How many Brick Separators do you own?

[Rijkvv]

I have one that's grey. But i really feel that I should have 2.

For me the same.

[davee123]

I supposedly have 11+ of them, but it's the sort of thing that I can never find when I need it. Since it's more of a tool than a part, its home in my LEGO collection isn't in a nice little proper bin, but rather "wherever I'm building". As a result, they frequently get swept aside, covered up, or put into "to be sorted" piles. Some of the Master Builders in Enfield, CT actually drilled little holes in them, and then attached them to their belts using retractable strings. Very handy.

DaveE

[Big Cam]

I supposedly have 11+ of them, but it's the sort of thing that I can never find when I need it. Since it's more of a tool than a part, its home in my LEGO collection isn't in a nice little proper bin, but rather "wherever I'm building". As a result, they frequently get swept aside, covered up, or put into "to be sorted" piles. Some of the Master Builders in Enfield, CT actually drilled little holes in them, and then attached them to their belts using retractable strings. Very handy.

DaveE

And I thought I was a nerd.

[Captain Green Hair]

I have 1 dark grey one, i like it a lot but i am often looking for it.

[Destroydacre]

I've had a dark grey one for about 17 years now. It's definitely worn, but it still works fine and it's the only one I have. I really can't think of any instance where you would need more than one at the same time. I've never had problems locating mine either, I always keep it in the same place. Every Lego collector should have one though, imo.

Edited October 25, 2009 by Destroydacre

[Alice]

I have 2 green brick separators and I bought them after watching this video on Lego.com. Thanks Jamie Berard! My brick separators are used quite frequently. Prior to having brick separators, I used my nails and tore them up on my LEGO.

[RileyC]

I have one grey one. I dont really moc that often but its good for getting flats off baseplates without the use of teeth. The orange one sure does look purtey though

[JCC1004]

I just bought two in green. I have yet to try them out. They were a bit overpriced IMO.

[filip skywalker]

I have one in gray, I don't remember when I got it, but must be a while ago since it's in old gray. Judging by the bitemarks on my old pieces, I did'nt use it a lot back then then. But I was probably less than 7-8 years old back then, so don't judge me for that! I'm not an AFOL, I'm a TFOL... A TFOL with an A in english!

Edited October 26, 2009 by filip skywalker

[EllieMental]

I own ~10 or so. I misplaced my couple of grey ones, ordered some green ones from S@H and then shortly after bought a used bucket which contained... four! It was only a standard bucket, who needs that many for a bunch of standard bricks?

I don't believe they damage plates any more than regular use does. Without using brick separators, the risk is that you damage your waffled baseplates, and they're much more expensive to replace.

And yes, there are instances when two are necessary if you don't want to/can't use fingernails.

I think the simple answer to avoiding brick damage is to use separators, but only when necessary; that is, when the flesh of your hand can't do it.

[bamaker]

I own 1 grey brick separator, and I love it!

For the longest time I thought it was a pointless tool. Why spend money on a separator when God gave me teeth and fingernails? But I found one in my daughter's old LEGO sets (she has moved on to make-up and clothes -- even more expensive than my LEGO hobby) and discovered what a wonderful tool it is. Now I keep it nearby where I can get my hands on it in a matter of seconds if the need arises.

[GC8Monkey]

I own two green ones now. I misplaced one and bought another. Then I found the first one of course later on.

Best thing any lego builder could own. I don't know what I would do without it now.

[Big Cam]

I see 4 people have conjured up the orange separator.

Thanks fo rall the participation in this thread!

[Badsneaker]

I use them also to remove plates from baseplates mostly. Now if they could come up with something to remove flat tiles from baseplates....

[Rufus]

[statistics nerd] The poll needs an option for zero; otherwise only people who have them can enter. This biases your study! [/statistics nerd]

I am the proud owner of zero. If I have (say) two 1x2 plates stuck together, I use a larger plate (say 1x6) to separate them. But, having read this thread (and seeing the animation) I might just have to get me a couple!

[simonjedi]

I have one somewhere in my big box of lego.

when i first saw it I had no idea it was a brick separator, I just thought it was a giant flipper or something

[ciano]

I first got mine in a piece bucket my mom got me when I was four or five, which I believe was my first set. It was grey, and I didn't know what it was for years. It reminded me of a fishing pier for some reason.

[larry marak]

I was wondering about the orange brick separators too. I have over 20 of them, but they are K'nex brick separators, not Lego or Mega Blok brick separators.

[Big Cam]

[statistics nerd] The poll needs an option for zero; otherwise only people who have them can enter. This biases your study! [/statistics nerd]

I am the proud owner of zero. If I have (say) two 1x2 plates stuck together, I use a larger plate (say 1x6) to separate them. But, having read this thread (and seeing the animation) I might just have to get me a couple!

Your issue has been noted, diliberated and executed. Your zero option is up.

[Zorro]

Your issue has been noted, diliberated and executed. Your zero option is up.

I don't own one anymore since mine broke about a year ago. And I still need to select a color in your poll even though I selected the option that I don't own one (just making your life a little harder ).

[Big Cam]

I don't own one anymore since mine broke about a year ago. And I still need to select a color in your poll even though I selected the option that I don't own one (just making your life a little harder ).

Your crimes against the Queen will be dealt with in a swift and silent manner.

OK, Now I just sound silly. The polls just for fun, you can vote wrong if you want.

[filip skywalker]

OK, Now I just sound silly. The polls just for fun, you can vote wrong if you want.

"I do not own a brick separator. But so you all know, it's green..."

Your poll could probably use 1 (one) more option...

[Torax]

I'm afraid I don't have any. I can't count all the times I wished I had one. I have one now! I bought a big bunch of second hand LEGO at a garage sale, and I got one! I am so happy!

Too bad I can't change my vote...

Edited November 16, 2009 by Torax

[Shadows]

Finally getting around to responding here, though I voted previously.

5+, I think it's 7. All colours including 'orange' which is actually 'bright light orange', a non-production colour, meaning one that wasn't intended to exist but does. I collect parts in colours they were never officially released in for my Museum of the Absurd, so it was a natural for me.

The brick separator is a wonderful thing that should be owned by all. In pairs. They work much better in pairs.

Oh, and to address an earlier comment, I believe you can use the narrow end to remove tiles from baseplates, assuming they are the standard tile with groove and not the very old tile without groove. Personally, I've always managed it manually, but I'm fairly certain I've seen this done.

[larry marak]

Indeed, the Lego version of the brick separator has an edge specifically for removing tiles from plates.