Bricks

Standard

Rectangular sides, same height as a 1x1 brick.

Adapted

Irregular sides/shape or taller than a standard 1x1.

Plates

Standard

Square or rectangular shape, same height as a 1x1 plate.

Adapted

Irregular sides/shape. “Quarter cut” or “diamond cut” describe pieces that can be put together to form a circle or a diamond shape, respectively.

Bow

One edge has symmetrical angles cut away whereas the opposite edge is straight or indented in the center.

Wing

Come in left and right varieties, shaped like airplane wings.

Slopes

Standard

The angled face is generally on the top portion of the element.

Inverted

The angled face is generally on the underside of the element.

Peaks

Two or more angled faces meet at the top of the element. When in place, there are no exposed studs.

Compound

Two or more flat-angled faces.

Curved

Angled faces have a curve.

Specialized Elements

Junctions

Elements that have studs on their sides or have a portion of themselves that is perpendicular to another part. These pieces allow you to make a bend or a change in shape in a model where they create a junction of two or more pieces.

Odd Face

Elements that have one or more faces that are irregularly shaped, contoured, or textured.

Hinges/Turntables

Hinges are bricks or plates that meet at a flexible joint. Turntables allow attached elements to rotate.

Pin-Enabled

Bricks or plates with a Technic-style pin attached on one or more sides, the top, or the bottom, or elements capable of accepting a pin.

Wheels/Tires

Pieces that add motion to vehicles.

Technic

Bricks

Pieces similar to standard bricks, but with axle holes running through them.

Plates

Identical to standard plates except that there are axle holes inserted between the studs.

Beams

Elements with axle holes running through them but lacking traditional studs.

Gears

Parts that function exactly as metal gears found in clocks, bicycles, and other real machines.

Pins/Axles

Thin shafts used to mount gears and wheels onto Technic elements or connect Technic elements to each other.

Bushings

Elements used to keep axles in place.

Couplers

Pieces that connect two or more axles, often providing a change of angle between the axles.

Arches

Standard

A single piece that creates a complete arch shape.

Half Standard

A piece that forms only half of the complete arch shape. Studs are on top as they are with the standard variety.

Half Inverted

A piece that forms only half of the complete arch shape. Tubes are on the bottom, and no studs are showing. The arch shape is effectively on top of the element.

Tiles and Panels

Tiles

Flat elements that are the same height as a plate but that have no exposed studs.

Panels

Thin elements that can create a division without occupying the same space as a full-width brick.

Cylinders and Cones

Cylinders

Elements with a cylindrical shape that resembles a coffee can or a drum.

Cones

Elements shaped like upside-down ice cream cones.

Baseplates

Brickplates

Baseplates that are one full brick in height and have dimensions of 8x16 studs or larger.

Waffleplates

Any of the thin baseplates with waffled undersides that do not accept studs.

Decorative

Fences, Rails, and Rungs

Latticework or ladder-like elements that can be used as fences, grilles, hand rails, and so on.

Bars, Clips, and Elements with Handles

Bars are the diameter of a minifig hand and the clips are any bricks or plates capable of holding them in place. Handled elements are those where the bar-sized portion is attached to an otherwise standard piece.

Foliage

Any element representing or appearing to be flowers, trees, shrubs, or any other greenery.

Doors/Windows

Self-explanatory.

Descriptor: 1x1

Notes: This part is the basis of the LEGO system as laid out in this book. Measurements and categorization of other parts are based on its 1x1 size. It is also the second most common part in existence. Just don’t step on it barefoot in the dark! [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3005

Descriptor: 1x2

Notes: The most common part in the entire system, having been used in more than 3,000 different official sets. Mosaics, sculptures, minifig scale buildings, and just about every other thing you build will probably include some of these. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3004

Descriptor: 1x3

Notes: Something of an oddball simply because of its uneven number of studs. However, never overlook three-stud-long parts, simply because not every model or structure is always an even number of studs. [1969]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3622

Descriptor: 1x4

Notes: Like its half-size cousin, the 1x2, this part is common and very effective in a variety of situations. On the list of most common parts, this one shows up at number five. You should find lots of these in your collection. [1967]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3010

Descriptor: 1x6

Notes: A short stretcher-style brick. Not as common as the 1x4 but not rare either. Extremely useful for creating large sections of walls for minifig-scale dwellings or the walls of macroscale bricks. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3009

Descriptor: 1x8

Notes: A longer stretcher-style brick. Not as common as the 1x4 but not rare either. Like the 1x6, it is very useful for quickly extending walls of minifig buildings. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3008

Descriptor: 1x10

Notes: A fairly new addition to the standard 1xN bricks. Not as common as the 1x8 but not rare either. Longer walls become short work with a long brick like this. [1993]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6111

Descriptor: 1x12

Notes: The second longest 1xN brick, because at the time of writing, a 1x14 brick does not exist. Uncommon in smaller sets. It provides a huge overlap for smaller bricks resulting in a stronger model. [1993]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6112

Descriptor: 1x16

Notes: Not often found in smaller sets, but if you can get your hands on some, you’ll probably find them useful as your own projects grow more complicated. [1988]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2465

Descriptor: 2x2

Notes: The “stubby” is another brick that is sometimes overlooked. Several 2x2’s can be placed where needed, then tied together with a lesser numbers of larger bricks. It is also the third most common part in the LEGO system. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3003

Descriptor: 2x3

Notes: As is true with the 1x3, this brick is far more functional than you might think. Time and again you’ll run across situations requiring pieces of unequal length. Two of them together equal a 2x6—obvious, but easy to forget. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3002

Descriptor: 2x4

Notes: The characteristic 2x4 is often the first brick people think of when discussing LEGO pieces. Introduced with the earliest bricks in 1958, it continues to be a core building element. You can never own too many of these. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3001

Descriptor: 2x6

Notes: A midsized beam that seems to show up in a lot of assorted tubs and buckets. Despite its rather common length, it’s interesting to note its late arrival into the system. You might have expected it to be around from the beginning. [1990]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2456

Descriptor: 2x8

Notes: This beam-like brick has been around since the beginning. It was first seen in the late 1950s when the stud and tube connection mechanism was first patented. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3007

Descriptor: 2x10

Notes: Another one of the original elements that first helped define the modern LEGO system of building. Useful for bracing large models or for finishing a wall above windows or doors. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3006

Descriptor: 4x6

Notes: First seen in the mid-1990s but is more common in some sets released after the year 2000. One of only three standard bricks that are four studs wide. [1995]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2356

Descriptor: 4x10

Notes: Introduced the same year as the 4x6 brick. Tends to show up in assorted tubs and buckets. [1995]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6212

Descriptor: 4x12

Notes: Seen a few times during the early 1980s but then not again routinely until the mid 1990s. A relatively uncommon brick. [1981]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4202

Descriptor: 2x2 elbow

Notes: One of the so-called “elbow” pieces. Handy for shoring up the corner of a wall where columns of stacked pieces come together. Although it’s the same pattern as the 4x4 elbow, the smaller version didn’t arrive until the late 1980s. [1987]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 2357

Descriptor: 4x4 elbow

Notes: This brick is included simply as a comparison to the newer smaller 2x2 elbow. The larger version has not been seen in regular sets for more than 35 years. Sounds like it’s about time for it to reappear. What a handy element this would be. [1958]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 702

Descriptor: 3x3 diamond cut

Notes: The descriptor lists this piece as being diamond cut because if you arrange four of them with their longest sides together, you get a somewhat diamond-shaped pattern. It’s curious that this piece exists but that there isn’t a 3x3 standard brick. [2001]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 30505

Descriptor: 3x3 zig zag

Notes: Depending on which way this brick faces, it can provide texture because of its indented side. The reverse side gives a realistic bevel to a square corner where two walls meet. [1988]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 2462

Descriptor: 2x3 left beveled

Notes: In some cases it’s useful to look at two elements as a pair of similar pieces. That is certainly true when you’re talking about these two beveled elements. Introduced in the mid-1990s, they can be used on cars, planes, spaceships, and the like to help contour the body providing greater realism than traditional bricks that always meet at 90-degree angles. Also available in the larger sizes 41767 and 41768. [1994]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 6565

Descriptor: 2x3 right beveled

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 6564

Descriptor: 2x4 left beveled

Notes: Although the 2x3 versions of these pieces were found in sets around 1994, the longer 2x4 versions shown here didn’t arrive until 2002. As with virtually all parts of the LEGO system, they remain fully compatible and, in fact, the longer and shorter types work well together to create subtle shapes and angles on your models. [2002]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 41768

Descriptor: 2x4 right beveled

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 41767

Descriptor: 1x1

Notes: At one time LEGO referred to plates as “slim bricks,” and you can see why—they are much shorter than regular bricks. Although the 1x1 pictured here looks enormous, it’s really not much bigger than the stud on top of it. That makes it one of the smallest elements in the system. [1963]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3024

