My question is regarding the hend-held accessories for the minifigs that are coming out lately: why is there a disparity in the diameter/size of these things? Case in point would be the Spartan shield and spear. The shield slips in smoothly while the spear is quite stouter, so to speak. I’ve had broken minifig hands before, and I really don’t wont to add to anymore to those. Even if the collectible figs are made in China, maybe something could be done to improve this and make all rounded, hand-held stuff to be of similar diameter.

Many thanks!

Comparing pieces in my collection, it looks like the pieces that have the part and mold information printed in the shallow end near the tip look good. The pieces that have the part and mold information printed in the deep end near the studs have the issue.

polycarbonate is pretty much some of the plastics falling under no. 7. the number 7 other refers to plastics that contain resin.

i went ahead and pulled up wiki for you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

Weird, I never noticed Lego having a recycling symbol on there before.
But on Wikipedia it says No. 7 is “Other (often polycarbonate or ABS)”

On the question about the trap door, I think that is simply a matter of LEGO having two types of mold for the same part. Occasionally they make slight changes to a part that are not strictly functional, but are done to, for example, make the part stronger. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any reason at all for the change. Usually when a change is made, for a period of time a set might contain one part or the other, since they are sent to and then distributed from the same bins/containers. Anyways, Bricklink often distinguishes parts that LEGO considers to be the “same” part.

as noted on the back of the series 2 and 3 minifigs, they are made out of plastic no.7. ( i cant noted series 1, as i no longer have the packaging for those right now on hand)

plastic no.7 as we know, contains BPA. why is lego using these plastics to make the new minifigs? (also noted, that on boxes of legos in general, places where the parts are made are written, such as DENMARK, UNITED KINGDOM, CZECH REPUBLIC, etc. the back of the minifigs packaging, only reads “components made in CHINA.” i’m wondering if thats a factor, as they have been known to put lead paint in mattel products worries me as i get older, as i do want to share legos with the next generation.)

However, the fact that I never noticed and had to look really closely means I don’t really care all that much, unless it results in physically weaker elements.

Most specifically, the amount of dye in the ABS used for the legs is lower than the amount used in standard figs, and as such, the legs are nearly translucent. As a comparison, hold two dark tan legs (one from a Collectible minifig and one from something like Indiana Jones) up to a light.

In General Grievous Starfighter, the 2009 version, Grievous is pictured on the front of the box holding all of his lightsabers straight up. (e.g. see the front of the box here: http://www.hetgroenedraakje.nl/images/8095_box_in.JPG). He can do this because two of his arms look like this: http://www.bricklink.com/PL/30377.jpg?0. However, the Grievous that comes in the package doesn’t have those arms; instead, all four of the arms in the package look like: http://www.bricklink.com/PL/bb462pb01L.jpg?1 So, the figure that actually comes with the set actually can’t hold his lightsabers straight up, or to put it more bluntly, the Grievous you see on the front of the box is not the Grievous you get inside.

Another inconsistency I noticed recently was the trap door piece on the Toy Story Western Train 7597. The piece on the box photos and in the instructions is clearly this piece: http://www.bricklink.com/PL/30042.gif?0. However, the piece I got in the box was this piece: http://www.bricklink.com/PL/92099.jpg?1.

Finally, the last inconsistency is the face of the dude on 7566 Farmer. The guy on the box has a plain black line smile: http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/AdditionalImages/7566-1/7566-1 (2).jpg. However, the fella inside has a different face (notice the smile: http://www.bricklink.co.za/LEGOShop/img/p/7566-977-thickbox.jpg.

I’ve noticed other inconsistencies too, so I’m just curious why these happen?

Thanks! Let me know if any of the links don’t work.

Anyway I guess I’ll ask the big question in the community, one that frankly I was surprised wasn’t included in the original list! What is being done about the Chinese-made figures? While yes, the quality of plastic and printing has improved since they first made their appearance, they’re still definitely distinguishable from their set-included cousins. I was wondering if there are any steps being made to completely homogenize the quality of LEGO figures?

Thanks!