How do i make Lego turnstiles?

[Ambo100]

Has anyone attempted to make full Lego turnstiles like these?

Could anybody give me some advice on how to build them, in mini-figure scale?

[JopieK]

Maybe using this?

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=48723

[Ambo100]

Maybe using this?

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=48723

That looks great

Unfortunately I don't have any of those parts but I might buy them.

[DLuders]

You could insert a long Technic Axle through the center of some 32125 "Technic, Plate Rotor 3 Blade with Smooth Ends and 6 Studs (Propeller)" pieces ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=32125 ), then mount long 1x Lego Plates onto the three "arms". You'll need some 6538c "Technic, Axle Connector (Smooth with x hole + orientation)" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6538c ) to stack the assemblies on top of each other.

[lightningtiger]

Well here's the base........

and this completes the turnstile.......

Same trick used in the 7997 train station.

I'm a conformist! !

Edited May 20, 2010 by lightningtiger

[Davey]

You might also try this as the center of your turnstile.

Good luck!

-Davey

[DLuders]

Yes, the part that Davey identified above is the 57585 "Technic, Axle Connector Hub with 3 Axles" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=57585 ). If you attach 3 ea. of the 6538c "Technic, Axle Connector (Smooth with x hole + orientation)" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6538c ) pieces I mentioned in my previous post, you have the option of attaching Technic Axle "spokes" to the ends to form the round turnstile bars.

[Ambo100]

Yes, the part that Davey identified above is the 57585 "Technic, Axle Connector Hub with 3 Axles" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=57585 ). If you attach 3 ea. of the 6538c "Technic, Axle Connector (Smooth with x hole + orientation)" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6538c ) pieces I mentioned in my previous post, you have the option of attaching Technic Axle "spokes" to the ends to form the round turnstile bars.

That's what I had in mind but thanks

All I need to know now is how to make the turnstile only turn one way

[Peppermint_M]

Do as the real ones do and have a part to block its movement in that direction.

clipping one of them in place would be unobtrusive and effective.

They are no great technical feat in steel, so why make it hard in Lego?

[DLuders]

The T-shaped piece that Peppermint_M suggested is the 4696b "Pneumatic T Piece New Style (T Bar)" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4696b ). The old style piece 4696a could work too.

Edited May 22, 2010 by dluders

[Ambo100]

I'm not quite sure how you would use the 4696b piece

[DLuders]

You could make the ratchet (anti-reverse) gear mechanism like this: http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/roboti...a/ratchet.shtml or http://thenxtstep.com/smf/index.php?topic=825.0 . Since the gear will be flat on the floor, gravity can't help you so use a rubber band to keep the ratchet on the gear teeth.

Edited May 22, 2010 by dluders

[Mr. Lego-builder]

What an interesting building question! After having thought it over for some time, I've decided to give my two cents. Again, like the previously proposed solutions, my idea also heavily relies on the use of Technic pieces. I've included a LDD file of a mockup that I've built by using your pictures as a reference. The file can be found here. Within it are screenshot explanations of the ratchet system.

The main turnstile is built using the previously suggested combination proposed by dluders. The other parts used are self explanatory, but it's best to read the information on the anti-reverse system:

I though about the use of gears for the anti-ratchet system, but as I am a System suited builder, I came up with another solution that you can check out in the LDD file. My solution works like this. The Technic Axle Connector with Technic Axle is attached to a 1x2 Brick with Pin, which allows it to swing freely in one direction, and return to its natural position with every pass of the bar. However, it cannot spin in the other direction since it is being stopped by a 1x2 Tile placed 90 degrees on 1x2 Brick with Studs on Side when the bars of the turnstile hit it in reverse.

The turnstile is contained within a 16x16 area, which makes it easy to place and repeat.

As a final word of warning: I have not tried to build this in real life. Although LDD is pretty good with simulating real LEGO connections, its best to test it out first.

P.S. The red bricks included are for a new turnstile design that I played around with but ultimately didn't work out too well. Maybe it can be used as inspiration for future projects, perhaps?

[Ambo100]

@dluders, Thanks for the site! I'm sure it will be useful for future refrence

@mr. lego_bildur

Wow, That's just what i was looking for, thanks for taking the time to build it.

Even if it doesn't work in real life I can always change a few things. I've attempted to restyle it to match the rest of my building and removed parts that can't be bought. (I can buy them off bricklink anyway)

Edited May 22, 2010 by Ambo100

[squiz]

what are you building out of interest ?

[Ambo100]

what are you building out of interest ?

A minifigure scale, High Entrance/Exit Turnstile (HEET)

[Brickhead1]

Thanks this was such a great help!!!