Descriptor: 1x2

Notes: Ranked at number four when talking about the most common parts, this element also ranks highly when you’re talking about the most useful parts. Don’t let its small size fool you—this part has a tremendous number of possibilities. [1963]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3023

Descriptor: 1x3

Notes: As important and useful as the 1x3 standard brick. Pieces with odd numbers of studs are relatively uncommon. For instance, there is no 1x5- or 1x7-sized brick or plate. [1977]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3623

Descriptor: 1x4

Notes: Ranks at number nine on the list of most common parts. You can never have enough small-sized bricks or plates. Interestingly, this very common part was not one of the original elements released in 1958. [1975]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3710

Descriptor: 1x6

Notes: This piece may have arrived as early as 1969 but was only seen in one set. It came into regular usage around 1977. It’s amazing that such a common-sized piece wouldn’t have been available right from the start. [1977]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3666

Descriptor: 1x8

Notes: Although available sooner than the 1x6, it is still interesting to note that this piece did not come into being until the early 1970s—more than a decade after the launch of the modern system. [1972]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3460

Descriptor: 1x10

Notes: If it were any longer, a 1xN plate might start to have too much flexibility. Among the standard plates, this piece is one of the less common, though it is by no means rare. [1983]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4477

Descriptor: 2x2

Notes: The plate version of the 2x2 stubby brick. This was one of a number of different plates to first appear in the early 1960s. [1963]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3022

Descriptor: 2x3

Notes: This one rounds out the list of basic elements with an odd number of studs on one side. Its usefulness will reveal itself as you advance to models that require pieces that aren’t always an even number of studs. [1963]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3021

Descriptor: 2x4

Notes: The plate version of the venerable 2x4 brick. A piece that has appeared in more than 2,500 different sets over the years. This is another case where it’s hard to imagine the system without this piece. [1963]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3020

Descriptor: 2x6

Notes: Like its 2x6 brick counterpart, this element is used to bridge the gap between elements four studs and shorter and those that are eight studs or more. It can therefore end up in models of all sizes and shapes. [1969]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3795

Descriptor: 2x8

Notes: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, this part, among others, was available as one of the early parts packs. The availability of bulk parts has waxed and waned over the years, but it seems to be on the increase again. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3034

Descriptor: 2x10

Notes: What about making a roof with a gentle slope by staggering a number of plates? You can do that, and when you do, this piece will come in handy for covering lots of real estate all at once. [1977]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3832

Descriptor: 2x12

Notes: Like the 3832, this piece helps build plate roofs among other things. And just like the 1x12 standard brick, this piece represents the second longest element in its category. In other words, there is no 2x14 plate. Not sure why, but there isn’t. [1987]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2445

Descriptor: 2x16

Notes: Sometimes there is a limit to just how long a piece can be. In this case, 2x16 is probably getting close to that limit. Like the 1x10 plate, it’s easy to imagine that anything longer than 2x16 might become too prone to bending and breaking. [1984]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4282

Descriptor: 4x4

Notes: Although first introduced in 1969, this part was not seen in wide usage until 1973. It then began appearing in more official LEGO sets. [1969]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3031

Descriptor: 4x6

Notes: This piece was introduced in 1970 and was featured in a number of sets that first year. [1970]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3032

Descriptor: 4x8

Notes: The first year of the modern system featured only two larger plates. The first was this part and the second was the 6x8 plate. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3035

Descriptor: 4x10

Notes: Nice to use when you want to build small minifig vehicles. You can simply attach wheels underneath and then build a passenger cab on top. [1969]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3030

Descriptor: 4x12

Notes: Long minifig vehicle or short section of a much larger wing of a much bigger aircraft? You decide. Also handy for filling in sections of floors for buildings. [1967]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3029

Descriptor: 6x6

Notes: Square plates start as small as the 1x1. There are, of course, also 2x2 and 4x4 plates. For many years, the 6x6 was the largest of the perfectly square plates. It is now joined by the 8x8 plate. [1978]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3958

Descriptor: 6x8

Notes: The second of the two larger plates featured in sets released during the first full year of the modern system. [1958]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3036

Descriptor: 6x10

Notes: The late 1960s and early 1970s brought us several welcome additions to the 6xN-plate family. The next five parts were all released within 5 years of each other. [1971]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3033

Descriptor: 6x12

Notes: Another of the 6xN plates released between 1967 and 1975. [1967]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3028

Descriptor: 6x14

Notes: How strange that neither a 1x14 brick nor a 2x14 plate exist and yet here is a 6x14 plate. This just goes to show that the LEGO system is organic enough to allow for these little oddities and yet maintain its functional side at the same time. [1972]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3456

Descriptor: 6x16

Notes: This plate is good for making train cars, fire trucks, and maybe even a piece of a roof made from plates attached to hinges. [1967]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3027

Descriptor: 6x24

Notes: Transport trucks, train cars, or even airplane wings all benefit from the availability of such a long, wide plate. [1967]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3026

Descriptor: 8x8

Notes: The largest of the perfectly square plates … for now. Is there a 10x10 plate on the horizon? You never know. [2001]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 41539

Descriptor: 2x2 elbow

Notes: Can’t figure out how to tie together two 1xN walls at a corner? Maybe you’ve used the stacking technique and now need to hold two sections together. The 2x2 elbow may be just what you need. [1987]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 2420

Descriptor: 4x4 elbow

Notes: It’s interesting to observe that although the 4x4 elbow is only 2 studs longer on each side than the 2x2, it has nine more studs. This gives it a greater surface area and allows it to hold together larger sections that meet at a vertical seam. [1991]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 2639

Descriptor: 2x3 hitch

Notes: Can be built into a trailer hitch or used as a connection for Technic pins. Its curve matches a 2x2 cylindrical brick or plate. [1967]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 3176

Descriptor: 3x3 quarter cut

Notes: Useful for rounding corners of wings, fenders, or even walls. [1999]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 30357

Descriptor: 4x4 quarter cut

Notes: The only one of the three quarter-cut plates that forms a circle when you place four of them with their flat sides together. [2001]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 30565

Descriptor: 6x6 quarter cut

Notes: This larger quarter-cut plate can create shapely balconies for minifig apartments or other structures where a large, rounded corner is an important feature. [1992]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 6003

Descriptor: 3x3 diamond cut

Notes: Four of these pieces, placed with their longest sides together, form a multifaceted diamond shape. This is a pattern you might not always use—they are handy in pairs or alone—but it’s always good to remember the potential combinations. [1988]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 2450

Descriptor: 4x4 diamond cut

Notes: The diamond-cut family grew in 2001 with the addition of the 4x4 version. This piece is handy for helping to define complex shapes of wings on planes and the like. [2001]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 30503

Descriptor: 6x6 diamond cut

Notes: Observe the subtle difference between this diamond-cut element and the others in its subcategory. On the 6x6 version, there are two studs at each of the smallest pointed ends, rather than one, like on the other pieces. [1995]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 6106

Descriptor: 8x8 diamond cut

Notes: Big pieces can be beautiful too. This monster diamond-cut plate has been seen making up part of the wings of a space shuttle and it can certainly add a similar shape to your models. [2001]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 30504

Descriptor: 3x4

Notes: This piece predates the 2x3 wing plates (43722 and 43723), but it forms essentially the same shape as a pair of them put together. The nose portion of airplanes, helicopters, and so on are just a few uses for this little plate. [1985]

Subcategory: Bow

Part #: 4859

Descriptor: 4x4

Notes: As with the 4859 above, this piece is roughly the same shape as a pair of similarly sized wing plates. The biggest difference here is the 2x2-cutout section into which you can put a minifig pilot’s seat or an internal substructure. [2003]

Subcategory: Bow

Part #: 43719

Descriptor: 3x6

Notes: Calling this a bow plate simply describes its shape; it doesn’t limit its function. This piece could just as easily be the stern of a small ship or winglets on the sides of a small landing craft launched from a larger spaceship. [1987]

Subcategory: Bow

Part #: 2419

Descriptor: 4x6

Notes: Although this is a bow plate by definition, its shape is also suggestive of the stern of a ship or perhaps a small deck area jutting out from the side of such a vessel. [1998]

Subcategory: Bow

Part #: 32059

Descriptor: 2x3 left

Notes: In the Brickopedia, I consider wing plates to be any plate elements that individually have the shape of a scalene triangle. In other words, each of their three sides is a different length. Additionally, wing plates must come in pairs that, when arranged with their two shortest sides together, form the shape of a pair of airplane wings. The exact shape may not be perfectly aerodynamic, but as long as they give the sense of wings, they fit into this category. [2002]

