 | | | | | | |
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I have been objective to the standard part colour combinations from TLG for a
few years now. This post is not a bashing of new greys or browns.
Axles have always been black, so to friction pins. Many parts have always been
produced in few colours. Gears have generally been grey, but they are not
general structural parts. I guess i haven’t noticed because black axles and grey
pins are neutral to a creations colour scheme. I need to state that i am a
supporter of studless construction. This took a while to develope and i can
understand some builders reluctance to accept it. However liftarm construction
is now relying more heavily on the use of friction pins and axles. From 2002
(first friction axle pins) to 2005, lego sets include on average 500% more
friction pins. Yes, they are being used in a broad range of non technic sets
including Batman, Dino Attack, Creator and Racers.
In 2004, odd length axles were to be soley produced in grey.
This was tolerable. Either grey was neutral or there were plenty of black ones
available on bricklink. In late 2005, red 2L axles began to be included in
technic sets so not to be mistaken for friction pins. This was tolerable. Mainly
because of the abundance in black. In 2002 it began and in 2005, friction axle
pins were to be soley produced in blue. This i could not accept as to me blue
was not a neutral colour.
I began debating the matter with the release of the blue dump truck
8415http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8415-1.1125940220.jpg in 2005. Yes
the blue axle pins were less obvious but now the grey and black axles were more
noticeable.
I thought i would perfom a study which would ultimately decide my acceptance of
Blue Axle Pins. I have built a number of tow trucks, set
8435http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8435-1.ImageL.jpg in common
colours, similar to the various colour build of the
854http://sparky.i989.net/images/lego/P013237.jpg go-kart by David
Koudyshttp://news.lugnet.com/org/ca/rtltoronto/?n=12180. However the purpose
of my build is not for tribute. The purpose is to identify if blue axle pins
detract from a creations visual appeal. I have built the set in Yellow, Red and
Black. Most parts for this set simply don’t exist in many colours at all
limiting the range of this test.
or
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/steven-dunn/Project-B/black.jpg
or
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/steven-dunn/Project-B/yellow.jpg
or
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/steven-dunn/Project-B/blue.jpg
It is of my opinion that friction axle pins detract from the over all asthetics
of a creation unless it’s blue. I also believe that the part could have quite
simply been produced in another neutral colour such as dark stone. I have
created a colour stick from readily available parts but with the added contrast
of: Red 2L axles Blue friction axle pins light stone odd length axles
The purpose of the stick is so that you can decide which colours to build your
MOCs so that you can minimise the contrast in colours.
As you can see the three common liftarm connectors in their standard colour
simply do not coordinate with any colour liftarm.
This brings me back to my original question, Why do these parts have to be one
colour ? Answer for this include:
production costs
ease of part identification
Completely acceptable
my next question is why do they have to be colours that don’t coordinate with
each other ? It is understood that technic creations do not need to be as
astheticly pleasing as a model team creation (Fairings and flexible hoses leave
a lot to the imagination) but i feel everything i build now has to be blue.
Now im not going to start a petition
Im not going to start up a save black axle pins with friction website
but i would like a responce from technic builders who have an opinion about
standard part-colour combinations.
As far as generic structural parts are concerned, i think it would be great if
TLG kept producing parts in many colours. However modern construction techniques
lead me to belive new and existing parts such as axles and axle pins should be
included in this category.
Are you happy with Blue, Tan and Red ?
Also, which is you favourite colour 8435 ?
Steve
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.technic, Stump Dunn wrote:
| |
In 2004, odd length axles were to be soley produced in grey.
This was tolerable. Either grey was neutral or there were plenty of black
ones available on bricklink. In late 2005, red 2L axles began to be included
in technic sets so not to be mistaken for friction pins. This was tolerable.
