tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post1898363229615807838..comments2024-03-27T08:37:54.894+00:00Comments on New Elementary: LEGO® parts, sets and techniques: To be or notch to beAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-17098690354292730492017-05-28T11:03:19.517+01:002017-05-28T11:03:19.517+01:00That's potentially something that Design Lab w...That's potentially something that Design Lab would like to hear about, in case they are unaware. I'd recommend mailing Customer ServicesAdminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-82783494142624974362017-05-28T02:23:19.237+01:002017-05-28T02:23:19.237+01:00I have used 14181 in 2 MOCs, and I've had prob...I have used 14181 in 2 MOCs, and I've had problems with it. I believe the old version doesn't suffer from this, because its underside support makes it sturdier. Basically, take one 14181, and place a 2x4 tile at the end of it. It will bend upwards, in a bad way. Take a look at this MOC: https://flic.kr/p/KJTvxF. The whole cockpit lifts up, so the wing part isn't attached underneath. And there is a reason I used 1x2 tiles to cover it - as I wrote, longer tiles would bend the part upwards and it was exposing a big gap.anothergolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00063659558378517999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-2124156659181476562017-03-30T00:58:34.858+01:002017-03-30T00:58:34.858+01:00A 12:2 wedge plate would be very helpful, for now ...A 12:2 wedge plate would be very helpful, for now it's dificult to integrate a 12:2 angle in a regular build with only aeroplanewings 4x9...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10224370563805693834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-83783973360186828942013-10-30T19:39:12.967+00:002013-10-30T19:39:12.967+00:00Just as much as parts evolve over time, design cha...Just as much as parts evolve over time, design changes do too. One part gets a new modification, and they probably pay special attention to complaints that they receive that are related to it. In this case, the large wings clearly have obtrusive notches when stacked together. Those notches probably also introduce massive stress points that cause them to crack at the corners of the notches. Newer notched wedge plates often have ribs that tie into the back of the anti-notch, which helps strengthen the notched edge and help prevent breakage.<br /><br />I don't have any solid proof that this is the answer to your questio, but if you pay attention to the way a family of design changes evolve as they are introduced to a group of elements, you can take an educated guess as to why they switched from mod A to mod B to mod C and beyond over time. Sometimes it could be completely unrelated to previous parts, and just thrown in because the current part is just different enough to require special treatment, but usually you'll be able to see a pattern that either stays consistent or keeps moving in a clear direction.Purple Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-25831421514735137592013-10-25T11:11:31.557+01:002013-10-25T11:11:31.557+01:00I may have found an answer, but I have no proof. ...I may have found an answer, but I have no proof. If you look at an old Airplane wing, Part 3585 and/or 3586, there is a giant section in the back that is esentially one notch. The 30355 and 30356 would have been some of the first parts that were not 1:1 wedges to incorporate notches and would have been used in old space sets as wings.<br /><br />Perhaps it is one of those things that back when a part was first made; if it had a wedge design, there would either be no notches or there would be notches that had to go over each stud, but instead of going over each one with an individual break in the notch, they went as far as it took before there would be the ability to add a new row of studs. The part design, despite being old, has not proven to hinder anything, so the designers have just left it alone.MCLegoboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320339495653316941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-28974686201530644982013-10-25T01:58:25.869+01:002013-10-25T01:58:25.869+01:00I have no answer (and hope somebody else does), bu...I have no answer (and hope somebody else does), but I just want to say that this discussion is an example of the kind of things I love about this blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-56692906922225041672013-10-24T22:04:09.624+01:002013-10-24T22:04:09.624+01:00You know, I honestly never even noticed those long...You know, I honestly never even noticed those long notches? I have no idea. I'm sure there are dozens of considerations the part designers take into account. It doesn't feel like it could be an aesthetic choice...? Anyone know?Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-32940188391525371242013-10-24T20:49:08.584+01:002013-10-24T20:49:08.584+01:00Ah, I've had your slopes spreadsheet bookmarke...Ah, I've had your slopes spreadsheet bookmarked for some time Brian but didn't think to check for a wedges one! Very helpful. I omitted most of the ones you mentioned as I was listing notched only. Indeed I missed 42609 and 47405 - but looking at it now, including them makes the image way too confused and small so I've decided to take all compound plates out. And linked to you :O)<br /><br />To be honest, I think angles are easier to comprehend than ratios, but using ratios fitted the point I was making about whole integers.