Sorting to build

[Andy D]

Some time ago there was a thread on sorting to build. Try as I may,I can't find it! What prompted this is I am currently building a medium sized set (medium for me), the Creator Family Home (6754) that I have had waiting for the time.

I remember some folks saying that they just open all the bags, make a pile and search, some folks open all the bags and keep the parts in "bag piles" and others (like me) sort into types meaningful to them.

Some folks made quite a case for the "bag piles", so I thought I would try that. Well, there were 9 or 10 bags, so 9 or 10 piles (or in my case containers). I did his for he first 15 pages and it seemed quite a chore, searching piles (containers) for parts, sometimes the parts for a step were scattered over 2 to 4 piles, and I usually ha to search all 10 piles to find the parts (bah). I finally sorted the parts into types and things are going much smoother as I can find parts much easier.

I know different strokes for different folks, but I am trying to figure out the attraction to building from "bag piles" of parts.

Opinions?

Andy D

Edited March 20, 2013 by Andy D

[-Carson Haupt-]

Well, some sets have the bags divided into parts of the build, for example, bag one could be the body(?) of an airplane and bag two could be the wings and bag three might be air control or a baggage cart or something like that. It depends on if the bags are bagged with that in mind or randomly.

[Andy D]

Yeah, some sets have numbered bags, like all of bag 1 may be the first floor, but there may be several bags of bag number 1, so I have the same problem, 5 bags of mixed parts, same problem as (for example) 10 bags for the 6754 with no disecrnable organization (that is apparent to me).

Someone who builds from "bag piles", what is the advantage to you? How does it improve the build experience? I a truly interested.

Thanks,

Andy D

[Phazon]

Well I used the 'bag piles' while building a modular building (in fact, a couple modulars ). I use the following technique:

First I seperate the individual bags and sort them on numbers (printed on the bag).

You'll have a row of several bags per number, after that, I sort the bags size-wise. The big bags go together and same goes for the small(er) bags.

I open the bags with the lowest number, while keeping the individual bag piles seperate.

You can either sort the pieces inside the piles or start building from the piles. I do something else, I put the bags with the same bag content (they should be lieing close to eachother) in the same bowl.

The main advantage for me is that the pieces with the same function/ appearance/ color are sorted together. I find it easier to find the pieces wich I was looking for. The rest of the sorting is easier as the seperation technique ensures that most pieces that belong together are in the same bowl.

I hope it is understandable and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[Andy D]

Well I used the 'bag piles' while building a modular building (in fact, a couple modulars ). I use the following technique:

First I seperate the individual bags and sort them on numbers (printed on the bag).

You'll have a row of several bags per number, after that, I sort the bags size-wise. The big bags go together and same goes for the small(er) bags.

I open the bags with the lowest number, while keeping the individual bag piles seperate.

You can either sort the pieces inside the piles or start building from the piles. I do something else, I put the bags with the same bag content (they should be lieing close to eachother) in the same bowl.

The main advantage for me is that the pieces with the same function/ appearance/ color are sorted together. I find it easier to find the pieces wich I was looking for. The rest of the sorting is easier as the seperation technique ensures that most pieces that belong together are in the same bowl.

I hope it is understandable and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

This sounds like what I do. I do a sort by function/color then I know where to look for parts.

I am also trying to someone who just opens the bags and does no sorting to find out the advantge of his method. I seem to remember one advantage by someone was a quicker time from opening box to strting to build. I know that it sometimes takes me an hour to sort a large number of bags, prticulrly when (for example) there are several bag number 1 and lots of parts in said bag group, but or me the sorting leads to less frustration in finding parts.

Andy D

[AndyC]

One "advantage" to not sorting is that it can make the build last longer, which if you're not in any hurry can be more fun. And it reminds me a lot of playing as a child, where there were no numbered bags and so the "hunting for the piece" was just as much a part of the process as actually building.

[TheLegoDr]

I sort by numbered bag. I only open the bags with the same number, but then sort those out to individual pieces (sometimes). Otherwise, I will just sift through a big pile. I am aware of what LEGO pieces I will need, so I can find them in a larger pile. The unfortunate time is when you get shortchanged a piece. You look high and low with nothing in sight. Luckily most pieces can be replaced with my own stock, but I must be one of the unlucky ones that get so many sets with missing pieces. You could think maybe I'm clumsy or I misplace them, but that is far from the truth. I open bags either into shallow trays so they don't roll away, or I empty them onto a bright colored blanket on the floor, so I can see the pieces with good contrast. Also, the friction helps prevent them from rolling away. So I chalk it up to me being unlucky with LEGO.

