I've come to the realization that the origin of part 3651 (the venerable "toggle joint" or pin/bush connector), and a few others like it, is quite simply in the wrong place. It should really be located at the center of the pin section, not the bush end, since this is always where it needs to be rotated when working on a model. Also, whenever a piston head is placed on it, it is at this point, and likewise with any other parts placed on its studs. Finally, whenever I need to measure the length of an assembly that includes this part, I always need to know the distance to the pin hole, not to the bush end. (Yes, I can just add 20, but it's one more step to make an error…and if I'm scaling a diagonal cross brace or something, do I scale the 20 as well or just add it afterwards…?)
I know that this is a very old part, and that changing the origin of an official part is essentially a non-starter since it would mess up a whole lot of pieces in a whole lot of models. And I can always just make a fixed version for my own use. But I am curious whether this has ever been brought up before? Certainly, all the newer connectors seem to put the origin in the right place. (Has it ever been considered to have a second version of a part to correct something like this without having to replace the existing one?)
Anyway, that's it for my mini-rant.
Hope you enjoyed reading!
I know that this is a very old part, and that changing the origin of an official part is essentially a non-starter since it would mess up a whole lot of pieces in a whole lot of models. And I can always just make a fixed version for my own use. But I am curious whether this has ever been brought up before? Certainly, all the newer connectors seem to put the origin in the right place. (Has it ever been considered to have a second version of a part to correct something like this without having to replace the existing one?)
Anyway, that's it for my mini-rant.
Hope you enjoyed reading!