I've always wanted an answer for this question. What are the biggest and smallest Lego parts? I honestly don't have a clue. I'd say the smallest id a 1X1 tile. As for the biggest, this is the largest part to my knowledge is the mega wheel. Can any Lego experts answer my question? Duplo parts don't count.

Edited November 28, 200915 yr by JCC1004

The smallest System piece is either the 1 x 1 round stud or the 1 x 1 tile, and the largest System piece has got to be the 50 x 50 baseplate.

I guess it depends on how you define big and small: dimensions or volume. Anyway: a coin (used for example in Pirates) is smaller than a 1 x 1 tile or round brick, but then again it comes on a sprue of four. As to the biggest: The ship hull in the latest City Harbor (7994) is pretty big.

I forgot about the base plates a boat hulls. As for the sizes I'd say both by dimension and volume. A 1X1 tile is smaller in size then a 1X1 stud. It uses less ABS. Anyone else have any ideas?

Edited November 28, 200915 yr by JCC1004

This is a pretty small part too.

Well, i think there was a bionicle part, which was very small (smaller than the 1x1 tile), only i can't remember which one it was..

Also the 1x1 flower is also pretty small .

The largest (in volume) are probably the 32 x 48 x 6 raised baseplates.

I'd say that the minifig hand is probably the smallest part.

Hmm...

If we're trying to measure the pieces by volume of ABS, a simple displacement test could be used to determine that.

Simply place a measured amount of water in a vessel (say, a graduated cylinder), and then add the part, making sure that it is completely submerged. Then measure the new water level, and from that determine the volume of water displaced, which will equal the volume of the part!

Merely debating the issue will only get us so far. If we wish to solve this mystery once and for all, we must employ empirical evidence!

Hmm...

If we're trying to measure the pieces by volume of ABS, a simple displacement test could be used to determine that.

Simply place a measured amount of water in a vessel (say, a graduated cylinder), and then add the part, making sure that it is completely submerged. Then measure the new water level, and from that determine the volume of water displaced, which will equal the volume of the part!

Merely debating the issue will only get us so far. If we wish to solve this mystery once and for all, we must employ empirical evidence!

You'd probably need a pretty small cylinder for that .

Irrespective of the size of the container that hold the water, I guess you would need a pretty accurate measuring device to measure the increase in volume due to the Lego element and especially differences in volume between the contestants for smallest Lego element.

Speaking of small parts and baseplates, has anyone seen this piece?

Speaking of small parts and baseplates, has anyone seen this piece?

That's the blue 32 x 32 baseplate thats been around for ages and will be re-released next year (this is the 2010 'box' art). But I absolutely fail to see how this relates to the topic.

That's the blue 32 x 32 baseplate thats been around for ages and will be re-released next year (this is the 2010 'box' art). But I absolutely fail to see how this relates to the topic.

Sorry, I haven't seen many of these parts, and some people at the beginning of this topic were talking about baseplates, so...

The smallest pice to me would be the clone wars helmet light.

Speaking of small parts and baseplates, has anyone seen this piece?

New piece? Or already came out?? I want these!

How about this part for the small category?

The biggest? Hmmm... Perhaps this one?

Smallest: probably this:

Biggest: I agree with Zorbas: this.

I agree with Zorba on the biggest, but I believe the smallest in volume may be this.

If we're trying to measure the pieces by volume of ABS, a simple displacement test could be used to determine that.

Displacement would work if plastic didn't float.

I agree with Zorba on the biggest, but I believe the smallest in volume may be this.

That small piece is equally as heavy as This coin.

That small piece is equally as heavy as This coin.

I said volume, not mass.

I said volume, not mass.

Oh, sorry. As much as I love science, those two never fail to confuse me.

Oh, sorry. As much as I love science, those two never fail to confuse me.

They are tied together by density. If the plastics all pieces were made of were identical then we could assume that if one piece had a greater mass, then it would also have a greater volume. But obviously Lego doesn't use the same plastics for everything so that comparison can't be made.

But as others have said, without testing, it is very hard to tell which pieces have the largest and smallest volumes.

Smallest piece might go to a flower pedal. In fact, the one that comes with the Winter Toy Shop is actually a brick. If it's any piece, then the old one that goes through the three flower stems is probably even smaller.

There are plenty of large pieces. Baseplates, ship hulls, dinosaur bodies, flying wings...

Wait a second...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but could it be assumed that the density of ABS plastic is consistent throughout all Lego pieces?

If so, then one could merely weigh the pieces in question. If the density is consistent, then the mass of the piece should be directly proportional to the volume of the piece, and therefore it's "size".

Does anyone concur?

(Though this would require a scale more accurate than any I have access too... )

As Destoydacre said:

But obviously Lego doesn't use the same plastics for everything so that comparison can't be made.

I don't know however if the difference in density is sufficient to render a conclusion based on weight useless...

Science nerd wanted!

Edited November 29, 200915 yr by Rick