LEGO Construction Tips

LEGO Units LEGO bricks are based on the metric system This brick is 16 mm wide, 32 mm long and 9.6 mm high (ignoring the studs) This works out to 1 stud = 8 mm This means that bricks are 1.2 studs high

Plates Plates are short bricks They are 1/3 the height of a standard brick – 3.2 mm or .4 studs

Beams Beams are 1 x 1 bricks with holes in their sides The holes are spaced at one-stud intervals and centered between the studs on the top of the beam Beams can be stacked on top of each other Connector pins can be used to assemble beams side by side Beams

Axles and Pegs The kits have a wide variety of axles and connector pegs Black friction pegs provide very strong connections Technic pegs are good for pivots and hinges where movement is needed Axles are measured by stud length Axles can be lengthened by use of connector pegs

Adding 2 flat plates will change the dimensions so that a cross brace can be used for strength Adding connector pegs will make the structure stronger

Strong Frames Single plates do not lock the corners at right angles The 2 x 6 plate firmly locks the beams together

Plates are used here to make a more secure structure

Cross-braced Frame Sturdy, tall frame

Cross Bracing A 1 x 6 Technic beam is 1 stud wide, 6 studs long and 1.2 studs high Bricks and beams are not an integer number of studs high

A stronger model with cross-bracing Use the small gray pegs to attach the beams