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-64784345227506706792013-10-24T11:29:31.120+01:002013-10-24T11:29:31.120+01:00No, why does this part: http://www.bricklink.com/c...No, why does this part: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=30355 which is the same angle as this part: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=43723 not have two notches for the two studs it goes over where those notches are? Why is there only one?MCLegoboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320339495653316941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-1697615108328681792013-10-23T23:00:16.183+01:002013-10-23T23:00:16.183+01:00Yes fair point Chris. The macaroni pic got jettiso...Yes fair point Chris. The macaroni pic got jettisoned for reasons of layout, but you've reminded me I did intend to add a table listing the plates in the LDraw image. Will take a look tomorrow. <br /><br />And yes you're right about the 6th para... my brain clearly gets fried the longer I spend writing!Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-35416642274237710802013-10-23T16:20:17.849+01:002013-10-23T16:20:17.849+01:00Great article as usual. I would have really apprec...Great article as usual. I would have really appreciated links to the Brickset or Bricklink entries for the part references not pictured, especially the older, less well-known parts. I'm well-versed enough in LEGO to follow pretty much all of your comments, but as a very visual person I like to see photos of what's being discussed. When talking about so many similar pieces, it's easy to get lost.<br /><br />I would bet that a 2x2 notched wedge plate isn't too long coming, now that we have 2x2 wedge corner slope bricks. ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=13548 )<br /><br />Also, in the 6th paragraph, I believe you meant "notched" not "notchless."Chris Malloyhttp://flickr.com/porschecm2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-66059954664664888832013-10-23T16:05:41.923+01:002013-10-23T16:05:41.923+01:00You appear to be missing a few of the compound wed...You appear to be missing a few of the compound wedge plates, parts 3585/3586, 6219, and 42609. These are the numbers as searchable on Bricklink. I had compiled a list of these with their angles a while ago at http://dagsbricks.blogspot.com/2013/05/lego-tips-and-techniques-slopes-part-2.html. It looks like due to BL's cataloging choices I had missed the boat plate though. I like how you have them listed as ratios, that might be a little easier to comprehend.<br /><br />DagsBricksDaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16702225969943437639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-54289065663893264022013-10-23T07:53:46.972+01:002013-10-23T07:53:46.972+01:00Haha... the irony is, there I was zoomed in on the...Haha... the irony is, there I was zoomed in on the element ID embossed on the part when I was cleaning the dust off the pic in Photoshop, and didn't notice! Didn't see the wood for the trees. Thanks!Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-25385336087675385872013-10-22T23:42:17.217+01:002013-10-22T23:42:17.217+01:00It's just a matter of how many notches they ne...It's just a matter of how many notches they need to accommodate the studs underneath. Whichever parts of the plate would collide with studs on a studded surface get notches, and those where the plate walls can simply be narrowed or left alone do not.Aanchirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04758261805365974871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-64692647863082761282013-10-22T22:58:44.255+01:002013-10-22T22:58:44.255+01:00It's a very odd part, but the notches will be ...It's a very odd part, but the notches will be cool if I ever get it and use it. I've got a good question, though. Why is it that the 3:1 wedge plates and bricks have two notches, but the really big wing only has one notch for every two studs?MCLegoboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320339495653316941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-25374588999694566002013-10-22T22:23:30.824+01:002013-10-22T22:23:30.824+01:00I also welcome this piece, though it is a rather p...I also welcome this piece, though it is a rather peculiar part in either variation! Beyond just adding the notches, I appreciate that the designers also added additional tubes to provide even more building options: now, with some 1x2 jumpers attached lengthwise with the studs inside the outer row of tubes, you can have a 3-stud-wide surface attached securely underneath this four-stud-wide wing (I hope I described that sufficiently for you to understand what I was saying!).<br /><br />Incidentally, 48183 is NOT the "current version" of the 4x3 double wedge plate with 1x2 cutout. The actual "current version" is 90194 (http://brickset.com/parts/search/?query=90194). 90194 keeps the notches from 48183 but has some additional bracing on the underside. The part you have pictured in your comparison photo actually IS a 90194, not its cousin 48183!<br /><br />Incidentally, are there any wing/wedge plates still in use that DON'T have notches? I think 2413 might have been the last holdout, considering that most other notchless wing plates have been discontinued for many years.Aanchirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04758261805365974871noreply@blogger.com