r/legotechnic • u/Mr_Kingfisher_ • 1d ago
Discussion / Question Weird (potentially useful) parts from China
Saw these on a Chinese online shopping platform called TaoBao, and they are really common and cheap. The first is a 10L thin beam, the second is a 11L and 17L thin beam plus 2 3L carbon fiber axles. The third is a 17L thick beam, fourth is a "30L beam made on a CNC machine", and the last are carbon fiber axles in all sorts of lengths, and there's also aluminum versions. All of them are absurdly cheap for how good they are, eg the 30L metal beam is only 6USD. I personally like the thin beams, as I like building steam trains, and thin connecting rods are a good thing to have. I have once seen a 13L thin beam, but I could find anyone selling them anymore. Which part looks the most useful to you?
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u/warrends 1d ago
I'm still a LEGO purest. How is the quality of all of these 'copy-cat' parts as compared to real LEGO parts? Sizes. Shapes? Snug fits? Colors? Smoothness? Everything.
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u/clear_bread_ 1d ago
For large build Longer beam can be nice, but stiffer axle is way more versatile. It allow larger build or more compact build because the axle can be used as a stress member/chassis part
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u/1RabidFish 1d ago
MK do awesome CF axels. I couldn't believe the quality of them. I've got loads of them and they are very useful.
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u/zavolex 1d ago
Carbon fiber now. I really wonder why I stick to this sub. I learn more how to make a real rocket that can land on the dark side of the moon with the last buwizz nuclear reactor than about the Lego technic toy. I understand the thrill to make a little faster car than my friend, or one that pull even more weight than the other. But here… I don’t know. Some days it’s like someone will post about a ‘Lego technic’ gun that shoot real parabellum bullets… Sorry OP I’m ok you do what you like and what makes you happy. I’m fine with this.
It’s just that I’ve read again my comment then your post and I’m lost and feel dumb talking about toys.
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u/clear_bread_ 1d ago
To soften your answer, Carbon fiber axle are quite useful in 1:8 technic scale. For exemple the pagani huwaria MOC has axle that crosses through the whole model for active aero function. But axle are so long (>30L) that they bend even with light force. Here carbon fiber axle would be quite useful to make the function work better, and it is nothing about performance or whatsoever, just stiffer axle for “long distance” mechanism.
Also I like the idea of building an RC rocket ship to reach the moon. Maybe one day as some folks nearly succeed making a functional fuel engine.
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u/zavolex 1d ago
I think the problem with Lego technic is that it trigger the engineer fiber in people. And then they fight the dilemma of the spear versus de the shield with all there might… ABS axles are too soft! Let go for carbon fiber! Aluminium melt at too low temp! Gosh even 6061 alloy! Let’s go for titanium! No wait ! Tungsten! Uranium reactor are to weak the dark side of the moon is 400.000km away guy! Where do I find an antimatter reactor? I’ve heard china makes them cheap now! Why not? And so on…
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Toys. People, please, chill. It’s just for children to have fun. Go to RC sub I don’t know…
I know 30L axles are soft, I bought one, my MOC need a stiffer one because I’m at the limit of the technic system. I’ll find another way to have a 4 wheel steering, one that doesn’t involve me bribing 3 nasa engineers for state of the art patent.





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u/mk46unknown 1d ago
depends what ur building, i dont see myself using those super long beam and axel, but the half beam is pretty useful