Question about 3184/3183 ball-socket setup

[jcmeyer5]

I am designing a MOC in LDD. I want to use these bricks, but I dont know if they hold their position. Basically, I need to make hip joints (and shoulder joints) and in a limited space (recessed into the model). These are perfect (and I already have the model built around them) IF they hold their position... meaning if I rotate the limb in question to a certain position, it will stay there. Does anyone know if they do that, or are they free moving?

EDIT: I should say that I am building it in LDD right now, but I intend to build it for real once the design is done.

Edited July 14, 2013 by jcmeyer5

[Gnac]

Unfortunately, these parts are very loose in reality - they're typically used to connect all such as trailers to vehicles, and need to be able to move freely.

[jcmeyer5]

Okay thanks. I will find another design to use (already have one in mind). If I have some pieces lying around, I might try the superglue trick. Put a drop of superglue in the socket, let it dry, then assemble. It should tighten the part up.

Edited July 15, 2013 by jcmeyer5

[Alasdair Ryan]

Try looking in the 'Bionicle section' those parts move more 'firmly' than the tow-ball joints.

[Aanchir]

I believe the style of ball joint used in part 3184 has more friction if instead of using it with a proper socket like 3183, you use it with a double clip like 60470. However, depending on the size and weight of your model, it still may not be enough friction to support your model.

[Superkalle]

I just tried with a 60470 and I found the connection to be quite loose. And it comes off very easily.

I did notice it can connect in LDD, but I wonder if that's not a mistake?

[Aanchir]

I just tried with a 60470 and I found the connection to be quite loose. And it comes off very easily.

I did notice it can connect in LDD, but I wonder if that's not a mistake?

Nope. It's been used in some sets, including one of the Coast Guard sets coming out this year. In the original "Stressing the Elements" PDF by Jamie Berard about illegal connections, it was described as "Possibly legal, but not recommended" because it would take two plates out of system. But the catamaran sailboat in this set demonstrates that this is apparently not an issue if you're using this connection between two parts that are NOT both plates. The main box image even shows the mast attached ONLY by that point, although when the sailboat is in an operable condition the mast would also be attached with a clip.

The fact that this very non-traditional connection has been used in a recent set AND programmed into LDD suggests to me that it has been confirmed as a legal connection. Illegal connections do slip into sets from time to time, but those two factors combined seem like it'd be unlikely to be a mistake or a sneaky bypass of regular LEGO design standards.

Edited July 15, 2013 by Aanchir

[Superkalle]

My question/concern was not so much that it takes the plates out of system (even though that is true too, but I honestly didnt' think about it), but that the connection doesn't hold together very well. I tried with a whole bunch of ball-joint elements and together with the 60470 and they are all loose. However, the 30350 I tried had a much better connection. So in that sense it may be regarded as illegal because the tolerenace/grip cannot be guaranteed with all "double clip" elements.

(and for some reasons, the 30350 connection does not work in LDD )

What Coast Guard set was it?

[Classicsmiley]

http://www.brickset....il/?Set=60013-1 Coast Guard Helicopter

[Superkalle]

Thanks for the pic Classicsmiley.

Now it makes more sense, since the connection has been stabilized with a 4085