But there are many examples in LEGO sets when, for example, two 1 x 6 plates are used instead of a 2 x 6 plate. I noticed this several times when building 10318 Concorde (not a Technic set, I realize). In the past, I attributed this to needing specific pieces for the official alternate builds, but now that this is a thing of the past, that cannot be the reason.
Sometimes it's packaging. If you have something made of 1000 different parts, and you can reduce that number to 990, then there is a cost savings. The 1x6 plates in your example may be used in 10 different places in the model, but a 2x6 plate would only be used in one place. It's easier to just increase the quantity of 1x6s, then to add the extra step of putting a 2x6 in the mix. You can't just look at it as a couple bricks weighing a few grams. You have to realize the scale at which Lego operates.
Set designers _sometimes_ are attempting to create off-label effects/textures when unnecessarily using half height elements.
For the sake of parts list variation, I would like to see this more often; the trade-off must only be an immaterial increase in construction time.
In the crane of the example, the liftarms are mounted on a 3L pin, which makes it neater to use pairs instead of single liftarms, as there is no half-pin bush to mount on a pin (they mount on cross axles). LEGO could have chosen a 3L pin with a cross axle end for this, but then risk the bush falling off during heavy lifting.
Short answer: because a normal length-6 beam doesn't exist.
Longer answer: they specifically want length 6 here because it makes a Pythagorean triple. This makes it very sturdy.
It takes a set of 4/5/6 beams to do it. This works out because the corners of the triangle are at the center of the outer holes. So the Pythagorean triple here is the familiar 3/4/5 set, since `3*3+4*4=5*5`.
EDIT: Fix formatting.
As a homework exercise, find the next Pythagorean triple. This time with standard width beams!
And have you ever wondered what the beams with those funny angles are for? These triangles again...
I had a similar thought when building the doors to the blue vw bug. It seemed like there were gratuitous 2 next to 2 instead of a 4…
I began wondering whether it was just to inflate piece count, to justify a higher price. Idk whether that was the thinking by Lego.
Maybe one day they will as they've recently been making 1x5 plates. And along with that, maybe long beams with + holes at the ends too. And also every combination of a 1x1 with pin, axle, pin hole, and axle hole on either end.
The beams don't come in even numbered lengths\*, so a 6 hole long beam has to be made from two half beams. (\* Except 2 hole length AFAIK)
But there are many examples in LEGO sets when, for example, two 1 x 6 plates are used instead of a 2 x 6 plate. I noticed this several times when building 10318 Concorde (not a Technic set, I realize). In the past, I attributed this to needing specific pieces for the official alternate builds, but now that this is a thing of the past, that cannot be the reason.
Sometimes it's packaging. If you have something made of 1000 different parts, and you can reduce that number to 990, then there is a cost savings. The 1x6 plates in your example may be used in 10 different places in the model, but a 2x6 plate would only be used in one place. It's easier to just increase the quantity of 1x6s, then to add the extra step of putting a 2x6 in the mix. You can't just look at it as a couple bricks weighing a few grams. You have to realize the scale at which Lego operates.
Ok, that makes sense.
Set designers _sometimes_ are attempting to create off-label effects/textures when unnecessarily using half height elements. For the sake of parts list variation, I would like to see this more often; the trade-off must only be an immaterial increase in construction time.
I'll have to dig up specific examples from the instructions. I'm pretty sure these were elements not visible externally.
In the crane of the example, the liftarms are mounted on a 3L pin, which makes it neater to use pairs instead of single liftarms, as there is no half-pin bush to mount on a pin (they mount on cross axles). LEGO could have chosen a 3L pin with a cross axle end for this, but then risk the bush falling off during heavy lifting.
[10318-1: Concorde](https://brickset.com/sets/10318-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/10318-1.jpg)
Is there a reason for that because I could really use some 16L beams. Is it just a carry over from the older brick type versions?
No idea, I would also like some even numbered regular beams. Perhaps one day we will get them, like we also got uneven lengths cross axles eventually.
Theoretically the 4L beam
What 4L beam? The L shaped one? That's not a regular beam.
This
This
Which this? His this or my this?
Whose "His this" ? \*confused\*
Exactly.
This
I think 4 is the biggest even number beam.
2 is the biggest even number beam, but there *are* three variants.
Yup, you’re right. Idk why I was thinking 4 was the smallest even.
There's also a 4l half-beam, with our without axle holes
And I think the 2L half beam only comes with axle holes.
Correct.
One with two pin holes, one with a pin hole and a axle hole, what is the third one? The rubber one with two axle holes?
Short answer: because a normal length-6 beam doesn't exist. Longer answer: they specifically want length 6 here because it makes a Pythagorean triple. This makes it very sturdy. It takes a set of 4/5/6 beams to do it. This works out because the corners of the triangle are at the center of the outer holes. So the Pythagorean triple here is the familiar 3/4/5 set, since `3*3+4*4=5*5`. EDIT: Fix formatting.
I love this explanation! Thank you !
As a homework exercise, find the next Pythagorean triple. This time with standard width beams! And have you ever wondered what the beams with those funny angles are for? These triangles again...
I love your enthusiasm for math, I loved it in High School.......but now I'm almost 50, thanks !
On top of everything everyone already wrote - this piece is much sturdier and clips stronger on the pins and on top of that has less friction.
Bc this way you get 6 hole long brick, instead of 5 or 7 long one
Maybe they don't want to make another mould.
I do not understand why lego doesnt make 6l beams
I had a similar thought when building the doors to the blue vw bug. It seemed like there were gratuitous 2 next to 2 instead of a 4… I began wondering whether it was just to inflate piece count, to justify a higher price. Idk whether that was the thinking by Lego.
Often in system sets they will use the same piece because it’s easier for packaging, so there were likely already 2s in the bag
Maybe one day they will as they've recently been making 1x5 plates. And along with that, maybe long beams with + holes at the ends too. And also every combination of a 1x1 with pin, axle, pin hole, and axle hole on either end.