Introducing the Brick Popper

I don't have any problems using LEGO's orange brick tool to separate plates - the thin edge works for me, especially if you use two at the same time. As they're free in large sets and don't damage any LEGO parts this tool looks to be a waste of money to me!

Anybody else sick to death of the Minifigure Store buying their way into blogs and other sites, thus gaining editorial articles instead of adverts? Only the other day there was an article on the Brick Fanatics blog where they were pleased to announce they had several TC-4 polys in stock! Oh, that's why many couldn't find them at the stores, the MFS had been out and bought them all.

Large plates tend to flex a bit anyway, giving an opening for the Lego brick separator. I think I'll pass on this; metal against Lego doesn't sound like a nice combination.

I've just had a browse on the minifigure store web site - ouch, prices are somewhat silly!

The metal tip looks much too brutal to use without fear of damaging parts. Official brick separators, being completely plastic, are also good as spudgers / case opening tools, and I dare say that most of us will have a surfeit of them.

Ehh, I don't want it if it will damage my parts.

I'm with MOCDoc. I'd rather just go for flexing the piece a little and using the thin end of a Brick Seperator or just with my fingernails. Damage is pretty much immenant but this thing will do damage a lot easier.

buy a 99p little screwdriver does the same job as the brick separator
and it is a lot cheaper

Seems like a useful thing to me, and Huw did spot, address and describe the concern of the metal damaging parts. I hope the negative reaction in these comments (which it should be noted is largely based on appearance and expectation, not actual research or experience) doesn't destroy the point of the article.

Not a chance I would let that near my Lego! The 'free' orange Lego separator is perfect for all brick separation requirements!!

I saw these before on an article by Brick Fanatics.

Much like many others commenting here, I too thought that a metal end for separating pieces is just no good and risks damage to the pieces. The fingernails have done just fine for me along with the crowbar piece sometimes too...

I have just staring using LEGOs own seperator and find it good for my use. I think as many has pointed out that the metal wil damage the parts.

>using metal on LEGO bricks
>ever

Not even once.

I used to use metal objects to pry Lego plates apart when I was much younger and didn't care about damaging pieces. These days, I'd be very hesitant to even attempt to use such a device.

I've always found that using an old brick separator on the bottom and a new one on the top of two plates stuck together works well.

I've never had a (non-clone) plate stuck so bad that I wished I'd had a metal prying bar to rip it apart. This metal thing just isn't a very good idea.

I also think this is a "solution" for a non-existing problem: I have never had any trouble separating plates bij hand, with a little flexing and/or with the use of Lego's own (most often free in a box) brick-separator.

That the "solution" might also pose a problem is something that doesn't really matter to me, but makes it al the worse.

@Huw: I understand that it is benificial for both parties when a good product/company can get a little attention via an editorial piece. Just please make sure that when you apply a "seal of approval" you really stand behind it. And also make sure we, the public, know when there is some "promotion" at hand.

I only use my fingers to separate plates, and lately the orange brick separator.

Horray for finger nails, they have never failed me (and are free!).

So, what's the difference between using this and a big flat-blade screwdriver?

@cody6268 - the lip lets you use it from vertical so you're not getting in the way of other studs like a screwdriver would. I wouldn't buy this myself but I do see the theory.
I must admit I've been known to use the end of a metal nail file to separate plates (usually very small ones such as a 1x2 on top of a larger plate) but I wouldn't risk it on a type/colour I didn't have spares of.

This would have been something good to have a few years back, when I carefully guarded my pair of green LEGO and my pair of black Mega Bloks separators, but not something I'd have used too often. Nowadays, I'm drowning in the orange LEGO ones, so many that they're almost becoming a nuisance part. Heck, even some of the bigger Sluban sets have separators now.

As it is, I don't even really like using the separator or my fingernails to pry bricks apart because even then there's a risk of (minimal) damage.

@Huw, thanks for the reply to my post above. I personally think you need to be up front about affiliate ties to the products and companies you publish reviews for, regardless of the tone of the review/promotion. Yes this was hardly a glowing review, but consider if it had been.

