BrickLinking (another) 10179 UCS Millennium Falcon

[Robianco]

Hi Robianco

Just let me know if you want any help with it, although I don't want to be mentioned in the divorce papers...

Will do! Don't worry... I'll make sure EB is kept clear of any divorce matters!

How many 10179s have you built now?

[Lobot]

Hi dwong, there's probably better methods but here's how I did it:

i) I copied the parts list from Bricklink into Excel and tidied it.

ii) I checked a few of my favourite UK shops to see if they had any of the parts in stock, and logged each price on my spreadsheet.

iii) I checked both the 'Pick A Brick' & 'Bricks and Pieces' and added the cost to my spreadsheet, and added a few formula to cost it and highlight the cheapest sources via conditional formatting. It's best to search by part number as some aren't shown in the main 10179 list that are actually available! I forgot to mention in my last post that I didn't pay any postage for the orders I made directly from LEGO, so bear that in mind.

v) I started making orders at that point (it's best to make the intial orders as large as possible to save on postage costs!)

v) Once I'd got the remaining parts down to a reasonable level (<1500) I created a Bricklink 'Wanted' list. However, be warned this will highlight a lot of stores that have everything you need, but at a very high cost!! So, I'd really recommend looking around. I made several orders from sellers with 50-100 feedbacks and I couldn't fault their service (and the parts were considerably cheaper compared to the more 'established' stores!). One way of doing this is to search for a particular part, using the 'Show more filter options' and check the cheapest 5-10 stores. This is where the 'Wanted list' is really useful: in the top left of each shop there's a 'Show all items this store has on my wanted list' which I found invaluable!

It took me a lot of time and effort to do this, but it's kept me occupied for hours! Good luck if you decide to go ahead with it.

Cheers, Robin

Will do! Don't worry... I'll make sure EB is kept clear of any divorce matters!

How many 10179s have you built now?

This is the second one that I've Bricklinked, but I've had three original ones as well I sold my last one about 18 months ago (when I first heard rumours of a newer one) and have regretted it ever since.... However, I'm due a large bonus sometime this year and I'm also turning 40, so I might try to find another MISB one at some point. I've already mentioned it to my wife, and she didn't look that impressed, but I've found that a gradual 'conditioning' approach usually works well in these situations!! It's only money, after all

[unhappyeeyore]

Usual replacement parts are the rigging,radar, 1x16 technical, yellow right angles as they are discontinued, levers. 1x10 flats on the inside (few other bits). Nothing on the outside really impacts the look if you're after a good 'custom version' vs the expensive real thing. I always wanted one - got one and now need money for new venture.(booo) Total weight will be 11kg or there abouts - just like the real set. Although I've not had it on the scales. I've also ditched the seat/steering wheel - which was a joke on the original and added a printed tile/seat combo (used printed tiles in the cockpit also) plus some more Chewie mods on the outsite for added detailing.

[Lobot]

Hi unhappyeeyore, I don't know if you're aware of the EB guidelines:

Selling, self promotion and promoting: New members are not allowed to sell/trade on this site, but we do allow long term members to do so in the Buy/Sell/Trade/Finds forum; be sure to read the rules to this forum before posting there. We occasionally allow exclusions to this rule but you need to contact the staff first. We NEVER allow the personal message system to be used to spam or contact members to make sales offers. If you engage in this practice, you will be subject to an immediate ban. The only time the personal message system should be used is when both parties have previously agreed to that form of communication. We take no responsibility for any transaction that takes place as a result of contact made on this site. If you have a problem with a transaction, you should discuss it with the other party, not us. Quite simply, know who you are dealing with and act accordingly. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Please don't use Eurobricks as a billboard. You may certainly post links to your site in your signature, but don't join just to advertise your site. This includes reviews/MOCs/contests posted on off-site forums.

Link here: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=18718

[WhiteFang]

I've got a fab Bricklinked 10179 for sale if anyone wants one. Needs to go to a good home to fund next project.

Usual replacement parts - additional parts added to give it a different feel. i.e. Chewie upgrades

Photos etc available on request.

Asking £1000 (inc delivery to UK address via 24hr courier)

Hi unhappyeeyore,

We understand your excitement in the topic agenda, as started by our EB Member, Lobot. He has also kindly directed an excerpt of the Site Guidelines on selling, self promotion and promoting. You have also demonstrated your understanding to the EB staff that you will require a minimum post count in order to create a sales listing topic within our BSTF Forum. In this case, we noted that you understood and respect our guidelines. In addition, there is no need for us to sanction the original posts as there is no specific links directing to any sales listing. Furthermore, your private messaging function is also not activated until you hit ten posts.

