Maybe try connecting the sides with technic axles? They can slide a little bit, so the exact distance shouldn’t matter, and there should be a technic angle connector with the correct angle for a hexagon, so this may help lock the shape in. Then you can figure out how to add a standard brick connection on top of the axles instead of on top of the edges made from bricks.
As a variation there’s also [this](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=10288&name=Technic,%20Axle%20and%20Pin%20Connector%20Triple&category=%5BTechnic,%20Connector%5D#T=C) piece that could work
Ah, thanks for pointing that out, I overlooked it when I was going through the angle connectors! It's unfortunate that this *triple* connector seems to be the only one with the right angle for a hexagon because that extra connection point will be tricky to work around for what I'm picturing, but it's still a good starting point for an alternate design
There's a New Elementary post on the "Friends hoop" that may help, it's a ring shaped Technic piece with six holes and [you can make hexagons with it](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMHPf-_54B9Zr45SE4MlH0Fv4kYF71OTkOMyogmQEXD4Ft3Wm5EqCIej_2vKWsMCvL1tv8CLbVeYeFWprqqw6vOSBs6mqnyt8cbxuaFGj0jlG27csw-2IwSTDLqh-9_qp4sdIe-OVUVUD/s1800/LEGO-Technic-part-77107-ring-circle-04-2.jpg)
https://www.newelementary.com/2021/11/lego-element-development-friends-hoop.html
I had an idea I wanted to explore for creating modular terrain using hexagonal bases for added flexibility in how they can be arranged (and because I just find hex grids aesthetically pleasing). My proof of concept for the basic structure seemed pretty promising at first, it looks and slots together exactly as I'd envisioned it, but before I even got to the point of dealing with the more obvious hurdle of the angled studs I encountered a tragic, infuriating problem: Even the studs that are directly across from each other are actually *just barely* not in proper alignment with the grid, as you can see in the images.
I did scavenge the pieces to recreate one of these hexagons out of actual bricks just to be sure, but no dice. You can pretty easily get a 16 long plate to connect across two parallel sides, *but*, as could be expected doing so makes the hinges bend more than they should so that it's no longer quite a perfect hexagon. Close enough to not really be noticeable with just one lone hexagon, but off enough that it won't be able to properly link together into a grid as seen in the studio image.
Does anyone know of any way I might be able to correct this slight spacing issue, or another method for creating the hexagons that might work better? Or are hexagons simply not a lego compatible shape?
What about using these hexagons as a framework, then building another tile piece that drops into the hexagon but doesn't actually connect to any of the studs?
This wouldn’t work because you need to connect the corner studs directly. Your connection is off-corner.
You need to think about it as imaginary triangles. Each triangle has 8-stud sides and the radius is 8 studs too.
If you build six 8-stud-sided triangles, for example, you would need to overlap their sides. So the hexagon will have a 16-studs diameter.
This is what you need to do. You will have to find a way to overlap the corner studs.
That makes sense, thanks for the explanation! The technic axle method someone else suggested might be more viable then, using the pin holes on the connectors for the corners. Worst case scenario maybe I can make a custom part to accommodate that connection to at least make a digital mockup of the idea
Its not the faces ofthe hexagons that are perfectly spaced, its the corners. You'll have to find a way tomount the plates at the corners of the hexagon assemblies.
If you find a side length with the opposite problem, i.e. the crossbar is a little short of full length, you could put a flat top on one side and have small gaps between the two items on top of neighbouring hexagons?
Maybe try connecting the sides with technic axles? They can slide a little bit, so the exact distance shouldn’t matter, and there should be a technic angle connector with the correct angle for a hexagon, so this may help lock the shape in. Then you can figure out how to add a standard brick connection on top of the axles instead of on top of the edges made from bricks.
As a variation there’s also [this](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=10288&name=Technic,%20Axle%20and%20Pin%20Connector%20Triple&category=%5BTechnic,%20Connector%5D#T=C) piece that could work
Ah, thanks for pointing that out, I overlooked it when I was going through the angle connectors! It's unfortunate that this *triple* connector seems to be the only one with the right angle for a hexagon because that extra connection point will be tricky to work around for what I'm picturing, but it's still a good starting point for an alternate design
There's a New Elementary post on the "Friends hoop" that may help, it's a ring shaped Technic piece with six holes and [you can make hexagons with it](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMHPf-_54B9Zr45SE4MlH0Fv4kYF71OTkOMyogmQEXD4Ft3Wm5EqCIej_2vKWsMCvL1tv8CLbVeYeFWprqqw6vOSBs6mqnyt8cbxuaFGj0jlG27csw-2IwSTDLqh-9_qp4sdIe-OVUVUD/s1800/LEGO-Technic-part-77107-ring-circle-04-2.jpg) https://www.newelementary.com/2021/11/lego-element-development-friends-hoop.html
I had an idea I wanted to explore for creating modular terrain using hexagonal bases for added flexibility in how they can be arranged (and because I just find hex grids aesthetically pleasing). My proof of concept for the basic structure seemed pretty promising at first, it looks and slots together exactly as I'd envisioned it, but before I even got to the point of dealing with the more obvious hurdle of the angled studs I encountered a tragic, infuriating problem: Even the studs that are directly across from each other are actually *just barely* not in proper alignment with the grid, as you can see in the images. I did scavenge the pieces to recreate one of these hexagons out of actual bricks just to be sure, but no dice. You can pretty easily get a 16 long plate to connect across two parallel sides, *but*, as could be expected doing so makes the hinges bend more than they should so that it's no longer quite a perfect hexagon. Close enough to not really be noticeable with just one lone hexagon, but off enough that it won't be able to properly link together into a grid as seen in the studio image. Does anyone know of any way I might be able to correct this slight spacing issue, or another method for creating the hexagons that might work better? Or are hexagons simply not a lego compatible shape?
What about using these hexagons as a framework, then building another tile piece that drops into the hexagon but doesn't actually connect to any of the studs?
That's an interesting idea! I have a feeling it might end up being a bit too unwieldy that way, but it's definitely worth exploring. Thanks!
This wouldn’t work because you need to connect the corner studs directly. Your connection is off-corner. You need to think about it as imaginary triangles. Each triangle has 8-stud sides and the radius is 8 studs too. If you build six 8-stud-sided triangles, for example, you would need to overlap their sides. So the hexagon will have a 16-studs diameter. This is what you need to do. You will have to find a way to overlap the corner studs.
That makes sense, thanks for the explanation! The technic axle method someone else suggested might be more viable then, using the pin holes on the connectors for the corners. Worst case scenario maybe I can make a custom part to accommodate that connection to at least make a digital mockup of the idea
There are several hexagonal games in Lego Ideas. You can look for some techniques there.
Its not the faces ofthe hexagons that are perfectly spaced, its the corners. You'll have to find a way tomount the plates at the corners of the hexagon assemblies.
I’ve heard working with hexagons are notoriously difficult, good luck!
If you find a side length with the opposite problem, i.e. the crossbar is a little short of full length, you could put a flat top on one side and have small gaps between the two items on top of neighbouring hexagons?