Recommendations to starting out (again) - What sets / tubs are good?

[splattergnome]

Hello, I am currently trying to recapture some of my childhood again and am rediscovering the fun of building with certain bricks. :-) However, I only have a few small sets (x-pods were my entry drug, so to say), and I am interesting in building greater things again. Thus - I need a certain "base sortiment" of LEGOs to actually build things with.

Right now, I have no particular idea in mind, I am more interested in getting a nice sortiment of various pieces in different colors and see what I can build from those. So, I was wondering what sets and tubs are a good source of inexpensive bricks of a nice variety (that is - I don't just want blue, red, and white 2x4 bricks - althought those are useful, too!). What sets and tubs are the best bet to get a small collection started? Which ones should I avoid?

I am not interested in current theme sets, since I am more interested in general purpose bricks, connectors, and the like than premade parts and accessories as found in the main themes. And the recommendations have to still be readily available... I am trying to buy -toys-, and not collectibles at this point.

I appreciate any comments and suggestions. :)

splatty

[gylman]

If you like buildings, then I recommend

Building Bonanza

The more recent model House is also good.

Both have lots of roof pieces, though, which are not that useful unless you only build houses.

If you like vehicles, I recommend F430 Ferrari from 2006

Gear Grinders is a great set for small car building, often available for very low prices on eBay.

If you like castles, Vladek's Dark Fortress has lots of parts for incredibly low prices on ebay, but there will be a lot of parts you don't know what to do with. Still, value for money.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-LEGOS-Knights-King...1QQcmdZViewItem

Just a few thoughts.

[skinkfem]

i would suggest the creator sets then. they are not really in any theme and contains good parts that can be used to build many things.

and welcome to eurobricks

[snefroe]

i would suggest the creator sets then. they are not really in any theme and contains good parts that can be used to build many things.

and welcome to eurobricks

i agree. the creator sets are a great start to pick up the old hobby again and they're usually good priced... Have fun and welcome back! *sweet*

[phoinix]

i would recommend all these three http://eurobricks.hosting.ipsyn.com/eurofo...wtopic=7611&hl=

the new buckets...

i bought a few buckets myself when i came out of my dark-age!

it helped me get new usefull pieces that i had never even seen before!

i would recommend any creator set actually as many fellow-eurobrickers already did! ;-)

[blueandwhite]

Buckets are ok, but the bricks tend to be a bit basic. Conversely, most theme sets are heavily laiden with specialized bricks that you may not find particularly useful. As most people have suggested, the Creator sets provide the best of both worlds and contain an ideal mixture of basic and specialized elements. For building, the Creator sets are second to none.

You might also want to wait for this year's sets. There are alot of interesting things in the pipeline at LEGO, including a new Creator house that features alot of tan bricks and black roofing.

Good luck, and play well.

[jmacias]

Building Bonanza, is great, its beautifull, great pieces!!!!

[Kikuichimonji]

Most Creator sets will do. If you want minifigs too, start with City. It's the most basic theme and it's been going strong for ages.

[splattergnome]

Thank you for your kind greetings. :)

I have looked at the Creator and Designer sets, and I have to say - I am a bit worried about them. Not because I think I won't like them, of course, but because the example models of many of them look quite nice - too nice to not want to build and keep and not break apart again. :-P While I think LEGO would enjoy this, that doesn't help my quest to build new things much.

Ggylman - I looked over your suggestions, and Gear Grinders and Vladek's Castle look very interesting. The given models not so much, but as I mentioned above, this is a plus, but the actual pieces - in shapes and colors look extremely nice and useful. It is surprising how many new pieces and colors LEGO has created in the past few years.

I think I will try getting one or two Creator / Designers sets to start this out with as suggested - the advantage being that they have lots of pieces in a given color or two.

Thank you! :-)