Parting out sets that you bought for parts?

[Andy D]

I have a number of sets that I bought just for parts. They include second copies of modulars, some LOTR, Star Wars and others.

Somehow I am having difficulties just ripping the box open and sorting the parts into my inventory. I have noticed that when I need some parts for something I am building, I even go to Bricklink and buy parts that I have in those sets.

Sometimes I tell myself that I will build the set first to learn what can be learned about technique... But who has time to build all those sets?

How do you overcome the “I don’t want to rip open the new box” syndrome and get your parts sorted into your inventory?

Andy D

Edited October 12, 2014 by Andy D

[SweetiePie88]

I have a number of sets that I bought just for parts. They include second copies of modulars, some LOTR, Star Wars and others.

Somehow I am having difficulties just ripping the box open and sorting the parts into my inventory. I have noticed that when I need some parts for something I am building, I even go to Bricklink and buy parts that I have in those sets.

Sometimes I tell myself that I will build the set first to learn what can be learned about technique... But who has time to build all those sets?

How do you overcome the “I don’t want to rip open the new box” syndrome and get your parts sorted into your inventory?

Andy D

As far as sets I've bought for parts, I don't have problem since I mainly have gotten spare friend animals or mixels for part. Unless I get a boxed set on sale, I almost never buy one for parts. Biggest to date on sale is the 2 shellraisers I got on sale for 18 each. One was assembled as is and the other was parts. No problem there. Most recent boxed set at full price I can think of is I got a second lemonade stand b/c I wanted another scooter. No brainer since at the time I got it, a scooter was running at least 5 or 6 bucks on average plus shipping and supplies cost which is at least a few bucks so getting the whole set seemed like a better option.

The only new set that I have that I am hesitating over opening is a set special to me. Its a series 1 planet I won in worldlego's giveaway.

[Jared]

Force yourself at point-blank with some kind of LEGO weapon! ;)

I'm just kidding. I know the feeling, but you kind of just have to power through it anyway and do it. Think about all the cool stuff you'll get to make in the end!

[Andy D]

Force yourself at point-blank with some kind of LEGO weapon! ;)

I'm just kidding. I know the feeling, but you kind of just have to power through it anyway and do it. Think about all the cool stuff you'll get to make in the end!

Yeah, I am building all the cool stuff, just with parts from Bricklink rather than from unopened sets.

Andy D

[Slegengr]

Yeah, I am building all the cool stuff, just with parts from Bricklink rather than from unopened sets.

Andy D

I can definitely relate! I even have already opened the sets (as I have a personal policy of not allowing a set to stay in the box, as the building and creativity cannot be utilized) and I still have trouble sorting out sets. I keep thinking, "This is going to be a pain to sort back into individual sets some day to rebuild them."

I prefer MOCing, though, so I have begun to break down and sort sets for MOCing purposes. I can't say exactly how I convinced myself to sort sets instead of always buying parts on BrickLink, but I finally just began to sort and have found it much easier now that I feel like the decision has been made to MOC rather than stock/collect sets.

[Peppermint_M]

I just get on with it when the set has a part I want. I'll check the part list at the back of the instructions and then dig right in! Though I do buy most sets for parts, it is very rare that I want to build the set itself.

[talos]

I had the same problem with sets. I used a Town Hall to build my Ideas MOC, and since have gotten a couple LOTR sets just for parts. I've sort of graduated from just pristine sets to seeing them just as parts to build MOCs. I do keep certain ones intact, like one each of the modulars. A lot of the small City sets I don't have problems taking the parts for my own ideas. Really, that's what Lego is all about.

[TheLegoDr]

I think that makes the difference...you either buy for the set or you buy for parts. If you plan on building that set sometime, then you shouldn't take the parts to MOC (it is a pain to re-source everything, believe me I know!) So I am currently going through my pieces for sets I want built, and ones that I haven't built yet I keep in box until I get around to building it.

But then again I haven't bricklinked in 6 months or better and haven't really bought any sets in that time either.

[Gideon]

I always build one copy of each set I buy and tend to keep any extra copies, at least of LotR, in the boxes either for building another copy (which rarely happens) or to keep the value of the set (although I never sell any Lego). Running out of space so I'm leaning towards doing a campaign of simply tearing open and sorting a lot of it soon. But I still think I should build one of each of the unbuilt Hobbit sets...