Mainly because of the abundance in black. In 2002 it began and in 2005,
friction axle pins were to be soley produced in blue. This i could not accept
as to me blue was not a neutral colour.
|
Actually grey odd length axles started in 2003. Yes, having all those 2L
structural pieces (pins, friction pins, axle pins w/ and w/o friction, 2L axles)
in different colours will relieve kids’ frustration of picking the wrong parts
because they are highly contrasting among each other.
| |
I thought i would perfom a study which would ultimately decide my acceptance
of Blue Axle Pins. I have built a number of tow trucks,
set 8435 in common
colours, similar to the various colour build of the
854 go-kart by
David Koudys. However the
purpose of my build is not for tribute. The purpose is to identify if blue
axle pins detract from a creations visual appeal. I have built the set in
Yellow, Red and Black.
|
Building them for tribute is also cool. :) I built a studless 8459/39 for
tribute too.
| |
It is of my opinion that friction axle pins detract from the over all
asthetics of a creation unless it’s blue. I also believe that the part could
have quite simply been produced in another neutral colour such as dark stone.
This brings me back to my original question, Why do these parts have to be
one colour ? Answer for this include:
production costs
ease of part identification
|
I think you answered your own question. The Technic line is designed for
children ages 8-11 onwards. Don’t expect them to be able to “feel” the parts in
order to tell them apart. As I said above, they need the contrasting colours to
do so. So we now have:
- Red 2L axle (since 2005)
- black friction pins, long and short
- tan axle pins (2003)
- blue friction axle pins (2003)
- grey smooth pins, long and short (since the beginning?)
- black even-length axles
- grey odd-length axles (2003)
- Dark gray 3/4 pins (1996)
Seems logical to me, and it doesn’t ruin the look too much. Then again maybe I
don’t have that much of a sense of beauty. :)
| |
my next question is why do they have to be colours that don’t coordinate with
each other ? It is understood that technic creations do not need to be as
astheticly pleasing as a model team creation (Fairings and flexible hoses
leave a lot to the imagination) but i feel everything i build now has to be
blue.
|
Don’t sweat it. There’re always half pins plus regular plates, and fairings to
cover them up.
| |
but i would like a responce from technic builders who have an opinion about
standard part-colour combinations.
|
There are two oddities I have noticed. Granted those are Technic-grade Racers
display models rated ages 10+. By the time Nitro Menace came out, Lego is
already using red 2L axle. But strangely all 2L axles in Menace is black, when
the six 2L axles for the huge spoiler should have been red for best appearance.
All other axles used to build the spoilers, however, are indeed in red. The 1:10
Enzo, OTOH, has two black 7L axles that form the front windshield.
That means Lego do produce these parts in other colours if the overall
aesthetics call for it (specifically if, and for cost reasons, only if, their
set designers order it). Remember the white axles in , the red
axles in , and all those colourful gears in those
Slizer/Roborider sets?
| |
Are you happy with Blue, Tan and Red ?
|
I am cool.
| |
Also, which is you favourite colour 8435 ?
|
I want to see if I can find enough grey pieces to mod 8435 into a Mercedes
G-class. they look so similar.
Keith
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| |
There are two oddities I have noticed. Granted those are Technic-grade Racers
display models rated ages 10+. By the time Nitro Menace came out, Lego is
already using red 2L axle. But strangely all 2L axles in Menace is black,
when the six 2L axles for the huge spoiler should have been red for best
appearance. All other axles used to build the spoilers, however, are indeed
in red. The 1:10 Enzo, OTOH, has two black 7L axles that form the front
windshield.
That means Lego do produce these parts in other colours if the overall
aesthetics call for it (specifically if, and for cost reasons, only if, their
set designers order it). Remember the white axles in , the
red axles in , and all those colourful gears in those
Slizer/Roborider sets?
|
Thanks Keith, but if you look deeper you will find all sorts of these type of
oddities in all age brackets, price brackets, sub themes and years of
production.
http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8479-1.1152084784.thumb2.jpg
green axles
http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8009-1.1124598945.thumb2.jpg
white 3L axles with studs
http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8242-1.ImageL.thumb2.jpg
red 3&4L axles
http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8435-1.ImageL.thumb2.jpg
this set has three different colour bushes, none of which are grey
http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/10144-1.1125514892.thumb2.jpg
white 8 tooth gears
http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/8279-1.1135999011.thumb2.jpg
yellow 12 tooth bevel gears
I think perhaps the matter is that i can’t find a reason to why TLG would create
such an anomoly.