Thank you for your time and enjoy your stay with us.

WhiteFang

[Schneeds]

I found you can save a fair amount reversing the dark bluish gray/light bluish gray color combinations of the lift arms and hinges. They aren't visible from the outside and it wouldn't be noticeable anyway. Also, ordering the rigid 3mm hoses and dark bluish gray phones from Lego Bricks & Pieces will save you a small fortune. Finally, if you haven't seen it, as an alternative to the boat mast there's this: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=81759 I used it and it looks great. I think better than the original actually.

[H_Solo]

I found the engine redesign with light blue 1x1 round plates posted by Scottish Dave extremely intriguing and far more movie accurate than any kind of fences before the Falcons thrusters... It also saves a fortune and looks imho absolutely smashing!

Edited February 5, 2015 by H_Solo

[Robianco]

That's the mod I'd be looking to do too!

[Schneeds]

I found the engine redesign with light blue 1x1 round plates posted by Scottish Dave extremely intriguing and far more movie accurate than any kind of fences before the Falcons thrusters... It also saves a fortune and looks imho absolutely smashing!

The original model didn't actually have anything where the thrusters are, they just added blue light. So it's fairly open to interpretation on what is accurate ;)

http://www.starshipmodeler.com/starwars/mf_btm.jpg

However it does look like the model in Episode 7 will have vertical grill slots, making it inline with the above mod.

[Lobot]

Re: the 3mm LBG hosing, you need the following: 2 x 75c08, 2 x 75c12 and 2 x 75c20. Luckily 2 x 75c20 are included in set 75052 (Mos Eisley) so there's quite a few available on Bricklink at the moment, and if you order 4 this will be enough for all six hoses (e.g. cut two of them into c08 & c12 lengths! ). I'll post some photos of my 'Pick A Brick' and 'Bricks & Pieces' orders when they arrive. As mentioned by Schneeds earlier, there's quite a few parts which I couldn't get cheaper on Bricklink including:

6190 - Dark Bluish Gray Bar 1 x 3 (Radio Handle, Phone Handset)

47905 - Dark Bluish Gray Brick, Modified 1 x 1 with Studs on 2 Sides

3703 - Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 16 with Holes

47753 - Dark Bluish Gray Wedge 4 x 4 No Top Studs

30374 - Light Bluish Gray Bar 4L (Lightsaber Blade / Wand)

47996 Light Bluish Gray Boat Mast Rigging Long 28 x 4 (Black)

6112 - Light Bluish Gray Brick 1 x 12

2465 - Light Bluish Gray Brick 1 x 16

4477 - Light Bluish Gray Plate 1 x 10

3036 - Light Bluish Gray Plate 6 x 8

41539 - Light Bluish Gray Plate 8 x 8

30363 - Light Bluish Gray Slope 18 4 x 2

3045 - Light Bluish Gray Slope 45 2 x 2 Double Convex

4599 - Light Bluish Gray Tap 1 x 1

3068b - Light Bluish Gray Tile 2 x 2 with Groove

6565 - Light Bluish Gray Wedge 3 x 2 Left

6564 - Light Bluish Gray Wedge 3 x 2 Right

41770 - Light Bluish Gray Wedge, Plate 4 x 2 Left

41769 - Light Bluish Gray Wedge, Plate 4 x 2 Right

Your own mileage may differ, but it may be a useful starting point

[ScottishDave]

The original model didn't actually have anything where the thrusters are, they just added blue light. So it's fairly open to interpretation on what is accurate ;)

I do agree that the filming model just had a blank area - but I always thought that this was due to special effects limitations: they had to superimpose a smooth blue glow there, and with optical compositing, which is semi-transparent, you therefore needed a smooth area to composit onto. I seem to recall that matte paintings of the Falcon, and the "full" scale mockup of the exterior, had grillework on the engines. Most model kits, illustrations etc. have the grillework.

... that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

Once again: credit where it is due, I got the entire idea for the engines from the amazing work of Matt de Lanoy.

[dwong]

Hi Lobot,

Thank you so much for the advice

Been trying to start the project 2 years ago, but failed

Yesterday I start another excel spreadsheet, load up 4 local bricklink shop. I could get 50% of all the pieces for us$570, sounds positive? (shipping extra, no many rare pieces)

What if order all pieces thru bricks & pieces, find the rest on bricklink?

