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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
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Message has 4 Replies:
 | | Re: I feel Blue
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| (...) 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 (...) (18 years ago, 19-Jul-06, to lugnet.technic, FTX)
| | | I feel Blue but aesthetics is gray.
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| (...) 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 (...) (18 years ago, 20-Jul-06, to lugnet.technic, FTX)
| | | Re: I feel Blue
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| (...) -snip- (...) 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 (...) (18 years ago, 20-Jul-06, to lugnet.technic)
| | | Re: I feel Blue
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| Well i put The Rhino together on Friday (URL) 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 (...) (18 years ago, 24-Jul-06, to lugnet.technic, FTX)
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