How good, or bad are the modular sets?

[wolfwing]

I'm interested in making cityscapes and such but noticed that alot of the newer lego city sets have modular warnings on them. Just how modular are they and are they easy to use to make into other buildings, or are they too specialized for their sets to be much use outside? I've always been a bit leery around sets that used too many big pieces that you have to build around rather then more universal pieces.

[fred67]

I'm interested in making cityscapes and such but noticed that alot of the newer lego city sets have modular warnings on them. Just how modular are they and are they easy to use to make into other buildings, or are they too specialized for their sets to be much use outside? I've always been a bit leery around sets that used too many big pieces that you have to build around rather then more universal pieces.

"Warnings" about being modular?

None of the ones I have resort to using big specialized pieces... quite the contrary, in fact. The buildings are excellent - beautiful, and "modular" only refers to the fact they go together. They are very easy to use to build MOCs.

[The Yellow Brick]

are you talking about the Sign on the Lego boxes which says 'MODULAR BUILD, EASY START'.

[Rick]

It's about the modularity of the build, i.e. it can be build in 'easy' sections, not about being 'modularly' compatible with other sets. Although the buildings in sets such as 8403, 7641, and 7633 are compatible in this way.

[wolfwing]

heh ahhh okay when I read modular I think like a entire wall is a single large piece, so really only good for walls or such. Heh thanks, just wanted to check don't want to buy one of these sets and find that I have a hard time using them anything but for that set.

[Rick]

You can view the building instructions of all recent sets on the LEGO building instructions website. That should give you all the information you need.

[wolfwing]

are you talking about the Sign on the Lego boxes which says 'MODULAR BUILD, EASY START'.

And yeah thats what I was refering to, some of them like the lego truck have small # of pieces for their size, and look to be alot of bigger pieces why I was thinking modular refered to lots of bigger massive pieces that would hamper their being used. I personally like more universal pieces, though some specialized pieces are to be expected.

[fred67]

And yeah thats what I was refering to, some of them like the lego truck have small # of pieces for their size, and look to be alot of bigger pieces why I was thinking modular refered to lots of bigger massive pieces that would hamper their being used. I personally like more universal pieces, though some specialized pieces are to be expected.

Yeah... I misunderstood what you meant. People refer to the really top quality sets as "modular," like Green Grocer and Cafe Corner... I don't have any of the basic city sets, so I wouldn't know.

[wolfwing]

I don't mind some specialized and semi specialized pieces, but not a big fan of pieces that have limited use due to their shape or size, a 6x8 solid wall or what ever is always just going to be a wall type thing, you have to build around using it, while 6 1x8 beams you could stick in many places. Or anything else that is overly bulky.

[AndyC]

I think in these cases, 'Modular' is TLG-speak for "It's a big set, but don't worry because it comes in numbered bags so can easily be broken down into smaller builds" - I think the idea is to help parents who are possibly worried that such a large set might be a bit overwhelming for younger children, even if they'd really like a fire station, police station etc.

[MetroiD]

Believe me, in this particular case, if it's red bricks you're after, look no further. The Fire Station set is absolutely brilliant, and by the way so is the Garage, contrary to what I had expected. They've really managed to bring regular City sets to a new level, and the 'modularity' of it all really just adds more ideas as to how you could use all those bricks to MOC or MOD.

And as for larger 'wall-like' pieces - I used to hate them before I started building modulars. Now I've come to love them - they're ever so helpful, especially with the large rear sections of the modular MOCs! So don't be too scared of them, they may be big, but they're still pretty useful!