Why produce a one off part, such as the white 8 tooth gears in the sand crawler
in an obscure colour, for only one set, that doesn’t appear to be needed in that
colour combination ? It must be expensive. Perhaps the expence can be negated in
such an expencive set.
Why break all the standardisation rules for white 3L axles with studs in the
R2D2 set for no other reason than asthetics. surely TLG must appreciate
asthetics to some degree otherwise we wouldn’t have seen white,green or red
axles in the shuttle or ferraris.
Why produce three different colours of one part for one set for a part which
alread has a “standard colour” ? Surely TLG must seriously appreciate their
designers and a models appearance. This must be a very important issue to them.
Then why Blue ?
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Subject:
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Re: I feel Blue
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.technic
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Date:
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Thu, 20 Jul 2006 08:37:00 GMT
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Reply-To:
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Geoffrey Hyde <{gDOThyde@bigpondDOTnet}saynotospam{DOTau}>
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Viewed:
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21829 times
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"Stump Dunn" <stumpd@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:J2ox58.D07@lugnet.com...
> <http://www.peeron.com/pics/inv/setpics/10144-1.1125514892.thumb2.jpg>
> white 8 tooth gears
Neither can BrickLink, apparently, their set inventory lists that part as
being light bluish grey. Go figure.
> I think perhaps the matter is that i can't find a reason to why TLG would
> create
> such an anomoly.
I could probably think of one reason why TLG would "create" such an anomaly.
TLG only used white 8-tooth gears in one set, according to BrickLink. My
theory is that they had a relatively small number of these parts left over
from that set run, and what they decided to do was pack it in sets in order
to deplete the remaining stock they had of that part.
> Why produce a one off part, such as the white 8 tooth gears in the sand
> crawler
> in an obscure colour, for only one set, that doesn't appear to be needed
> in that
> colour combination ? It must be expensive. Perhaps the expence can be
> negated in
> such an expencive set.
It could be it's more expensive for TLG to keep that part in that particular
color warehoused. I think that including bonus unneeded pieces which are
taking up warehouse space is a brilliant move by TLG.
TLG don't want to recycle unneeded extra pieces, they want to sell them to
the public if they can. If not, I guess they have to consider the next best
thing, including them as freebies in sets.
I have on occasion seen bonus extra pieces which are not needed in a set
included. Rather weird random selections sometimes too. I guess TLG are
trying to send a message that the customer need not build just that
particular set.
Cheers ...
Geoffrey Hyde
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| |
|
> Neither can BrickLink, apparently, their set inventory lists that part as
> being light bluish grey. Go figure.
Ouch, burnt by Peeron.
>
> > I think perhaps the matter is that i can't find a reason to why TLG would
> > create
> > such an anomoly.
>
> I could probably think of one reason why TLG would "create" such an anomaly.
> TLG only used white 8-tooth gears in one set, according to BrickLink. My
> theory is that they had a relatively small number of these parts left over
> from that set run, and what they decided to do was pack it in sets in order
> to deplete the remaining stock they had of that part.
Agreed, i think this is evident with excessive stock of parts from the nitro
menace being used in this seasons Dune-buggy/tractor. I had always assumed the
production volume was controlled to a higher standard. I guess if TLG produce a
few sets each year made of last seasons left overs, it gives us all a second
chance to catch those elusive rare parts. I wonder if they have a box or several
of black axle pins with friction ?
>
> > Why produce a one off part, such as the white 8 tooth gears in the sand
> > crawler
> > in an obscure colour, for only one set, that doesn't appear to be needed
> > in that
> > colour combination ? It must be expensive. Perhaps the expence can be
> > negated in
> > such an expencive set.
>
> It could be it's more expensive for TLG to keep that part in that particular
> color warehoused. I think that including bonus unneeded pieces which are
> taking up warehouse space is a brilliant move by TLG.