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 43723

Descriptor: 2x3 right

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 43722

Descriptor: 2x4 left

Notes: These two pieces, when used together, cover the same area as the 43719 bow plate. In fact, they cover slightly more, because they don’t have the 2x2 area cut out from the inside. The drawback of using them as a substitute is that you need to make sure they are held together tightly by other elements. With the similarly shaped bow plate, the opposite is true—it can be used to hold other elements stable. [2001]

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 41770

Descriptor: 2x4 right

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 41769

Descriptor: 4x4 left

Notes: I must admit a personal fondness for these stubby little wings. They were part of a model that was released with the classic space sets back in the late 1970s, and it was such a model that holds great memories for me. In that model, two pairs of these pieces were used, with the second piece on each side fitting nicely into the notch that you see in each of the pieces. This creates an unbroken edge that makes for great wing shapes. [1979]

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 3936

Descriptor: 4x4 right

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 3935

Descriptor: 4x8 left

Notes: This pair of wing plates were also seen in some of the early classic space sets. They have the same basic size and shape near the notch, but they then extend out twice as long as the 4x4’s shown above. Of course, just because they’re called “wing” plates doesn’t mean that’s the only role they can fill in your models. [1978]

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 3933

Descriptor: 4x8 right

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 3934

Descriptor: 6x12 left

Notes: Classic space sets gave us two classic shaped wing plates, both of which are shown here. Twenty years later, sets based on a blockbuster movie franchise gave rise to what are sure to become classic plates in their own right. The 6x12’s shown here are long enough to be the only piece you need to form the entire wing for many minifig-scale ships. [1999]

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 30355

Descriptor: 6x12 right

Subcategory: Wing

Part #: 30356

Descriptor: 4x2 18 degree

Notes: One of the newest elements in the slope family is also one of the lowest. In fact, as of this writing, this is the only size of 18-degree slope currently available. Imagine entire roofs made from this slightly angled slope. [1999]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 30363

Descriptor: 2x2 33 degree

Notes: The early 1970s ushered in a whole new series of sloped pieces—these were raked at 33 degrees as opposed to the 45-degree ones that preceded them. This particular example is a peak element that typically caps off a sloped roof. [1971]

Subcategory: Peak

Part #: 3300

Descriptor: 2x4 33 degree

Notes: The longer of the two 33-degree peaks. Although the 33-degree slopes are available in odd-numbered widths (one and three studs), the peaks come only in even-numbered lengths. [1971]

Subcategory: Peak

Part #: 3299

Descriptor: 3x1 33 degree

Notes: It wasn’t until the early 1980s that 33-degree roofs with odd lengths became possible. However, it wasn’t the 3x1 slope shown here that gave us that opportunity; it was the 3x3 shown further along in the Brickopedia. [1982]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4286

Descriptor: 3x1 33 degree

Notes: It was noted in Chapter 1 that many standard slopes have matching inverted varieties. We see one here for the first time. The 3x1 inverted slope is a near mirror image of part 4286. [1982]

Subcategory: Inverted

Part #: 4287

Descriptor: 3x2 33 degree

Notes: Among the first of the 33-degree slopes to be released in the early 1970s. Commonly referred to as roof bricks, they are certainly used in that context. But as with most elements they are never limited to just one use. [1971]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3298

Descriptor: 3x2 33 degree

Notes: The undersides of boats, pontoons, airplanes, and more all benefit from inverted slopes like this. Although the 3x1 slope was released in both standard and inverted styles in the same year, the 3x2 standard had to wait 8 years for its inverted match. [1979]

Subcategory: Inverted

Part #: 3747

Descriptor: 3x3 33 degree

Notes: Allowed roofs to be made at a 33-degree slant with odd numbers of studs for the first time. [1980]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4161

Descriptor: 3x3 33 degree

Notes: Surely one of the more graceful looking slope elements. Low-angle, pagoda-style roofs just wouldn’t be complete without this corner piece. [1980]

Subcategory: Outer Corner

Part #: 3675

Descriptor: 3x4 33 degree

Notes: As a kid, these were the parts I thought of as roof bricks. I had many of them in classic red. They remain an effective element to this day. [1971]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3297

Descriptor: 2x1 45 degree

Notes: This peak can stand alone, capping off fences, castle walls, or even the backs of dinosaurs, or it can become part of the peak of a standard 45-degree roof. [1976]

Subcategory: Peak

Part #: 3044

Descriptor: 1x2 45 degree

Notes: A perfect companion for the 2x1 peak shown in the previous entry. This piece can be used to finish off the end of a row of peak elements. [1965]

Subcategory: End Peak

Part #: 3048

Descriptor: 1x2 45 degree

Notes: Used for those cases where one peak meets another peak or a portion of sloped roof. The side facing front butts up against a piece like 3043 or against other 45-degree slopes. [1969]

Subcategory: End Peak

Part #: 3049

Descriptor: 2x1 45 degree

Notes: Perhaps the only unusual thing about this element is that it was introduced to the system three years after its inverted counterpart. Of course it goes without saying that it’s now a common element that helps round out the system. [1979]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3040

Descriptor: 2x1 45 degree

Notes: Useful for creating subtle inverted detail under the nose of a small airplane or the hip portion of a miniland figure; this piece can also help shape many small sculptures. [1976]

Subcategory: Inverted

Part #: 3665

Descriptor: 2x2 45 degree

Notes: Standard 45-degree peak. It matches and uses the 3048 element to create a contoured roof. [1965]

Subcategory: Peak

Part #: 3043

Descriptor: 2x2 45 degree

Notes: One of the earliest slopes to be introduced to the modern system, although it’s important to point out that these weren’t there from the beginning. Roofs in the late 1950s and early 1960s had to depend primarily on staggered bricks to form their slope. [1965]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3039

Descriptor: 2x2 45 degree

Notes: The inverted match to 3039. When you look down at the top of elements like this, you’ll notice that part of the top is open and that some of the studs are actually hollow, like tubes sticking out of a small open box. [1975]

Subcategory: Inverted

Part #: 3660

Descriptor: 2x2 45 degree

Notes: Another graceful slope element. Though this piece could also be considered a compound slope, it is probably best described as an outer corner because that’s the portion of a roof it will most often become. [1965]

Subcategory: Outer Corner

Part #: 3045

Descriptor: 2x2 45 degree

Notes: What happens when two sections of roof meet? Simple—you just need to join them together with an inside-corner slope like this. This is a unique piece in many ways because there is currently no similar element in any of the other angles. [1965]

Subcategory: Inner Corner

Part #: 3046

Descriptor: 2x2 45 degree

Notes: You can find many uses for this piece, not the least of which is creating a turret effect near the top of a castle tower. [1984]

Subcategory: Inverted Outer Corner

Part #: 3676

Descriptor: 2x3 45 degree

Notes: You can never have too many elements with odd numbers of studs. This piece is no exception. [1965]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3038

Descriptor: 2x3 45 degree

Notes: A peak element that’s three studs long? Not common, but they do exist. [1965]

Subcategory: Peak

Part #: 3042

Descriptor: 2x4 45 degree

Notes: If you’re building a roof of any significant size, you’ll need longer slopes like this one to cover the bulk of the surface. [1965]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3037

Descriptor: 2x2x2 65 degree

Notes: Though this element was originally released without a center tube inside, a newer version appeared in 2003 that did include this important feature. This is also currently the only piece that is raked at 65 degrees. [1978]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3678

Descriptor: 2x2x2 75 degree

Notes: No, it’s not a dunce cap for square-headed people; it’s an interesting and very steep peak element. This is useful for everything from castle towers to Santa hats. Although the other 75-degree slopes are three bricks high, this one is only two. [1986]

Subcategory: Peak

Part #: 3688

Descriptor: 2x1x3 75 degree

Notes: Yet another piece commonly found in castle walls, but also the perfect angle for the rear end of a classic style of fire truck. [1984]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4460

Descriptor: 2x1x3 75 degree

Notes: Currently the only 75-degree inverted element. Its interesting feature is that the entire face opposite the sloped side is hollow so that it accepts studs at a 90-degree angle. [1988]

Subcategory: Inverted

Part #: 2449

Descriptor: 2x2x3 75 degree

Notes: A solid piece in both look and structure. This is perfect for the lower walls of any castle or any other building that requires a sturdy foundation. [1977]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3684

Descriptor: 2x2x3 75 degree

Notes: A perfect match for the 3684 and 4460. This one gives you the angles you need to create a corner. You can even use 75-degree slopes to create a very steep roof, perhaps for a ski chalet. [1978]

Subcategory: Outside Corner

Part #: 3685

Descriptor: 1x3x2

Notes: A unique new piece that hasn’t yet found its way into a large number of sets. Hopefully that will change as the years go by. This element perfectly matches the curve of the 1x3x2 half-arch piece (6005) shown in the arches category. [2003]

