Hello! I was wondering how many other people like to build their new Lego sets like I do - as a Puzzle using only the photo on the front of the box as a guide?

It's my favorite way to build models which are ~500 pieces or less, generally Architecture sets. I enjoy the challenge of building the parts that I can see well by looking for clues such as the gaps between bricks, then having to guess how to put those parts together and how the backside of the model should look.

I just posted an article on my blog describing my process for building models without the directions. I would be very interested to who else does this, and hear what approaches or tricks you use.

LINK: http://tomalphin.com/2013/10/lego-challenge-15-without-the-instructions.html

(SPOILER ALERT: The blog shows details of how to build the now discontinued Architecture Series model of Sungnyemun, so be warned.

Cool, I can't say that I've ever tried this but I like your style!

I'm sure people have done it in the past with the alternate model pictures that were often on the back of the boxes (does LEGO do this anymore?). I could see this being quite difficult for big or more complex models, but for simpler/smaller models I may have to give this a try sometime. I'm intrigued.

J

I try this with some of the smaller sets (like the City vehicle range). It makes it more of a challenge and forces you to think like a designer rather than a builder. Taking a small set or two without the instructions and just an image of the completed set is a great way of passing time on vacation!

The USA/Canada (1961-65) Town Plan Set 725 has this one image as the set instructions....

Back in the 1960s LEGO sets didn't have the "one level at a time" instructions... you really had to use your wits to build models....

Back in the 1960s LEGO sets didn't have the "one level at a time" instructions... you really had to use your wits to build models....

My Uncle owned that set, so I've built all those models as a kid when visiting my Grandparents house. Thankfully, those models were pretty easy to build without instructions!

Every now and then when I have a set around 200 pieces I also do a "puzzle build". I agree, I is a fun way to learn and experience more.

Andy D

I've only done this with polybags. My building skillz aren't that great. Maybe I should step up and try it with some bigger sets. It would make the building process last longer ;)

Mad skillz would be building 10179 without manual.

I used to build each set I got using the instructions for the first time, just because it was fun to walk through it one piece at a time and slowly ooh and aah as the building comes together, but after the first time I would usually build it just from looking at the box. I would also faithfully build all of the alternative models on the back of the box as well. Of course, my doing so, may be linked to the fact that the biggest set I've ever owned was the Imperial Outpost.

Sometimes I would try to build other sets that I didn't own from the pictures shown in the catalogues. I think I did a pretty good job with some of them.

Yeah, my son tend to do that. With simple sets, he can do allright. He just wants the box and he'll do his best. Not bad for a four year old

When I was a kid (and it was uphill both ways, in snow) I had "Idea Book's" .. that really exercised my little grey cells as you'd often just have one pic. Now I got a kid, am old, and have Idea Books, but too many fried grey cells, sigh .. (so uphill again .. )

I build like this only if I don't have instructions available for a model. In fact, I'm planning to build

over the weekend. The set never came with any instructions for it, and the only reference to it is this video in the software that the set included.

I'm sure people have done it in the past with the alternate model pictures that were often on the back of the boxes (does LEGO do this anymore?). I could see this being quite difficult for big or more complex models, but for simpler/smaller models I may have to give this a try sometime. I'm intrigued.

Yes, I've built some of those box models in the past. Only a few of them are actually worth building, and ironically they are usually the most complicated ones and came from the largest sets.

Agree, but I find those alternate models on the old yellow boxes quite inspiring and I've used a bunch as a base for MOCs. I've flattened all my new boxes and put them in the basement (and I'll probably throw them out, 10XXX as well, as they're really boring), but I'm keeping the old yellow boxes in building room close to my Idea Books

I built quite a bite of models with out the instruction book. I know that with the Droid Developer Kit that there was models that could only be built by the picture.