This item has been sent to quite a few Lego blogs recently and all have reviewed it in favourable terms. Most of the blogs do not have affiliate ties to the Minifigure Store, and those that do (including you) have neglected to mention that they earn a commission if someone purchases via the link provided.

You're up front about the commission you earn from Lego and the other stores you promote, and I try and use these links when I make a purchase because I value the services you provide here. I realise you're not going to become a millionaire by promoting an item worth a few quid, which probably translates into a few pence per sale for you, but I feel there's a principle at stake here. Blogs and websites that provide editorial content to promote products and affiliate links should be up front about it - doing so removes any hint of anything sinister. However, I'm quite prepared to accept I'm a lone voice here.

the thought of metal on lego is a hrorrible one to me... and the price is pretty high too..

>Therefore, not much different to LEGO sending out sets for review.

To be honest, I don't much like that form of marketing either. I place much more stock in the opinion of someone who went out to buy that set themselves and are hopefully more passionate about it than someone who is compelled to review it simply because they were given the set. Especially if there is commission involved.

This a NO-go for sure. Dont wanna hurt my bricks and the original BrickSeparator does the job more than good enough.

I also received one of these and did a review (non-commissioned)... I don't think it's that bad, although I can understand the concerns about using it with brand new parts and the price. I wouldn't use it as often as LEGO's own brick separators, but in the end I t's another tool for the job, and it can be taken or left.

@Huw: please don't take my lat post as too much of a criticism. In the end all I wanted was what you have promised now: just be up-front about what lies behind a review.

I really don't mind you getting some kind of commission, this site will no doubt cost an arm and a leg, so any penny that flows your way must be much appreciated.

On the odd occasion when boards don't bend and the Lego separator doesn't work, a Stanley blade does the trick for me

^ Ouch. I can just imagine the conversation in A&E. "So, Mr CherubBoy, you say you sustained this injury playing with Lego. Exactly how???" ;-)

Thanks @Huw for the posting the review.

With regards to prices of our minifigures these don't seem to be an issue to many others are solely based on the prices that we have to pay to get hold of the retired stock! As any LEGO fan (such as ourselves) know once something is retired the price to buy from people who buy in bulk and hold their stock to make a fortune later on are the ones that hike the prices up!

@aleydita with regards to the TC-4's these were promoted on BrickFanatics as they were cheaper than the cheapest ebay Buy It Now item available at that time to allow people to get the besty possible deal if they could not find them in store! I understand that people hate resellers and some always will, we have to accept that it's not everybodies cup of tea.

Thanks again Huw it's interesting to hear everybodies point of view with regards to the Brick Popper.

@Huw, again thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

@theminifigurestore, BF presented that article as though they were doing a favour to their readership, again neglecting to mention they were on commission. Which seems doubly odd given the blog is run by a Lego employee and TLG's supposed anti-reseller stance. I do have an issue with the fact that a limited-availability item is made even more limited for genuine buyers/collectors because of resellers like yourselves. However, my main concern is that BF weren't (and in my experience never are) up front about their affiliate links to your store.

I think it's dishonest. If the article was a case of scouting out prices for a new but scarce item, they would have included several sources such as eBay, Bricklink and Brickowl, but they didn't - and the only reason can be the commission which they neglected to mention. At the end of the day it's their business and their choice.

It is usual practice for professional blogs to state when/if an editorial in some way promotes a third party deal or link which is monetised in some way. It isn't a question of how much or what you do with the commission, it's the fact you neglected to tell your readership that you were on commission to publish that article. It's that clear cut for me, but again, I accept I may be in the minority here.

I assumed you were a professional blog because your 'about us' page states you have two full-time members of staff. If that's wrong then I at least hope you can forgive my misunderstanding. Either way I enjoy your blog, it's always the first one I check after Brickset, and I don't begrudge anyone making money from producing a popular blog - it's a win-win situation - but I do feel it's in everyone's interests for you to be up front about when an article is promoting something you earn commission on.

They would have had a winning product if they chose the tip material more wisely. I would have bought it - a pro tool for removing plates! There are a few plastics they could have used like Delrin. I love Delrin.

