8. (8 points) On the desktop, 6 equilateral triangles with a side length of 1 can be used to form a regular hexagon with a side length of 1 (as shown in the figure). If on the desktop, one wants to form a regular hexagon with a side length of 6, then, the number of equilateral triangles with a side length of 1 needed is $\qquad$.
【Solution】Solution: To form a small equilateral triangle with a side length of 6 using smaller equilateral triangles with a side length of 1, a total of 36 smaller equilateral triangles with a side length of 1 are used,

To form a regular hexagon with a side length of 6, 6 equilateral triangles with a side length of 6 are needed,
$$
36 \times 6=216 \text { (pieces) }
$$

Answer: 216 equilateral triangles with a side length of 1 are needed.
Therefore, the answer is: 216.