Subcategory: Curved

Part #: 33243

Descriptor: 3x2 bullnose

Notes: Another element that really has no equal in terms of shape. This element is perfect for giving a more subtle rounded edge to buildings or vehicles. [1995]

Subcategory: Curved

Part #: 6215

Descriptor: 2x4 left 45 to 90 degree

Notes: In my mind, these two elements are some of the most interesting to be released in many years. They are unique in that they have the ability to act as intermediaries between standard bricks and 45-degree slopes. That is because one end of each of these left/right elements is a perfect 90 degrees. Then, along its four-stud length, that 90 degrees transforms to 45 degrees, becoming one full stud wider at the base as it does. [2002]

Subcategory: Curved

Part #: 43721

Descriptor: 2x4 right 45 to 90 degree

Subcategory: Curved

Part #: 43720

Descriptor: 6x2 left

Notes: Spaceships, airplanes, and other flying machines all became more streamlined with the addition of this pair of pieces to the system. The compound shape—which has a curving slope from tip to studs and a matching curved side—provides a very sleek and realistic shape for traveling machines. [2002]

Subcategory: Compound

Part #: 41748

Descriptor: 6x2 right

Subcategory: Compound

Part #: 41747

Descriptor: 6x2 left

Notes: The year 2002 was obviously an important one for new slopes; these two slopes and the four preceding them in this table all made their debut during that year. This pair of elements helps add contours to boats of all sizes, whether as parts of the bow or parts of pontoons to help keep it afloat. They can be used together, side by side, or separated by piece 500 (6x1 curved inverted) to make a wider profile. [2002]

Subcategory: Compound Inverted

Part #: 41765

Descriptor: 6x2 right

Subcategory: Compound Inverted

Part #: 41764

Descriptor: 6x1

Notes: Flat-sided slopes are great, but at times you may want something a little more delicate. These two pieces offer just such a quality. Given their shape, they obviously create a more rounded, and therefore a smoother, angle. [2002]

Subcategory: Curved

Part #: 464

Descriptor: 6x1

Subcategory: Curved Inverted

Part #: 500

Descriptor: 6x2

Notes: Matching exactly the slope of part 464, the 6x2 version is also suited for nose cones, wings, and other models that require its gentle arch. [2003]

Subcategory: Curved

Part #: 44126

Descriptor: 4x4 original style

Notes: This element is older than the 6069 and is certainly somewhat boxier in the way that its sloped sides meet. [1985]

Subcategory: Compound

Part #: 4858

Descriptor: 4x4 new style

Notes: Sometimes new parts come along that make older versions look somewhat dated. Although the 6069 shown here isn’t an exact replacement for the 4858, it certainly creates a more sporty projection. [1992]

Subcategory: Compound

Part #: 6069

Descriptor: 4x4

Notes: Although released at the same time as the 4858 compound slope, this inverted element is a much closer match to the more modern-looking 6069 shown previously. [1985]

Subcategory: Compound Inverted

Part #: 4855

Descriptor: 2x2 macaroni

Notes: Among the most beloved pieces ever produced. Its only real drawback is that it is often difficult or expensive to acquire in large quantities. Maybe someday a bulk pack of these will be available in common colors. [1958]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 3063

Descriptor: 4x4 macaroni

Notes: It’s tempting to think that this piece could have been created anytime in the last 40 years, but for whatever reason, it took until 2004 for it to appear. An excellent companion to the original 2x2 macaroni brick. [2004]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 48092

Descriptor: 1x1 with indented stud on one side

Notes: The famed headlight brick shown here in two different views—from both the front and the back. Of course front and back are not always important when you’re using this piece because it can attach to other elements in a variety of ways. Similarly, it offers various options by which you can attach other pieces to it. The indented stud on the side can become home to transparent 1x1 cylinder plates to create faux headlights. You can use a row of these to attach a 1xN element horizontally and, of course, the opening in the back can accept a single stud of any kind. [1979]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 4070

Descriptor: 1x1 with indented stud on one side

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 4070

Descriptor: 1x1 with studs on two sides

Notes: This piece was long awaited by many builders. It brings the usefulness of the headlight brick to another level by moving the side stud flush with the face of the brick. Having these studs on only two sides allows this piece to become part of any wall. [2004]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 47905

Descriptor: 1x1 with studs on all sides

Notes: Having been around much longer than the 47905 shown in the previous entry, this element is sometimes called the hydrant brick. Although amazing in its design, it does have a drawback; often the studs you aren’t using just get in the way. [1985]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 4733

Descriptor: 1x4 with studs on one side

Notes: Although it may not be the most elegant part, this piece just might be one of the most functional. It’s small enough to build into almost any structure, yet at the same time, it offers four horizontal studs onto which you can then securely attach other pieces. [2000]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 30414

Descriptor: 2x4x2 with studs on three sides

Notes: You might not need one of these pieces every day, but that shouldn’t stop you from searching for new uses for such an unusual element. This solid piece can form the core of junction substructures. [1990]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 2434

Descriptor: 2x4x2 with tubes on sides

Notes: The creation of the 2x4x2 with studs on all sides (part 2434) left an obvious opening for the opposite part. Thus the 2x4x2 with tubes on two sides was born. Its rather industrial look earns it the nickname “engine block.” [1992]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 6061

Descriptor: 1x2 single-stud offset plate

Notes: A tiny piece with one lowly stud might not seem that useful, but think again. With this element, you can have parts of a model that are recessed one-half stud in depth offering greater subtlety to the shape and feel of your work. [1977]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 3794

Descriptor: 1x1 to 1x1 bracket

Notes: Need to change directions within a very small space? This is your part of choice. The hole on top is exactly one stud in diameter, and the area around it is exactly the height of a stud as well. [2002]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 554

Descriptor: 1x2 to 2x2 bracket

Notes: You can easily insert these pieces into a vertical wall leaving the four-studded side exposed and available for attaching other parts. Although it’s relatively new, this is likely to become a valuable member of the bender class of parts. [2002]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 44728

Descriptor: 2x2 to 2x2 bracket

Notes: This was one of the earliest parts to ever offer studs that were perpendicular to the base of the part. This gem showed up in some of the classic space-themed sets of the late 1970s. [1978]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 3956

Descriptor: 1x2 to 1x4 bracket

Notes: Similar in many respects to part 44728. The difference is that the four horizontal studs are now in a single row rather than in two rows of two. Again, this part is useful when you’re trying to attach something directly to a vertical wall. [1987]

Subcategory: Junctions

Part #: 2436

Descriptor: 1x2 Log

Notes: Odd Face was the name given to this subcategory because the “face” or front surface of these bricks is something other than standard studs or just a smooth wall. The log brick is, of course, useful in brown, but gray versions are interesting too. [1996]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 30136

Descriptor: 1x4 Log

Notes: The longer version of part 30136. What’s unfortunate is that as of this writing, there isn’t a 1x1 log brick. However, you can sometimes substitute a 1x1 cylinder and get at least some of the effect you’re after. [1996]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 30137

Descriptor: 1x2 grille

Notes: A unique piece in that the oddness of its face is different from front to back. Both sides can be described as grille-like. You can use these in groups or rows with similar faces exposed or, alternately, you can mix unlike faces for a great effect. You’ll sometimes see these functions as grates on the sides of machinery, roll-up doors on fire engines, or even to replicate corrugated steel panels. [1986]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 2877

Descriptor: 1x2 grille (rear view)

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 2877

Descriptor: 1x2 and 1x2 plate

Notes: Although technically two pieces, this pair is almost always seen and used together. [1987/1987]

Subcategory: Hinges

Part #: 2429/2430

Descriptor: 1x2 and 1x2 brick

Notes: You can certainly use this pair of parts to create a wall section that swings away from the rest of a building, but you can also used it to create angled sections that don’t move. [1977/1977]

Subcategory: Hinges

Part #: 3830/3831

Descriptor: 1x2 brick

Notes: You can use this piece to give motion to things like spaceship cockpits or you can angle the studs forward and build the brick into a stationary wall. Once the studs are exposed, you can use them to attach other elements. [1978/1978]

Subcategory: Hinges

Part #: 3937/3938

Descriptor: 2x2 brick

Notes: We saw this pair of elements as part of the alternative section in Chapter 3. In that case, we used the larger top portion to help support the angled alternate roof. [1978/1991]

Subcategory: Hinges

Part #: 3937/6134

Descriptor: 2x5 plate

Notes: A classic piece in many respects. This piece is sometimes used to attach things like fire truck ladders, but it is just as capable of being the hinge for wings on a quirky bird. [1967]

Subcategory: Hinges

Part #: 3149

Descriptor: 2x2 plate

Notes: A scaled-down version of the larger 4x4 turntable. This is only one plate high and can hide in many inconspicuous areas of a model. [1977]

