Lego sorting dilemma

[KinGanon]

Well anyway today I started sorting my Lego(separating them from the M^g^b*&&ks[which I plan to burn]). While sorting I ran into another clone brand: Tyco. Yes I know its a clone, but the quality of the plastic seems on par with that of Lego's, and the color matches up almost as if its meant to. So my dilemma is do I keep the Tyco with the Lego, or give it a box all its own. Any help would be appreciated.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Hinckley
added my loud opinion to the description

[Peppermint_M]

Oh god, not more "clone brand" wha whas...

Keep 'em in a seperate box if it makes you feel better...

Personaly I don't care much, I only keep the figures seperate.

[Patriot720]

I have actually run into a similar dilemma involving TYCO. I wanted to get rid of all clone brands, but after a bit of sorting my collection, i realized that a quick glance would not be enough to differentiate TYCO from Lego because of their similarity... But to answer your problem, I would keep them if you're not concerned with mixing Lego with clone brands. But you want to remain loyal to Lego, I suggest you dispose of them as soon as possible

[natelite]

tyco bricks actually are quite good quality. they withstand yellowing much better than lego bricks.

i have several mixed in with lego when i bought some bulk purchases from flea markets, and while lego white bricks/plates were yellowed or scratched, the tyco bricks were still smooth and visible whiter.

the only issue is that they are of different size and shape to the lego bricks. tyco plates are 1/2 the thickness of bricks while lego plates are 1/3. tyco bricks are a tad smaller than lego bricks. it's not too visible though. if you look at the bottom of the brick though, you'll see the difference.

in any case, i wouldn't recommend mixing the two since it interferes with building. how are you going to moc well, when some plates are 1/2 whiles the rests are 1/3? plus there are issues with mixing the bricks.

while you can probably use tyco bricks when you stack them conventionally using the studs but you can't jump studs with the tyco bricks (jump as in putting a 2x2 brick on jumper using the middle cylindrical tube).

so in any case, if you want to be good making lego mocs, best to just use lego parts. you need to familiarize yourself with what you can and cannot do with lego parts and introducing "illegal" pieces via customed or foreign brand will confuse you.

[Freddie]

If the Tycos are, as natelite said, of a high quality plastic, seperate them to a different box. Then use those bricks to build stabilising frames and other hidden functions that normally won't be seen by the public (altough I'll admit they usually won't see any difference). That way you'll save money towards LEGO bricks you can use for aesthetic purposes instead.

[SuvieD]

It really only matters if you don't like them or will sell your LEGO at some point. Most people buying LEGO don't want them mixed in. If you don't like them toss them.

MB on the other hand are actually a safety hazard. The break easily and are very sharp when broken. If you don't want them box and sell them at a rummage sale or give them to a neighbor/relative in the right age range to put them to good use. Don't burn them though, they are toxic when melted, better just to toss them.

[Eilif]

I have some TYCO and for the pieces and colors that are the same, I let it mix freely with LEGO. Tyco is as high quality as lego, and the colors for red, yellow, blue, black and white are better matches to LEGO than some LEGO is to LEGO.

I don't have any use for 1/2 size plates, so I trade away Tyco plates. However some of the other Tyco parts are good for special purposes, so I keep those separate. The Tyco 1x3 slopes (that have the middle groove to represent roof tiles) are among my favorite pieces.

I guess the rule for me is that if it's the same part as LEGO it get's mixed in, if its not a part that LEGO offers, then it gets separated.

Not to open up a can-o-worms, but MegaBloks are not a safety hazard. However, I'm picky about colors matching, and their colors aren't as glossy or as opaque as LEGO, so if I use them, they mostly get used for internal supports and frames.

[Peppermint_M]

I only keep one set of bricks apart from my lego, some really cheap and nasty bricks I got in a pound shop for amusement (I also buy fake transformers, ripoff power ranger zords and really bad gundam figures, its fun) and they are yucky bricks.

I have to ask though... why all the boasting about burning non-lego bricks?

I'm sure (however much you deny) some of you received them happily as a child and only now make a big deal about their not being lego, why don't you donate them to a good cause? hand them over to your local childrens hospital or day center. They may not be Lego but they are construction bricks, you could give a child in difficult circumstances a really nice gift, setting them on the path to building fantastic models out of plastic bricks like we here build.

So instead of burning them, keep the ones that stick together in a seperate box, throw in a handful of old minifigs you don't use/like and when that box is full donate it to someone or an organisation that will take them somewhere that they can do some good.

That's all.

[Nyundi]

I recently bought a large collection and went through and sorted out all of the TYCO. I agree it can be hard to spot them as they are so very similar (although after going through this really large collection I've become pretty good at it).

I stuck all of them aside and when I was finished sorting I donated them to the local Salvation Army.

[SuvieD]

Not to open up a can-o-worms, but MegaBloks are not a safety hazard. However, I'm picky about colors matching, and their colors aren't as glossy or as opaque as LEGO, so if I use them, they mostly get used for internal supports and frames.

And not to let it be a can of worm but to clarify, I have sorted through eight different LEGO collections I have purchased ranging from 10-60 lbs each. It never fails that if there are MB's present I will find a pile of them that are broken. The plastics are cheaper and more brittle and as a result very sharp when broken. The quality of MB is not just a joke but a reality. Adult collectors who properly maintain there pieces will not likely have trouble but younger children who are known to smash and destroy things are in danger of getting hurt much more readily on MB than LEGO products. Not saying those do not break either but it is tougher to do and the majority of parts broken do not end up mini shivs. Not all parts are this way though, mostly the bricks and even then only the bigger ones.

[Hinckley]

Ew, gross. This forum is for LEGO discussion. Not imitation brands... Maybe you think I'm crazy but I call it Brand Loyalty...

Moved to Community.

[KimT]

Split LEGO from clone brands.

Hand over clone bricks to charity (a hospital for example), then at least someone would benefit from the pesky rip-offs.

I'd never ever mix, it's like "Don't Drink & Drive".

And since I don't own a car, I just drink (a.k.a buy LEGO).

[Captain REX]

You drink Lego's? that must be fun. (let me guess you used a blender)

[prateek]

i just keep everything in 1 bucket (megabloks, lego, btr, etc......)