[eurotrash]

I am also trying to someone who just opens the bags and does no sorting to find out the advantge of his method.

Andy D

For the Modulars and other large builds I tend to use the Divide-The-Bags-By-Instruction-Manual approach and then dump all the contents of those Bags into a large box for use. I'll winnow out the obvious pieces - Doors, window-frames, glass, minifigs, heads, wheels and the larger plates and tiles and then leave remainder in the large box. Then it's a case of sifting and fossicking through the Box for the pieces I need for the particular Instruction step.

It sounds like a laborious chore, but you soon get to remember roughly where the piece was in the Box AND there's no hour of pre-sorting before you start.

It's an approach that really works for me and as I frequently get distracted by a specific piece in the rubble it enables me to build (a component structure) out of step.

[Kristel]

I am also trying to someone who just opens the bags and does no sorting to find out the advantge of his method.

Finding the pieces in the big pile of mixed up bricks is part of the fun for me. It does mean you can start straight away, which is a great advantage when you have an impatient 6 y.o. doing the building with you. For me and my daughter, part of the fun is also seeing who can find the right piece first. When she's not there, I still don't sort, but I don't mix up the bags - each bag is its own little pile.

There's just something fun about rummaging through a large pile of LEGO, like we used to do when we were kids.

This applies to sets only, though. Loose parts for MOCs are meticulously sorted!

[Andy D]

My hour of sorting is kind of like a "pre-build" where I discover any unique parts and I try to guess what it my be used for. So, after my pre-build, I start my build.

Many of you say that building from mixed piles of parts reminds you of your childhood LEGO experience. Unfortunately I have no such chilhood LEGO expriences, I started serious LEGO building as a senior adult. Many yers of organization as an engineer have shaped how I do things, even though I have not been an engineer for many yers now, old habits die slowly.

Looks like each of us has something additional that is fun about the building experience and a way to make the build more organized (or not, as is our preferance)

Andy D

[Kristel]

Unfortunately I have no such chilhood LEGO expriences ...

[insert "big bear hug" emoticon here]

[Andy D]

[insert "big bear hug" emoticon here]

It is not really "unfortunately". I am just late to the party, I made it to the party, and I am enjoying the party! And it is a great party! So no bear hug really necessry, but thanks anyway. Party on (or build on as he case may be). LEGO plastic building blocks came after my childhood, but it is here now and that is good.

Andy D

Edited March 21, 2013 by Andy D

[Brickington]

Why do we need to make this complicated? I thought all LEGO sets (except Architechiture and exclusives) had numbered instuctions> So why need to sort? I just the build the set and enjoy it.

[Andy D]

Why do we need to make this complicated? I thought all LEGO sets (except Architechiture and exclusives) had numbered instuctions> So why need to sort? I just the build the set and enjoy it.

In order to build the set one must find the proper part for the proper step. That's where all this comes in, different approaches to building.

Andy D

Edited March 21, 2013 by Andy D

[Brickington]

In order to build the set one must find the proper part for the proper step. That's where all this comes in, different approaches to building.

Andy D

Well then I just dump the first bag on the table and then follow the instructions and find piece by piece. No sorting here and I seem to manage.

[dr_spock]

For simpler sets and number bag sets, I don't bother with sorting. It is not hard to find the piece needed in the pile quickly. For sets with a 1000+ pieces in unnumbered bags, some sorting will help the build go smoother and less frustration in finding that one unique small piece among thousands.

[Galaxy Explorer]

When I was younger I just poured the bags into the box and started building. It would irritate my parents while they would try to watch Dallas, and there I was on the floor pawing through those parts like a cat in a litter box. Later in my adult years I took to laying every part out on the table, which I continue to do. Like others have said, it gives me a chance to examine new parts and colors. When numbered bags appeared, I generally ignored them and sorted the entire contents one bag at a time, and always out of order. It looked pretty cool to see all of the parts from the UCS ISD spread out on my dining room table. I did, however, make an exception with the Taj Mahal- it was just too big and at the time I really didn't have the space to lay it all out. But yes, I prefer to sort.

