LEGO Purism

[fallentomato]

Once you have the attitude of "why have rules on MY work?!" you might as well have the attitude of "why not bring out the welder?". Where does it stop?

As "quantum sculptors" (to steal a term from Roy Cook) we already have lots of rules imposed on us. While all sculptors have to worry about the limitations imposed by gravity and structural stability, we also are limited to by a set number of shapes (and colors) and the ways those shapes can connect to one another. When I build something that I'm going to animate with, I have to worry about it holding positions between frames and not causing any lighting problems (thus I use fewer chrome pieces than I would like). Adding another set of restrictions just seems silly to me.

If LEGO doesn't make a piece in the color I need it, I will paint without a second thought (unless it's a really rare special piece). If the top half of a piece is causing problems I will cut/file it down. If a competitor or fan company makes a really cool accessory or piece that is clearly lacking from the LEGO line (I don't care for the super specialized guns, but stuff like the Brickforge crowbar and microphone were instant buys) I will throw that piece in with the rest. I also don't mind mingling fleshies and yellow minifigs with Belville and Fabuland characters. Pretty much anything goes in my world of bricks.

But like I said, I'm a LEGO heathen

And actually, why not bring out the welder? Might take "Black Fantasy" MOCs to a whole new level

[Siegfried]

And actually, why not bring out the welder? Might take "Black Fantasy" MOCs to a whole new level

Indeed if that's what you want. Nobody is right or wrong here, it's all just opinions.

(I had a quick look at one of your movies and it looks good. I'll give one a full look later...)

[blueandwhite]

I consider a purist to be someone overly fussy about things of, lets face it, a childs toy.

That's a bit unfair. I'm certainly a purist when it comes to my MOCs and to LEGO in general but I have the utmost respect for any builder who chooses to enjoy the hobby in their own way. Let's not forget, that LEGO is an adult's toy too.

For the most part I'm a purist. I only use LEGO brand products and I don't modify or cut anything. I do buy prototype elements from time-to-time off of bricklink, and I'm not adverse to switching minifig arms/legs from different torsos/hips. For me, it's all about challenge. The biggest appeal of LEGO for me is that you're forced to work within the confines of a very defined system. If LEGO doesn't provide an element that meets your needs, you've got to engineer a solution using the bricks that are available. In many ways, this is what makes LEGO so exciting. That being said; I'm not opposed to burps/lurps or new colours (though I prefer the old ones). LEGO is all about having fun. For me, part of the fun is sticking to the confines of LEGO brand elements.

I still have the fullest of respect for those who choose a different path. It's their way of enjoying the hobby; not mine. Dr. Robert Carney whom I respect greatly as a builder (his MOCs were part of what pulled me out of my dark ages) is certainly anything but a purist. He has modified bricks, used non-LEGO roofing from time-to-time and uses his own stickers. That being said, his castles continue to be some of my all-time favourites. Being a purist doesn't automatically mean that you're simply being fussy.

[CP5670]

I rated myself 4 on that test, but ended up with a 0. I even adjusted some of my things down after reconsidering my answers and still got a 0.

Illegal techniques are the only thing I'm fairly picky about, as far as my own MOCs go. My collection is expensive and is still primarily composed of 80s and 90s MISB sets acquired off ebay, so I want to keep the pieces in perfect shape, and the strength of a model is always a big priority for me (probably comes from being a Technic builder). If I mod any pieces, it would be common ones that are easy to replace.

If LEGO doesn't make a piece in the color I need it, I will paint without a second thought (unless it's a really rare special piece). If the top half of a piece is causing problems I will cut/file it down.

I would probably do those things too, provided that I could achieve a level of quality and polish at least equal to a brand new Lego piece. This is hardly ever the case though.

[Whittleberry]

I would consider myself a purist:

-I would use any SYSTEM or TECHNIC part made by TLG, except for <insert that tiresome argument> pieces or the Belville/Scala figs and their oversized clothing.

-I have quite a distaste for the new bricks with clips on them, as these would have been built from individual parts in the recent past.

-I apply TLG stickers to some sets, but then store the stickered bricks carefully so they stay in good condition.