Subcategory: Turntables

Part #: 3680

Descriptor: 4x4 brick

Notes: The part depicted here is actually the “modern” version of a similar element that was first produced back in 1963. Earlier versions did not have the square baseplate seen here; rather, they were cylindrical all the way to the bottom. [1977]

Subcategory: Turntables

Part #: 3403

Descriptor: 1x2 channel rail plate

Notes: Momentarily I’ll introduce you to the 1x4 channel-face brick. The piece shown here can be used to build a substructure that can then be slid into the 1x4 channel-face element (part 2653) with great precision. Also available in a version that is eight studs long. [1997]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 32028

Descriptor: 1x2 channel face

Notes: This piece is sometimes used as a purely decorative element when put together using the stacking technique. [1981]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 4216

Descriptor: 1x4 channel face

Notes: Although this can certainly be decorative, it can also be quite useful for accepting substructures mounted on the 32028 channel rail plates. [1991]

Subcategory: Odd Face

Part #: 2653

Descriptor: 1x2 pin face with one pin

Notes: So you’ve built a substructure on rail plates and are using the 1x4 channel brick to mount it. Now you need to lock it in place. 1x2 bricks like the one shown here can mate up with 1x2 Technic bricks, which are shown in the Technic category. [1988]

Subcategory: Pin-Enabled

Part #: 2458

Descriptor: 1x2 pin face with two pins

Notes: The pin configuration on this piece matches exactly with any two holes on any other Technic brick. Note that its pins are centered under the studs, unlike the 2548 above, whose pin is located between the studs. [2000]

Subcategory: Pin-Enabled

Part #: 30526

Descriptor: 2x2 pin face

Notes: When you need a pin to be a secure part of a solid wall, reach for this element. Building it into a 2xN wall gives you a sturdy pin onto which you can attach almost anything. [1985]

Subcategory: Pin-Enabled

Part #: 4730

Descriptor: 2x2 pin top

Notes: This is perhaps one of those parts you might not need for the longest time, but when you do, you’ll be glad it exists. The same goes for the plate version of this part (2460). [1995]

Subcategory: Pin-Enabled

Part #: 4729

Descriptor: 2x2 pin top plate

Notes: Sure, this piece can be a place to mount the rotors for a small helicopter, but it can be so much more. Check the description for the pin drop plate in the next entry, then imagine that you’ve got the bottom of the plates open to build on, rather than the studs. [1988]

Subcategory: Pin-Enabled

Part #: 2460

Descriptor: 2x2 pin drop plate

Notes: Here’s what you do: First, build a Technic beam into the side of a model, a beam with three or more holes. Then, join together two or more of the 2476 elements, attach other pieces to them, and finally mount them into the holes of the beam. [1988]

Subcategory: Pin-Enabled

Part #: 2476

Descriptor: Single drop hole plate

Notes: These pieces allow Technic pins or axles to attach below bricks or plates. Those pins or axles could carry gears, wheels, or other Technic bricks with similar holes. The 2444 piece is shown from the side under which is attached its only hole. The 2817 is viewed from the side, showing both holes. [1987/1989]

Subcategory: Axle Plate

Part #: 2444

Descriptor: Double drop hole plate

Subcategory: Axle Plate

Part #: 2817

Descriptor: 2x2 plate with small wheels/tires

Notes: A compact model may still require motion. The wheel/tire set here is mounted on a tiny 2x2 plate that has slender pins sticking out each side. These little wheels may not look like much, but they go around, and that’s what counts. [1985/1986/1985]

Subcategory: Wheels/Tires

Part #: 4600/4624/3641

Descriptor: 2x2 wide plate with slick tires

Notes: Are you creating a microsized street machine? Why not include some mean looking slicks? The plate in this figure sets the wheels out wider than the one shown in the previous entry. That gives your street rod a more defined racing look. [1994/1991/1996]

Subcategory: Wheels/Tires

Part #: 6157/6014/30028

Descriptor: 2x4 brick with medium wheels/tires

Notes: The wheels you see here (with the four studs showing) are sometimes referred to as Freestyle, named after the series of sets from which they originated. They spin freely on pins jutting out from the sides of the 2x4 brick. [1995/1988/1985]

Subcategory: Wheels/Tires

Part #: 6249/6248/3483

Descriptor: Medium wheels with Technic axle holes

Notes: These wheels, with Technic axle holes, can find themselves used in a huge number of ways. Pop some Technic bricks on this axle, and you can mount the wheels on a car. Strip off the tires, and you’ve got Technic pulleys. [1984/1985]

Subcategory: Wheels/Tires

Part #: 3482/3483

Descriptor: Brick separator

Notes: Did you know that the brick separator isn’t just a tool, but it’s also considered a part within the LEGO system? After all, it does have studs on top and the equivalent of tubes underneath. [1990]

Subcategory: n/a

Part #: 6007

Descriptor: 1x1 with one axle hole

Notes: At first glance, this element might seem too tiny to be of much use, but don’t let its compact size fool you. This just makes it easier to sneak it into an otherwise tight situation, which allows you to attach other Technic elements to it. [1993]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 6541

Descriptor: 1x2 with one axle hole

Notes: This piece was first introduced with the other original Technic elements back in 1977. Though it appears in a variety of colors every year, it’s interesting to note that, since the beginning, at least one set each year has had the black version of this part in it. [1977]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 3700

Descriptor: 1x2 keyhole

Notes: The keyhole brick is unique among the Technic elements, in that it effectively locks an axle in a certain position. You can then use that axle (or axle/pin) to attach wheels, pulleys, or other moving parts. [1998]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 32064

Descriptor: 1x2 with two axle holes

Notes: Even good ideas can sometimes take a while to see the light of day. Having one axle hole under each stud allows for different connections than those that are possible with other bricks where the holes are centered between the studs. [1996]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 32000

Descriptor: 1x4

Notes: A common-sized Technic brick that has been incorporated into a wide variety of sets over the years. [1977]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 3701

Descriptor: 1x6

Notes: Another common element that, like the 1x4 version, has been seen in a large range of sets since first being produced back in the late 1970s. [1978]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 3894

Descriptor: 1x8

Notes: This is perhaps one of the more commonly available lengths of the standard Technic bricks. It has appeared in nearly 300 different sets over the course of the last quarter century. [1977]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 3702

Descriptor: 1x10

Notes: Though not introduced in the earliest years of the Technic elements, this was an obvious size to add to the list. [1985]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 2730

Descriptor: 1x12

Notes: Most LEGO builders will tell you that you can never have too many LEGO pieces. And though the medium-length Technic bricks might not feel that different from each other, it’s a good bet that you’ll want to collect lots of each size if you can. [1978]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 3895

Descriptor: 1x14

Notes: Although there is no standard 1x14 brick, there is an element of this length in the Technic series of parts. This piece is a relatively new addition to the Technic family. [1997]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 32018

Descriptor: 1x16

Notes: The granddaddy of the standard Technic beams. These pieces are much sought after by builders of all skill levels, especially those working on things like cranes or bridges. [1977]

Subcategory: Brick

Part #: 3703

Descriptor: 2x4

Notes: The invention of the LEGO Technic brick brought about the necessity of inventing a plate to go along with it. The 2x4 version was first introduced in 1977 and since then, there have only ever been three different sizes of this type of part. [1977]

Subcategory: Plate

Part #: 3709B

Descriptor: 2x6

Notes: The second in the trio of standard Technic plates. The holes in the plates (centered between the studs) allow for axles to be positioned vertically, though the axles generally spin best when you steady them with a second plate above or below the first. [1996]

Subcategory: Plate

Part #: 32001

Descriptor: 2x8

Notes: The longest standard Technic plate yet produced. Note that this version, like the 2x4, was first released in 1977. It’s odd that the 2x6 (pictured in the previous entry) would have to wait nearly 20 years to first see the light of day. [1977]

Subcategory: Plate

Part #: 3738

Descriptor: 1x3

Notes: An interesting little piece with a single standard axle hole in the center surrounded on either side by plus-sign-shaped holes that are exactly the size of an axle. The middle hole allows pins or axles to spin, whereas the end openings do not. [1995]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 6632

Descriptor: 1x3

Notes: This is the smallest of the full-width pieces. Note that it is the same length as part 6632 but contains only rounded axle holes. Most of the straight full-width beams share this trait. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32523

Descriptor: 1x4 liftarm

Notes: This element represents one of the first of the studless liftarm style of pieces to be introduced. In its first year of production, this piece appeared only in a parts pack and not in a set that built any sort of model. [1987]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 2825

Descriptor: 1x5

Notes: The shortest of the half-width elements to feature only smooth axle holes. Contrast this to part 6632, which is shorter but also has holes that lock axles in place. [1997]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 32017

Descriptor: 1x5

Notes: This piece, like the other full-width beams, has only smooth axle holes throughout its length. These allow for pins and axles to rotate freely. For comparison, see part 32348, which also has holes that prevent axles from moving. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32316

