My absolute FAVORITE part of this video is that as it progresses, we get failure data for parts that aren't even suppose to be tested because the tests keep DESTROYING normal lego parts.

We’re all carefully watching this video like we’re some executives at Lego, and we’re about to approve the new material for a special Lego set.

The explosive nature of LEGO, amazing

The steel insertion test is what happens if you forget to chamfer your edges after milling. It had edges at the end that were still sharp, and with a few seconds with a file or abrasive could probably be considerably improved.

Carbon fiber has much higher potential, but the fibers in this axle are just in the axial direction. If there were fibers going diagonally around the center axis, the torque would be much higher. But due to the shape of these axles it might not be practically possible. If you could somehow do a pull test, the carbon fiber axle might be stronger than the steel one. But for torque, the carbon fiber axle is probably not much stronger than the resin used to reinforce the fibers.

Well, now this guy has metal beams, metal gears, metal axles and metal connectors. Should we expect a full-metal lego set?

Four billionaires cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced as the carbon fiber started to crackle.

That twisted steel axle looks seriously cool, and it probably still works well, I'd love to see it return in a future build, just wherever you can fit it :)

Not sure how feasible this would be, but would be cool to see this test done with different plastics (mostly thinking about Delrin) and maybe even different metals (like Titanium or something)

Pretty sure the Lego axles had better tolerances, hence the lower friction in the two tests

3:08 I am now convinced that this is how drill bits are made and cannot be persuaded otherwise.

Who else wanted to see a titanium rod 🧞‍♂️

3:35 This is the best lego destructive pop I've ever seen so far...

3:14 Link when he sets the Deku Mask on

Would have been cool to see the amount of torque each could handle before permanent deformation. Feel like that would be more applicable for actual usage in most cases. Edit: nvm, those values are listed in the graph at 11:16

3:12 The motor- "Time to put on my hollow mask"

I feel like in the friction test, you should have accounted for the mass of the axles themselves, the steel axle isn't necessarily doing worse because it has more friction, it might be because it's just heavier than the other parts. Great video!

This is like Project Farm for Lego, continue this series please.

at around 3:20 it sounds like the deku scrub transformation in majora's mask.

When using non-POM axles in general it is advised to use some lubricant. That is the biggest other difference between standard Lego axles and the other materials: POM is self-lubricating.

next up: lego rpg vs real rpg

1:59 steel Axle is just chilling

The twists in the axles were so artistically formed, I could stare at them for ages!

The torque test on the aluminium didn't get a fair shake because the grub screws would have created a weak point, which the others didn't have to contend with

0:28 damn the Lego plastic axle transformed into Haribo licorice

8:33 the framing on these tests is beautiful, lining up the axle and the line between wall and table. nicely composed

4:08 now it is an ✨art piece ✨ 😂

Do you think you could do a test with different types of gears at some point as well? Would love to see how much more durable the metal ones are in high stress scenarios, and how much of a cost it has on the friction (and maybe if lubricant can give even better performance?)

The little machine that did the torque test at the beginning was so powerful!!! I can’t believe it was able to twist that steel bar the way it did.

1:30 I’ve never seen that happen with that part before 😨 Probably because I mostly just use standard Lego parts 😅

1:21 every episode of SpongeBob has one shot like this

Love the experiments! Very thorough job testing all the aspects of each material. I noticed especially the difference in cross-sectional area between the aluminum and steel axles. The aluminum has very rounded edges while the steel has very sharp edges. Id imagine this probably contributed significantly to the insertion tests. I'm curious if you could do one additional test and report back? (you definitely don't have to, just curious) Use a set of calipers to measure the maximum cross-sectional width and see if there is a difference between the aluminum and steel axle due to the chamfers. Clamp down on the axle at 45deg(where the cross section width would be the smallest) and rotate the axle in the calipers to 90deg. I'm curious if the chamfers of the edges make a significant difference in its maximum cross-sectional width?

Lego should make some official steel/aluminum axles

8:38 To analyse noise you should record noise values at regular time intervals and find the average value. You can also find the measurement error using the method of least squares.