-I would make custom minifig torsos by using stickers, so long as there is no damage done to the original torso when it's removed

-I would make my own custom cloth and string elements, but I wouldn't mix them in storage with my official LEGO

-I would NEVER EVER buy clone bricks, not in a million years

-I'd like to buy some Arealight Vespas. Although not produced by LEGO, they're a high quality fan-made product, and they are only selling something which LEGO doesn't provide. I would store my Vespas separately though.

-I LOVE printed elements and chrome elements

-I MIGHT cut a brick if one of my brickfilms required it, but it would be a spare from bricklink, not from my collection.

[Rick]

I got a 8.92 score (I guessed a 9 ex-ante, so pretty good guess).

I'm a purist mainly because having Lego as a hobby means working around the limitations set by the Lego System. Like the Walrus said: where does it end otherwise? I also realize that everyone has a different opinion on what's acceptable or not and I notice with myself that the opinion on this probably changes over time as well. But painting, cutting (even flex tube), and stressing elements are definite no-go's. Also, I don't disassemble minifigs' arms, legs, and hands. Furthermore, I'm more ok with adding custom elements than modifying official elements. But then again: there are only a few customizers out there who make quality stuff that doesn't look out of place when used together with official elements.

Edited July 31, 2009 by Rick

[Eilif]

Alot of purists frequently site their enjoyment of the challenge of staying completely inside the boundaries of the LEGO system. That's a valid point, but I think there are other very valid points of view. Many of those of us -like myself0 who are not purists enjoy the challenge of incorporating non-official elements and pushing the boundaries a bit while working to retain the LEGO "feel". Further out on the spectrum then there are other folks who view bricks of any type as a medium for creative expression with no boundaries.

On a related tangent, I think it's a credit to the LEGO system that it so easily incorporates other "brands" and has inspired so many customizers and independent accessory makers who have opened the experience up for so many non-purists.

[MrTools]

I would say im about 98 percent purist. The two ercent peing lighs and string. Sring mainly for things like zip lines replacement for other broken strings and boats. But i usualy try to stay mainly using just LEGO parts

[jonwil]

I am a purist with the exception that I will use BrickArms or BrickForge parts (if I can ever get some) and probably BBB train wheels (although with my Emerald Night, I dont see the need for the BBB wheels anymore)

I will not use any competitor projects (or any of the "fake" stuff), nor will I modify any parts.

[Section8]

1) Purity for me means only LEGO-manufactured parts, whether they are bricks, stickers, sails, etc, from any set or theme. No custom/modified parts, other brands, etc. The only things I would permit are custom sails and strings, because official sails are rare and have historically-inaccurate printings; official strings can and have broken on me and needed to be replaced. Custom stickers are a grey area; I personally don't use them but I've seen other people use them to good effect.

2) Yep, I'm a purist. Never intentionally modified a part and I toss out any non-LEGO bricks I find in parts I buy.

3) I don't make non-pure MOCs but I don't criticize people who do. Build whatever you want however you want if it makes you happy. The only thing I would have problem with is use of non-LEGO specialized parts that do not have an equivalent LEGO brick. But I don't see very much of that.

[Big Cam]

To me a good lego set up or picture needs 100% lego but the location or background can definetaly be none lego.

Did I just contradict myself?

[Rick]

But then again: there are only a few customizers out there who make quality stuff that doesn't look out of place when used together with official elements.

Many of those of us -like myself0 who are not purists enjoy the challenge of incorporating non-official elements and pushing the boundaries a bit while working to retain the LEGO "feel". Further out on the spectrum then there are other folks who view bricks of any type as a medium for creative expression with no boundaries.

That is also what I was trying to say, as long as it's got the 'Lego feel' to it I tend to not too strongly oppose

I would say im about 98 percent purist. The two ercent peing lighs and string. Sring mainly for things like zip lines replacement for other broken strings and boats. But i usualy try to stay mainly using just LEGO parts

You need to check your keyboard: some letters seem to go missing from time to time. I guess replacing or adding string and added leds are things that not too many people oppose.

To me a good lego set up or picture needs 100% lego but the location or background can definetaly be none lego.

Did I just contradict myself?

Did you mean to say that it's ok with you if your house - in which you display your Lego - is made of 'real' bricks instead of Lego bricks?

Edited July 31, 2009 by Rick

[Peppermint_M]

Sorry if my comment offended anyone, it is merely my opinion that Lego, at its heart, is a toy for children and in the end is to be enjoyed regardless.

