Where have all the 1x1 plates gone?

dougts

So, I've been noticing that in the vast majority of sets I have bought and built over the past year, there is quite often 1x1 round plates used where you would normally expect to see 1x1 (square) plates. there is no functional or structural reason the set in question would use rounds instead of squares, and in some cases it is even an area that causes a noticeable loss aesthetically.

Anyone know why LEGO seems to be using 1x1 rounds instead of 1x1 squares so often these days?

prof1515

When a new mold debuts, Lego tends to go overboard on the use of the new pieces.

dougts

1x1 round plates are hardly new - they've been around for 32 years.

LegobrandonCP

When a new mold debuts, Lego tends to go overboard on the use of the new pieces.

This is very true.

adello25

When a new mold debuts, Lego tends to go overboard on the use of the new pieces.

I think you may be referring to the new 1x1 round TILES.

prof1515

When a new mold debuts, Lego tends to go overboard on the use of the new pieces.

I think you may be referring to the new 1x1 round TILES.

Yeah, my mistake. I noted that the 1x1 round tiles have been inserted in a lot of places that they used to use 1x1 tiles and plates and just mentally inserted "plates" in place of "tiles".

starfire2

I like the new round flat tiles. They look better for the headlights on vehicles.

dougts

while I appreciate the conversation, I'd like to bring this back to my original question. Does anyone have any insight into this trend of using 1x1 round plates in place of 1x1 (square) plates?

tk79

^ I think it's basically just due to Lego overusing new molds quite a bit, seems like they really like to show them off.

dougts

again, there is no new mold here. 1x1 round plates debuted in 1980.

yys4u

@dougts haha I understand what your talking about. I can't think of any specific examples, but sometimes they use round plates instead of square plates because it DOES add aesthetic appeal.

Even though, say a wall, may not be uniform and smooth because there is a round plate in the build, I think it's meant to look like a weathered spot. Think castle walls, instead of a wall built out of 2x1 Bricks, they'll add in a round 1x1 brick to make the wall look like the wall was constructed with rocks or just to add more detail.

andhe

Is it a case of them being easier to take apart? I've always found a 1x1 plate is difficult to remove unless you can rotate it and reveal a corner. Whereas a 1x1 round is easier to remove as it has a rim you can get your fingers under.

Redbullgivesuwind

I wonder if the 1x1 are cheaper to make than the 1x1 tiles. so to keep costs down they put them in.

Huw

One reason may be that 1x1 plates are difficult, for young builders, to align squarely.

starfire2

^ And some adults!

yys4u

One reason may be that 1x1 plates are difficult, for young builders, to align squarely.

True. With the Fire Brigade for example; aesthetically its my favorite modular building, but the build was my least favorite. And that was because all the 1x1 plates in the lower half of the build, it hurt my fingers trying to get all those squares aligned.

bluemoose

One reason may be that 1x1 plates are difficult, for young builders, to align squarely.

Yup. Also, sometimes they are used to make the building instructions easier it follow. The same reason that odd-coloured parts are sometimes used - for clarity in the instructions.

@dougts - do you have some specific examples that have prompted this comment? I can't say I've noticed this trend, so I'm interested in finding out more. Cheers.

caperberry

@dougts, I noticed this as well and wondered the same thing, but recently I seem to have purchased sets that have lots of 1x1s like Mini Modulars and Fire Brigade.

I thought it may be because of the ol' choking hazard. I know the edges are no sharper than say a 1x2, but given it's the smallest, perhaps this is the piece that gets eaten the most by toddlers...?

I hate 1x1 rounds. Slippy slidey rolly arrrgh.

luckyruss

I've also felt the same but pushed to come up with examples they don't come off the top of my head. They are often used as "fillers"' particularly under the 1x3x2/3rds (and x4s) curved slopes. Where I can imagine it is a pain to remove a 1x1 plate.

Bumblepants

seems like if a 1x1 round gets used in the set, like for lights on a vehicle for example, they just stuff tons of the same colored one inside the model where they can't be seen to fill holes. Probably saves money to put 10 1x1 rounds than 4 + 6 of of the 1x1 plates