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Guest Blogger - James T.

From reader James Trobaugh:

I just got done trying out an great LEGO tool that I never knew existed
before. Its the LEGO Ruler (
http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=852759&LangId=2057&ShipTo=US ), I would
recommend this to any FLL team as a must have.

Its a very simple tool
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/thinice/ForsythFLL/LEGORULER/dsc02391.jpg

measures smooth technic beams
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/thinice/ForsythFLL/LEGORULER/dsc02393.jpg

measures axles ( awesome! )
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/thinice/ForsythFLL/LEGORULER/dsc02394.jpg

measures studs
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/thinice/ForsythFLL/LEGORULER/dsc02395.jpg

Also the left side can measure brick height.

I figured I'd pass this along if you had never seen it before, I know I
hadn't.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Well, definitely going to get one of these. Very handy tool, I wonder why I never saw it before!

I looks as handy as a Brick Seperator! Hey, I wonder where mine is... *goes off to search for Brick seperator*

Spacedude
Jul 22, 2009, 12:54:00 AM
L3G0Bots Lady (;-p) - V.G. said…
Yes, this seems to be new from LEGO(R) - cool little tool. If you are working with kids, this tool will be very handy indeed!
Jul 22, 2009, 1:34:00 AM
Brian Davis said…
Hmm. What can this do that a single long beam (studded or smooth) can't do? If you really want numbers... write them on with a permanent marker. or use 1x1 plates of various colors on top of a 1x14 studded beam, etc.

There are tools that are needed to do something. Then there are tools that makes something difficult (but possible) much easier. And then there are tools that you "didn't know you needed", at least partially because you didn't. For me, at least, this fits in the last category.
Jul 22, 2009, 2:48:00 AM
James Trobaugh said…
Brian I can understand your point, but why mark up a LEGO beam and use it for a purpose that it wasn't intended?

I really see this as a tool that falls in the "...tools that makes something difficult (but possible) much easier"

It is possible to count the holes in a beam or use a marked up LEGO brick to find the lenght of an axle, or I could use a handy ruler that was designed just for this purpose...thus making the process easier.
Jul 22, 2009, 3:00:00 AM
Eric D. Burdo said…
I can see the use for this in the classroom of younger kids.

Personally, I just "visually select" the beam/axle I need. I'm usually correct.
Jul 22, 2009, 4:41:00 AM
Jonathan Daudelin said…
Yeah, I've just used beams for measuring, but now I've gotten a sort of feel for the different lengths and can usually pick out the correct ones without measuring them.

-Jonathan
Jul 22, 2009, 8:58:00 AM
megamindstorm101 said…
I use beams to measure axles and for beams I count the holes in the beam (or just guess...yeah mostly guess). I have seen this in the new Lego Catalog and thought it was kinda interesting, it definately makes it easier to see the length of an axle instead of having to put it next to a beam and lining it up and counting.
Jul 22, 2009, 10:45:00 AM
Unknown said…
Again, a LEGO product that is not available in Germany. :(
Jul 22, 2009, 8:00:00 PM
FLL Team got robot? said…
I read somewhere it can even remove fish hooks!
Jul 23, 2009, 6:16:00 AM
BlueToothKiwi said…
I partially agree Brian - but Why use a screwdriver when you got a knife with a flat end? Well it gives a level of comfort to the user - as it is intended for that job.

With my experience with novice school age LEGO builders, I can see people using it. You often get confused between 13M and 11M beams (and 9M and 7M beams) - and it takes a few hours / days of building before you are familiar enough to pick them up without counting the holes.



It takes a good
Jul 31, 2009, 8:35:00 AM
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