My little brother was given a massive Megablocks Dragons collection and had a fantastic time, he loved the Best-Lock motorcycle I bought him and is itching to get a McLaren Mercedes F1 car from Cobi or Megablocks. He combines the two he plays with it all and has a huge imagination.

I love to play with my Lego and don't mind mixing brands in MOCs for the tools and hats that Lego doesn't make. I am planning to build BlokVille for all my non-lego to live in alongside my Lego Action City .

In the end I enjoy all forms of construction toy, it just so happens that Lego is the brand I have the most of as it is higher quality and easier to get hold of. I find it somewhat a hipocrasy that those who embrace brick arms decry non-Lego.

I must be a heathen. We should get a tag to warn people

[Brickthus]

I predicted 4/10 and came out as 4.06/10! My stats

Places where I'm more conservative than average:

I dislike POOP because it juniorises the hobby. With the advent of bricks with clips and 1x2 plates with clips I anticipate the demise of the 1x1 plate with clip. For the sake of the hobby this must never happen.

Clone brands are out. I won't even modify them except parts that were mixed in 2nd hand lots and only as test pieces to de-risk a mod to a proper LEGO brick. I would never waste money on clones.

I'm not into stickers because they're not durable. Therefore I don't use my own. This might change as I make signs for my railway layout. I really has stickers that cover more than one brick because it reduces the usefulness of the bricks.

Similarly, I don't like paint either.

Places where I'm more risque than average:

I mod lots of bricks. Some I buy deliberately to mod. However, my limit is that I don't mod bricks from sets because I might need to rebuild the set later, so it's PaB only. Another limit is that I like to use as much of the modded piece as possible - 2 halves of a cut tile for instance. My main reason for modding is that it's how TLG initially designs many new parts and TLG really should make the parts I want I mod few aesthetic parts (mostly tiles), more baseplates to order (32x32s in half because 16x32s were not available, also strips for connecting half beams) and many technic parts, for mechanisms - mostly smaller parts to do a mechanism in a smaller space. I must have cut over 50 axle pins, several half beams and now some 32020 wheels.

Flex tubing - bought 250 to cut to length. Used for pneumatics in railway modules, tree trunks and many other things. I would have bought a 100m reel if it had been available because that's exactly what TLG does - cut flex tube from a reel. Therefore I'm doing only the same as TLG.

Fan clones - BBB wheels are a must for train enthusiasts. There's a nice double clip from Brickarms too, but I don't go in for weapons per se. The quality has to be up there with proper LEGO parts. Extra NXT sensors too.

Non-core ranges are still LEGO products, so they're OK by me. If they don't sell well enough they'll be dropped, to the benefit of better products. That's all part of product evolution. Hopefully the more TLG listens to AFOLs, the less cash they'll waste on unpopular non-core ranges. We help the pace of product evolution. I have bought the odd Bionicle or ZNAP set because some of the parts are useful, but I'm quite selective on value for money. I was given a couple of Clickits packs and I can see uses for a couple of the pieces for mechanisms.

I used glue to stick together rail points that I'd modified, so I can't disown glue entirely . However, I keep glue for fixing things that have broken, so I don't make a habit of it. I have never used MEK.

New colours are here to stay. We may have preferred the old ones but they're obsolete just like 9V and 12V trains and so many mould shapes in many colours. This is an obsolescence market we live in, so I work with it as I would at work, making appropriate lifetime buys while critical parts are still available. I use old or new colours according to what's most appropriate for what I'm building, usually trains and railway scenery to scale, in which environment there are both old and new grey colours in abundance. New colours don't bother me at all for Technic. I'm fortunate not to be trying to build classic space in old grey because there was never a lifetime buy opportunity for 4x8 wing plates!

Mark

[Milan]

Before I used other materials to shorten the time required to build MOC, like this wooden wheels on JCB http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=183137

but now, i try to make perfect creation without any non-lego parts,

Stickers are fine to me.

Sails and ropes look great and are certainly required for big ships to achieve massive look.

[The Who]

To me those pieces are broken once disassembled.

Are you saying you have big hands or something? Because clearly you can assemble them again.

I completely agree with you; I don't like disassembling minifig torsoes and legs as it damages the parts, which seems 'illegal' to me.