1:35 top 10 unexpected turns in whole universe. Number 1:

The steel ones need better tolerances but they will grow or shrink depending on temperature they look very roughly machined too

Love that you've brought engineering/testing into the mix. I'm even more impressed with LEGO parts.

It likely doesnt matter because the ranking was the same at the higher load, but having a more consistent release in the car friction test would increase the accuracy and precision of the results. Ideally a mechanical release that doesnt impart any forward or backward momentum would be ideal, such as raising a boom gate with a programmed motor or similarly retracting a bump into the ground. Same with the noise test. Using the rpm method from before would have been better. You do what you did on the previous test to could spin it up to 300, then use a laser to test when it reaches 200 rpm and record the 200rpm volume

😮 3:42 just as i was praying yhe motors didnt break

0:40 - that looks kinda cool

3:30. Kinda predicted that

Love watching these tests, not sure why. Just a suggestion - in a comparison like the friction test, especially where as you rightly decided it wouldn’t be super interesting to watch at full speed, you could show all four videos at once (each doing a quarter of the screen). Could also do something similar with rolling tests by super imposing the videos. Keep ‘‘em coming!

Brilliant! Thanks for the shootout and results!

I love all the different tests you came up with. I would absolutely like to see this concept done with other types of pieces.

The cross-section of the steel axle is noticeably different than the others; I wonder how much of a role that played in the insertion test.

I like the inadvertent testing of bricks, gears, and connectors lol

Fascinating, I love the methodical approach and the camera work. Nicely done. Another interesting test might be how sturdiness on length, if a force is acting on the axle as a lever. If somebody already suggested that, sorry for the repetition. I’ve build some sailing ships using axles to stabilize the masts 2x2 round bricks with axle hole. When you brick build sails all axles bend forward due to the weight on one side of the mast. So far I used Lego, carbon fiber and steel axles and all bend differently, my favorite carbon fiber.

I am learning a lot of these concepts in my engineering courses and its fun to see them built out of lego

Oh no! It's... THE KRAGLE! 😱

Wait wait wait, isn't the friction test flawed? You didn't account for the additional mass of the metal axles

Would love to see a similar test comparing the plastic from different decades.

Basically: Buy LEGO unless you do some extreme stress tests.

Giving us the "3D" view by rotating the axles close up (with lego motors of course) was a really nice touch

the only channel i know that makes lego cars for a job XD

A great way to improve the insertion test results is if all three of the non-official lego parts have their edges smoothed alongside the veins being slimmed just the tiniest bit to match the official part properly more closely. Other than that I think a brass one would probably work really well in terms of the friction tests potentially. Or maybe a different metal that doesn't provide much friction in such conditions if any.

7:06 ASMR

I wish you tested the torque of plastic deformation. While the carbon fiber and lego axles seemed to have similar ultimate failure torques, the lego stick seemed to show plastic deformation much sooner...

Wow! I had no idea that many were made!

Killer vid as per usual! Have you considered using graphite dust to smooth the carbon fiber/metal parts? It'd go a long way to reduce friction/noise. An old trick we had for roller derbys I thought it was fitting

Lego axles are able to have lower resistance because of ultra-fine-tuned curvature and notch, something Lego themselves with the digital models can, while axles of other material have imperfections and can only mimic. Metal parts also respond to lubricants much better. I am sure some of us are secretly dreaming of all-metal legos. That won't be the worst idea, I don't think.

for the durability test to make sense you need to make both the axle and the bearing from the same material. otherwise the harder material (in this case the axle) will destroy the bearing

How about shear load strain testing, like seeing how much weight a horizontal axle can handle? The metals would probably win out by a long shot but I'm curious to see how the carbon fiber performs.

Wow, congratulations, very detailed

I liked you starting with the thumbnail and then using it, it actually was a cool vibe

very cool video, on the second friction test, how were you insuring that the block was rotating at a consistant speed at the beginning of each test?

