LEGO has designed a set that can't be taken apart

Posted by ,

Traditionally, LEGO sets are designed to be assembled and, should you wish, taken apart to allow you to use the pieces for your own creations.

However, the company's latest release, 75313 AT-AT, has broken from this tradition and some sub-assemblies within it are impossible to dismantle without resorting to using sharp metal implements.

The Technic frames introduced in 2009 are versatile elements that help create sturdy models. However, they have to be used with care because it's possible to connect elements to them in a way that cannot be dismantled.

For example, if you were to position one of these...

...inside a frame across the width, then insert two 2l axles through the adjacent holes, it is impossible to get it out again. Designers of Technic sets know this, and I cannot think of one instance where such a problem has arisen in an official set. However, an issue seems to have slipped through the net in 75313 AT-AT.

Take a look at the following, which is part of the walker's legs. The orange pin is inserted into the end centre hole, then an axle connector is attached to it. No problems so far.

Then, a green pin connector is positioned in the gap to the left of the axle connector before a 4l axle is pushed through it.

As a result, the assembly cannot be dismantled conventionally: there is only one way to do it. The green pin connector has a slit in it large enough for a knife blade. It's just about possible to use one to move the 4l axle fractionally, just enough to grip the end of it. However, it comes at the cost of damaging the axle.

And that's not all... When it comes to attaching the body to the underframe, axles are inserted into holes in the side and, while they do not mate with an axle hole inside the body, they cannot be removed without putting the mechanised beast on its side, shaking it, and hoping for the best.

This is not something I'd expect to see in a flagship £700 set. Is this an isolated example or have you noticed similar problems in the sets you've built recently?

Thanks to merman for bringing this to my attention.

310 likes

Related articles

Return to home page »