I mean, LEGO is about building and pieces, right? Okay, modern kids with themes and collecting will disagree somewhat, but generally it's true.

So far, brickset provided us users with info on pieces in the set, and often with full instructions and images of completed models.

Since pieces do repeat, is it possible to gather enough of pieces from buying LEGO, that new sets could be assembled by using pieces you already have, just by following building instructions? Or maybe LEGO releases new uniques pieces all the time? Decorative ones, probably, and stickers, maybe? Now, pieces colors might be a small issue.

If so, I wonder how many sets one would accumulate before they're able to construct new ones by tearing up old ones?

Wouldn't surprise me if someone cared to write some software (which seems pretty trivial), which can look up what models you can build with what you have? (That wouldn't be too computationally demanding and slow, right? Or perhaps filling up the database is problematic because of some copyrights or that kinds of thing?

Edited October 9, 20159 yr by Iori_Yagami

The software you talk about already exists online and has for a while: http://rebrickable.com/ . If you buy one of every set then you'd have enough bricks to build one of every set.

Haha, that's sufficient amount of bricks, but is it also a non-redundant amount of bricks? Hmmm..? Surely some minimum set search algorithm is in order?

It is pretty easy when you have your collection stored on Rebrickable. You can then easily check which pieces you are missing in sets you are interested in.

Personally, I have accumulated pretty much Technic pieces so I'm just looking for missing pieces if I wish to build smaller sets. But still buying larger ones.

Depending on what you want to do, you don't need many sets. When I first got back into LEGO, I bought a few small to medium Technic sets and that was enough to build other small to medium sets out of them following the online PDF instructions. The colors may not match but I was more interested in building techniques. Then LEGO started having new parts each year which made it harder to do without buying new sets or pieces. Athough an attempt can be make to do some creative substitution if money is tight.

As long as new parts and colours are produced, I will be picking up new sets. Then again, I am first a MOCist and second a Minifig fan (just the concept as a whole, I prefer to make my own characters). There are always new figure prints, new accessories, new colours...

Now, space, space is an issue...

Why does everyone talk about the Space theme so much?

My issue is the weapons. Why are there no tanto or wakizashi (short swords)?! They could make the roofs look good if used with the katana pieces...

Edited October 15, 20159 yr by gamejutzu

Why does everyone talk about the Space theme so much?

In this instance they mean room or space.

I am wondering why some parts (I am going to use the "bear" as an example) only come in $100 sets? (I know their is sites like bricklink but I do not feeling using them.) I know I am not going to spend $100 to get a "LEGO bear" and I am sure their are others that feel the same way.

Plus, their are other parts that I get the feeling that are only going to show up once. Like some ninjago parts for example, the "jade blade" that come to mind. Witch is a shame, it looks like it would fit in good for something like the new Nexo Knight.

As long as you want to keep building, you can never have enough pieces. At any given time, I maybe have three or four MOC projects that I'm working on and that means I always need more pieces. Buying sets for me is the best way to get those pieces, as minifigures can be sold to recover some of the money spent on the sets if needs be. It also helps that Lego makes new pieces and parts each year to help perpetuate buying.

probably not :)

I buy certain sets for the minifigs

There will always be something new that you will need pieces for

Rebrickable can certainly tell you how close you can come to realizing any given official model with your existing collection but there will always be spanners in the works (custom sticker sheets, printed parts, unique minifigures, etc.)

In some cases new kits will rely on new parts or unique colors. The New Elementary is a nice little blog dedicated to spotting and reviewing new parts as they emerge from the shadows (or polybags, as it were…)

In other (admittedly rare) cases, parts that, at first glance seem to be the same, are actually newer or older revisions and certain models require a specific mold revision to work properly. This was a problem with the recent revisions to a number of the arch bricks where techniques used in some of the older modular buildings only worked with the previous revision and kits like Bag End from The Hobbit line required the new one.

Of course this is really just an academic discussion because, in truth, no true AFOL ever has "enough" LEGO, that would be like a woodworker claiming to have too many clamps or Donald Trump deciding he has enough money. The curse of LEGO is that our imaginations usually exceed our means.

Of course this is really just an academic discussion because, in truth, no true AFOL ever has "enough" LEGO, that would be like a woodworker claiming to have too many clamps or Donald Trump deciding he has enough money. The curse of LEGO is that our imaginations usually exceed our means.

Maybe not... But sometimes you reach a point to where you wonder where you are going to put more... I am almost there now. I need to get a TARDIS to use as my LEGO studio. Help!

Andy D

I'm very close to having enough pieces to build any Classic Space or Futron set. So yes, you can :)