[AndyC]

I did, however, make an exception with the Taj Mahal- it was just too big and at the time I really didn't have the space to lay it all out. But yes, I prefer to sort.

Amusingly that's the only set I ever did sort, mostly because a couple of friends were coming round to help put it together and (a) it meant I got to "play" a bit before they got there and (b) I figured anyone else might find trying to sift through a few thousand pieces a tiny bit frustrating!

[Andy D]

When I was younger I just poured the bags into the box and started building. It would irritate my parents while they would try to watch Dallas, and there I was on the floor pawing through those parts like a cat in a litter box. Later in my adult years I took to laying every part out on the table, which I continue to do. Like others have said, it gives me a chance to examine new parts and colors. When numbered bags appeared, I generally ignored them and sorted the entire contents one bag at a time, and always out of order. It looked pretty cool to see all of the parts from the UCS ISD spread out on my dining room table. I did, however, make an exception with the Taj Mahal- it was just too big and at the time I really didn't have the space to lay it all out. But yes, I prefer to sort.

I can see how the litter box approach might be annoying to others trying to watch TV.

How big are the sets that you layout the parts?

It seems to me for 1000 piece sets that it would take quite a bit of table space, but it does sound interesting and it would give a nice view of the parts, I may have to try this on a less than 500 piece set sometime.

Andy D

[Galaxy Explorer]

Andy D, I've sorted parts before assembly since around 2000-2001, right about the same time LEGO started releasing UCS sets. Sorting 1000+ part sets does take up some real estate, but looks pretty cool. To save on space I stack plates, slopes, and some bricks. All those stacked parts remind me of a huge sprawling metropolis! But I also sort small sets, right down to the polybags. The challenge for me is getting the UCS sets together in a timely manner or risk my cat starting to explore! You should try it sometime- go large so you get the full experience- I think I might look around for a giant Technic set, but the SSD is very tempting, too.

[Andy D]

Andy D, I've sorted parts before assembly since around 2000-2001, right about the same time LEGO started releasing UCS sets. Sorting 1000+ part sets does take up some real estate, but looks pretty cool. To save on space I stack plates, slopes, and some bricks. All those stacked parts remind me of a huge sprawling metropolis! But I also sort small sets, right down to the polybags. The challenge for me is getting the UCS sets together in a timely manner or risk my cat starting to explore! You should try it sometime- go large so you get the full experience- I think I might look around for a giant Technic set, but the SSD is very tempting, too.

This does sound like fun. Maybe the stacking would help keep the parts together and reduce space requirements. Thanks, I will try that (too late for this week's build) sometime.

Building with a "free range kitty-cat" on the loose. I can only imagine the challenges/dificulties. We've not had a cat for several years and not since I got serious about LEGO. My wife used to like to do large puzzles and one of our cats used to love to make it difficult by "stealing" pieces in the middle of the night, drove my wife nuts until she happened to see the little thief once. Then she started covering the puzzle with a table cloth, but that only worked to a degree, once the loveable cat pulled the table cloth off and the whole puzzle wound up on the floor.

The cat was a little thief, so my LEGO building with her around would have been a real challenge, not sure which would have survived... The cat, my hobby, or my sanity.

Thanks for the idea about laying the parts out... Sounds like fun.

Andy D

[shadowhearth]

It depends in what sort of mood I am. If I want to have fun a d have lots of time, then I pile everything in to one big container and make a lot of noise while building!

If I am semi serious, then I have separated parts by size in to containers. Though I still keep it not too strictly separated. I love looking for parts in piles.

[Legononymous]

I just pour mine into a cake pan. One project bag at a time however.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Legononymous

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I finished my first modular (Fire Station) a few weeks ago

this is a >2000 piece build

there was only number 1 bags and number 2 bags

the first story I just dumped all the number 1 bags in a pile and built from there, it took ages to find any part

the second story I divided the bags into different colors and found the build to go much faster

[Vindicare]

With numbered bags I like to separate all the like pieces into their own little sections. With unnumbered bags, I just go the bag puke route. It seems with big sets that aren't numbered, they divide the pieces up pretty good so there isn't much searching.