Descriptor: 1x6

Notes: Like most of the other half-width straight beams, this part consists only of rounded pin/axle holes. [1998]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 32063

Descriptor: 1x7

Notes: The longest of the half-width sized pieces. As seen in Figure 9-6, these slender pieces help introduce rounded and gentler shapes to what might otherwise be boxy Technic models. [1998]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 32065

Descriptor: 1x7 single bend

Notes: Most of the bent beams share the common feature of having fixed-axle holes at each end and open holes in between that allow axles to rotate. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32348

Descriptor: 1x9

Notes: Like its longer cousin (the 1x15), this is not a piece that appears in large numbers in single sets. [2001]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 120

Descriptor: 1x9 single bend

Notes: This piece is identical to part 6629, other than the fact that the bend on this piece occurs at the third axle hole. [1999]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 152

Descriptor: 1x9 single bend

Notes: Identical to part 152, other than the fact that the bend on this piece occurs at the fourth axle hole. [1996]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 6629

Descriptor: 1x15

Notes: The longest of the full-width beams currently available. These are not terribly common pieces and rarely show up in large quantities in any one particular set. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32278

Descriptor: 1x11.5 double bend

Notes: I’ve always thought this part had the obvious resemblance to the forks on the front of a forklift vehicle. [1997]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32009

Descriptor: 2x4 single bend

Notes: Proof that Technic beams come in all manner of variations. Note that this one has a 90-degree bend near one end but that only one of its ends has the X-shaped axle opening. The remaining openings are pin-type holes. [1999]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32140

Descriptor: 3x3 single bend

Notes: I find this element quite pleasing to the eye. It has a natural symmetry, and the openings (mostly of the locking axle type) give it the look of fancy metal work. Oh, and it’s handy for building Technic models too! [1998]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 32056

Descriptor: 3x3 braced

Notes: Elements like this one and part 32250 combine the traditional square geometry of LEGO elements with more natural curved shapes. They are especially useful in small models where you want to achieve complex angles in small spaces. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 32249

Descriptor: 3x5 single bend

Notes: A simple variation of part 32140. Many of the elements in this category seem to be different combinations of length, hole type, and number of bends along their length. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Full-Width

Part #: 32526

Descriptor: 3x5 braced

Notes: A long, more sloped version of part 32249. This one lends itself well to large-scale automobiles or flying machines. [2000]

Subcategory: Beam Half-Width

Part #: 32250

Descriptor: 8 tooth

Notes: Barely bigger than the axles on which it is mounted, this little gear is handy for so many things. It helps create the steering for the model in Figure 9-1 and helps with changing speed and/or power within a gear train when used with larger gears. [1977]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 3647

Descriptor: 12 tooth bevel

Notes: This is the more modern incarnation of the 12-tooth bevel gear. The earlier version was not as strong and was prone to breakage under stress. [1995]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 6589

Descriptor: 12 tooth double bevel

Notes: Properly positioned, a double-bevel gear can provide input to two single-bevel gears. [1999]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 32270

Descriptor: 16 tooth

Notes: Another standard gear from the earliest days of Technic. [1977]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 4019

Descriptor: 20 tooth bevel

Notes: This gear can be used with an identical piece to change the direction of movement between two axles, or it can be paired up with the double-bevel version to create even more elaborate combinations. [1999]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 32198

Descriptor: 20 tooth double bevel

Notes: The late 1990s saw an explosion in the number and type of gears available. This is probably due, at least in part, to the 1998 release of the programmable robotic LEGO set known as Mindstorms. [1999]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 32269

Descriptor: 24 tooth

Notes: This is the original design (released in 1977) of the standard 24-tooth gear. When first produced, it lacked enough support for the openings in the center, and this led to some pieces breaking under heavy loads. In 1995, it was replaced with a stronger version. [1977]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 3648

Descriptor: 24 tooth clutch

Notes: The dark gray core of this element actually rotates, with some friction, within the center of the gear. This allows the gear to slip a bit under high stress and may keep the axle or other gears from breaking. [1997]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 60C01

Descriptor: 24 tooth crown

Notes: A crown gear, like beveled gears, can be used to change the direction of motion. A standard gear, or another crown gear, can meet with it at a 90-degree angle. [1977]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 3650A

Descriptor: 40 tooth

Notes: The granddaddy of all LEGO gears both in terms of size and age. Like most gears, it appears primarily in gray, but recent years have also seen it released in such colors as red, blue, green, and white. [1977]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 3649

Descriptor: Worm

Notes: Worm gears are most useful when power is important but speed is not. They do well when heavy loads are placed on them but may bind if spun too fast. [1985]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 4716

Descriptor: 1x4 Rack

Notes: What is a gear rack? In reality it’s nothing more than a round gear that has been flattened out so that all of the teeth are lined up next to each other. Useful for creating rack and pinion steering for Technic models. [1977]

Subcategory: Gear

Part #: 3743

Descriptor: Classic pin

Notes: Don’t confuse the classic light gray pin with a nearly identical part that is typically molded in black. The piece shown here allows other parts to spin freely. The black friction pin is larger by just enough for pieces to hold more tightly. [1977]

Subcategory: Pin/Axle

Part #: 3673

Descriptor: Pin/axle

Notes: Need to attach a bushing or keyhole brick to a regular Technic brick? This isn’t a problem with this unique piece. The need for such conversions (one type of connector to another) is a common concern when you’re working with nonstandard elements. [1978]

Subcategory: Pin/Axle

Part #: 3749

Descriptor: Three-stud-long axle with stop

Notes: Sometimes you want to mount gears or bushings on a short axle but ensure that they won’t slip off. The stud at the end of this element makes sure other pieces won’t fly off at the worst possible moment. [1995]

Subcategory: Pin/Axle

Part #: 6587

Descriptor: Three-stud-long pin

Notes: This element often forms critical connections where you need three pieces held together. When inserted in the pinhole of a brick or beam, this piece has a certain amount of friction that makes it less prone to spinning freely. [1993]

Subcategory: Pin/Axle

Part #: 6558

Descriptor: Two-stud-long axle

Notes: Believe it or not, the version of this part that was available from 1977 until 1996 didn’t have the little notches you see above. The result was that often this small piece got stuck more often than it got loose. Thankfully LEGO corrected this problem. [1997]

Subcategory: Pin/Axle

Part #: 32062

Descriptor: Four-stud-long axle

Notes: The standard axle arrived with other Technic parts as part of the original Expert Builder series of sets in 1977. It is available in lengths from as small as 2 studs right up to versions that are 12 studs long! [1977]

Subcategory: Pin/Axle

Part #: 3705

Descriptor: Bushing

Notes: Sometimes you’ll use this piece to hold axles in place and at other times, you’ll use it as a tiny pulley. The center of both the half and full bushings are exactly sized to the standard axle. [1980]

Subcategory: Half-Width

Part #: 4265C

Descriptor: Bushing

Notes: The full bushing is just about the height of a 1x1 brick and predates the half-sized one by just a few years. This part offers greater resistance for holding axles and gears in place. [1977]

Subcategory: Full-Width

Part #: 3713

Descriptor: Axle joiner

Notes: This piece is used, quite simply, to join two axles together end-to-end. Basically, it allows you to make one longer axle out of two shorter ones. [1993]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 6538

Descriptor: Axle joiner

Notes: This piece shares a common trait with the other coupler elements. One hole runs through the piece and allows axles or pins to spin freely. The hole running perpendicular to it is like a bushing and holds axles tight. [1993]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 6536

Descriptor: 0 degrees (#1)

Notes: The most basic of the coupler elements. It creates a simple T connection between two axles. An axle placed through the round hole is free to rotate whereas the other X-shaped hole holds an axle locked in one position. [1997]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 32013

Descriptor: 180 degrees (#2)

Notes: This piece accepts two axles, one on either end, pointing toward each other, and, as with all the pieces in this group, it has a hole running through the middle that allows a pin or axle to spin if need be. [1997]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 32034

Descriptor: 160 degrees (#3)

Notes: If you read the descriptor for each of the pieces in this section, you’ll notice a number in degrees. This is the angle of the two axle openings, and it is measured on the side facing up, as pictured here. [1997]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 32016

Descriptor: 135 degrees (#4)

Notes: Each descriptor for this group of parts also includes a number, written in brackets. You can also find these numbers printed on the actual elements, which makes it easy to keep them separate. [1999]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 924

Descriptor: 110 degrees (#5)

Notes: Different combinations of couplers and axles can become everything from the roll cage for a racecar to the landing gear for a rugged spacecraft. [1997]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 32015

Descriptor: 90 degrees (#6)

Notes: More interesting geometry notes: The end of each of the couplers in this section is also the exact size and shape so that it fits just perfectly in between four standard studs on a plate or baseplate. [1997]