[Lobot]

Hi dwong

Have a good look at TLG's 'Pick a Brick' & 'Bricks & Pieces' first which will give you a starting price for each part before you order anything. As I mentioned earlier a lot of the Bricklink stores with a decent inventory won't be the cheapest, so it's worthwhile looking around. If you can then find parts cheaper on Bricklink (factoring in the cost of P&P) then order everything you can. Personally I'd recommend that you leave the TLG orders to the end so that you can order the odd part here & there (that you couldn't find on Bricklink!). It's a great challenge, but take your time before you order anything

[unhappyeeyore]

It was a lot of work but it paid off what I did was, I added the Lego Bricks 'n' peices price into the wanted list comments ( so I knew if it was cheaper on Lego) and also where the knew I could change the colour of the part I removed the specific colour so if the store I was ordering other parts from had any colour of the parts I could sub I just ordered them from there to save P&P. So if they had black 1x16 Technicals for example I ordered a few, same as the 1x10 tiles as there are a few you can replace with black for example - same with teh 1x8 tile 61 can be replaced as they are inside. Again if the store had some black I ordered them to get the required qtys to zero as quickly as possible. I kept the lego order till the end for the stuff I knew was cheaper on there and for qtys which were not available on UK bricklink sellers. I did one order from the USA - but it wasn't the best idea - fab service from the seller as it arrived in 16 days! - just high P&P

[dwong]

Hi Lobot,

I have to agree every word you said, this project is epic and not easy to complete. If going to the wrong direction, I will broke my arm/leg to get it done.

The most difficult thing is estimate the final cost.

Will follow your advice, thanks in advance

[dwong]

Hi unhappyeeyore,

Did you set min Qty in BL want list?

[dwong]

Hi Lobot,

How do I know the brick price is reasonable (non-rare piece)?

[unhappyeeyore]

Yes used bricklink and an excel sheet. Did the Bricklink set min required to the parts needed, then I removed the radar, rigging and other rare parts and added the replacements in manually. I then took off the colour required on those parts I know I can use any colour for, so if the store had any I could order them vs just looking for LBG for example. (If kit called for white and site had LBG - these will do vs the white I thought - no one will see the inside!) I added in the remarks field the lego bricks 'n' peices price for those parts you can still get from Lego so I knew I wasn't paying more on Bricklink as there are parts on Bricklink which are more costly than Lego direct - that is a good watchout, not to assume Bricklink is cheapest!£140+

I then started with the Bricklink orders, ordering over £200 from the first store as they had a LOT of stock in, then there was another £160 from another ....... and then smaller orders from another 7 or 8 stores, specifically ordering 'rare' parts from them specifically. e.g. look for the black radars and the turn-table as they are getting quite rare in the UK if you're in UK. Tried to use UK sellers where possible, made mistake with USA store - as I got a bit carried away! There is a guy in Germany for example ONLY dealing in 10179 spares.

As orders done - reduce required qty and XL sheet as a master log! Made a few mistakes as was trying to bricklink something else at same time! Don't try it 10179 is tooo big, need focus of a Jedi level!

£140+ Lego order to mop up bits which were costly on bricklink or not available in big qtys. Did final 3 bricklink orders (<£30) for stuff which was out of stock on lego..... and there you have it 5000+ bits of lego on the dining table!

Dwong, for pricing comparison or costing - check Lego vs Bricklink stores, check a few stores vs each other - slow process to start but pays off massively due to the size and qtys of parts for 10179..... I spotted one UK seller which was quite expensive vs others and avoided them, pitty as I've used them before for smaller orders for different project. As always min number of orders is best as P&P is a LOT of the cost of this Monster! Remember Lego's P&P is a flat fee I think - well it is to the UK which is Fab! Big box delivered for £2 is just remarkable. Bricklink scores for some really low prices on some parts vs Lego and the ability to get the rare parts. On the Excel sheet as well as my wanted list I added in a note for how many replacement colours I could use. So if there was a part where out of the 120 I could use 60 internally where they would not be seen I ordered black for example.

[Lobot]

Hi dwong

To be honest, there isn't a quick answer this this one, as the prices/availability of some parts seem to vary considerably in different countries My only real advice is to invest time in checking both 'Bricks and Pieces' and 'Pick a Brick' which will give you a starting price, and then start looking around on Bricklink! As unhappyeeyore mentioned, the shipping for TLG is likely to be fixed, and for me it was totally free (as the overall order value was > £50). The shipping costs can really add up, even with small orders. For example I paid $6.10 for one tiny order from Poland, which was totally ridiculous!

[Inzane]

My only real advice is to invest time in checking both 'Bricks and Pieces' and 'Pick a Brick' which will give you a starting price, and then start looking around on Bricklink!

