... Seems that answer is flawed.

So, how did I find it? My initial search for "Duplo 41489", came with the search results below.

We both now know that there is a Star Wars set with this number, who's popularity has, unfortunately, skewed the wanted results for a *piece*. So, we can ignore anything Star Wars...

...Look at the third result with no reference to Star Wars.

The third result is pointing to *Peeron*, another LEGO Set Inventory Database, where the molded *Design Number* of this piece is set up correctly.

Let's double check by searching the number through ***Peeron.com HERE***.

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Tags: part-identification, duplo
---


title: What is the quietest LEGO motor?

text:
# Question
Title: What is the quietest LEGO motor?
What is the quietest LEGO motor? I am trying to make a sort of LEGO dolly for filming videos, but the motors emit a lot of sound. I noticed the train motor is quieter than the other motors I have, but it is still too loud and it doesn't fit my needs too well. Any help would be appreciated.

# Answer
I don't think it would be practical to evaluate every LEGO motors sound output, almost all LEGO motors are fairly noisy so I think it is best to address the problem of a noisy motor in general.

My first suggestion would be to remove the source of the noise first, by using a purely manually operated dolly, if this isn't an option (perhaps you would prefer to have the precise motion given by motors) then I would consider moving the motor as far as way as possible from the microphone, perhaps using axles to distance the power drive (similar to the long steering axle used in the video I linked above).

The faster you run a motor, the louder they will be, so it might be possible to run the motor at a fairly slow speed, using a high to low gear ratio from input to output you can increase the speed without loud motors. However the sound of too many moving parts (gears, axles, etc...) may contribute to the noise.

As others have suggested in the comments, could you use a separate microphone instead, positioned away from the motor? Think about how you could possibly insulate the motor from producing too much noise using sound absorbing material.

Consider using video or audio editing software that can remove the noise. Adobe Audition for example has an amazing Spectral Display feature that allows you to visually identify certain frequencies and remove them, the results will vary based on the quality of the audio.

---

Motor noise will always be a problem, consider 'out of the box thinking'. In summary:

1. If you can build something without a motor, do.
2. Move the noise away from the microphone
3. Reduce the speed of the motor (adjust speed with appropriate gearing)
4. Use a separate microphone (or dub audio)
5. Use software to remove motor noise
> 6 votes

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Tags: piece-information, power-functions, motor
---


title: EV3 color sensor strangeness

text:
# Question
Title: EV3 color sensor strangeness
I've run across something very strange with my color sensor when using multiple sensors and multiple nested loops for a sumobot. I have 4 separate loops continuously monitoring the "optical", "ultrasonic" and two touch sensors ("touch1" and "touch4"). The main program of nested loops controls the motors in response to the sensors breaking different nested loops. I have attached a simple version that I removed the motor blocks from so you can follow it easier.  When the program starts, it defaults to the "search" loop (innermost loop in main program). The optical sensor is looking for reflected light greater than 20 (white color). The first time I put a white paper over the optical sensor, it breaks the "search" and "charge" loops and proceeds to the "color" loop, as it should. However, it only works the first time! All the other sensors work as they should, all the time. Sometimes after multiple attempts, the color sensor will work again. Mostly it doesn't.

Here is where things get strange. If I remove *any* of the other 3 sensor loops, the optical sensor works perfectly. Another thing- If I change the color sensor in the "optical" loop from "compare reflected" to "change reflected-either direction" (keeping the value it is looking for the same), it works perfectly with all of the other sensor loops running. Also, using "change reflected- increase" or "decrease" doesn't fix it, only the "both directions" setting fixes the problem. Does anyone have an explanation of why this is happening? My only thought is that the multiple instances of the "wait for-color sensor" blocks are conflicting... but that should happen no matter how many other sensor loops I have running. It's driving me crazy helping kids troubleshoot why the optical sensor craps out. Any input greatly appreciated.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Perhaps you need to add some hysteresis in your sensor loops. Each loop waits for a condition to be met, but then repeats infinity as long as that condition is met. Hysteresis means waiting for another condition to indicate that the sensor has returned to the original state and usually includes a deadband (meaning the positive trigger is not the same as the negative trigger) to filter out noise.

For example, wait for the color sensor to detect black again before repeating the loop with a deadband of 10%:

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Tags: ev3, mindstorms, sensor-colour
---


# Question
Title: By number of distinct colors, what official LEGO set has the most pieces?
A recent question shows the "monochrome" Steamboat Willie set actually contains about 20 colors. I was expecting fewer, maybe a dozen or so at most. So this got me wondering...

