Answers.Body: <p>The <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=4006" rel="noreferrer">minifigure spanner</a> can be attached sideways to an axle (as well as a pin and stud):
  <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/8dzTg.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/8dzTg.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>This doesn’t hold in all directions, however.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2017-09-13T09:04:45.910Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-09-13T09:04:45.910Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Wrzlprmft
Answers.Body: <p>This part <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2637#T=C" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Technic, Link 1 x 16 #2637)</a> appears to be an axle with two connectors on each end. Bricklink classifies this piece as a Technic Link and not an axle because it doesn't perform most of the same functions as an axle.</p>
  
  <p>I believe the decision to use the Technic 'axle' shape for the length of the piece rather than a round piece, is because it functions more like an axle than a pin. Pins connect bricks together and are two to three bricks long. Axles can be much longer, <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=50451#T=C" rel="nofollow noreferrer">one of which</a> is the same length as this piece.</p>
  
  <p>Of the <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=2637&amp;in=S" rel="nofollow noreferrer">23 sets this part appears</a> in there aren't any sets in which bricks have been attached to the axle part of the piece, nor does there to be any obvious way to do so.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-08-15T16:23:44.970Z
Answers.Text: *sandwiching the part between two Technic rack pieces* – Would that be a valid connection in the sense that it is actually used in official sets or similar?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Wrzlprmft
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-08-15T16:24:34.743Z
Answers.Text: Hmm, now that I think about it, that probably wouldn't work...
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
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Answers.CreationDate: 2017-08-15T16:05:28.420Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-08-18T16:03:42.087Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2017-08-18T16:03:42.087Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Answers.Body: <p>I don't think there are any pieces LEGO intends for you to attach to the side of these axle shaped pieces. However, I'm pretty sure you could attach piece <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=32172" rel="noreferrer">32172</a> to some extent (assuming the piece being attached to is actually the right size for an axle):</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/7ngrf.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/7ngrf.jpg" alt="Piece picture"></a></p>
  
  <p>It probably would not connect very well, only the clips on the sides of the socket would hold it, so it would probably slide easily, or pop of with little effort, but it could be attached.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-08-10T17:36:18.420Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-08-10T17:36:18.420Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Alexander O'Mara
Body: <p>There are some pieces whose middle part is shaped like a Technic axle, but that have elements on both ends that make it impossible to insert them into a normal axle or Technic hole:</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/xwROH.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xwROH.jpg" alt="Pieces with Technic axles in the middle  "></a></p>
  
  <p>This makes me wonder whether the axle shape here actually allows for a connection or was only chosen for stability, production reasons, or similar.
  With other words, is there any piece (or combination of pieces) that connects a Technic axle “sideways”, i.e., without going over the ends?</p>
  
Tags: <technic><piece-information><connections>
Title: Is there any way to connect “sideways” to an axle?
UserDisplayName: Wrzlprmft
ThreadText: # Is there any way to connect “sideways” to an axle?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-10)
  
  There are some pieces whose middle part is shaped like a Technic axle, but that have elements on both ends that make it impossible to insert them into a normal axle or Technic hole:
  
  [![Pieces with Technic axles in the middle  ](https://i.sstatic.net/xwROH.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/xwROH.jpg)
  
  This makes me wonder whether the axle shape here actually allows for a connection or was only chosen for stability, production reasons, or similar.
  With other words, is there any piece (or combination of pieces) that connects a Technic axle “sideways”, i.e., without going over the ends?
  
  **Tags:** technic, piece-information, connections
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2017-08-10. Score: 8 | Accepted answer
  
  I don't think there are any pieces LEGO intends for you to attach to the side of these axle shaped pieces. However, I'm pretty sure you could attach piece [32172](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=32172) to some extent (assuming the piece being attached to is actually the right size for an axle):
  
  [![Piece picture](https://i.sstatic.net/7ngrf.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/7ngrf.jpg)
  
  It probably would not connect very well, only the clips on the sides of the socket would hold it, so it would probably slide easily, or pop of with little effort, but it could be attached.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_0 on 2017-09-13. Score: 5
  
  The [minifigure spanner](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=4006) can be attached sideways to an axle (as well as a pin and stud):
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/8dzTg.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/8dzTg.jpg)
  
  This doesn’t hold in all directions, however.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-15. Score: 2
  
  This part [(Technic, Link 1 x 16 #2637)](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2637#T=C) appears to be an axle with two connectors on each end. Bricklink classifies this piece as a Technic Link and not an axle because it doesn't perform most of the same functions as an axle.
  
  I believe the decision to use the Technic 'axle' shape for the length of the piece rather than a round piece, is because it functions more like an axle than a pin. Pins connect bricks together and are two to three bricks long. Axles can be much longer, [one of which](https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=50451#T=C) is the same length as this piece.
  
  Of the [23 sets this part appears](https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=2637&in=S) in there aren't any sets in which bricks have been attached to the axle part of the piece, nor does there to be any obvious way to do so.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: *sandwiching the part between two Technic rack pieces* – Would that be a valid connection in the sense that it is actually used in official sets or similar?  
  > **username_1**: Hmm, now that I think about it, that probably wouldn't work...  
  
  ---
  
  