User blog comment:Jeyo/Reignition/@comment-3499785-20140612034554/@comment-4622249-20140612043908

Two cubes merged so it becomes a seamless rectangular prism. Then make four loop cuts. You should have five equal segments in your shape. Delete two segments. You should have a shape (a 1x1 brick missing its stud and socket) divided into three parts (the plates).

The stud is the height of half a plate. I'll get the diameter, etc in a bit. :P