Over the years, there have been many sets with unique parts. The 8448 got quite a few (wheel, tire, rack, hub, ...). Of the many inventory tools out there (peeron, bricklink) none lists the parts that are unique to any given specific set. That would be, IMHO, a rather simple feature to implement. Any thoughts?

8450 - Black Flex Axle 19L

That would be pretty cool.

That would be useful, but the only way to implement such a thing is to have a tool that already has the inventory of all sets. That's the only way you can know which parts are unique. And of course that can change when a new set comes out. A part which was unique may cease to be if it is released in something else. We are all hoping that happens to the 1x6 thin liftarm in yellow and the #4 angle connector in yellow. Of course, these parts are only unique in that color. A far smaller number of parts are totally unique. In general, LEGO would never produce molds for only one model.

That would be useful, but the only way to implement such a thing is to have a tool that already has the inventory of all sets. That's the only way you can know which parts are unique. And of course that can change when a new set comes out. A part which was unique may cease to be if it is released in something else.

That's true but it should be possible to achieve with some SQL statements over one database like BrickLink.

Then it would produce updated results as the new inventories get introduced.

BrickLink already produces some weird reports, namely on 'Item Relationships' (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogRel.asp). Probably not all based queries, but some should be.

Would be a nice feature for Rebrickable as well...

I think it may be fairly easy given all the information already stored in the Rebrickable database.

In general, LEGO would never produce molds for only one model.

In general I agree, but there have quite a few exceptions. I can name the 8448, the 8880 transmission lever, and several bionicle and starwars sets. Not sure what the motivation is to use molds fora single set only ... unless it is TLG's way to increase value of their sets. Nothing to be gained for them though, as they do not benefit directly from such value increase ... maybe only through image/brand recognition.

In general, LEGO would never produce molds for only one model.

...anymore. They have done so in the past.

But, out of curiosity - why would anyone want to know (except, out of curiosity)?

Not sure what the motivation is to use molds fora single set only

I think with 8880 it is easily explained: the part in question opens up a unique new functionality that was a core aspect of that set. Newer gearbox selector parts were only designed after the set came out.

I'm guessing for 8448 it is similar, although the wheels mostly just add to the "coolness factor" of the set.

I understand the things like wheels for the 8448 and 19L black flex axles, but some of the unique parts for Star Wars, Chima, etc. seem kind of pointless.

Kinda OT, but I really think there should be some studless gear selector plates for the 8880 stick shift. That thing is really awesome and much more realistic than the newer parts.

Interesting topic...

Ferrari Wheel Covers (Enzo, 599)

I would like to see such an overview or report

8420- Rims and tyres

8110 tires and orange 5x11 panels

41999 dark blue parts, wheels, and licence plate

8258 red 5x11 panels

8285 metallic silver wheels

8264 yellow wheels

I appears Rebrickable might have the closest tool to what we're after. In effect, everytime you load a parts list, Rebrickable tells you about 'rare' parts i.e., those that showed up in fewer than five sets. Thinking of this further, one can easily build a three dimensional matrix. The three coordinates are Set #, part #, then color. That matrix would have as many rows as there are parts, as many columns as there are sets, and as many 'layers' as there are colors. It is then a very simple task to scan across any 'dimension' and obtain all relevant information. Each entry in such 3D matrix would be the number of parts of a given color in a very specific set. This would be a very sparse matrix (many zeros) except perhaps for the 'nails and bolts' columns discussed in a different thread. It should be very easy to code the whole thing in Matlab ... any takers?

Over the years, there have been many sets with unique parts. The 8448 got quite a few (wheel, tire, rack, hub, ...). Of the many inventory tools out there (peeron, bricklink) none lists the parts that are unique to any given specific set. That would be, IMHO, a rather simple feature to implement. Any thoughts?

That's true but it should be possible to achieve with some SQL statements over one database like BrickLink.

Then it would produce updated results as the new inventories get introduced.

BrickLink already produces some weird reports, namely on 'Item Relationships' (http://www.bricklink.../catalogRel.asp). Probably not all based queries, but some should be.

I believe the new owner of BrickLink is soliciting ideas for changes, and as Conchas said this should be a simple one to implement. If you want it as a feature, now is a good time to contact BrickLink about it.

I've been meaning to provide a full download of all set inventories from Rebrickable, but haven't found the time. I will prioritise it and hopefully have something available in the next day or two.

I appears Rebrickable might have the closest tool to what we're after. In effect, everytime you load a parts list, Rebrickable tells you about 'rare' parts i.e., those that showed up in fewer than five sets.

If it is possible to tell about rare parts (number of sets less than five?) it should also be possible to tell about unique parts (number of sets equal to one).

If it is possible to tell about rare parts (number of sets less than five?) it should also be possible to tell about unique parts (number of sets equal to one).

Thank you, that is exactly my point. I am sure the 3D 'matrix' I refer to above is readily available for data mining. Writing code to process such data and extract all sorts of statistics would be a real fun project. The still open question would be who has the largest and most accurate set inventories out there? Would be nice if such data was made public and in one place though, one could easily wrtite a script that goes through all of peeron's sets and build such 3D matrix ...

Imagine, all the statistics one can build from such 3D matrix, I can get the set weight, the average price per part, or even back calculate or estimate the pricing structure TLG uses for their sets ... That would sure be a fun project.

I've been meaning to provide a full download of all set inventories from Rebrickable, but haven't found the time. I will prioritise it and hopefully have something available in the next day or two.

That would be very kind of you if you could do so ... a full database would provide a plethora of information.

OK, done. You can download the full inventories for every set I have in the database from here: http://rebrickable.com/downloads

I always imagined myself doing some great analysis through all that data but somehow never find the time. I expect someone here to do something awesome with it :)

9398 servomotor

9398 servomotor

That's debatable

8473 - orange 1x9 thick liftarm

8473 - orange 1x11 thick liftarm

8473 - orange axle and pin connector angled #2

Had to buy those for Jurgen's Zorex-220.. ouch :D Worth it though, love that orange colour.

One more:

8651 - light bluish gray axle and pin connector angled #4

Needed for Sheepo's Defender.

Edited September 19, 201311 yr by jantjeuh

First time I see the 8473

It's a very ugly set but it has some very nice parts

How about the blue pneumatic shunt pieces in 8110?