So will you be expecting some Light pink Duplo pieces in your next technic
purchace ?
>
> TLG don't want to recycle unneeded extra pieces, they want to sell them to
> the public if they can. If not, I guess they have to consider the next best
> thing, including them as freebies in sets.
My distribution industry knowledge is limited but i am sure it would have been
less expensive to include them in any of the following set inventories than keep
them boxed for 6 years.
Does anybody own a sandcrawler and a frost slizer ? Can you compare the two 8
tooth gears please.
>
> I have on occasion seen bonus extra pieces which are not needed in a set
> included. Rather weird random selections sometimes too. I guess TLG are
> trying to send a message that the customer need not build just that
> particular set.
likewise, there is a spare fairing in 8454. not quite an insignificant part.
>
>
> Cheers ...
>
> Geoffrey Hyde
Thanks for your reply.
Steve
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.technic, Stump Dunn wrote:
| |
I have been objective to the standard part colour combinations from TLG for a
few years now. ..........> Now im not going to start a petition
Im not going to start up a save black axle pins with friction website
but i would like a responce from technic builders who have an opinion about
standard part-colour combinations.
As far as generic structural parts are concerned, i think it would be great
if TLG kept producing parts in many colours. However modern construction
techniques lead me to belive new and existing parts such as axles and axle
pins should be included in this category.
Are you happy with Blue, Tan and Red ?
Also, which is you favourite colour 8435 ?
Steve
|
I am a strong believer in “form follows function.” The reason for this is that
function can be evaluated based on absolute criteria- physics, ergonomics, ect.
Aesthetics is not evaluated on absolute criterian other than beauty is in the
eye of the beholder.
One reason to be able to match an exact shade is if you are modeling something
to be exactly like something else. If you are going to do that, then Technic is
not a good genre to be in. Technic Legos are basically a functional version of
linear art. They display the inside workings of a machine which is what makes
them original and educational. The goal is function first, aesthetics second.
If Aesthetics is your first priority, then model team is a better genre to be
in.
However, I understand what you mean when you say that gray and black are
universal colors for functional pieces. Since TLG has decided to make them in
all colors, aesthetic purists will essentially have to fork over more money to
get their designs all in one color or in “matching colors.” The more importance
a builder puts in getting an exact shade of a certain color, the less they can
do with the resources they have. The more colors TLG produces, the more money
it costs the builder to get bricks in “matching colors.” TLG probably makes
money off of kids in the toy store that arent picky about colors because they
don’t do anything with a set they buy other that put it together and put it on
the shelf. There are more of those kids than there are of us serious builders,
and kids in the toy store are attracted to bright colors.
Basically I am saying it pays to put aesthetics second to function. I try to
color coordinate pieces in my MOC’s, but that sometimes means making MOC’s in a
different color than is typical in real life or making them multi-colored. I
also have enough pieces in enough colors to get away with color coordination.
If you are trying to do the most with what you have, than worrying about colors
is the worst thing you can do.
I like 8435 in blue because blue is one of my favorite colors but if it did not
have other non-blue colored functional pieces in it than I would not have bought
it.
Nathan Bell
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
I am a strong believer in “form follows function.” The reason for this is
that function can be evaluated based on absolute criteria- physics,
ergonomics, ect. Aesthetics is not evaluated on absolute criterian other than
beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
|
Absolutely, this is a technic forum, lets assume we all have the technic
function covered. The form aspect however, like you say is in the eye of the
beholder. We all know lego have an extencive colour pallet and this thread has
sited occasions where TLG have produced standard parts in non standard colours
in circumstances that seem to be at an added expence. For this reason TLG must
believe in ” Function preceeds Form which preceeds production expence”. Reducing
the expence is one of the benifits comming from standarising a part in a
particular colour however this is at the expence of Form (in the eye of the
beholder). This is truely a tricky topic at present given TLGs current strategy
changes with upper management changes and the flow on effect through out the
company. Trying to analyse it in it’s turbulent state would not be for an
ameture like me. Which is why i am asking questions.
