How many pieces are in the Plates, Gear Racks?

Plates, Gear Racks contains 16 pieces.

When was the Plates, Gear Racks released?

Plates, Gear Racks was released in 1993.

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No. 5279

Technic

Plates, Gear Racks

The Plates, Gear Racks set is a unique Technic parts pack.

Time on the shelf Retired

Released Jan 1993

Check price on eBay

Before you buy

Who it's for: Beginner build Ideal for Technic builders of all ages who need specific gear and rack parts
Build: 16 pieces · about 0.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Cost: Budget Next to other LEGO sets. Check the store for today's price.
Availability: Likely retired

★★★☆☆ 3.6 AI-generated review score, not a customer rating

A niche set appreciated by Technic builders for its specialized parts, though its appeal is limited to those needing specific gear and rack components. Not a visually exciting set, but a useful parts pack.

📝 Our Take

The Plates, Gear Racks set is a unique Technic parts pack. Released in 1993, it offers a collection of essential components for building complex gear systems and linear actuators, providing a valuable resource for both expanding existing models and creating custom designs.

This set is perfect for Technic enthusiasts and MOC builders. With a focus on functionality over aesthetics, it provides a range of specialized parts to enhance the mechanical capabilities of your LEGO creations.

Skip this if you're looking for a complete model or display piece. This set is purely a parts pack; consider sets like the LEGO Technic Crane (42082-1) or other vehicle models for a more comprehensive building experience.

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Ask BlockTalk about this set

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BlockTalk

Hi! I'm BlockTalk, your LEGO expert. Ask me anything about the Plates, Gear Racks - building tips, investment potential, comparisons, or anything else!

Try asking:

What types of mechanisms can be built using gear racks? How does this set compare to other Technic parts packs in terms of value? Are the parts in this set still compatible with current Technic elements? What is the best way to store and organize small Technic parts?

🧱 Building Experience

🧩

Pieces

⏱

0.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Beginner

Difficulty

Build Highlights:

Simple assembly of Technic elements
Focus on understanding gear ratios and mechanical functions
Provides essential parts for building complex mechanisms
Great for expanding existing Technic models

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Compared to other Technic sets, this set is unique as it focuses solely on providing specialized parts rather than a complete model. Alternatives include larger Technic sets with a variety of gears and axles, but this set offers a cost-effective way to acquire specific gear rack components. For builders needing these parts, this set is a better choice than buying individual pieces on the aftermarket.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 16
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 7 unique parts, 16 pieces

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

This set is a good source for early Technic plates and gear racks. The light gray color is common, but the specific plates with toothed ends are useful for building linear motion systems.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay

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💎 Notable Parts

Light Gray Technic Plate 1 x 10 with Toothed Ends (3x)

Light Gray Technic Plate 1 x 8 with Toothed Ends (3x)

Light Gray Technic Gear Rack 1 x 4 (2x)

Light Gray Technic Steering Arm (2x)

Light Gray Technic Plate 1 x 5 with Toothed Ends, 2 Studs and Center Axle Hole (2x)

💡 MOC Potential

🚗 Custom gearboxes for Technic vehicles

🤖 Linear actuators for robotic arms and mechanisms

🌳 Mechanical models of plants or animals with moving parts

From the community

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Based on 10 videos

3.2/5

Mixed

10% positive

BlockTalk summary

Overall sentiment towards LEGO plates and gear racks (5279-1) is mixed, with a few videos showing the use of gear racks in MOCs and LEGO studio setups. Benj Builds provides a positive outlook on organizing LEGO bricks, implying the usefulness of plates and gear racks in larger collections.

YouTube thumbnail: 10 Rarest LEGO Technic Gears of all Time

10 Rarest LEGO Technic Gears of all Time Unbrickme · 143.6K views Review

YouTube thumbnail: The Best Way to Organize LEGO Bricks!

The Best Way to Organize LEGO Bricks! Benj Builds · 64.1K views Review

YouTube thumbnail: Red vs Blue - Season 10: Episode 6 Review

Red vs Blue - Season 10: Episode 6 Review grievousrocks · 2.2K views Comparison

Community Sentiment

Based on 10 YouTube reviews

Not enough Reddit data

YouTube

3.2/5

Mixed

10% positive

Positive: 1
Mixed: 9
Critical: 0

Common feedback

Build

BlockTalk analysis

What the Community Says

6 YouTube reviews

BlockTalk summary

While direct reviews of the 5279-1 gear rack are absent in the provided data, brickanics demonstrates using a gear rack within a LEGO studio setup, showcasing a practical application. Unbrickme's video on rare Technic gears highlights the broader interest in LEGO gear mechanisms within the community.

Reddit Reviews

No Reddit reviews found

YouTube Reviews

6 videos

10 Rarest LEGO Technic Gears of all Time Unbrickme · 143.6K views Review

The Best Way to Organize LEGO Bricks! Benj Builds · 64.1K views Review

Red vs Blue - Season 10: Episode 6 Review grievousrocks · 2.2K views Comparison

YouTube thumbnail: The Uses of All Lego Technic Pieces

The Uses of All Lego Technic Pieces AI Builds · 2.1K views Review

View all 6 on YouTube

Community content: these reviews are from Reddit and YouTube users sharing their personal experiences. Opinions may vary.

Inventory Statistics

Inventory version 1

7 Unique Parts

16 Official Piece Count

16 Cataloged Inventory Pieces

0 Minifigures

Missing a piece? Use the Missing Piece Checker.