**By number of distinct brick colors, what official LEGO set has the most pieces?**

For example:

Each transparent color counts as a distinct color, as does metallic and glitter, and historic colors count, too. As shared in a comment, Bricklink recognizes up to about 100 colors. Colors on mini-figures do not count.

Past or current sets count. The only stipulation is that the set is an official LEGO one. This question might show a trend in themes: Architecture for example probably wins on fewest colors / most pieces, while Creator might take most colors / most pieces.

A similar question asks: What Lego set has the most unique colours?

# Answer
> 5 votes
I have a few:

* 3 colors: 2882 parts for 3450
* 6/5 colors: 4502 parts for 40179. Note: color count depends if you include brick separator as a part or not.
* 11 colors: 2428 parts for 10181
* 15 colors: 2455 parts for 2000431
* 23 colors: 7513 for 75192
* 37 colors: 2613 parts for 2000430

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Tags: set-identification, history
---


# Question
Title: Does repeated flashing cause degradation NXT
I have a Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0, which I'm tinkering around with, writing a custom firmware for. I just want to know if repeated flashing could damage the flash memory.

# Answer
LEGO Mindstorms all use flash storage which does have a limited number of write cycles, so the answer is technically yes in some capacity, but it's probably not something you need to worry about.

A LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 uses a Atmel AT91SAM7S256 microcontroller. This board has 256 KB flash memory, which is roughly the size of the latest firmware image.

According to the datasheet for this board, it should be good for 10,000 write cycles.

> * 256 Kbytes of Internal High-speed Flash, Organized in 1024 Pages of 256 Bytes
>     + Single Cycle Access at Up to 30 MHz in Worst Case Conditions
>     + Prefetch Buffer Optimizing Thumb Instruction Execution at Maximum Speed
>     + Page Programming Time: 4 ms, Including Page Auto-erase, Full Erase Time: 10 ms
>     + 10,000 Write Cycles, 10-year Data Retention Capability, Sector Lock Capabilities, Flash Security Bit
>     + Fast Flash Programming Interface for High Volume Production

10,000 is actually quite a bit, and would take a very long time to reach intentionally, even if you automated it to run 24/7.

I'm not sure how fast you physically can flash the firmware, but if you did it once every 10 minutes 24/7, it would take you almost 70 days to reach that limit.

If you flashed it a still-unrealistic 10 times per-day, it would take you 1000 days to reach that limit.

And of-course, if you did it once per-day, it would take you over 27 years.

In practice, I think it's much more likely some other hardware component will fail first.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I've found a very old NXTasy thread that answers this question definitively.

> Flemming Bundgaard, from LEGO, ran two or three test-to-failure runs with my NXTTools utility repeatedly setting the brick into firmware download mode and downloading the standard NXT firmware to the brick. In each of his tests the brick failed, if I recall correctly, after ~7000-8000 iterations. There is no doubt that if you put your NXT into boot mode somewhere in the neighborhood of 8000 times your brick will no longer accept a new firmware download. You can test this yourself if you like using NXTTools undocumented iteration count switch and a brick running on an external power supply. Each iteration takes about 30 seconds so the test will run for ~67 hours. Of course, your brick could have a different lock bit lifespan than Flemming's bricks had. It is also worth pointing out that if you reflash or reset your NXT once a day 365 days a year it will probably take you almost 22 years to wear out your lock bits. If you do it 10 times a day, everyday, then your brick should last 2.2 years.
> 2 votes

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Tags: nxt
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title: Can anyone identify these minifigures?

text:
# Question
Title: Can anyone identify these minifigures?
I was searching Bricklink for info about the marked minifigures, but I can't find anything.

I want to know if these minifigures are fake or if these minifigs are in someone set that I can't find.

# Answer
The figure holding the lightsaber is composed of the head and hair of Anakin Skywalker from the Clone Wars series:

the torso of Luke Skywalker as a Jedi Knight:

and a pair of dark gray legs on medium gray hips:

---

The clone figure has the torso of a shock trooper from Ep 3.:

But I couldn't find the helmet.
> 22 votes

# Answer
Zovits identified most items, the missing helmet is a Stormtrooper Type 2 helmet from an AT-AT driver, which is likely also where the legs from the Anakin/Luke mix figure as identified by Zovits come from.