| |
One reason to be able to match an exact shade is if you are modeling
something to be exactly like something else. If you are going to do that,
then Technic is not a good genre to be in.
|
But i do build Technic and TLG have produced the parts i want in the colours i
want in the past. There is still current evidence that they are willing to bend
the standard colour-part rule in some circumstances.
| |
Technic Legos are basically a
functional version of linear art. They display the inside workings of a
machine which is what makes them original and educational. The goal is
function first, aesthetics second. If Aesthetics is your first priority, then
model team is a better genre to be in.
|
You might want to clarify that Nathan. There are a lot of builders here that
produce excellent looking Technic creations and take alot of pride in thier
work. Can a clear line be drawn between to two themes ? I think the two
compliement each other and as such, if a technic creation can look better, then
try to make it look better. If a part exists in a colour that if used would make
your creation look better in your eyes, then use it.
My issue is i personally believe that TLG could have picked a more visually
neutral colour for this common part.
| |
However, I understand what you mean when you say that gray and black are
universal colors for functional pieces. Since TLG has decided to make them
in all colors, aesthetic purists will essentially have to fork over more
money to get their designs all in one color or in “matching colors.”
|
This is good news for any technic builder utilising Blue. In my opinion, not so
good news for any other colour.
The
| |
more importance a builder puts in getting an exact shade of a certain color,
the less they can do with the resources they have. The more colors TLG
produces, the more money it costs the builder to get bricks in “matching
colors.” TLG probably makes money off of kids in the toy store that arent
picky about colors because they don’t do anything with a set they buy other
that put it together and put it on the shelf. There are more of those kids
than there are of us serious builders, and kids in the toy store are
attracted to bright colors.
|
But again an example of when TLG bent the rules because the colour is a very
important selling point is with the technic enzo. Why couldn’t the rules be bent
for axle pins ? The 2L axles in that set were black so the axle pins could have
been red to make it look beeter.
| |
Basically I am saying it pays to put aesthetics second to function. I try to
color coordinate pieces in my MOC’s, but that sometimes means making MOC’s in
a different color than is typical in real life or making them multi-colored.
I also have enough pieces in enough colors to get away with color
coordination.
|
Likewise, however to date i don’t own any red or yellow axle pins with friction.
There were a lot of people claiming their investement in classic grey was
useless now that new grey didn’t match. I think the issue is similar in that no
collours appart from blue appear to match blue axle pins.
| |
If you are trying to do the most with what you have, than worrying about
colors is the worst thing you can do.
I like 8435 in blue because blue is one of my favorite colors but if it did
not have other non-blue colored functional pieces in it than I would not have
bought it.
|
Are you suggesting that functional pieces are prefereable in non-blue ?
Thanks for your comments,
Steve
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.technic, Stump Dunn wrote:
| |
to date i don’t own any red or yellow axle pins with
friction. There were a lot of people claiming their investement in classic
grey was useless now that new grey didn’t match.
|
Ummm, I don’t think I own any grey or bley axle pins with friction. If LEGO ever
made any, they’re certainly pretty rare. Blue has always been the standard
colour for the friction version in everything except Bionicle, it’s only the
frictionless ones that changed from grey to tan. I also have very few (if any)
bley without friction, as I’m pretty sure the change to tan as standard happened
before the grey/bley colour change.
BICBW
ROSCO
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
to date i don’t own any red or yellow axle pins with
friction. There were a lot of people claiming their investement in classic
grey was useless now that new grey didn’t match.
|
Ummm, I don’t think I own any grey or bley axle pins with friction. If LEGO
ever made any, they’re certainly pretty rare.
|
What ? You must have missed the Sale ! or the point :o)
I was refering to the broader change from old to new grey. How the colour
difference was discerning to a LOT of people. This colour difference between
blue axle pins and every other non-blue part i own is discerning to me.
| |
Blue has always been the
standard colour for the friction version in everything except Bionicle, it’s
only the frictionless ones that changed from grey to tan.
|
Black friction axle pins were also pretty regular in technic/racer sets a few
years ago. These sets were probably the catalyst to the issue as the sets
contained black pins, black friction pins and black 2L axles. They were also
pitched at a younger audience of builders.
| |
I also have very
few (if any) bley without friction, as I’m pretty sure the change to tan as
standard happened before the grey/bley colour change.
