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 many studs long the beam or axle you should be using is. 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.