8:48 This is not a very scientific measurement, your time will improve with the number of repetitions because you get better with the number of repetitions and train your muscle memory ;)

I could watch these kinds of videos all day long. Love it.

It's very interesting. You also have to realize that the reason why LEGO is all plastic is because it's intended to be used by kids. BUT I will counter-point that with Construx actually had metal axles and was ALSO targeted at kids, it just wasn't around that long to have any incidents that I'm aware of (eg injuries from sitting on one.) I think bigger take away here is that Lego probably could sell metal parts with a warning that "metal parts are intended to be used by adults" , as I could see situations where people lose fingers/eyes/scalp by trying experiments without proper protection.

Where did you get the steel one?

Now think about it, we're only seeing around 12nm here, when you tighten a wheel nut you often use 90nm or more, thats a torque every humam can easily put out, and its enough to destroy a steel rod

That's such a niche type of videos on UKposts and I love it.

The scale at the end shows an interestingly graduated trend across all the tests. Good work! :-)

they've gotta add some graphene rods

friction test on ramp is unvalid due to higher mass of alu and steel axels so they have more inertia momentum (in basic it's harder to spin heavier axle)

For friction test 1, was the car sent straight every time or did it turn a little? As a slight turn could affect the final result. Same with the push force

I'm sure you know this already, but for the other people watching, be very careful of carbon fiber dust from cutting or, in this case, destructive testing. It's (probably) *real bad* for your lungs. Think asbestos. It's not entirely the chemical composition (in the case of CF you have to worry about the resin as well) but the shape of the tiny, pointy slivers that damages lungs. Wear a respirator, have an air filter, take all precautions you can.

Hold you’re horses don’t forget the metal alloys, tungsten and titanium they may be expensive but we can’t forget them.

4:46 relatable

4:34 that one mosquito that refuses to leave the room

I have bought some of the aluminum ones and they work great in high load transfers that use longer distance axles.

01:15 there you go carbon-boys... only steel is real ,)

How and why cold and hot 5:11

I definitely need to get metal gears, axles, and connectors for my 4spd transmission

This test shows off exactly the same situation as the mathematical 'How many digit of Pi do you need' question. A workpiece is only as strong as its weakest part. Having carbon, aluminium, steel, or even titanium axles makes no difference if the rest of the thing is made of lego bricks. When making something out of lego bricks, the optimal axle is one made of.... lego. If you are making something out of steel, use steel axles. If you are wondering the answer to the Pi question, it is to use pi to the number of digits of the least accurate variable in the equation. For example, most people have heard the formula are is pi r squared. If the radius to 7 figures, for example 12.34567cm, then you need Pi to 7 figures as well - 3.141593. If the radius is 'about 7 feet', then you only need Pi = 3.

00:36 🦅🦅🦅🦅 FREEDOM🇺🇸

8:09 what the fuck

Coolest test of lego parts I've ever seen.

4:34 its sounds like a sped up version of a demon being exorcised (sorry just watched the Conjuring lmaooo)

What type of carbon fiber? Forged? Prepreg? Laminar? Carbon ≠ Carbon

6:58 it looks like they are spinning in different directions

@9:00 i dont think its the pieces fault that you fumbled inserting...

For the friction test the overall weight of the car needs to be the same, the steel goes father probably due to it’s increased mass than less friction. Also surface finish of each shaft is a variable.

Would be interesting to see a sliding test of various pieces down the length of each axle. Both a test that sees how much time it takes for a machine to move a piece down the length of the axle using a fixed force for each, and a test that determines the minimum force required for a machine to slide the piece down the axle.

I wonder if maybe the shape of the ends had an influence on the insertion test? It looked like the 3rd party parts had a different end profile than the official LEGO axle.

Why am I just now finding this channel? This is freaking awesomesauce!!

Your Lego automation builds are next-level awesome! 🌈👾

I love the extremely close zoom on each piece

Would love to have more data points for each test, however this is still entertaining!

A good test would be to see if a high polish would make the Aluminium and Steel friction numbers better.

My man is NOT giving up