BICBW
|
I think your right on that one.
Chalk one up.
Steve
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.technic, Stump Dunn wrote:
| |
| |
| |
| |
One reason to be able to match an exact shade is if you are modeling
|
|
something to be exactly like something else. If you are going to do that,
then Technic is not a good genre to be in.
|
But i do build Technic and TLG have produced the parts i want in the colours
i want in the past. There is still current evidence that they are willing to
bend the standard colour-part rule in some circumstances.
| |
Technic Legos are basically a
functional version of linear art. They display the inside workings of a
machine which is what makes them original and educational. The goal is
function first, aesthetics second. If Aesthetics is your first priority,
then model team is a better genre to be in.
|
|
| |
You might want to clarify that Nathan. There are a lot of builders here that
produce excellent looking Technic creations and take alot of pride in thier
work. Can a clear line be drawn between to two themes ? I think the two
compliement each other and as such, if a technic creation can look better,
then try to make it look better. If a part exists in a colour that if used
would make your creation look better in your eyes, then use it.
|
I meant that with Technic; there will always be holes and gaps in the bodies of
cars or the frames of machinery. For a “model builder” that is serious about
exact aesthetic details, Model team is more ideal. Dennis Bossman does not like
Technic for that reason (as far as I can tell). Technic pieces only give a
vague hollow shape to give the appearance of a covering- not that that is a bad
thing. Doing so makes the inside of a machine visible and it also makes the MOC
lighter. The more complete you want the outside to be, the more it weighs and
the more shock absorbers you need to add if you want a stiff suspension. This
also puts more weight on the axles and means that stronger motors are required
to power the MOC- which may break the gears if the builder is like me and
doesn’t know anything about torque.
| |
My issue is i personally believe that TLG could have picked a more visually
neutral colour for this common part.
|
Agreed.
| |
| |
However, I understand what you mean when you say that gray and black are
universal colors for functional pieces. Since TLG has decided to make them
in all colors, aesthetic purists will essentially have to fork over more
money to get their designs all in one color or in “matching colors.”
|
This is good news for any technic builder utilising Blue. In my opinion, not
so good news for any other colour.
|
At least blue is a beautiful color - but that is just my opinion. Chrome
marigold would be even better!
| |
The
| |
more importance a builder puts in getting an exact shade of a certain color,
the less they can do with the resources they have. The more colors TLG
produces, the more money it costs the builder to get bricks in “matching
colors.” TLG probably makes money off of kids in the toy store that arent
picky about colors because they don’t do anything with a set they buy other
that put it together and put it on the shelf. There are more of those kids
than there are of us serious builders, and kids in the toy store are
attracted to bright colors.
|
But again an example of when TLG bent the rules because the colour is a very
important selling point is with the technic enzo. Why couldn’t the rules be
bent for axle pins ? The 2L axles in that set were black so the axle pins
could have been red to make it look beeter.
|
I have not gotten the Enzo kit and am not familiar with the parts from that kit.
| |
| |
Basically I am saying it pays to put aesthetics second to function. I try
to color coordinate pieces in my MOC’s, but that sometimes means making
MOC’s in a different color than is typical in real life or making them
multi-colored. I also have enough pieces in enough colors to get away with
color coordination.
|
Likewise, however to date i don’t own any red or yellow axle pins with
friction. There were a lot of people claiming their investement in classic
grey was useless now that new grey didn’t match. I think the issue is similar
in that no collours appart from blue appear to match blue axle pins.
|
Agreed. Another problem with making the colored axle pins without friction is
that when they are used for the outward body/shell of an MOC, the body/shell is
weakened. The body needs to be strong too.
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If you are trying to do the most with what you have, than worrying about
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colors is the worst thing you can do.
I like 8435 in blue because blue is one of my favorite colors but if it did
not have other non-blue colored functional pieces in it than I would not
have bought it.
