Random part of the day: Brick 4X4X1 1/3, W/ Magnet, No. 1
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random part is 65217, 'Brick 4X4X1 1/3, W/ Magnet, No. 1', which is a System part, category Functional Elements.
Our members collectively own a total of 2,425 of them. If you'd like to buy some you should find them for sale at BrickLink.
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17 comments on this article
This bot REALLY loves parts from 2020 onwards.
This piece is pretty neat (I don't have any, but got a chance to play around with some when they were in a build area of a Lego store). Makes me nostalgic for the old days of magnet features in Space or Aquazone sets. Of course, this has to be bigger to adhere to modern safety standards... but I still wish we could see some creative uses of this part in themes like Ninjago like we did with the old magnets in some of those themes I grew up with.
At first glance, I was thinking this was the 1x1 tile with some sort of RFID chip embedded in it, and a raised character molded into the top. After reading the description, I figured out what it really was, but, wow. Two sets in 2020, nothing in 2021, or so far in 2022. I’m guessing this was deemed a failure and got removed from the part lineup along with the yellow hoist magnet.
M-Tron: "Compensating for something there, are ya?"
What ever happened to these? It's a shame the magnets only appeared in two sets.
I don’t remember these, yet I do remember LEGO magnets from the older space sets.
@Supreme said:
"I don’t remember these, yet I do remember LEGO magnets from the older space sets."
They were from 2020. Only in a couple sets and then they disappeared lol
Ah magnets, always get nostalgic for their use in classic sci-fi themes. Shame pieces like this didn't herald their reintroduction
Still available on Bricks & Pieces, but at a hefty $4.41. Even if TLG's actual cost is a fraction of that, it's a huge chunk of any set's part budget. And it was only ever used in combination with pricier part 65209. Probably why it was never used as any more than the Lego City Play Feature Gimmick of the Year.
One unexpected feature of this part is that the internal magnet is free to spin, ensuring that it will align with any other magnetic pole in the viscinity, and dashing any hopes of using it in a maglev train MOC.
too bad i wasnt born in time for classic magnets
@BrickTeller:
They’d already done the same thing with sealed magnetic train couplings, so I don’t know why it would be unexpected here.
I am attracted to this piece. There is nothing repelling about it.
Pretty chonky part, but kinda fun
I am magnetically
Drawing my death to me
So why can’t my body
Reverse polarity
You walk into my town
Waving that gun around
If you want a fight, i’ll give you one tonight
I think you
(Better not mess with Magnet Man,
No you better not mess with Magnet Man,
No you better not mess with Magnet Man,
Come on!)
“Don’t Mess With Magnet Man” by The Megas.
60243: Police Helicopter Chase is still available surprisingly despite City having multiple new helicopters.
The opposite magnet part being yellow also makes it suitable for a Construction/Harbour/Demolition crane type of build.
@PurpleDave said:
" After reading the description, I figured out what it really was, but, wow. Two sets in 2020, nothing in 2021, or so far in 2022. I’m guessing this was deemed a failure and got removed from the part lineup along with the yellow hoist magnet."
60243 is still sold at LEGO.com so not a hastily retired failure at all.
Now even if this set retires in 2023, 3 year would still be a much above average runtime.
I installed neod magnets into splat gears and 4x4 round plates so that I could make skaters turn around and skate atop the frozen pond in this years Chinese New Year set. Would have loved if functional LEGO element parts had just been available. But wasn't that hard to do my own thing--and is a perfect effect.