We've all been there. You're in the zone, deep in a massive LEGO build, surrounded by glorious mounds of bricks. Your mission: find a specific 1x10 plate. Easy, right? You start sifting through the pile, separating the 1x2s, the 1x4s, the 1x6s... but then you get to the longer pieces. 8 studs? 10 studs? 12? Suddenly, you're not a master builder anymore; you're a tired accountant, slowly counting tiny plastic bumps for the hundredth time.
As the brilliant Miss Brick wisely pointed out to me, the small pieces are easy to separate, but when we move to 6, 8, 10 studs and beyond, things get complicated. You either count and re-count, or you have to keep a separate "reference piece" handy. After so many hours staring at piles of bricks, you start to feel like you're becoming part of the pile yourself! 🤭
Enough was enough. I decided it was time for a simple, practical, and useful solution. I present to you: my all-in-one LEGO measuring tool!
The "Eureka!" Moment
The goal was simple: create a single tool that could measure the length of bricks, plates, and axles, as well as the height of stacked bricks, without needing to count every single stud.
After some tinkering, I built this custom ruler. It's a straightforward design, but it has already saved me countless minutes (and a significant amount of mental energy).
What Can This Little Ruler Do?
1. Measure Plate & Brick Length:
The core of the design is a simple row of studs.I've built it with clear markings for the most common lengths. Now, instead of counting, I can just place a plate or brick alongside the ruler and instantly see if it's a 1x8, 1x10, or even a 1x16. It's a game-changer for sorting and finding the right piece quickly.
2. Gauge Axle Length:
Axles can be even trickier to differentiate than plates.My ruler includes a section with a rail. No more holding two axles side-by-side squinting to see which is longer!
3. Check Brick Height:
A standard LEGO brick is exactly 3 plates high(excluding the studs). My tool includes a built-in height gauge. By stacking a few bricks next to it, I can easily verify their standard height or measure custom-built elements.
(I would, of course, include a few clear, well-lit photos of the ruler here, showing it measuring a plate, an axle, and a stack of bricks)
Better Late Than Never!
I'll admit, I probably should have built this years ago. But as the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now. While I'm a little late to the party, I have no doubt this humble tool will be incredibly useful in all my future building sessions.
It’s a simple idea, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. It has already brought a new level of efficiency and calm to my building table.
So, if you find yourself slowly merging with a pile of bricks, take a page out of Miss Brick's book and think of a clever solution. Maybe building a tool is just as fun as building the set!
What about you? Have you ever created a custom tool to help with your LEGO builds? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Happy building
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