Slot in headlight brick: crack stopper?

[badbob001]

I've noticed that headlight bricks very easily develop a hairline crack from the front bottom edge. Most headlight bricks also have a slot cut right above that problematic edge. Is the purpose of the cut to keep the crack from propagating further? If so, I'm not sure how I should feel about the bag of cracked headlight bricks that I have and if I should re-integrate them back into my builds.

Why doesn't LEGO have a strong companion (not replacement) version of the headlight brick where the SNOT stud is not indented and thus keeps the bottom thicker and sturdier? I know there are bricks with the stud on the side but they lack the hole on the opposite side.

[jodawill]

Are you taking about the cheese wedge pieces?

[beatpoet]

I'd assume he means one of these:

[weavil]

That the one. I have some that are cracked also. I say get some new pieces for exterior and the cracked ones for out of sight use. That's what I do with mine.

[naf]

Why doesn't LEGO have a strong companion (not replacement) version of the headlight brick where the SNOT stud is not indented and thus keeps the bottom thicker and sturdier? I know there are bricks with the stud on the side but they lack the hole on the opposite side.

They do have one, it's a normal 1x1 brick with 1 snot stud (they also have 2, 3, and 4 snot stud varieties: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=87087

I have some cracked headlight bricks, but some some seem to be sturdier than others. I have headlights from the 80's that were heavily played with and are not cracked, and I have headlights I got in sets a year ago that have developed a crack. I still use them, the cracks don't seem to affect the clutch power of this piece.

[antp]

They do have one, it's a normal 1x1 brick with 1 snot stud (they also have 2, 3, and 4 snot stud varieties: http://www.bricklink...tem.asp?P=87087

There was a second part to his post:

"I know there are bricks with the stud on the side but they lack the hole on the opposite side."

Indeed the headlight brick often cracks, and unlike some other parts that's a problem that existed since long time, as those that I have which cracked are rather old ones than recent ones (mostly due by playing, not all cracked by themselves though).

The part is too useful to be discarded despite this problem, unlike other parts they modified/discarded due to their fragility.

Edited April 8, 2014 by antp

[badbob001]

So the slot serves no other purpose? Like to hold a cardboard piece or some obscure clip on? Then basically it's a sign that LEGO has given up on preventing the cracks and is just trying to limit complaints. I wonder if the plastic has gotten weaker (I've had some that cracked out of the box), or I didn't really check when I was a child, or certain colors are weaker (there are certainly more colors now than in the past).

[Rick]

The slot seems to be inherent to the design of the element. There's no room left for the plastic next to the stud from a piece that locks into a headlight brick from below.

[naf]

There was a second part to his post:

"I know there are bricks with the stud on the side but they lack the hole on the opposite side."

Yes, that's what I get when posting late at night with one eye open!

The headlights are common enough that I just replace them if they crack. As posted above, I don't notice any loss of clutch power with the cracked ones, so I don't even notice it unless I look very close.

[GregoryBrick]

Then basically it's a sign that LEGO has given up on preventing the cracks and is just trying to limit complaints.

I wouldn't call it 'giving up'. It's quite possible they've tried all the angles they can think of and this is the optimal solution. They could just retire the part, but I doubt that would be the best approach.

Rick pointed out that the slot is necessary - I'm looking at them now and it sure does seem like the slot is the result of making room for a knob underneath, rather than something added to the element after the fact¹. Older headlight elements didn't have the slot, but that could be because they had undesirable tolerances, or the plastic is so thin in that area that it was better to not have it there to begin with. Or something else.

¹I know they're molded all at once; by 'after the fact' I mean as a design choice.

[badbob001]

Actually, looking at my cracked headlight bricks, most of them are cracked on the opposite side of the slot, which means the slot is probably there for reasons unrelated to cracks. If there exists a stronger type of plastic than ABS, then I suggest they make all the headlight bricks (and other fragile pieces) with it.