I agree completely. After doing this again recently putting the SSD set together, I have a bit of a theory on the parts pricing. My impression is the Lego pricing (BnP, PAB) has more to do with their production costs for a part. (for example it kinda makes intuitive sense that a plate twice as large costs near twice as much as a smaller plate). Whereas the bricklink pricing has more to do with supply & demand and relative availablity of certain parts.

For example, if a part is large it is probably going to cost a lot on BnP. Large and fairly common and you will probably find it cheaper on bricklink. If it's large AND rare, it's going to cost a bloody fortune on BL and you're better off ordering from BnP IF they still make it/have it.

PAB is another beast entirely. I made extensive use of it last year when I was doing the modulars (CC, GG, MS), but those sets contained more conventional parts, mainly bricks and slopes etc., things like that. PAB is less useful for more exotic less typical building elements (plates of unusual sizes, uncommon wedge sizes, etc.). PAB also used to have a considerable price advantage last year relative to BnP up until around Feb/March when there was a noticable increase. In my recent cost analyis of the SSD set parts, PAB had way less of the parts even available overall (compared to BnP) and was cheaper only in a couple/few instances. Every time else it was advantage Bricks n' Pieces. I didn't even bother placing a PAB order this time around.

PAB does have the advantage of earning VIP points and FREE shipping if coupled with an order exceeding $75, so there's that going for it.

[Bricksnaps]

Hi! First post here on Eurobricks after lurking for a while. Love all the info on 10179 and I am pleased to say this post as well as the pretty sure confirmation there will be no UCS MF this year I went ahead and purchased all the parts I needed to make this.

I had spent a week sorting through my sons lego pieces and I had approx 1k pieces to start with. After 6 hours brick linking last night and paying PayPal invoices today, I purchased around 4k of the pieces I need for a little bit less than $700 shipped!

I left out the gray rigging as I am going to do the afterburner mod, left the gray on gray antennas and the big printed dish. I changed some colours, but not many of internal technic pieces and am looking forward to watching mr mailman/woman deliver all my parts next week so that I can start building.

I had a total of 20 orders and cannot wait to build this. I certainly am not going to have a mint 10179, but it will be close enough to satisfy my son and I and fit nicely into the Hoth MOC we are building.

Cheers people, happy to share pics or info if needed.

[Lobot]

Update:

My 'Bricks and Pieces' order arrived yesterday, which included some parts that were either i) considerably cheaper than Bricklink ii) available in sufficient quantities or iii) were needed to finish the set! I've included a photo below for info, hopefully it might be of help to someone, but as I've said before your own mileage may vary! Unfortunately, I've just checked it and I'm missing 7 x 6190 (radio handles) so I'll wait until my my 'Pick a Brick' order arrives and then contact TLG. It has to be said that I haven't had the best luck with this order, for reasons that I won't go into, but I'm not overly impressed by my recent customer 'experience'....

I also found some rather odd parts that I didn't order included as well (the green plate and torso in particular!)

I'm going to start building shortly

[Lobot]

After a couple of hours work yesterday, I've built the main frame. It looks a bit odd without the yellow 32555s, but I couldn't justify the extra cost. At least it has the black 6558s this time! It's quite fun to build and feels very solid when it's finished.

Unfortunately, I'm still missing some parts so I can't build it in the correct sequence. So, I started to scan through the instructions to see what else I could work on. Next we have the cannons, the tops are identical, but the undersides are different and lock together when in place. I've also built two of the smaller sections for the underside. Not that exciting, but a necessary part of the build!

Next we have the legs, which are one of my favourite parts of the set, plus some of the docking rings:

And finally, the cockpit (almost complete) and the radar dish which I'm really pleased with. It looks so much better than the plain dish and worth the extra money. However, if I decide to keep it I might try to track down an original version at some point. I can't do much more until my final order arrives but it's been good to make a decent start on it.

Cheers, Robin

[unhappyeeyore]

^{Just finished putting mine together to ensure it is all there and it wasn't. Groan! Have finished it with some odd internal colours and will have to order the sensible ones this week.}

^{How difficult it is to get some of the plates into position when the pegs are new and will NOT go into the holes!I}

^{think I did well to only miss-count 9 parts and I learnt not to Bricklink anything else at the same time. I'll try and post some pictures when I'm allowed/find out how.}

^{Looks really great however.}

[Lobot]

Hi unhappyeeyore, you should be able to add photos to your posts but you'll need to 'deeplink' them via flickr or Brickshelf etc. All you need to do is copy the URL, click on the 'image' icon (which has the tree on it!), paste in the URL, click 'ok' and it should appear in your post preview. However, please keep the photos to 800 x 600; if you can't link to a small version it's easy to re-size them using MS Paint, instructions here: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=20787

It's always good to see photos of Bricklinked Falcons!