I think the reason there is cultural resistance to glue is that it defies a basic premise of LEGO that most MOCers accept: the challenge and excitement of the LEGO pieces as a building medium is due to the restrictions applied by utilizing parts TLG has made.

People generally consider MOCs amazing when pieces are utilized in interesting new ways. By using only parts TLG has produced, MOCers are forced to be creative with what is provided. An artist can use LEGO as an art medium by customizing to fit needs, but the most respect for great MOCs will be given to those who do not customize parts (generally speaking) because the builder overcame the restrictions by being creative in parts use. Once glue, cutting, painting, etc. are allowed, anything is possible and MOCs lose some of their charm as the builder did not overcome the restriction of parts in creative parts use. The main point of this is that if the restrictions of parts are removed, LEGO is not the best medium for making items that look realistic. Action figures are far more realistic than LEGO minifigures, for example.

Another aspect of LEGO is the ability to recycle parts in another MOC. A glued or otherwise customized part becomes very restricted for re-purposing.

I just noticed that Rodiziorobs is stating the same point: if you are using glue, why bother using LEGO? There are better mediums in most applications if the LEGO system of building is not necessary.

That's well stated. In my case, I'm using plastic bricks for several reasons:

- they're readily available to a consumer across the world, unlike certain other materials and manufacturing processes

- they appeal to children, which is important for my initial kit, as it's a kid length rifle stock

- they're essentially unbannable and unregulatable, unlike other manufacturining processes

- many people are familiar with how the bricks go together, having played with them as children

What surprised me when I began this project is that while there is a large AFOL community on the web, the largest part of the community remains at play. I've seen a few useful MOCs, and doubtless there are many more - the artificial leg perhaps being the most useful, and unglued; but by and large, there is very limited knowledge of how to reinforce bricks to use in useful MOCs. I discovered the correct size of reinforcing rods on my own, for example, not from some LEGO reinforcement FAQ. I wasn't particularly surprised by the resistance to using bricks as useful parts on a firearm, given the large European community of AFOL, and the number of anti-gunners in the US. However, while one may not be interested in my rifle stock project or the follow-on, I think the knowledge that plastic bricks, properly glued and reinforced, can take magnum shotgun recoil is significant, and can certainly be used in useful MOCs.

I believe I understand your case. It is fair to do as you have for the reasons you stated. The only difference is that your work is a separate category than the MOC that is an artful representation. Functioning MOCs that utilize customization fit a different purpose, and I do think LEGO pieces can still make a reasonable material to use for functionality when other materials are not as easily accessible.

I personally have access to shop tools for working wood, metal, clay, and even some plastics. For this reason, LEGO would be the last material I would personally choose for functioning products. LEGO, to me, is a creative art medium. Everyone is free to a different opinion, especially when other materials are much less an option.

Looking at my response I realized I forgot one thing. I do have to confess to on rare occasion cutting, modifying and using "Kragle" on Lego parts. But it was when not using them as Lego parts. When modeling I always hate hand making hinges. I never get them right. So I have on rare occasions modified Lego hinges for use in plastic modeling projects. Although on those occasions I will confess that I always found actual Kraggle pretty much worthless for bonding Lego and would always secure the parts using screws or brass rod, and just use the glue as gap filler.

I use 2-part epoxy as gap filler, super glue seems to work well enough to bond the bricks themselves - if the glue holds when the brick shears, I figure that's good enough.

Here's someone who partially glued his candy machine to keep the candy & money inside:

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Edited January 25, 201510 yr by backbencher

And a superglued LEGO Rubik's cube:

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Years ago I used to glue these wheels

It would not stop breaking.