Organization and official sets

[nicoga3000]

So as I start to grow my collection, I begin to realize the...situation that I've put myself in. I have around 8 or 9 boxes that sets came in. Is it "standard AFOL practice" to keep these? I'm weird in that I find it hard to throw them away, but they're taking up a pretty hefty chunk of space.

My next question. This is probably preference, but I'm a bit weary on this one, too. My "larger" sets that I have right now include Grand Emporium and Medieval Market Village (amongst others). The Emporium has been put together for close to two weeks now, and I recently started on the MMV. I also finally started sorting everything. I have like, 14 medium/large containers that I've sorted by color. Eventually, I'm going to try and figure out how I want to sort the colors, but until then, this will do.

My question is this - for those of us interested in MOC'ing, do you find yourself assembling the new set, admiring it for a little while, then combining all the pieces with your buckets of LEGO? Is splitting up the set into sorted containers a "bad" idea? I know it's a very subjective topic, but hearing people's thoughts and opinions is what helps sway the new AFOL's like me. ;)

Thanks for the pro-tips everyone!

[Sandy]

So as I start to grow my collection, I begin to realize the...situation that I've put myself in. I have around 8 or 9 boxes that sets came in. Is it "standard AFOL practice" to keep these? I'm weird in that I find it hard to throw them away, but they're taking up a pretty hefty chunk of space.

I've thrown out all of the boxes I've had simply because I don't have room for them, and I'm not planning to sell my Lego anyway. I don't keep any sets sealed in their boxes either.

My question is this - for those of us interested in MOC'ing, do you find yourself assembling the new set, admiring it for a little while, then combining all the pieces with your buckets of LEGO? Is splitting up the set into sorted containers a "bad" idea? I know it's a very subjective topic, but hearing people's thoughts and opinions is what helps sway the new AFOL's like me. ;)

This is exactly what I do, as a MOC'er: I build everything I buy once, then dismantle them and sort them into various containers that I have. I want all of my precious pieces to be available to me when I build a MOC.

It's each to his own, really. Nobody's going to reprimand you for doing one way or the other. All that matters is what you yourself want from your Lego hobby.

[nicoga3000]

I've thrown out all of the boxes I've had simply because I don't have room for them, and I'm not planning to sell my Lego anyway. I don't keep any sets sealed in their boxes either.

This is exactly what I do, as a MOC'er: I build everything I buy once, then dismantle them and sort them into various containers that I have. I want all of my precious pieces to be available to me when I build a MOC.

It's each to his own, really. Nobody's going to reprimand you for doing one way or the other. All that matters is what you yourself want from your Lego hobby.

Yeah, I realize I won't be judged, I just need some help deciding. :) Obviously I'll be holding onto the instruction manuals in case I want to rebuild/glean building techniques, but it's sometimes hard to toss the nicer boxes or mix all those neat pieces in, haha.

[Follows Closely]

If you have room, I would save the boxes. Collapse them if need be. Sets such as the GG and CC I bought one to keep in its original box.

[Brickdoctor]

I wouldn't call it weird; while I open all my sets I'm not one to throw away my boxes, either. I stack them against the wall as a 3D display, but you could always flatten them.

And I don't have a single set that has lasted more than a week before being taken apart for parts.

[Ralph_S]

I don't really collect sets. I am primarily a builder and look at sets primarily as parts packs. Some really nice ones I do build, for instance the cafe-corner type buildings. I also have a Taj Mahal and Grand Carousel still unbuilt in their boxes. I haven't had the opportunity to build them yet, but I probably will. The vast majority of the sets that I buy, however, are parted out straight out of the box. I recycle the boxes. I don't see the point in keeping them.

Cheers,

Ralph

[NovaStar]

I dont think there's a right or wrong answer.

We don't keep any boxes and only keep one set of instructions in a filing cabinet for any set.

Only a few sets have been built and kept as-is, such as the Green Grocer, Town Plan, ImperiL Flagship and tower crane.

We do have some duplicates though. Others have been built and then disassembled for parts, which is primarily why we bought them.

[charlieboy]

As said its all down to the individual. I keep all my boxes but then I have a large loft in which to store them so its no problem for me. I rarely buy sets for parts, I use Bricklink for that unless ive found a bargain! Keeping the boxes means that when I want to swap my displays about, I can simply put sets back in their original boxes and get the next theme going. Also, I do sell sets from time to time and having the box usually helps get a slightly better price.

As for sorting, I would defo say that keeping colours separate is the way to go, when you get more of a collection you can start sorting by part type too if you're really nerdy like me! We have countless drawers, ice cream containers, tupperware boxes etc... filled with parts but this way when im looking for a specific part I usually know where to look

[nicoga3000]

A lot of super helpful responses in here, thank you guys!

I think as I become more "experienced" in MOC'ing, I'll start being able to buy sets as "parts packs" as Ralph_S put it. In fact, that would be a much more ideal way of buying them, haha. But since I'm still clawing my way out of my dark ages, I'm buying sets based on how appealing the official set is to me. I've also bought sets based on how I perceive them to be used for MOC'ing.

Example of this would be the Grand Emporium. Really, I see all the little nuances WONDERFUL for the future of my modular style MOC plans I have. Not to mention, the set, as a display, is kinda neat.

I can't find myself ever selling my LEGO sets. I'm actually excited to share this hobby and pass it down in the family. It's a very unique way to explore creativity, that's for sure!

[legomaniac83]

Also, I do sell sets from time to time and having the box usually helps get a slightly better price.

My thoughts exactly. While I've never sold a set out of my collection, I do keep all the boxes in case I decide to sell in the future, and a complete set with a box fetches more money. I just wish I would have kept my boxes from my childhood! And who knows if you are ever going to be in a desperate situation.

Maybe it's just the collector in me as to why I keep the boxes as well. Makes it complete I guess.

As for new sets, I usually build them, play/show them off, then part them out into my inventory. It's way better for MOCing that way.

There are a few larger sets that I just disassemble and put in its own Tupperware container, and If I want to build it again, I know the set is all in one place.

Cheers!

[Brickdoctor]

I think as I become more "experienced" in MOC'ing, I'll start being able to buy sets as "parts packs" as Ralph_S put it. In fact, that would be a much more ideal way of buying them, haha. But since I'm still clawing my way out of my dark ages, I'm buying sets based on how appealing the official set is to me. I've also bought sets based on how I perceive them to be used for MOC'ing.

Example of this would be the Grand Emporium. Really, I see all the little nuances WONDERFUL for the future of my modular style MOC plans I have. Not to mention, the set, as a display, is kinda neat.

Another way is to buy the cheaper, more simple sets, because if you're going modular, buying the non-modular sets will force you to adapt them while still building up your collection. I started out as a modder, buying SW sets and figuring out what they lacked and how to add that stuff. It wasn't long before I realized that TLG's System design wasn't that great for the tiny details and became a true MOCer.