Slowly Disappearing Technic Parts

[DrJB]

I've amassed a large number of technic parts over the years. But still, every now and then I find myself in need of large numbers of specific parts. While shopping on Bricklink lately, I've noticed that there is a smaller/shrinking selection of these connectors, especially in other colors than monochromatic (white/black/gray)

These connectors are rather unique in providing multiple options for connection angles. Yet, with the advent of panels we see less and less of them. I personally never liked too much the 'paneled' looks of recent Technic sets, but it did not bother me much. If however such panels come at the expense of connectors, then ... ?

Should technic revert to the 8448 style? Not necessarily, but a balanced look where both panels and connectors 'co-exist' would be an ideal balance, as in the 'other' red car 8070.

Some Statistics to illustrate the point:

Number of Connectors / Total Parts / %

8448: 98 / 1437 / 6.8%

8070: 42 / 1281 / 3.28 %

Porsche: 56 / 2704 / 2.07 %

Edited April 8, 2017 by DrJB

[Erik Leppen]

Good observation.

I think the problem is not so much that there are fewer individual angle connectors in colors, but that it's a rare case that all six connectors exist in one single color. In my collection thd largest amounct of colored angle connectors is still the red ones from 8448. Even in a color as ubiquitous as yellow, I am still missing #2 and #4, and I only have a few #3 and #5. For white, #3 and #4 are missing and #5 and #6 rare. I often need to use grey or black connectors as placeholders.

In many sers, panels and some beams are about thd only colored parts. (42064 has 24 dark blue parts: 5 beams and 19 panels.  Zero connectors.) Connectors are now usually in a neutral color such as black or grey, with few large parts defining the color. I think it's a shame. I like panels, but I prefer a variety of parts in a single color in a set.

[Leonardo da Bricki]

I too have noticed this. If connectors are in a set, there are usually 2 or 4 of them in an obscure color, an example is #4 connectors in med. blue or med. azure. Otherwise, it is usually black/light bley #1, #2, and #6.

Panels are also being used more and more to get a "completed" look, with fewer gaps, though that isn't always the case. And they are usually the brightly colored parts now, paired with black/blry beams, yet there is the exception of axles.

[legosamigos]

F.e. I need a lot of these connectors in yellow

, but unfortunatelly there are only 34 connectors on BL. I hope, that one day Lego will reactivate this connector in yellow

[DrJB]

I know what you mean. I have only 4 of such part (in yellow). Too few to build anything useful, too precious to give away :( 

[OneMoreRobot]

Nice to alert the world about this dilemma, I just completed a project that required 30/pcs #2 connector in yellow - wow that was an ordeal gathering them from all over the globe.

Good to see TLG do monitor the used parts / price situation and occasionally release a part that has become hugely expensive - I highlight #3 connector in red on 42065, #4 connector in white on 75115 & 19L Flex axle in Black on 42052.....

TLG could win a lot of AFOL friends by adding some 'out of production colours' whenever a connector mold is in production.

[Erik Leppen]

If I were to say it, TLC should release "color packs" with a variety of parts in a single color, for all main colors used in Technic. I wouldn't care if it was €0.20 per part. Problem: the scarcity of parts in a certain color is probably par of their business model... (for proof, see all rare-colored sets)

[DrJB]

Agreed. They did some 'parts pack' in the past, but I have not seen any lately. The only set (I felt) was intended to 'replenish' the supply of red parts was the customized truck 42029. There, we got (few) connectors, frames, panels, suspension parts .... a MOCer dream come true. I hope they do read/monitor these threads and help us out.

Edited April 9, 2017 by DrJB

[dr_spock]

LEGO Education still sells some replacement parts packs like the old Service Packs of days gone by.  They don't seem to be rare colours though.

[TechnicRCRacer]

In terms of another part, the shock absorber soft spring is barely in any sets, appearing once in 2016 and once in 2017.