As an added bonus: the torso of this AT-AT driver is used on the middle stormtrooper on the second row from the front, so you have the complete figure.
> 19 votes

# Answer
The helmet is from an old AT-AT pilot. The set was from back in '09 I think.
> 1 votes

# Answer
The snowtrooper on the left is not correct. Its torso goes with the AT-AT driver helmet in the question and, as already mentioned, the pants on your Luke-Anakin go with it as well.
> 1 votes

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Tags: star-wars, minifigure-identification
---


# Question
Title: Looking for a way to connect SG90 servo motor to Lego Technic hole in a brick, in order to control Lego train track switch
After looking at this question: Can I remotely control the points on PF train tracks? I got the idea of controlling the train track switch handle using a servo motor that will be able to move the yellow handle to both positions.

The included video in that answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoNiq5FCd9U Shows the general idea of how to convert the circular motion of the servo motor into a kind of linear movement that will be suitable for the handle.

So it seems that with a set of Lego Technic bricks and an engine - it should be easy to achieve.

My problem is that I want to use an Arduino controller for this, with a cheap and simple servo called SG90: https://www.google.com/search?q=sg90+specifications

So, what I need now, and a way to connect the SG90 motor to a similar kind of construction, to achieve a similar outcome as in the video (and in the question).

Many thanks for that!

# Answer
> 4 votes
There are numerous solutions over internet for attaching SG90 servo with LEGO. However I remember this particular video, which fit your need to attach/control Technic beams/liftarms. It also features required parts for this build at 7:48.

# Answer
> 1 votes
For mounting, servo tape (strong double sided sticky tape designed for mounting lightweight servos) to a tile works fine in many cases.

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Tags: technic, motor, trains, 3rd-party
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# Question
Title: Looking for instructions for this Mega Bloks Dragon Ship
I don't know the model #, but it's probably from the early 2000's. Looks like this.

# Answer
* Looks like *Set #9895 - Dragons - Krystal Wars - Man O War.*

Instructions: ***HERE***.
> 6 votes

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Tags: set-identification, instructions, clone-brands
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title: All-purpose Technic set?

text:
# Question
Title: All-purpose Technic set?
For LEGO Classic there are plenty of "build anything" kinds of sets, but is there something like that for Technic?

Ideally, I'm imagining a box of the most useful 1000 or so Technic pieces, so that whenever one wants to build an original (and functional) robot or vehicle, the parts required will most likely be found.

Is there such a set?

I find that most of the Technic sets are specialized for building one specific machine, but after building that, when you want to build something else, the parts are not necessarily all-purpose.

# Answer
> 7 votes
The EV3 expansion set 45560 comes to mind: https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-mindstorms-education-ev3-expansion-set-by-lego-education/45560

Although intended as a extension to the educational EV3 set, it's mainly technic elements.

# Answer
> 6 votes
There was a Technic sub-theme called Universal that was available mostly in the 1980's. The sets did come with instructions to build as many as 4 different models, but each model rarely used all the parts. The models were more of a demonstration of how to use the parts in interesting ways.

You can browse the sets in the Technic Universal theme here:

https://brickset.com/sets/theme-Technic/subtheme-Universal

Now, because these sets were almost all from the 1980's, they all used studded construction, which is a rarity in modern Technic.

I appreciate that this answer is unlikely to help the original asker, or even anyone else, but I believe it is Technic-ally a correct answer!

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Tags: technic, sets
---


# Question
Title: Older compatible/clone brand with PB initials
I have quite a few bricks from a LEGO-compatible brand and would like to know more about the brand these are from. I have them since the very early 90s, if not earlier, so I would think they are a leftover of either a GDR brand or any other former Soviet Block company that produced a clone/alternative to "Western" LEGO.

They are fully compatible to LEGO (and can fit rather tightly) but generally look a little more irregular or just older. They come (or I have them in) white, red and bright yellow (which I think is not just older white) and they seem to have largely just 2-wide bricks (although, I spotted an occasional 1x2, which I guess could also be interpreted as 2-wide). They also have slopes, but different to LEGO only the actual slope without the brick part at the back. They also have windows, but seem to have rarely any plates (I only spotted a 2x8 in yellow, similar colour to that 10x20 base brick they stand on in the photo).

The do have a company logo on the back of the big yellow base brick and on at least one of the studs on each brick, which says *PB*, but I don't quite know what to make of that.

