Subject:
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Re: !!!IMPORTANT!!!-SPUDS No fault of TLG-!!!IMPORTANT!!!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general, lugnet.dear-lego
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Date:
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Sun, 25 Feb 2001 23:05:17 GMT
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Viewed:
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1269 times
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In lugnet.general, Kyle D. Jackson writes:
> The only way I can see adding composite pieces being a cost-saving
> measure is if the current machinery is running at full capacity
> with the smaller separate parts. Adding composite pieces may help
> to increase output more cheaply then adding new machinery. But
> this will only be practical if all the set lines evolve to use
> the new composite pieces wherever possible and reduce demand on
> the original smaller pieces. In the case of the 2x4x3 superbrick,
> LEGO would have to heavily reduce its output of the trademark 2x4
> brick to pull this off. The irony in that is just too sad :[
One thing which needs to be taken into account for the X x Y x Z bricks where Z
is greater than one is that I think they were generally introduced for printed
bricks. It's far cheaper to print a single brick than have 2 or 3 or 5 separate
bricks each with a different printing, which then has to line up perfectly, and
still looks horrible, and at least for the 3+ sets, stickers may not be wise. I
know I treasure my classic space 1x6x5 printed bricks....
Once the 2x4x3 mold exists, making a bunch of grey 2x4x3s is almost certainly
cheaper than making three times as many grey 2x4x1s. I suspect two motives to
the use of this part in 6600. One is to offset the increased cost of the
special road parts, the other is to make the support towers sturdier. Of course
what I'd love to see TLC do is amortize the cost of the molds for those road
sections by using them again in other sets, and especially selling them
separately. I'm sure there are folks who would buy them in large quantities if
they were available separately, even if they cost $10 each.
In fact, if you look at almost every SPUD or POOP type part, and how it was
originally used, I think you will find that it either really did save money, or
allowed a better looking model, added structural strength, or addressed a real
need for younger kids.
I would also point out that ultimately it's the specialty parts which make LEGO
interesting to us. How many of us would still be playing with LEGO if all they
made were rectangular bricks and plates? I dare you to build an interesting
train display without using SPUDs...
I'd also be amazed if there are more than a small handfull of LEGO parts which
couldn't be put to some other interesting use.
Frank
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