This is a great piece that Lego designed! It comes in handy for even the smallest things. Overall I wish Lego could have had it back when I was younger. I’m sure everyone would have trouble getting pieces off or even the wrong pieces off if you put them on wrong. I can remember having to use a knife or bite at the end of the piece to get off. It was always a pain

I never had the old version growing up. I never used my teeth either mind you, but cut up my little fingers instead. When they started inserting these into some of the larger sets as an adult collector, I realized how useful it actually was and regretted never having one earlier.

It has come in handy many times over, especially with removing tiles or many small plates. Sometimes your fingers just don't cut it.

I don't own any of the actual polybag version, only the many, many I have from sets. I think I have upwards of 30. They sit in a Pick a Brick cup so I can always find one. I throw one in with any WIP, just in case. It is nice having so many extras for this very reason. If I lose one, I'm okay. If I can't get to one near where I am building, I usually have another one close by. They are scattered throughout my work areas.

Some people find it to be a nuisance having so many, but I'm thankful for it.

If you plan on doing ANY building, I highly recommend having at least 2 of these. Sometimes you can straddle the piece in question from above/below and pry it apart that way.

Definitely recommend. Is it worth $2.50? I think so. But only if I didn't have tons of "free" ones already.

...but don't throw your old one away. The new separator has some great features, but the old style still has some advantages.

The first good thing about the new separator is that it can remove a jumper plate, even when set in the middle of a large plate. The underside of the brick separator, where it connects to other bricks, has been so made that it can accept a stud in the middle.

The next improvement is the inclusion of an axle on the top of the separator for pushing out axles or pins that you just can't get a grip on. It is possible to build a stand-alone tool for the same purpose, but it's handy to have right on the separator.

The last improvement is the shape, which, along with size, turns out to be the drawback of the separator as well. The entire separator is the same width, two studs wide, while the old separator was wider at the end and tapered down to two studs. While the uniform width makes it possible for the new separator to get into corners, which the old one couldn't do, the handle of the new separator is rather small, so it could be hard to hold for some people. Additionally, unlike the old separator, the 'pliers effect' is difficult to obtain. This is the procedure of separating two small plates, such as 1x2's, by placing one brick separator on top and another on the bottom piece and separating the two pieces by pushing the separators together. The angle of the new separator's handle doesn't give enough leverage for this to happen when the two separators are directly aligned. They must be placed in opposite directions and the process doesn't work as effectively this way.

In summary,

Pros

• Effective jumper plate removal
• Axle on top
• Fits into corners
  

Cons

• Can be hard to hold
• Loss of 'pliers effect'
  

The shape and size are only minor quibbles, and the new improvements are excellent. The Lego Company has started including them again in larger sets, so you're bound to run across one sooner or later. I have four already, having purchased two when they first came out and received two more in sets. However you may acquire one, it will certainly be a welcome and useful addition.

a simple but usefull tool for lego builders, i myself have three version of this tool, sometimes when playing with the bricks, some parts just got stuck and your finger is just too big for the job, this tool might just save you the trouble.

Like the tagline says...'Everyone, needs One!'

That's exactly right. Improving on the previous Brick Separator tool ( http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=630-1 ), the new lighter/slimmer Orange Separator is a must have for the casual builder, building with your kids when they need help separating pieces(saves on fingernails and no scratches and teeth marks on your bricks...;) as well as the seasoned MOC'er.

I acquired one with the Mini Modular VIP Set ( http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=10230-1 ) and it immediately came in handy with the build.

Like the previous separator you can still separate plates, bricks top and bottom and use the front bottom edge to get out tiles and jumper plates. But at times it was tricky to get those flat tiles out. With this separator, at the end of the handle you have a nice tapered lip that works great getting out flat tiles no matter the size.

Also handy is a rod/cross axle on the top to push out tough fitting Technic pins and axels. Works dandy.

Plus...the new bright orange color makes it stand out in your build area.

I suggest getting two (or if you have the older one keep it and get this new one)...as 2 separators are extremely handy when you need to separate small plates stacked one on top of another. You attach one separator to the bottom plate/element and then use another to pull off the other top plate/element.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND...get one now!

-LegoDad42