# Answer
> 5 votes
These are quite literally Pebe bricks made indeed in GDR.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebe https://www.inverso.pt/legos/clones/texts/pebe.htm

They are not too uncommon in east german second hand vintage batches, since they blend in quite well, just found this one last week:

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Tags: part-identification, clone-brands
---


# Question
Title: Identify this license plate holder piece
Please tell me the name of this piece. I've been looking for it for hours on LDD and have tried searching for it with many names.

I know that you use it for cars and it's a very common piece too.

The source of the picture is this WikiHow article, which contains no further description.

# Answer
> 17 votes
There are two variant of that, which look very similar:

Stud.IO lists them as:

* Brick, Modified 2 x 4 - 1 x 4 with Recessed Studs and Thick Side Arches
* Brick, Modified 2 x 4 - 1 x 4 with Recessed Studs and Thin Side Arches

These can be seen below, thick in red on the left, and thin in blue on the right in the top picture (not a valid colour):

The difference is subtle but most visible on the side of the bottom, forward facing stud - the picture from the wikihow article appears to be using the Thin variant.

# Answer
> 12 votes
This pieces is indeed hard to find, as it is used in building vehicles but does not have a name that has anything to do with that purpose. It is part number 52038 and is called Brick, Modified 2 x 4 - 1 x 4 with 2 Recessed Studs and Thick Side Arches on Bricklink.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Double nods to *Phil B.* and *Zhaph - Ben Duguid ♦* for offering correct answers, but *Mark Thrill* has provided further detail that might be a program issue, or he might have just said these words in jest.

> "I've been looking for it for hours on LDD..."

We know that certain versions of *LDD* do exclude pieces. The version of *LDD* that I'm using does have both variations of this piece. So, *Mr. Thrill*, if possible can you check again to see if your version has these pieces:

If you just type "1x4x1" in *LDD's* search field, both variants should pop up underneath the subcategory brick image that's often used for a car's headlight.

Also could you please tell us what version of *LDD* you're using.

Help Menu\> About (F3).

I'm using 4.3.11 in Extended Mode.

It might be nothing. I know sometimes a piece's orientation gets rotated weird in the side tab of the program, and the piece we're looking for is right there in front of our eyes, but the inner mind's eye hasn't caught up yet.

So, both variants in *LDD* would be:

* (***Thicc***) *Part #52038 1x4x1 2/3 W. V. KNOBS.*
* (*Thin*) *Part #14520 1x4x1 2/3 W. V. KNOBS.*

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Tags: part-identification, piece-information, ldd, cad
---


# Question
Title: What set is the safari car in the 2020 catalogue from?
On page 2 of the (German version of the) 2020 January-July Lego catalogue, there is a promotional image with various sets or parts thereof1.

Catalogue online version.

In the lower right corner of that image, we can see a nice-looking safari car with a puma and a photographer disguised as a tree and a colourful parrot on top. I could not find this car anywhere in the catalogue.

**Is it from a set? Is it something that was planned to be released, but eventually wasn't, maybe when promotional materials had already been prepared? Or is it a teaser image for an upcoming 2020/2 set?**

---

1: For instance, I can recognize the train from 10874, the 31105 toy store, the tent and campfire (glampfire?) from 41392, the police plane from 60210, and the top half of 71712.

# Answer
> 8 votes
That's a new 60267 set to be released this year under City theme:

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Tags: set-identification, city
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# Question
Title: How to restart/reset a program automatically after stop block
I have a program that uses the colour sensor to progress that program. The colours are in a certain order. If the wrong colour is detected, the program stops.

I want to restart the program from the beginning automatically if at any point the wrong colour is detected. Please note that I already have a loop encompassing the entire program if the colours are detected in the correct order.

# Answer
> Please note that I already have a loop encompassing the entire program if the colours are detected in the correct order.

How about creating another loop for the failure case?

```
Start loop 1 (correct order)
Start loop 2 (wrong order)
Initialization
Check for colours
  If correct order
    Do something
    End loop 1 (correct order)
  Else
    Do some other thing (or not)
    End loop 2 (wrong order)

```
> 2 votes

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Tags: ev3, mindstorms
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title: Should my set come sealed in plastic?

text:
# Question
Title: Should my set come sealed in plastic?
I’m a new collector. I decided to buy the Stranger Things set as a possible investment piece. I assumed the box would come sealed in plastic but it didn’t. Is this normal?

