What tool can get two 1x2 plates apart without damaging them?

Question

Teeth and pliers tend to leave unsightly marks on the bricks.

Fingernails don't work too well.

What tool do you recommend to separate them?

score 51 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 18 '16 at 11:59

51

You could try the great brick separator. Designed for this specific purpose, it's probably your best bet.

enter image description here

edited Apr 18 '16 at 11:59

answered Oct 25 '11 at 20:00

tombull89

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11

Perfect image... – Raleigh Buckner Oct 25 '11 at 20:02

score 21 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

21

I normally use two big bricks: one on the top and one at the bottom. Then you push down while rotating.

answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

pcantin

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score 21 · Answer 3 · edited Dec 02 '20 at 07:33

21

Or you could use, guess what, a new brick separator:

96874 — Human Tool, Brick and Axle Separator

(http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=96874)

edited Dec 02 '20 at 07:33

mindstormsboi

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answered Nov 02 '11 at 14:20

Joubarc

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retracile · Answer 4 · 2011-11-03T00:24:05.440

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In addition to the Brick Separator, there are some parts that work well for this

brick separator alternative

Original here.

edited Nov 03 '11 at 00:24

answered Nov 02 '11 at 03:47

retracile

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score 15 · Answer 5 · edited Nov 30 '20 at 23:09

15

There's the great LEGO Brick Separator that can be bought in the LEGO Online Shop:

Brick Separator

I love this thing. It's just great if you want to take care of your nails and teeth.

edited Nov 30 '20 at 23:09

chicks

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answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

oezi

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As of now it has been replaced with a new variation. – mindstormsboi Jun 12 '20 at 15:03

score 8 · Answer 6 · answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:58

8

I use a fingernail most times, or a guitar pick if the bricks are stuck too firmly.

answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:58

Rory Alsop

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Steen · Answer 7 · 2011-10-25T20:05:48.543

6

I (and my sons) use a plastic knife designed for children. We found ours in IKEA (larger bricks for houses)

I have also used this lego tool with moderate success

edited Oct 25 '11 at 20:05

answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:58

Steen

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score 4 · Answer 8 · answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

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A flat-style staple remover (as opposed to the jaws style) does well to maintain the surface of a stuck brickage. It also can be jimmied back and forth without much slippage.

answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

mfg

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score 2 · Answer 9 · answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:58

2

You can always try the Official LEGO Brick Separator. It would probably take a couple to work best on 1x2s though - one on the top, one on the bottom.

answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:58

Raleigh Buckner

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score 2 · Answer 10 · answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

2

Disclaimer: I haven't tried this personally.

You could use two removal-tools (one to grab the top piece, one to grab the bottom piece)

answered Oct 25 '11 at 19:59

Jimmy

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score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Dec 01 '20 at 11:49

0

I usually put 1x2 bricks on the top and bottom of the stack of plates. This gives me enough leverage to break up the stack between the two plates. Afterwards, I remove the plates from the bricks.

answered Dec 01 '20 at 11:49

Sir Cornflakes

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score -1 · Answer 12 · answered Oct 27 '14 at 20:57

-1

I've separated several plates (and bricks too) with a simple spring-based hair clip.

enter image description here

answered Oct 27 '14 at 20:57

Scimonster

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Ew! No metal bits! – gev Oct 27 '14 at 22:11
Why not? It's been quite successful for me. – Scimonster Oct 27 '14 at 22:12
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Because metal damages our precious ABS bits. – gev Oct 27 '14 at 22:14

What tool can get two 1x2 plates apart without damaging them?

12 Answers12

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