Answers.Body: <p>The biggest difference I can think of that would impact my choice would be that the standard linear actuator is much more sturdy.</p>
  
  <p>The standard linear actuator has a metal pole and is very rigid.</p>
  
  <p>The mini linear actuators are made all of plastic, wiggle quite a bit, and whatever mechanism is inside will skip fairly easily.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-02-23T03:39:47.740Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-02-23T03:39:47.740Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Alexander O'Mara
Answers.Body: <p>The large linear actuator extends 5 studs (from 11 retracted to 16 fully extended)</p>
  
  <p>The small one extends 3 studs (from 7 retracted to 10 fully extended)</p>
  
  <p>That's a large functional difference.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-02-24T10:57:05.520Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-02-24T10:57:05.520Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Michael Verschaeve
Body: <p>I'd like to know the difference in terms of usage between the standard <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=61927c01#T=S&amp;O=%7B%7D" rel="noreferrer">Linear Actuator</a>:</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/LVbXX.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/LVbXX.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>vs. the <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=92693c01#T=S&amp;O=%7B%7D" rel="noreferrer">"mini" version</a>:</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/PyRAm.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/PyRAm.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>Both of these parts provide the really fun mechanic of translating rotational energy into lateral motion (the essence of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actuator" rel="noreferrer">actuator</a>) in a particularly powerful way (in the sense of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worm_drive" rel="noreferrer">worm screw</a>).</p>
  
  <p>My question revolves around the fact that the "standard" actuator is a lot more expensive.  When new it comes sealed in its own plastic bag.  The "mini" ones are a lot cheaper.  Aside from general differences in geometry associated with the two parts, is there any <em>other</em> reason one would choose the "standard" actuator? Does it provide any mechanical virtues one would want to consider when designing a build?</p>
  
Tags: <technic><piece-information><mechanical>
Title: Difference between Linear Actuator vs. Linear Actuator Mini
UserDisplayName: Kirk Woll
ThreadText: # Difference between Linear Actuator vs. Linear Actuator Mini
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2017-02-23)
  
  I'd like to know the difference in terms of usage between the standard [Linear Actuator](http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=61927c01#T=S&O=%7B%7D):
  
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/LVbXX.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/LVbXX.jpg)
  
  vs. the ["mini" version](http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=92693c01#T=S&O=%7B%7D):
  
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/PyRAm.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/PyRAm.png)
  
  Both of these parts provide the really fun mechanic of translating rotational energy into lateral motion (the essence of an [actuator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actuator)) in a particularly powerful way (in the sense of a [worm screw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worm_drive)).
  
  My question revolves around the fact that the "standard" actuator is a lot more expensive. When new it comes sealed in its own plastic bag. The "mini" ones are a lot cheaper. Aside from general differences in geometry associated with the two parts, is there any *other* reason one would choose the "standard" actuator? Does it provide any mechanical virtues one would want to consider when designing a build?
  
  **Tags:** technic, piece-information, mechanical
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2017-02-23. Score: 8 | Accepted answer
  
  The biggest difference I can think of that would impact my choice would be that the standard linear actuator is much more sturdy.
  
  The standard linear actuator has a metal pole and is very rigid.
  
  The mini linear actuators are made all of plastic, wiggle quite a bit, and whatever mechanism is inside will skip fairly easily.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2017-02-24. Score: 7
  
  The large linear actuator extends 5 studs (from 11 retracted to 16 fully extended)
  
  The small one extends 3 studs (from 7 retracted to 10 fully extended)
  
  That's a large functional difference.
  
  
  ---
  
  