Sets: Dismantle for MOC, buy another, Bricklink instead...

[legoalex919]

The first thing that catches my attention when I look at a set is the minifigs. I like making the set but then I don't want to take it apart to use the bricks for MOCs. This is really messing me up because I don't want to buy two sets (one to build and one to use the bricks for other projects.) Then I think well, I will have more minifigs......... Does anybody else have the same issue as me?

Edited January 11, 2012 by Siegfried
De-vagued the title

[Sid Sidious]

Buy extra minifigs on Bricklink.

[Hrw-Amen]

I like to keep my sets made up, or at least in bags / boxes so they can be made up. I use Bricklink for bricks to use for my own projects including extra minifigs, which is good as I can choose the parts I want for custom figures rather than what comes in the sets.

[LEGO Guy Bri]

I never dismantle sets for MOCs even if I have multiples... I just can't bring myself to do it. While I enjoy my minifigs, especially the newer, detailed ones, I tend to buy the set because it appeals to me, minifig or not. I do use Bricklink or left over parts from friends donated old collections for MOCs

[meyerc13]

You aren't alone, as I'm building a set I start thinking about how useful (or not) the pieces might be. If the set is full of useful parts, I'll probably pick up another for the parts.

In some cases a set just doesn't appeal to me, so I'll scavenge it for parts. Examples of this are the Toy Story sets and many Creator sets.

[JackJonespaw]

I buy a set, usually because the minifigs and the vehicle or scene calls out to me. But, eventually, it all ends up in some MOC.

[Dakar A]

It seems to be somewhat of a sort of a mental block. I can seperate sets (sometimes) but only if they are seethingly different from the theme I build (Town). I have my eyes on seperating my Neptune Cruiser and Blacksmith Attack sets, but, excluding the fire station (I already had the FB), I usually don't part out my sets.

On the other hand, I find it eaiser to part out MOC's, I don't know why. They are usually not as attractive as a set. So those are my thoughts on the matter.

Dakar

Edited January 10, 2012 by Dakar A

[Lego_Hero]

I'm a minifig guy so I buy sets if they have good minis or if there are good parts. Some times I don't even build the sets before sorting them for storage. And the sets I do put together don't stay together long. I really don't have display room.

[Vindicare]

I only buy sets that interest me. I don't just buy every set a theme I like has to offer. I'm not a completeist(thank God!). I can't really say what I'd do if I built my own stuff, I'd sort it out like most do. You can still build the set, it would just take a little extra searching.

[Legoman of War]

I buy sets that appeal to me or my sons and minifigs are a big part of that. I like to keep sets together and only use the parts when my sons have played with them to the point i don't want to spend days searching for the parts. I buy bulk to build MOC's and use bricklink to get specific items.

LMW

[Siegfried]

Interesting timing! I tend to keep sets together (mostly!) until I'm out of room for a theme. For example last weekend I decided it was time to recycle my Atlantis sets, I've been taking photos tonight...

...and they'll be spare parts soon after!

[nicoga3000]

My entire LEGO collection, at this point, has come from sets. Now that I'm about done sorting, I'm starting to see what kind of pieces and parts I'm lacking - enter Bricklink. ;) I still buy sets for a few reasons, though.

- They're fun to assemble and learn from

- They provide a thematic set of pieces (useful for certain MOC gathering adventures)

- When my fiance and I decide to have kids, it'll be a great starting point to introduce them to LEGO

That last point makes me smile, haha. My kids are going to have the most insane LEGO collection thanks to dad.

[SilvaShado]

My husband and I are completists so if we get into a theme, we have to buy one of each set to keep as is. So any that we want for parts have to be bought extra. But we do a lot of bargain shopping, waiting for discounts and clearance. It's still expensive, but then, we also don't get into every theme.

If we like a set in a theme that we're not into, then we will buy it for parts and not worry about getting one to keep as is. It's what I plan to do with the Friends sets.

[fred67]

Like a lot of AFOLs, I have mental problems when it comes to LEGO.

First, if I buy a set it's because I like the set. I've only ever bought small impulse sets for parts, but then they are easy to recreate from my collection of parts because there are so few pieces.

Other sets I buy to build. It doesn't matter what the theme is, even if it's outside my usual tastes. I have one of these: . I bought it for the linear actuators (at the time, it was the best way to get them, money wise, I think). These sold out really fast, never to be seen again. I could not find another one... so instead of having two linear actuators in my parts collection, I have an excavator sitting on my shelf.

Of course, now the actuators are fairly easy to find, so it's a moot problem.

So really, if a set strikes me as being great for pieces, I normally would have to buy two. I don't know why.

All that said, I have RARELY bought two sets for such a purpose, and yet I have, as I loosely estimate, around 100k pieces for building MOCs (NOT tied up in sets). I've been buying pieces for so many years now - from a couple of buckets I bought when I came out of my dark ages, to bricklink, to S@H pick-a-brick, to the pick-a-brick wall at the LEGO Store (including the occasional "k" box).

If I actually had room to put the things I built (as it is, half my sets are still in boxes because I have no where to put them should I build them... I have to make room, like add a new shelf somewhere, before I can build something), I'd be MOCing like crazy (especially wanting to make a permanent train layout and micro medieval "layout").

I guess the bottom line is it's impossible to suggest what to do to somebody else - you have the gamut of replies, here... some people, like me, must build the set and keep it together (even when put away). Some people will build and then take apart for MOCs (I actually did this for the first time ever a couple of weeks ago, but there were extenuating circumstances). Some people will go straight to MOCing.

