UCS disassembling

[Artifex]

Reading the reviews and watching the videos, the UCS Lego sets seem to shine. They are big (if not huge!), they are beautiful and... They have a gazillion bricks.

So I was wondering: do owners of UCS models (who have actually built them) ever disassemble the UCS sets to use the bricks for other MOCS? Or do they just leave the UCS models alone?

Unfortunately, I don't own any UCS set, but if I did, I guess I would never disassembe it. That's just me, mind you. I've been thinking about getting a UCS set, mainly because they look so great, and I'm almost 100% sure I won't disassemble it (unless I move to another place, that is).

What about you? Did you/would you ever disassemble a UCS set to use the bricks for something else (like a MOC)?

[Blondie-Wan]

I don't intend to keep any of my sets assembled forever; all the parts go into a common pool eventually, to use for other things, though I do also want to be able to reassemble any given set, UCS ones included.

I actually have disassembled a couple UCS sets - the X-Wing Fighter (which I later wound up selling in a moment of financial desperation - hopefully I won't need to do that again), and Yoda. I'm interested in using the Yoda elements for various MOCs, mostly buildings, and for that I need the bricks. I actually wish I'd gotten a couple more copies of the UCS Yoda, simply as parts packs.

[SNIPE]

i like having all the lego in one box made from sets

but no!!

according to my dad 'the parts are only for that model'

I cant even mod my lego technic unimog u400

i cant even dissasemble a newly bought model once ive built it

sure, i have two big boxes of older random bricksmostly frol older technic sets but then im lacking in stuff like liftarms and steerinf components.

how do I get good at building mocs??

Edited February 18, 2012 by SNIPE

[Siegfried]

Yes. I broke my Death Star last year.

Too much pieces to just let gather dust.

[Destroydacre]

Yeah I had to disassemble my UCS Star Destroyer a few years back. Not for space or for the parts but because one of my cats jumped on it from the top of a nearby bookcase. There were pieces of it everywhere. Had to take it all apart before attempting to put it back together again. I never did find one of the taps used for greebling in that set.

[Endigo Vandane]

All the UCS sets I have assembled have been taken apart. Usually within a week or two.

I enjoy building them, but during building I always get new ideas. So when they're finished they become partspacks for me.

That actually happens to most sets.

The ones I keep assembled the longest are the minis. They don't take up a lot of space and if they happen to have unique and usefull parts I just get multiple copies.

So yes, I take them apart to use the parts in MOCs.

[MikeyB]

For me it comes down to your storage system. Until I was organized (well more organized than I used to be!) I didn't tear apart my bigger sets.

Recently i spent some time sorting and found a system that works for me. Since then I have broke down my USC Yoda for parts along with several other larger sets. Theory is if I want to build them again, I now have a system that will allow me to find the parts fairly easily. I want to get a filing system for all the instruction books next (debating between a binder style or and actual file cabinet)

that said I still have all my Modular sets and about 4 or 5 of my favorite sets on display. The modular just look good together and get a lot of comments when people visit the house. so even though they have some great piece for my MOCs, I am going to leave them for a while as they are.

[______]

I really love my UCS Imperial Flagship, but it has so many amazing pieces! And I know I could make a better ship. But I just can't bring myself to tear it down. May do one day as that's what seems to happen to most of my sets nowadays. I either mod them or destroy them!

[gotoAndLego]

I usually disassemble my UCS sets after a while, but not to recycle for parts. The loose parts go in gallon size ziplock bags and those are in a storage tub with some other exclusive sets like Tower Bridge. To ease reassembly of the large sets I will sometimes bag the parts according to books, so Imperial Shuttle, for example, is in four bags. I have other, smaller sets like system scale stuff and creators that are sorted for MOCs.

...how do I get good at building mocs??

You're going to have to buy sets for parts. Your dad may not have a problem with mixing parts if you had a sorting system other than "one big box"; he's probably worried that you will loose parts or not be able to rebuild the sets.

