Bag, or part out?

[ocifant]

Ok, so I've got to that stage where I simply have no more space to display completed models. The time has come to disassemble several of my modular buildings (PC, PS, GE and a Haunted House) to make room for new stuff. I have a TH and PR ready and wating alongside a few of the Creator 3in1 buildings.

What do others do in this situation? One part of me says to keep all the parts for one set together (1 bag per level), but the other says to part out, mix them up and see what I can come up with - I have a couple of ideas for small dioramas/large vignettes that I've started to play around with using odds and sods parts, but which could use some of the bricks from the models I have rather than bricklinking even more bricks into the house!

I don't think I'll ever want to sell any of the larger sets (though I still have the boxes so far), but I'm worried about not being able to find a crucial part if/when I decide to rebuild for display. My OCD will go into overdrive if I ever have an incomplete set!!

I'd appreciate any advice, or words of experience. I've spent over 40 years in the Dark Ages, and only emerged earlier this year, so it's all still a bit new and overwhelming.

[Saint]

Do't part them out !

Just take your modulair buildings apart, bag them floor by floor and put them in the box ... that way you know what and where they are !

If you want to start building all sorts of things, Bricklink is you best choice... seriously ! The aftermarket value of the modulairs is way to high just to sort them out, and most parts are ready availible on Bricklink... and that will keep you busy for a long time.

If you start by building virtualy ( through LDD , LEGO Digital Designer ) , you can keep the cost down and buy only what you need... More common sets ?? Part those out and build with that !

Hope this helps a bit !

Gtrz Saint

[Kivi]

I part out every OOB set for which I'm sure that I will never rebuild it. As I am mostly building mocs, this is not really a dilemma for me.

However, if I want to keep a set 'for future use', I disassemble it and keep the parts in a bag.

Hope that helps you somehow.

[kibosh]

Ordinarily, I would say add your pieces to the rest of your collection. But not with modulars. They are too valuable, and are only going to become more valuable down the road. Keep them together as much as possible!

[Chilis]

Do like me, build your real house bigger to fit your collection :) Else I agree with kibosh, keep the modular and break down the rest/other sets.

[ocifant]

Thanks folks, seems like bagging the bigguns is the way to go. I'll give it a bit more thought.

I'm already onto the LDD thing, but colours are a bit of an issue for me there, being partly colour-blind. I'm better if I can compare real bricks side by side ;-)