Edited January 11, 2012 by fred67

[Ralph_S]

I see sets as parts packs first and foremost. I don't even build most of the sets I buy and most that I do build don't stay together for very long. There are a few exceptions. I still have the Lunar Lander (from 2003), the Sopwith Camel and Red Baron models. They are right up my alley, and I did buy multiple copies so that I could build one and use the rest of the parts for MOCs. I also used to have the Wright Flyer that I kept in one piece for several years, but took it apart about two years ago when I simply couldn't resist using the parts for one of my own models any more. At the moment I also still have the Grand Carousel in one piece.

I generally don't get nearly as much enjoyment out of building from instructions and looking at the built up set than I do from building my own stuff and having my own models on a shelf.

Cheers,

Ralph

[Peppermint_M]

Oh, I MOC. I have a handful of sets built and kept because they look so good (MMV, Agents Command) and some because I like them as they are (Speed Racer Cars, Res-Q hovercraft) everything else is supplies to MOC with.

I buy themes I like for colour/minifig parts/special elements and I buy plenty of other sets simply for their parts alone. I buy the games on discount as parts packs and most sets under £10 that turn up in shops. I do use PaB and Bricklink for specifics to expand my collection, but I mostly just get the sets.

[slovakiasteph]

Definitely MOC... I'll typically get a LEGO set, build it... and then "steal" a piece or two I need for a MOC, and pretty soon the whole thing's in shambles and it's time to disassemble and sort. Happens to the best of them.

[vexorian]

I used to buy bricks in used bulks. But I recently decided to stop that, as the state of the bricks is not great and you need a lot of luck to get the bricks you actually want. And you need ages to sort and clean the bricks. And a lot of space for bricks that were cheap...

I cannot use bricklink for paypal is not friendly to my country and I don't plan gettng a CC. If I could I would probably use it to get a lot of small special pieces. Things like exo force robot arms are very rare for a guy without PaB/bricklink access but are actually quite cheap in BL...

I supposedly buy sets for their parts, but I seem to keep most of them built. It is likely that if I get bored about how a set looks I will disassemble it. But if it happens soon after I buy the set that is probably because I didn't like the set that much. I am lately buying duplicates for sets. It helps that I am right now into hero factory, so I don't get minifig overpopulation from doing so (although CM figs are becoming quite an issue).

My current fad is to buy returned boxes. I mean, it is pretty obvious to me that to the flea market in here some boxes returned from a US retailer appear and they often are incomplete sets (missing a bag, usually the minifig bag) which makes them very inexpensive. But the bricks are also semi-new (often completely new in sealed bags), which makes it the best piece/price ratio I can ever get for new bricks. Since the sets are often incomplete, I get not a lot of motivation to keep it.

(Though many times I ended up getting complete or almost complete sets that way, that's a bonus).

[legoalex919]

I love reading everyones reply. I don't get to talk to any Adult Fans of Lego except for on this forum and it is a good way for me to interact with like minded individuals. I didn't know about this Eurobricks site, I just stumbled upon it one night and was amazed. Thanks everyone for posting stuff now I know about Bricklink and that this hobby is so many things to so many people and that everyone just loves lego for there own reason.

-Alex

[MikeyB]

I love reading everyones reply. I don't get to talk to any Adult Fans of Lego except for on this forum and it is a good way for me to interact with like minded individuals. I didn't know about this Eurobricks site, I just stumbled upon it one night and was amazed. Thanks everyone for posting stuff now I know about Bricklink and that this hobby is so many things to so many people and that everyone just loves lego for there own reason.

-Alex

Bricklink can be addictive but I love it. parts seem cheap (oh its only 5 cents, I may as well get 50 and that hair piece looks cool may as well get 2 at $1.50 each.) but the next thing you know your order is over $30 when all you really wanted was some 1x4 reddish brown tiles......and then you do it 10 times in about six weeks.....

but on the topic. I only have a few sets on display, the modular buildings, the MMV and the Yoda Sculpture set but I think I'm going to disassemble yoda for the tan, sand green and orangey-brownish bricks. Most everything else gets built and then typically scavenge for parts...

Edited January 12, 2012 by MikeyB

[Miss Kyle]

It depends. I keep the sets I really love built and on display, like the new Millennium Falcon, the UCS Batmobile, the Superheroes sets - anything iconic from films. I usually take apart sets I bought for parts and minifigs - I build them once, but then they go into the brick boxes. These are usually smaller sets or bargains.

Then there are sets I have to take apart for space reasons, but I want to keep the parts together. I box these up seperately, like the Batman I sets I had to remove the other day to make space for the new stuff.

It's all very difficult!

[Orange Leader]

I always have a hard time breaking Star Wars sets. I have the models from 1999 to 2001 unsorted in a box and is supposed for MOC'ing. Newer sets that I like are seperated from set to set. Other themes are sooner or later broken down for MOC'ing.

[TheLegoDr]

We typically buy sets because we like the pieces and/or minifigures. Typically I stick to just a few themes unless the pieces are so worthwhile to me. Most of the sets have been purchased to be built, then after a while they get torn down for part usage. But some sets are strictly parts only. And some sets get built and never torn apart. I have Kings Mountain Fortress still together since whenever it came out. I found it in a tote that way, so that is interesting.

I want to get into MOCing, so most sets will be used for that purpose. But I have yet to really dive into it since I have very little time for this hobby, other than purchasing new sets and stockpiling them.

[Hrw-Amen]

It seems from many replies that it is a bit like real life. Most people keep the min-figs safe from the sets whereas the raw materials are recycled.

[Peppermint_M]

I regularly take apart minfigs, I prefer to make custom figures and keep a handfull of the set figures, sometimes keeping them until I have a repeat/upgraded version. The CMFs stay together 1 of each until the next series comes out.