Edited February 18, 2012 by gotoAndLego

[Anio]

Did you/would you ever disassemble a UCS set to use the bricks for something else (like a MOC)?

I disassembled my 10030 to get some parts to build my Executor.

When my Executor was done, I bought all the parts again to rebuilt my 10030 ASAP.

So "Do I disassemble my UCS ?"

I would answer "No".

[Legoman]

Well.. I personally wouldn't mix them all into my spare parts collection. UCS sets are far to valueable as sets to mix them in. If I wanted parts, I'd sell the set and buy twice as many parts. Or keep it and buy parts, Which is what I tend to do

I've had the unfortunate 'pleasure' Of rebuilding a lot of my UCS sets. During the Earthquakes, my Lego collection got munted a few times. I've rebuilt the UCS Darth Maul 3 times (He falls over every aftershock - He's still in parts ATM, Just because I can't be bothered ) , The death Star II, the UCS Yoda, the UCS AT-ST, the UCS Vaders Tie, the UCS X-wing, UCS Y-wing.. Plus heaps of system sets.

Those took a long time to sort and rebuild.. I wouldn't suggest doing it on purpose

[SNIPE]

You're going to have to buy sets for parts. Your dad may not have a problem with mixing parts if you had a sorting system other than "one big box"; he's probably worried that you will loose parts or not be able to rebuild the sets.

I have two boxes that have 6 rows of 5 of draws, I have another one that has 5 rows of 4 draws, I have a flat box with a lid and a lift out tray , etc etc etc

im getting 4 boxes that have like 5 or 6 rows of 7 draws, maybe THEN id be allowed.

[Darth Hagrid]

how do I get good at building mocs??

Practice, practice, and yet more practice!

[SNIPE]

Read my post again.

i cant practise

[Lorentzen]

I love to build the models. It's like therapy for me so I never have any set assembled for very long. I break them up, store each set separately and ready for a rebuild later. Aside from that I have a huge box with various bricks for me and my kids to play around with.

I don't get the whole 'build it once and let it collect dust' thing. LEGO is meant to be built with :)

[gotoAndLego]

Read my post again.

i cant practise

Yes you can. Make a MOC out of the parts from one big set. Its that or you ask your dad for a briclink order instead of a set next time.

Edited February 18, 2012 by gotoAndLego

[Follows Closely]

i like having all the lego in one box made from sets

but no!!

according to my dad 'the parts are only for that model'

I cant even mod my lego technic unimog u400

i cant even dissasemble a newly bought model once ive built it

sure, i have two big boxes of older random bricksmostly frol older technic sets but then im lacking in stuff like liftarms and steerinf components.

how do I get good at building mocs??

First of all, consider yourself lucky to have the u400. Most kids never get the chance to own a set like that. I can understand why your dad wants to keep the $200 sets sorted out, that sucks in some way, but it will be nece in a few years wen you wan to put that set together again. Communicate with your dad, show him some mocs. If all fails, look for used lots on Craigslist or garage sales.

[SNIPE]

I bought the unimog through my money.

My mam does not like me putting credit card details int websites.

I cant buy any more lego at the minute because I have to save up for university

Edited February 18, 2012 by SNIPE

[CaptainCRO]

I would NEVER disassamble my UCS Millennium Falcon. That thing is so beautiful that sometimes I just stare at it for 5 minutes.

But, I don't dissasamble any of my sets because I am not much of a bulder.

[mrklaw]

I'll definitely disassemble, but I've only recently bought a bunch of big sets (cafe corner, fire brigade, GE, Pet Shop, Tower Bridge, Imperial Shuttle, VW camper) and I'm not sure what to do with them. We have a general collection of parts organised by piece type and size, but some sections are at capacity already.

So do I disassemble and keep in 'sets' for rebuilding/reselling later on, or put them all in the main collection (which will require significant expansion of our system)?

The former might be easier, but the latter will give us more options for building MOCs etc.

[Drudoo]

I often disassembly by UCS millennium falcon and rebuild it. (my fastest build of it is 10h45min)

Tower Bridge is also a set i often take a part and rebuild =)