Why do these parts get everywhere?

[starwarsfanatic]

I don't really collect LEGO Technic and have never purchased or received a Tehnic/Model Team/Master Builder set in my life, but recently, whilst sorting through my LEGO collection for this part, I found I had a very large collection. I haven't found a single other part I have so many of in any colour, and would like to know why LEGO feels the need to put them in so many sets, especially large SW sets, as that is what I collect most of.

[Rick]

There's a discussion about technic in non-technic themes here.

[Blakbird]

I don't really collect LEGO Technic and have never purchased or received a Tehnic/Model Team/Master Builder set in my life, but recently, whilst sorting through my LEGO collection for this part, I found I had a very large collection. I haven't found a single other part I have so many of in any colour, and would like to know why LEGO feels the need to put them in so many sets, especially large SW sets, as that is what I collect most of.

Probably because that pin (Technic pin with friction and slots) is the primary method of attaching LEGO parts together other than using studs. Many System sets, including Star Wars, use a Technic frame for strength on the inside of the model, or use a few Technic links to have moving sections of the model. Invariably, these are held together with the part you mention.

By way of comparison, Peeron says I have over 50,000 of those parts.

[starwarsfanatic]

Whew! That makes my collection look like nothing. Seventy is a long way from 50,000!

[Milan]

50K

I have 500 of them, and never used them all at once!

Those parts are of essential importance when building with Technic bricks, with holes, like Blakbird explained.

[Captain Green Hair]

Because it is a very useful part perhaps?

[Parax]

Whew! That makes my collection look like nothing. Seventy is a long way from 50,000!

And these are my spares..

No I havent counted.. I guess about 3000 in there

I guess it raises an interesting question: Which is the most produced piece? I think this comes close.

Edited October 31, 2009 by Parax

[Jetro]

LOL I haven't even opened the bags that contain these parts in the last ... 10(?) sets I bought

[Burf2000]

I also got many thousands of them parts but I use them all the time!

[Dryw Filtiarn]

It's a very common part among all series Lego produces. And as said before, it's the common connector for a lot of things not connected by studs.

I have no clue how many I have personally, but I think I should be having around 10.000 of them. And YES I actually managed to run out of them at times (when I was too lazy taking things apart and sorting the parts again).