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Are you suggesting that functional pieces are prefereable in non-blue?
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No; I am saying that: 1. There is not much reason to make gears any other color
than gray or black because those pieces are typically inside machines or covered
up. 2. Pneumatic pistons don’t really need to be any other color than yellow
but clear ones work just as good. 3. When TLC makes clear piston blocks and
yellow/red/blue pistons I don’t particulary like it, but I still use them
because I need so many to keep all my projects together simultaneously. 4. If
TLG were to group certain pieces as “functional/gray” and others as
“aesthetic/colored”, that would somewhat limit the use of those pieces. Using a
part in an atypical fashion is one way builders come up with new ideas. There is
no right/wrong way to use a part if it works. That is why form should follow
function. I can’t think of any good way to solve the color problem without
either apathy or spray paint. Purists may not like the spray paint idea but what
would they say if TLG sold Lego brand spray paint designed for Lego plastic? As
long as it comes off, and kids don’t try to sniff it- there is no problem:-)
You heard it here folks- TLG SHOULD MAKE LEGO BRAND SPRAY PAINT TO ALLOW USERS
TO ALTER THE COLOR OF THEIR PIECES!
Disclaimer: Lego is not responsible for any paint-addiction caused by their
product.
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In lugnet.technic, Stump Dunn wrote:
-snip-
> Are you happy with Blue, Tan and Red ?
You raise many valid points. Building issues I had not considered before.
Or I knew the circumstances exsisted, but until you put them in to those words,
the points you raise make a lot of sense.
I suppose the difference in color is good to differentiate the function of the
part. ie... friction/non-friction. Understandable. Then you mention the fact
that these types of parts are best in a nuetral shade and I completely agree.
When I was teaching Robotics a few weeks ago, in one of my classes. One of the
student's robots was having trouble rolling. Until I pointed out he needed to
swap out the blue half axle pins for grey ones. (non-friction)
I was thinking that even if the friction pins were made in a neutral color (is
Tan nuetral?) like gray, then just introduce little ridges on the pin side to
differentiate them, like the old style black friction pins, they parts would
blend in to the model better, because they are a nuetral color.
Yes unless the model is blue or you really don't care, they are a tad
distracting.
> Also, which is your favourite colour 8435 ?
Ironically I like the Blue one! LOL.
But that Black one is slick!
....and there are those darn blue pins!
> Steve
Oh ya, the black half axle pins with friction are kinda rare....uggggg
P.S. I really like that picture of the technic plates and pin color range.
thanks
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> > Also, which is your favourite colour 8435 ?
>
> Ironically I like the Blue one! LOL.
> But that Black one is slick!
I like the blue one best also.
> ....and there are those darn blue pins!
Does Jama have blue axle pins ?
Good thing it's blue.
Steve
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In lugnet.technic, Stump Dunn wrote:
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Also, which is your favourite colour 8435 ?
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Ironically I like the Blue one! LOL.
But that Black one is slick!
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I like the blue one best also.
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....and there are those darn blue pins!
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Does Jama have blue axle pins ?
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I checked. I don’t recall using any. I also looked through the gallery and did
not notice any.
I may have used one along with a bushing 2L pin to cover a 4L
distance gap.
.... I really am not sure. I’ll have to visit the robot and look
again.
e
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Well i put The Rhino together on Friday
and appart from the usual blue axle pins, grey odd length axles and red 2L
axles, no parts seemed to breach any standard colour rules.
One thing of mention is that the Black 3L friction pins and the Black friction
pins with bushes came in the same baggies making it quite difficult to find the
right part. The red friction pins with bushes were in a separate bag.
Perhaps the standard colour part rule is not to make it easier for childeren to
identify parts easier as we suspected. I am beginning to believe it is not
entirely for production costs either. That leaves us with the standard “We
didn’t think the community would care to greatly about the change so we didn’t
include them in the focus group when we testted the new colours”, or something
to that effect.
I think i’ll rebuild the Rhino in Red and Blue and report back.
Steve
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