Random part of the day: Plate 16X16
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random part is 91405, 'Plate 16X16', which is a System part, category Plates.
Our members collectively own a total of 1,560,598 of them. If you'd like to buy some you should find them for sale at BrickLink.
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21 comments on this article
A solid part that provided a fine alternative to 16x16 baseplates. I’m a little surprised it wasn’t around before 2011. I do remember when it was first turning up in 2011 sets like 5766 Log Cabin, and how commenters at I think Eurobricks and other places were marveling at this part which seemed so obvious and natural, yet was so long in coming.
I really enjoy this plate: it is a far sturdier alternative to the 16X16 baseplate, but it does leave me with dilemmas when building: usually either baseplates OR plates. The 32x32 option makes me lean baseplates, but if there were a larger (even 32X16) option, plates would win all the way. And that's without considering that they have underside options.
@Blondie_Wan , There are lots of parts that have never existed but you would imagine did. New parts generally get added as required for new sets. Despite the name 'System', there isn't a systematic approach to the planning and adding of new parts. For example, the 2 x 2 round tile (1983) and 1 x 1 square tile (1972) existed for years before the 1 x 1 round tile (2011).
Is it the next Star Wars set? It looks great.
@sjr60 said:
"Is it the next Star Wars set? It looks great."
Yes and *only* £100. LEGO expects you to be grateful for keeping the price down, so no complaints!
Like click hinges (that replaced there finger hinges and some more) a morally confusing part...
Somehow it solves the old issued but never quite fully captures the old Look and feel :/ Or is this Just nostalgia talking?
@Blondie_Wan:
Do you remember the old 10x20 base-bricks? I had a lot of those crack on the midpoint of the 20L sidewall because of how much leverage can be exerted on such a large part. The 16x16 plate is more expansive with less sidewall, so I suspect it might not be made of ABS. More likely it’s made of the same even-more-expensive plastic they switched 1x1 cheese wedges to as a way to address the issue with them splitting at the low edge.
@PurpleDave said:
" @Blondie_Wan:
Do you remember the old 10x20 base-bricks? I had a lot of those crack on the midpoint of the 20L sidewall because of how much leverage can be exerted on such a large part. The 16x16 plate is more expansive with less sidewall, so I suspect it might not be made of ABS. More likely it’s made of the same even-more-expensive plastic they switched 1x1 cheese wedges to as a way to address the issue with them splitting at the low edge."
Is it safe to assume this sort of thing is the reason the 16x16 has the unique (among most plates, anyway) latice-type underside: i.e. to give it greater structural integrity, given its greater size?
@Formendacil said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Blondie_Wan:
Do you remember the old 10x20 base-bricks? I had a lot of those crack on the midpoint of the 20L sidewall because of how much leverage can be exerted on such a large part. The 16x16 plate is more expansive with less sidewall, so I suspect it might not be made of ABS. More likely it’s made of the same even-more-expensive plastic they switched 1x1 cheese wedges to as a way to address the issue with them splitting at the low edge."
Is it safe to assume this sort of thing is the reason the 16x16 has the unique (among most plates, anyway) latice-type underside: i.e. to give it greater structural integrity, given its greater size?"
You mean the big X?
@Formendacil:
Any time the underside of a basic part like this doesn’t exactly match the look of the top surface, I’d assume some sort of structural reason. Even the tubes were designed to improve clutch, decades before they became the only way small parts can be attached under the center of this giant plate.
So many great colours of this part exist!
Not enough jokes about 75334 yet, will check tomorrow...
Although I will never see these as 'pure' replacements for baseplates, I still like these; esp. the color selection. I mean, I have ideas 'floating around' in my head for things like:
-Using a Med. Lilac plate for a alienscape w/crystalline 'plant life' going out of it.
-A Cool Yellow plate used for a sulfuric 'desert'
-A Med. Stone, Dark Stone, or Black plate w/ Reds and Oranges to make a volcanic hel...er' heckscape:)...
A great plate for building train tunnel roofs, with the earth colours useful for landscaping fields, deserts or beaches. Also the understuds make it the easiest way to build floors on skyscrapers, apartment blocks or very large spaceships!
@LeonHardJPG said:
"Not enough jokes about 75334 yet, will check tomorrow..."
This piece is two minifigures short of a SW set.
I’m here all week.
@sjr60 said:
"Is it the next Star Wars set? It looks great."
I should've expected this joke when I first saw the part of the day, yet it caught me by complete surprise. Got a good chuckle out of me. Thanks.
Raise your hand if you miss the 'base bricks' (ie the green 10x20)
@sjr60 said:
"Is it the next Star Wars set? It looks great."
Battle of Mon Calamari!
(it's happening below the surface, so you can't see anything)
@Atuin said:
"Like click hinges (that replaced there finger hinges and some more) a morally confusing part...
Somehow it solves the old issued but never quite fully captures the old Look and feel :/ Or is this Just nostalgia talking?"
I am an old man, out of his dark ages. I look at this plate and all I can think is - this is fantastic. All plates are fantastic. Maybe it's not nostalgic, but nostalgia is the lie we tell ourselves because we just didn't know any better.
Now get off my plate, whippersnapper.
This color specificly was mainly used in Friends sets, until 40198 : LEGO Ludo Game , but not used since.
Ludo game set had 4 16x16 on top of a 32x32 baseplate, 16 figures, and still 350+ more parts, at a great price.
My preferred use of these is in MOC Modulars, in their floors and roof. Stronger and uses less plates :)