# Answer
LEGO sets ship in sturdy cardboard boxes. The LEGO bricks inside the box are sealed in plastic bags (though some larger pieces come loose in the box) and for larger sets the instruction manual and sticker sheet are also sealed in a plastic bag.

The LEGO box itself is not covered in plastic. LEGO uses “seals” to prevent tampering - these are basically just pieces of adhesive tape with some printing on it - a black bar plus on at least one of the pieces of tape is a production code.

Some smaller sets come with push-tabs instead of tape seals ... this forces you to destroy the box to get at the set inside. These boxes will have the production code embossed or printed on the underside of the box.

There are collectors who plastic-wrap their sets upon receipt to keep them mint, but this is not a common practice. You can also engage a grading service to get sets graded, but the market for sealed graded sets is very small.

Note that no matter how good the seals look on a set (even push-tabs), there are entrepreneurial individuals who manage to open and reseal boxes to take out the most valuable contents without you as a buyer knowing. Be aware.
> 27 votes

# Answer
In addition to the other answers which highlight the lack of any external plastic covering and the use of seals or glue to indicate the product's unopened state, the products bought directly from LEGO are shipped in plain brown cardboard boxes along with plastic air cushions to protect them during shipping, like demonstrated in this video for example. Other retailers might, on the other hand, just slap a shipping label directly onto the printed box of the set.
> 17 votes

# Answer
The boxes for usual LEGO sets are not packaged in plastic wraping. It looks like you consider plastic to be the packaging, while the box itself **is** the packaging, since LEGO bricks inside is the actual product and not the box.

Considering environmental issues extra plastic wraping would be wastefull since (I assume) 99% of all sets are being opened.

The best you can get away with keeping your box in best shape is to order single set directly from LEGO online. Largest sets may come in dedicated made-to-fit cardboard boxes. However this not always a case (sometimes cardboxes designed to fit 2-3 same sets).
> 7 votes

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Tags: packaging
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title: What are these part numbers?

text:
# Question
Title: What are these part numbers?
Can someone help me figure out what both of these LEGO part numbers are?

The first two pictures are the same brick at different angles to show it's strange design, while the third picture is the second brick, which also needs part identification.

**1)**

**2)**.

**3)**.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Looks like:

1. *Part #47458 - Brick, Modified 1 x 2 x 2/3 No Studs, Wing End*.
2. *Part #4081a - Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip Light - (Thin) Ring.*

or

3. *Part #4081b - Plate, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip Light - (**Thicc**) Ring.*

# Answer
> 3 votes
As mentioned in another answer one part has two similar versions. Picture 3 shows the older 4081a and not the newer 4081b. This might be important, depending on your application. While both parts look to be very similar they have different properties. Older part has narrow/thin ring, which allows you to attach plates vertically on each side of the ring and such assembly won't be wider than the horizontal plate. Unfortunately, this doesn't work with newer part as ring is wider/ticker.

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Tags: part-identification, piece-information
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# Question
Title: LEGO Technic #42082 - Rough Terrain Crane: Loose Feet
LEGO Technic crane set #42082. Putting the feet on now, are they supposed to click in somehow? Also, my feet don’t seem to touch the ground. I’m worried I messed up somewhere a long time ago. Help please!

# Answer
Everything's going according to plan. Check out *Youtuber Sariel's* review on your set ***HERE***.

At about 26mins in, he addresses your concern. He notes the looseness of the feet when fully deployed, and says there are 4 pads stored in a compartment over the front axle. Just build on.
> 9 votes

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Tags: technic, sets, design
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# Question
Title: Is there an API for the Duplo 10874 train set?
I intend to buy this train set for my daughter. Apparently, the locomotive can communicate with an app via a bluetooth connection.

My question is: is there any documentation available so that I can make my own app to communicate with these trains? Preferably, I'd want to connect with multiple trains at the same time. Then it'll be fun for her to play with the set and fun for me to program for them :-)

# Answer
> 19 votes
There is now official documentation for the Bluetooth protocol used by the Powered Up product line:

https://github.com/LEGO/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs

The community has created some tools to interact directly with Powered Up and Boost hubs. Here is one example:

https://github.com/nathankellenicki/node-poweredup

That tool supports basically every device using the Powered Up Bluetooth protocol, including the new Duplo trains.

# Answer
> 8 votes
Official docs:

Discussion:

Inofficial modules:

Products (based on "Push & Go" train base "Model: HUB NO.5 / IC: 3027A-28743"):

Related:

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Tags: trains, duplo, bluetooth, powered-up
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