Subcategory: Coupler

Part #: 32014

Descriptor: 1x3

Notes: Perfectly suited for archer’s windows built into thick castle walls. This piece probably represents the smallest possible arch piece that can be both practical and elegant. [1976]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4490

Descriptor: 1x4

Notes: A classic Roman arch that forms a semicircular shape. This arch is the same piece we used overtop of the train station ticket windows in Chapter 3. These arches are useful in any number of architectural situations. [1976]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3659

Descriptor: 1x6

Notes: The radius on this arch is much greater than that of the 1x6x2 shown in the next entry. In other words, if you kept following the arch shape, the imaginary circle under the brick would be much larger on this piece. [1972]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3455

Descriptor: 1x6x2

Notes: Like the 1x4 arch the 1x6x2 arch represents a classic Roman shape that is extremely pleasing to the eye. A series of these can create a pleasing arcade for any building. [1971]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3307

Descriptor: 1x8x2

Notes: Like the 1x6 arch, this piece uses a slightly larger radius to form the arch shape. Therefore the arch appears to be still spreading outward as it reaches the edge of the span. [1971]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3308

Descriptor: 1x12x3

Notes: Now that’s an arch! Impressive in its very size, this piece adds a grand opening to train tunnels, fire stations, or other buildings requiring this type of architectural detail. [1993]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6108

Descriptor: 1x2

Notes: Tuck this compact piece under part 6005 shown next, and you can create interesting shapes, either in matching or complementary colors. [1992]

Subcategory: Half

Part #: 6091

Descriptor: 1x3x2

Notes: A natural partner to the 6091 element shown previously. In fact, 6091 fits nicely under the arch of the 6005. By itself, this 1x3x2 piece can also be considered a flying-buttress type of arch. [1995]

Subcategory: Half

Part #: 6005

Descriptor: 1x5x4

Notes: Used alone, this is another flying-buttress arch due to the fact that it starts at a point away from a wall or structure and then meets up with it at the top of its half arch. Used in pairs, these pieces become essentially a 1x10x4 arch. [1986]

Subcategory: Half

Part #: 2339

Descriptor: 1x5x4

Notes: Another case where nearly a decade separates the release of a standard part (such as the 2339 shown previously) and its inverted counterpart—the half arch shown here. [1997]

Subcategory: Half Inverted

Part #: 30099

Descriptor: 1x6x2

Notes: No, it’s not the handle from a LEGO lunchbox … though it could be. Instead, it’s an arch with gently curved corners that can be used as a wonderful decorative piece. [1994]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6183

Descriptor: 1x6x3

Notes: Another and perhaps the most suited piece capable of being a flying buttress. This one really extends outward from the top until it reaches the bottom of the half arch. This is yet another piece that is simply elegant to look at. [1992]

Subcategory: Half

Part #: 6060

Descriptor: 1x1 tile

Notes: Although a similar part was actually released in 1971, this is the modern version that includes the tiny groove around the base, which makes it easier to remove. [1978]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3070B

Descriptor: 1x2 tile

Notes: Similar to the 1x1, this is the second-generation version of this part. The first, without the groove around the bottom, was first seen in 1968. [1977]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3069A

Descriptor: 1x4 tile

Notes: Run some of these in a series down the middle of a few rows of black tiles, and you’ve got yourself the lines of a divided road. [1987]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2431

Descriptor: 1x6 tile

Notes: This is a surprisingly new piece, given the desirability of tiles as part of the LEGO system. [1995]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6636

Descriptor: 1x8 tile

Notes: Want your small helicopters to look more real? Why not equip them with these pieces as rotors rather than similar lengths of 1xN plates? [1980]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4162

Descriptor: 2x2 tile

Notes: Sidewalks are just the start of the many uses for standard 2x2 tiles. Mix them with 1xN tiles of different colors and you can create the lines you need to represent streets or parking lots. [1976]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3068B

Descriptor: 2x2 cylindrical

Notes: It’s a manhole cover and more! Like many other tiles, this one also has a small groove around its bottom edge making it easier to remove from a model once you’re done with it. [1983]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4150

Descriptor: 2x2 cylindrical

Notes: This piece isn’t exactly a true inverted plate. As you can see in the illustration, it has a curved underside. Sometimes called a boat plate, it can be affixed under various craft to allow them to skim over carpet or other surfaces. [1991]

Subcategory: Inverted

Part #: 2654

Descriptor: 1x1x1 panel

Notes: This piece sort of looks like someone let the air out of a 1x1 brick. But it’s ultimately a very useful piece for creating hollowed-out areas along the face of an otherwise solid wall. This piece works well with part 4865 shown next. [1995]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6231

Descriptor: 1x2x1 panel

Notes: What may look like a tiny little couch is actually a very handy piece for creating steps on the sides of vehicles, or tiny accents on large open spaces. [1985]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4865

Descriptor: 1x4x1 panel

Notes: A longer couch? No, just a longer version of the 4865 piece. [2000]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 30413

Descriptor: 1x2x2 panel

Notes: Panels like this really shine when they are used to represent part of an outside wall while leaving more room inside of a model for moving parts or other substructures. [1997]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4864

Descriptor: 1x2x3 panel

Notes: Panels are quite useful no matter which direction they’re facing. Turned like the 2362 piece shown here, they look solid, but when turned 180 degrees, they can add an indent to an otherwise dull wall. [1998]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2362

Descriptor: 3x2x6 panel

Notes: Not all panels are flat. Some, like the 2466 element shown here, are made up of several thin flat sides meeting at interesting angles. [1988]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 2466

Descriptor: 1x4x3 panel

Notes: Many parts are available in transparent colors, but some are perhaps more worth mentioning than others. The 4215A panel shown here is available in a number of opaque colors but most notably in a clear version (same part number) like the second illustration. This allows you to use it as a window for a large office building or another minifig structure where you need to let a lot of light shine in. [1994]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4215A

Descriptor: 1x4x3 panel

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4215A

Descriptor: 1x1 cylinder plate

Notes: Is this the smallest element in the entire system? Well, just about. It is barely bigger in the middle than the stud on top of it and it is hardly bigger at the bottom than a regular tube. This piece is available in solid and transparent colors. [1980]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4073

Descriptor: 2x2 cylinder plate

Notes: Observe the keyhole-shaped opening in this piece. It matches perfectly with a similar feature found on 2x2 cylinders. I used that opening to help create the presser tool in Chapter 13. [1980]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4032

Descriptor: 1x1 cone

Notes: You may use this piece as the nose cone of a very small rocket, but even if you don’t, it’s a handy shape nonetheless. It’s worth pointing out that the tip is just the right size to fit into the bottom of an identical piece or the underside of nearly any regular brick or plate. [1985]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4589

Descriptor: 1x1 cylinder

Notes: Shown here is the updated version of a part that was originally released with the earliest parts in 1958. The difference here is that the stud is hollow, whereas the original was solid. [1977]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3062B

Descriptor: 2x2x2 cone

Notes: Another part that underwent a face-lift after its original release. In this case, as with the 1x1 cylinder, the newer version has a hollow stud. [1984]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3942

Descriptor: 2x2 cylinder

Notes: Sort of like a tiny coffee can, only with studs on top. This piece, like some of the other cylinders and cones, has a hole running vertically through it that matches exactly to the size of standard Technic axle. [1978]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3941

Descriptor: 3x3x3 cone

Notes: These pieces are sometimes used as the engines on a rocket or space shuttle. [1995]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6233

Descriptor: 4x4x2 cone

Notes: This lampshade-like piece can be used as the engine of a spaceship or it can also be a transitional piece that joins 4x4 cylinder pieces to 2x2 cylinder pieces. [1982]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3943

Descriptor: 4x4 cylinder

Notes: The holes on the sides of this piece easily accept a Technic pin or axle or even the studs from any standard piece. The only real problem is that when you stack a bunch of these, they tend to look like a column of Swiss cheese. [1995]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 6222

Descriptor: 4x4 quarter-cut cylinder

Notes: Another case where the existence of one part highlights the absence of a similar part. There is, for example, no 3x3 quarter-cut cylinder, nor is there a 2x2 for that matter. Maybe someday? [1990]

Subcategory: Adapted

Part #: 2577

Descriptor: 8x16 brick plate

Notes: A newer version of a similar element (700). The updated brick plate illustrated here features extra bracing beneath it. This bracing, along with the normal studs, helps make this part very rigid and strong. [1985]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 4204

Descriptor: 8x16 waffle plate

Notes: This baseplate is perfect for smaller buildings like gas stations or bus stops to help complete your minifig town. [1971]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3865

Descriptor: 10x20 brick plate

Notes: As a kid I nearly wore out my green 10x20 brick plates. They were the base for countless houses, factories, and shops that all eventually met with some disaster that inevitably resulted in my LEGO fire apparatus coming to the rescue. [1965]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 700

