Tips for building with LEGO® Technic elements

LEGO® Technic sets use a different building system than classic LEGO® sets. Its purpose is to create more advanced models with more complex features, such as movable arms, machines with wheels, motors, transmissions, and differentials, in addition to simpler brick-building.
 

• With all of the different beams and axles, you’ll want to be sure that you have the correct one. When you see a part pictured with '1:1' next to it, you can check you've got the right part by placing it next to the 1:1 drawing of the part.
• The beams and axles in LEGO® Technic sets also have numbers associated with them. This number tells you how long the beam or axle you should be using is. It's measured in studs, so if you’ve got another LEGO® piece available, try using it to measure your pieces by counting how many studs it spans.
• We’ve also got a nifty chart you can print out. Download the PDF file below and print it out at 100% scale. You can keep it around whenever you’ve got Technic pieces you need to measure! Download: Technic Measurements Chart.pdf
• Some LEGO® Technic parts need a little space so they can move or turn, so be careful not to push your gears and axles too tight.
• Don't worry if there are some extra pieces left even though you closely followed the building instructions. LEGO® Technic sets can be built in more than one way, and sometimes you'll need the extra pieces to build the alternative model. You can download alternative instructions on LEGO.com/technic.