Alternative Parts for Soft Axles

[jonwil]

The 11L in red is selling on BL for as low as 15c

The one that seems to be the most expensive (out of the ones used in the 8448 anyway) is the 14L

Just looking at the prices of those 14L axles and some other parts from the 8448, I am so glad I bought the 8448 back in the day (it was the set that brought me out of my dark ages actually :)

[UniverseBoy]

I think the best option for those red parts are:

- pneamatic hoses

- supercar 8070 set, useful if you want some spare parts to

[jantjeuh]

8070 doesn't have the 14L soft axles, the most expensive ones. The 11L soft axles are cheap yes, but also hard to get in larger quantities.

[Kumbbl]

well, as already said, the 14L red soft axles are the problem ... they are only in the cars:

- 8448: 1

- 8653 (Ferrari Enzo): 2

- 8145 (Ferrari): 4

Luckily i have 9 of them (1 8448, 2 Enzo, one 8145).. but look at this calculation:

In germany currently there is only one seller which offers them: 20€ per piece

In EU the cheapest one is ~ 10€

So i would recommend to look at used sets of 8653 or 8145 - the latter one is more expensive but if you are patient you can get it without box for about 80 - 90€ (at least half of the prize you would have to pay for bricklinking 4 of the soft axles) - the enzo is even cheaper: at least in germany you can catch one for about 50 to 60€ - if you are patient...

Do this! because you will get these very rare axles.

If you need the red angle #3 connector look at a used 8448 - it contains 10 (in addition to 1 14L red soft axle) - this old supercars are quite cheap to get - at least here in germany - if you are a little patient you can get one for about 50€... but also the 8070 supercar contains 6 of them (but no 14L axles)...

to make a long story short: for these MOCs which use exzessivly red 14L axles and red #3 connectors it could be wise to look for one or more of these red supercars (incl. the Ferraris) instead of bricklinking them... you will get a lot of useful panels or other spare parts in addition..

Just my 2 cts

[Sheepo]

After some days waiting, yesterday I received all these hoses:

In all of them the feel is almost exactly than the Lego pneumatic hoses

I will check one by one:

Red

Very close color. The silicone is slightly transparent, so if there are many light in the room you can see a light tone difference.

Compared with the red soft axles. Like the solid parts very close to the official parts.

Yellow

Same case as the red. It is very close to the Lego color. The silicone is slightly transparent, so if there are many light in the room you can see a light tone difference.

White

This is the worse hose color. It is not too bad, but the hose color is clearly lighter than the Lego white

Closer

Light Bluish Gray (LBG)

I bougth it thinking that this color will be the same as the Lego pneumatic tube LBG, but it is not exactly the same

It is really well done and more accurate than the Lego official

Here a comparison with official Lego hose from 8110 set (top) and this aftermarket hose(bottom). The Lego official is slightly lighter

Dark Bluish Gray (DBG)

This is my favourite color of all these hoses. For me it is just perfect. Exactly the same color and solid(not slightly transparent like red or yellow)

I hope this can be usefull for all of you.

[Paul Boratko]

I think at one point I had over 100 size 14 flexi axles and probably at least 300 #3 connectors...

well, as already said, the 14L red soft axles are the problem ... they are only in the cars:

- 8448: 1

- 8653 (Ferrari Enzo): 2

- 8145 (Ferrari): 4

More than just those cars have that part in red.

Edited May 10, 2014 by Paul Boratko

[Sheepo]

So, You are the guilty of the shortage red soft axles in BL!!!

Just joking :wink:

[Paul Boratko]

LOL.. No.. I would say maybe 2 or 3 years ago I had that many... I have like Four size 14 axles and maybe 10 #3 connectors now...

I know I bought 75 size 14 axles for like .40 cents each from a seller in Germany back in 2012... They were plentiful back then...

I am sure they will return at some point...

I Just wish Lego would make parts packs with every size flex axle and every style of new panel in various colors.. 2 of each axle and 2 of each panel.. They could sell a ton of these...

[Appie]

White

This is the worse hose color. It is not too bad, but the hose color is clearly lighter than the Lego white

[...]

Closer

I never actually noticed this on my model until you now pointed it out lol. Maybe I have a slightly less "brighter than Lego white" hose than you, but the difference isn't as big here.

I might be biased, but I don't find it as offensive as you make it seem. If I'd nag about this I might as well nag about the differences in colours of blue on Lego produced parts also in my model. Transparant on the other hand is worse imo, difference really shows in the light, I had to replace those.

Anyway thanks for testing them, guess your next model is going to be DBG?

Edited May 10, 2014 by Appie

[Rishab N]

could we get a DBG reventon as your next model

[dragofoscar]

@sheepo

Wher did you get the hoses?

I think it is a fine alternative.

Grtz

[aol000xw]

@sheepo

Wher did you get the hoses?

I think it is a fine alternative.

Grtz

This

[Sheepo]

I never actually noticed this on my model until you now pointed it out lol. Maybe I have a slightly less "brighter than Lego white" hose than you, but the difference isn't as big here.

I might be biased, but I don't find it as offensive as you make it seem. If I'd nag about this I might as well nag about the differences in colours of blue on Lego produced parts also in my model. Transparant on the other hand is worse imo, difference really shows in the light, I had to replace those.

Anyway thanks for testing them, guess your next model is going to be DBG?

I have never said that the white hoses be offensive!! I only told that they are the worse of all colors I have bought. Actually it is not bad color!!

I never talk about my next model, but probably it will not be DBG ;)

@sheepo

Wher did you get the hoses?

I think it is a fine alternative.

Grtz

I am not sure if I can put the link here, but if it is not correctly, plese delete it:

http://blokbricks.com/contents/en-us/d2.html

[Appie]

I have never said that the white hoses be offensive!! I only told that they are the worse of all colors I have bought. Actually it is not bad color!!

That's cool, I just didn't agree, opinions may vary :)

And was just a little joke about the DBG since that one seemed to match the best with Lego, I understand you want to keep it under wraps until the reveal.

[Balrog]

Sheepo I think you are to blame a bit that prices for these connectors and the 14L soft-axles exploded. Not that I blame you or anything like that

It's just that the Mustang generated a lot of interest and request into these parts. Just the same as some of Crowkillers models did.

I think the idea with pneumatic tubing is fine. The original pneumatic tubing was meant to be cut, so why not get "replacement" parts and cut them to the needed length. When building a MOC with pneumatic functions, one probably has never the proper length in original hoses and nobody cares there about custom cut hoses. So I would deem this legit enough to use as body part as well, as long as it could be built with original parts (apart from color), too.

[Sheepo]

I think the same as you, I think Crowkillers and me are the main guily behind the lack of some red pieces

And even worse, the problem will be bigger and bigger every new year...

[rumpletump]

Well I have just collected all the bits I need for a black vampire gt (except the 4 @ 19L black flex axles grr) so I was planning to use some of the pneumatic tube instead and see how it looks.

The more recent blacker pneumatic tubing from Lego I hope will be a close enough match..

Not sure if I would be able to use colors that don't come standard in official sets though...hmmmmmm.

[moscuLe]

Ok, that is what I thought. So now you will also need another part to be used.

I guess you and the other car guys are going to have to have to really start getting creative and not use them or not use as many of them. That is if you want to produce instructions.

There is always those cheap Chinese knock off Ferrari sets of the 599 GTB. That one has many red soft axles in all sizes. With the insane prices on bricklink, I wouldn't be surprised to see parts from this making their way into the system.

I email this guy to see if he can sell just the hoses. He sound interested. We'll see.