I should be in jail by now, with a death sentence. Anyway, how badly the parts are damaged all depends on how careful you are to take the minifigs apart. Plus, half of the time, it's practically microscopic damage that not only is it not noticable, but it usually doesn't affect the MOC at all.

I clearly am not a purist. I love Brickforge and Brickarms, but that is because they are very high quality parts.

However, I am the one to wag (or wave ) a finger at people who use clone brands in their MOCs, like Best-Lock or MegaBlocks for example. Mostly because they are mimicking Lego products, as to where Brickarms for example makes Lego Compatible parts. There is a giant difference here.

EDIT: Wow, I got an 8.95/10. And here I was saying I wasn't a purist.

Edited July 31, 2009 by booger540

[CP5670]

In the end I enjoy all forms of construction toy, it just so happens that Lego is the brand I have the most of as it is higher quality and easier to get hold of. I find it somewhat a hipocrasy that those who embrace brick arms decry non-Lego.

I certainly agree with this, but I largely avoid clone brands just for quality reasons and only use them when I must have something that doesn't exist in Lego. I am ultimately a brick quality freak. I don't particularly care whether the bricks are Lego, Megabloks, Brickarms or whatever else, but I want them to conform to certain objective quality standards. I've had to revise those standards in recent years since the quality I want (achieved by Lego in the 1990s) is no longer provided by anyone, but Lego still has a slight edge over all the clones I know of. I rarely buy used Lego for the same reason and tend to be very picky about scratches, nicks and other types of wear on bricks.

[Emperor Claudius Rome]

I must be a heathen. We should get a tag to warn people

Burn the Witch!!!! :skull:

But hey! Your opinion is your opinion.

[hewkii9]

My purism - Lego bricks only, but cutting tubing and creative sticker use is okay.

And yes, my creations [apart from brief forays into custom cloth things] fit that category.

I appreciate non-purist and custom stuff [except for the countless 'cust0m kl0ne k0mmand0!''s ], I just don't build it myself.

[Eilif]

How is this possible? I got a score of 0.00/10 !! Here's the results

[HumanPackMule]

One thing I do that may be pushing the limits of being pure in terms of Lego is that I use tiny rubberbands that I used to use on my braces to keep small parts of mocs together or make a catapult mechanism

[fallentomato]

How is this possible? I got a score of 0.00/10 !! Here's the results

Hmm, maybe it's based on how your opinons compare to the general opinion. So if you always consider things more okay that the mean (that little dot) than you get a 0.00. That's what I got too and my arrows were all to the left of the dots also.

Guess that makes you a heathen too

[Eilif]

my arrows were all to the left of the dots also.

The test has no relation to "general opinion". At second look, it appears that when taking the test any acceptance or even ambivalence about "impurity" gives you no points toward purity. Thus if you're not clearly on the side of purity, the test says you are impure. Ironically, that's a fairly accurate scale, since even though we frequently use terms like __% pure, if you're not 100% pure, then you are by definition "impure".

[Commander Flash]

Thats funny, 0.00/10

I got 99.8 Not bad

[Peppermint_M]

Oh, I think I must add this:

I do not make mixed media MOCs, apart from using tools or some special elements from clone brands.

I make MOCs out of clones and I make MOCs out of Lego, the two rarely mix, unless I have need of one black 2x1 plate to finish a MOC and the only one I can find is non-Lego, unless it is cosmetic.

I suppose I don't like to mix because there are some subtle and some not so subtle differences between the two, the colour is lighter or the bricks don't combine well with each other. The only clone that is a perfect match was Tyco, and so far I have only found two bricks in my entire collection. Plus I like to enter contests and there would be a risk if expulsion or penalisation for accidentaly using a clone, so I don't make a habit of mixing brands.

This doesn't stop me planning and creating MOCs out of non-Lego , however there isn't really a place I can post pictures and information about the MOCs (apart from flikr, but I don't want to use it for varying reasons that are off topic).

I still equip my Minifigs using clones, I have seen minifigs equipped with Brickarms and Brickforge products (I would love some, but they are pricey!) and I have seen minifigs equipped using Best-Lock and other non-Lego (one or two even in promotional pictures on Brickarms!) and I will continue to do so.