For moc builders: what is your set disassembly criteria?

[Ben S]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and I want to start building mocs myself.  Maybe it's a bit of a silly question because in the end it depends on you, but I would like to hear some references. What is your criteria for deciding whether to keep a set built or use it to get loose pieces to build?

Thanks in advance 

[Yperio_Bricks]

I use all sets i buy as parts and minifigure packs. I may build the set once and then dissassemble it after two weeks and use the parts for mocs. Some sets i may not even build...

[MAB]

For me, it is do I like it enough that I want to keep it built or do I think I will want to sell it? If I am going to sell a set I have built, I will make sure not to mix it with MOC parts.

Usually I know before buying a set whether I will build it or whether I am buying it for parts. In the case it is for parts, I will take out the parts I will keep and mix them with my MOC parts, and remove the parts I will sell on and not use them so I can sell them as new parts/figures.

Even if I buy a set for parts, I will usually flick through the instructions to look if there are any interesting techniques used even if I am not building it.

[MaximillianRebo]

It depends a little also on how you plan to build your mocs. Do you want to build freestyle with your own ideas using whatever pieces you have to hand, or design a moc bases on existing ideas that require specific pieces which you may or may not already own?

For me it's the second option and I do everything in Studio before creating a BrickLink wishlist and buying the pieces necessary. So in that situation sets stay as sets (even though I have no intention of selling later) and mocs are built from their own predetermined inventory lists.

[Mylenium]

20 hours ago, Ben S said:

What is your criteria for deciding whether to keep a set built or use it to get loose pieces to build?

Basically none. I enjoy building, but I don't necessarily want stuff to stand around and catch dust. I live in a small flat, anyway, so it's impossible to keep everything around forever. The exception from that rule are a few animals when I think they're really well done or just cute, a few things Star Wars and items like the Super Mario Piranha Plant that have a deeper meaning to me such as in this case reminding me of the fun I had in my Super Nintendo days. Most other models have to go eventually. I'll keep them around for a few weeks to show them off to friends or family, but then they get dismantled and the parts funneled into my repository until I may need them for something else.

Mylenium

Edited February 21 by Mylenium

[SpacePolice89]

If the set belongs to my favorite themes (Town/Trains, Castle, Space, Pirates and Aquazone) that I collect and use in my dioramas I keep them. If not I use them for parts (with some exceptions of course). But I mostly buy parts in bulk or specific parts from Bricklink or Pick a Brick for my MOCs.

Edited February 22 by SpacePolice89

[JesseNight]

Every set is potential MOC material to me, but I do build every set at least once.
If I really like it (like some older space sets), I might keep it around for a while as a display model.

[TeriXeri]

I build everything at least once (which also functions as a parts check), unless it's from the "Classic" theme, or a 3-in-1 set I got more then 1 copy of (then it goes to alternate build mode)

A small set like the recent 42163: Heavy-Duty Bulldozer from Technic, a theme I usually don't collect, I built and then pretty much disambled it right away to mainly use the parts for a custom minifig compatible bulldozer I'm still working on.

Some sets do have extra options as well, like 60385: Construction Digger has a digger bucket and a fork loader attachment, I'll probably just move the digger bucket to a bulldozer , because 60287: Tractor already has similar bucket function as well.

Edited February 22 by TeriXeri

[Ben S]

Thank you very much for answering! It's really interesting to see different testimonies. It really helped me get an idea of what I want to do.

On 2/20/2024 at 2:59 PM, MaximillianRebo said:

It depends a little also on how you plan to build your mocs.

Yeah, I usually build freestyle I guess. Only rarely do I plan things.

So I guess I'll start disassembling little by little. 

[smazmats]

I dont buy a whole lot of sets, but when I do, I generally will build and keep them on display. My criteria for deconstruction is simple: I will keep it until I need parts from it, or I need the space to display fore something else. Also if its a more expensive set, I will be more likely to keep it together and try and substitute parts out if I need it . 

[Peppermint_M]

For sets I buy for parts: Sometimes I do not even build. For sets I buy because they are on sale/clearance: I often build them, but might not build the whole set (if it features two things) and it will be taken apart pretty quickly. For the sets I buy because I want the set? Sometimes I will not take them apart and will keep them built. The record is one set that has currently gone 16 years without me taking it apart. 

[Ben S]

On 2/24/2024 at 2:26 AM, smazmats said:

I dont buy a whole lot of sets, but when I do, I generally will build and keep them on display. My criteria for deconstruction is simple: I will keep it until I need parts from it, or I need the space to display fore something else. Also if its a more expensive set, I will be more likely to keep it together and try and substitute parts out if I need it . 

Yes, I do something similar. 

[Gkaiser100]

If I buy the set becuase of the box only to not like it later, I'll disassemble. 

Otherwise I usually buy it to put in my displays, so I'm careful on whatever I pick. I don't count modding or combos as true disassembly, since the spirit is preserved. 

[Yoggington]

On 2/20/2024 at 11:21 AM, Ben S said:

Hello, I'm new to the forum and I want to start building mocs myself.  Maybe it's a bit of a silly question because in the end it depends on you, but I would like to hear some references. What is your criteria for deciding whether to keep a set built or use it to get loose pieces to build?

Thanks in advance 

In your mind's eye, I imagine the ideal 'lego room' in your future dream house. Would I have the set built on display in that room? If not, then I'm happy to disassemble.

Looking at my collection stats I've about 70 medium-large sets bought since I came out of my dark ages. About 25 passed that test, typically bigger ones.

[Ben S]

15 hours ago, Yoggington said:

In your mind's eye, I imagine the ideal 'lego room' in your future dream house. Would I have the set built on display in that room? If not, then I'm happy to disassemble.

It is certainly a good perspective. Thanks for sharing!

I guess that my case is similar, especially the larger ones pass the test.