The metal on plastic concern is spot on. Even so, I would never buy a piece like this that has such a rough, unfinished construction. The pitted appearance of the corners--even under magnification-- is appalling. One wouldn't expect that from an amateur metalworker, much less a commercial product.

@Richard Hayes, your defensive reaction to aleydita's opinion is unsavory at best, particularly since he raises some reasonable points. Whether or not other readers are inclined to agree is up to each of them. Please learn from Huw's gracious response.

@Huw, thanks for all of your great work.

Regarding the use of metal on plastic: I have sometimes used a sharp knife to remove tiles from large plates. I only go far enough to get a gap between the two, and I do it slowly and gently. It does risk a tiny scratch, but it is not noticeable on Lego which has already been played with. I think the Brick Popper would be the same: use it on your kids bricks and old MOCs, no worries. Keep it way from your pristine display only models and try something else (like putting bricks either side of the joined plates and levering them apart in the middle.)
I think this product would work well if you go slowly and carefully. Use it without thinking and then you might be in trouble!

The original brick separate was good enough. The new orange one is awesome, and they come in so many sets these days. I have a dozen! Not sure what need this product is filling.

@Richard Hayes - your statement this morning is welcome in that you've agreed to be up front about your affiliate links going forward. However, the victim-like tone of the statement was unnecessary. I did accuse you of being dishonest because you presented the TC-4 article as doing your readership a favour, driving them to an affiliate without mentioning that you were on commission and that those polys were almost certainly cheaper on Bricklink and eBay at the time. Furthermore, you justify not having been up front about these links because the site is only run as a hobby and all profits are re-invested. Fair enough, but you neglect to mention that your 'about us' page previously stated - until today - that you had two full time members of staff.

Most of us are adults and are capable of choosing where we spend our money, but when a blog that your readership respects publishes an article that says "this is a great bargain" or "this product is cool" without also making it clear that you're on commission, it's reasonable to believe that some may feel misled.

Brick seperaters work on plates. The only problem is flat tiles on plates.

I'm sorry but that page HAS been updated since last night. To claim otherwise is blatant dishonesty. I find your 'face to face' remark in poor taste, though I assure you my views would not have changed. I don't easily feel threatened and am quite capable of looking after myself. I'm unable to use your comment system because you banned my user profile when I used it to comment on your promotion of the TC-4s. You'd prefer me to use the system which I did originally use? It's a shame you removed that option then. Frankly I find your over-reaction a little bizarre. Let's just end it here.

Easy enough to write a quick "Full disclosure: we receive commission if you shop through the link in this review" or "Full disclosure: I worked with/am good friends with/raised pandas with the inventor/maker/writer of this product/book" etc. I see language like that used on many reviews, interviews, op-ed columns on websites or blogs.

I have at least 2 of the green Lego wedge removers, and one of the orange.
I don't usually have problems removing plates from plates, and I can slowly work the wedge all around, and pry from the pegs. The items that I usually have the most problem separating are 1x2 plates from 1x2 plates. In this case, and after trying the Lego removers first, I might like a thin piece of aluminum with a handle. I usually use a thin small soft(-ish) pen-knife blade.

Richard, just behave now, you said earlier you'd have preferred me to use your site to raise this issue rather than a third party site. I did use your site. You refused to publish the comment, banned my username and then in a later article asked people not to comment on the affiliate deals you have with resellers. I will not respond again, you're goading me into a petty argument about semantics.

I don't even own a brick separator, but the spanner and crowbar both do the job just fine.

Has anyone got a worm farm going spare? I don't think these ones are ever gonna fit back into that can! Maybe we could build one out of Lego... ;)

@zipsforbananas great idea! (Love the remark) how about a MOC comp @Huw ;-)

^An MOC competition? That'd be brilliant!
Perhaps there could be more specific rules for entry than usual. Say, something like the build having to include as many same-size plates directly on top of each other as possible? And any build that can incorporate part 96874 into the actual structure gets bonus marks. :P

i'll just stick to dynamite for those nasty 1x2 plate stacks :)