Now, I have always wondered at what point it is more interesting to build a set with your own parts and ordering missing parts from TLG or Bricklink.

The situation now occurs with 42030 Volvo Frontloader. I have about 90% of the parts and have little space and too much parts. I have all the PF-elements, but of course not the big bucket, the green engine parts and the yellow wheels. Now, these are the most expensive parts I need to order (assuming I can actually order the bucket, which may be licensed and therefor not sold separately by TLG). All other parts are rather small and insignificant.

But then again: ordering missing parts is relatively espensive with shipping costs and price per part. Buying a whole set may give your more parts you already have, but is relatively cheap (assuming you can afford the whole set).

So what is, to you from experience, the turning point? When is it better to buy just missing parts and when do you buy the whole set even though you have 90% of the parts?

And of course nothing beats brand new Lego and a brand new box :)

I do this a lot. simply for the fact that i cant afford most of the sets i want.

As you mentioned. its always great to get brand new LEGO and the box, but I think that its more fun to build it the way its supposed to be until i cant any more( because of the lack of parts) and then make the set my "own" .

In the volvo bucket situation i would try and build one out of lift arms and panels or plates.

Thats my two cents.

i am starting with 42009 crane and plan to try and build few other models using the parts that i have. wherever i get stuck and do not have the parts i should be able to improvise.. thats the fun of technics, ortherwise it is expensive to buy 3/4 new sets each year and build up a huge inventory.