Descriptor: 16x16 waffle plate

Notes: Large baseplates like this are also found in sizes such as 32x32 and 48x48. The latter is perhaps one of the largest LEGO elements ever produced. These form the base, literally, for all manner of buildings and scenes. [1978]

Subcategory: Standard

Part #: 3867

Descriptor: 1x4 lattice

Notes: This one could become a small garden fence or the decorative guardrail on a microscale ship. [1976]

Subcategory: Fences, Rails and Rungs

Part #: 3633

Descriptor: 1x4x2 lattice

Notes: Another pretty element. This one looks great when built into a wall, quickly becoming the grate over an air conditioning system or perhaps just a vent of some kind. Being useful doesn’t mean you have to be unsightly. [1967]

Subcategory: Fences, Rails and Rungs

Part #: 3185

Descriptor: 1x2 ladder plate

Notes: A tiny ladder-like piece that is easy to incorporate into most models since you really only need to find room for the 1x2 plate. The rungs of the element can then rest against the side or end of the model to form a ladder or grille of some kind. [1980]

Subcategory: Fences, Rails and Rungs

Part #: 4175

Descriptor: 1x2 grille plate

Notes: This piece was rereleased in the mid-1990s with a tiny groove around the bottom edge. This groove is handy since this little grille-like piece ends up getting used on many surfaces. Want to make it more interesting? Mount it on another piece that is a contrasting color. [1987/95]

Subcategory: Fences, Rails and Rungs

Part #: 2412B

Descriptor: 1x6 hand rail

Notes: A handsome element that is often used on train models but can just as easily be the handrail on the sides of a small bridge or perhaps a guardrail on a ship. [1996]

Subcategory: Fences, Rails and Rungs

Part #: 6583

Descriptor: 1x8x2

Notes: Sort of like the type of fencing you might find in parking lots or maybe the railings you’d find along the upper decks of a fancy passenger liner. Of course, it could just be a plain old bicycle rack for a minifig park. [1988]

Subcategory: Fences, Rails and Rungs

Part #: 2486

Descriptor: 4 brick high basic bar

Notes: Light saber? Baseball bat? Hand rail? Yup, it’s all that and more. The diameter of this bar is exactly the size of a minifig hand and is also the right size for any of the following clip elements. [1999]

Subcategory: Bars

Part #: 30374

Descriptor: 4 brick high basic antenna

Notes: How about a self-attaching bar? The round-tipped antenna has a sort of socket at the end that attaches easily to any studded element. It’s also the same width (along the main section) as the basic bar shown in the previous entry. [1977]

Subcategory: Bars

Part #: 3957

Descriptor: 1x1 clip plate horizontal

Notes: Then there are parts that just keep evolving. The 1x1 clip plate is on its third incarnation in the 25-plus years since it was introduced. This piece is often used to hold handled parts and bars onto models. [1979/1987/1993]

Subcategory: Clips

Part #: 4085C

Descriptor: 1x1 clip plate vertical

Notes: It’s worth noting that clip plates don’t necessarily just have to clip to ordinary bars such as part 30374. They can also be attached to handled parts such as part 2540 or 30236. [1990]

Subcategory: Clips

Part #: 6019

Descriptor: 1x1 with studs

Notes: This is the modern version of an earlier part. The rounded part that is attached to the side has two stud-sized areas that allow any number of other elements to connect. In addition, the hole through those studs is exactly bar size. [1980/1988]

Subcategory: Clips

Part #: 4081B

Descriptor: 1x1 with clip top

Notes: This piece highlights the main difference between the Brickopedia and other classification systems. This piece is typically called a “1x1 tile with clip,” but that label then causes it to be in a category that doesn’t include its clipped cousins shown here. [1989]

Subcategory: Clips

Part #: 2555

Descriptor: 1x1 brick

Notes: Some pieces in this category have clips whereas others, like this one, have the bar attached instead. [1992]

Subcategory: Handles

Part #: 2921

Descriptor: 1x2 plate

Notes: This piece can be decorative or functional depending on what you attach to the handle. Of course, it takes up very little space (only that of a 1x2 plate) and therefore may sometimes be more useful than the brick version (part 30236). [1989]

Subcategory: Handles

Part #: 2540

Descriptor: 1x2 brick

Notes: What’s good for the plate is usually good for the brick too. This piece has the same sized handle as the 2540 plate. Rows of this brick make great decoration on the tops of buildings or even some vehicles. [1999]

Subcategory: Handles

Part #: 30236

Descriptor: 1x2 plate with braced handle

Notes: Another case where parts are sometimes separated, despite having similar features or functions. The 2432 is often called the “1x2 tile with handle.” Of course that means it’s not often seen in the company of the other handles elements. [1987]

Subcategory: Handles

Part #: 2432

Descriptor: Bush

Notes: Decorative gardens, rustic western settings, or mountainous train layouts all benefit from this little scrub brush element. [1992]

Subcategory: Foliage

Part #: 6064

Descriptor: Fruit tree

Notes: Need an apple orchard? How about some well-groomed bushes for the sides of a posh minifig mansion? The fruit tree element comes to your aid with style. [1977]

Subcategory: Foliage

Part #: 3470

Descriptor: Pine tree (small)

Notes: Some parts are only ever produced in a single color. This little pine tree is one of those elements and has only been seen in standard green since its introduction more than a quarter century ago. [1976]

Subcategory: Foliage

Part #: 2435

Descriptor: Pine tree (large)

Notes: Like the small version, the large pine tree has only ever been manufactured in green during the last 30 years. Mixing large and small versions together in a scene will add realism and interest. [1973]

Subcategory: Foliage

Part #: 3471

Descriptor: 3x5 stem

Notes: Using several of these pieces together can help give you the look of an ivy-covered wall when you’re building a library or perhaps an old home where nature has begun to reclaim part of her territory. [1987]

Subcategory: Foliage

Part #: 2423

Descriptor: Sea grass

Notes: True, it can be used as sea grass, if you’re building a sea. But why not also think of it as a cactus, or maybe a yet-to-be-discovered creepy-munga bush on a planet first explored by a minifig ship of your own design? [1997]

Subcategory: Foliage

Part #: 30093

Descriptor: Basic flag

Notes: Castles, carnival rides, and parade floats alike all need colorful flags that look like they’re blowing in the wind. This simple but effective ornamental element is most often placed atop part 3957, the four-brick-high antenna. [1984]

Subcategory: Ornamental

Part #: 4495

Descriptor: Lion head carving

Notes: Decorative pieces reached a new level of sophistication and elegance in 2000 with the introduction of this lion head ornamental piece. Perfect for classy downtown buildings where minifigs gather to do business. [2000]

Subcategory: Ornamental

Part #: 30274

Descriptor: 1x2x2 window

Notes: A staple of the LEGO system from the beginning. You can use them in groups so that they look like large office windows, or you can use them alone to add character to even the smallest minifig dwelling. [1958]

Subcategory: Windows

Part #: 7026

Descriptor: 1x4x3 train window

Notes: This is the newer version of the train window shown with the original version of the glass insert (the insert arriving 13 years prior to the new window). This part combo also works well as windows for buses or even spaceships. [1993/1980]

Subcategory: Windows

Part #: 6556/4034

Descriptor: 1x2x2

Notes: These pieces are often called plane windows, but they can just as easily be used in models of trains, fire trucks, ships, helicopters, and so on. These are useful with or without available glass inserts. [1987]

Subcategory: Windows

Part #: 2377

Descriptor: 1x4x2

Notes: What’s better than one plane window? How about two joined together? As with 2377, this element can find its way into a variety of vehicles. It’s best if you think of it as a panel with cutouts. It allows great function in very little space. [1985]

Subcategory: Windows

Part #: 4863

Descriptor: 1x2x2 2/3 window

Notes: Do the occupants of your castle need to let some light in? This beautiful pair of elements will certainly help with that. Don’t forget you’ll want to use a 1x4 standard arch over top of this window to make it look like part of the wall. [1996]

Subcategory: Windows

Part #: 30044/30046

Descriptor: 1x4x3

Notes: The old reliable 1x4x3 basic window is shown with inserts that look like panes of glass. You can also replace those with ones that are latticed, or even turn the part around. You can then add shutters to give them a homier look. [1977]

Subcategory: Windows

Part #: 3853

Descriptor: 1x4x5 four pane door

Notes: Minifig-scale buildings aren’t much good if your characters can’t get in and out of them. This often-used part is strangely only available in the version shown above that opens from the left. [1977]

Subcategory: Doors

Part #: 3861

Descriptor: 1x4x5 glass door

Notes: This more modern-looking door is, unlike the 3861, available in both left and right varieties. Perfect for office buildings, schools, banks, or other urban minifig structures. [1982]

Subcategory: Doors

Part #: 73436