LEGO Nostalgia

Standing in the Lego store as I type and drooling!

LeapingGnome wasn't kidding about the size of the instruction book. I have it spread over two small end tables we use as a coffee table. It took me an hour to sort out and put together all the minifigures and droids.

I've had to resort to a different system for construction. I used to just spread the pieces from the modules on my tray and also use it for the build, but this is too big. So now I've got basically a small bucket to pour the pieces into. This is gonna take me a loooooong time to build. Which is good. It'll keep me busy.

I always sort all the pieces by type before building.

When I was younger (building all of the castle sets [when the Wolf and Forestmen were out]) all of the words (LEGO) had to face the same way (with exception that a piece was painted and HAD to be a certain way).

It used to take me a LONG time to build.

Also, crooked stickers drive me crazy.

When my kids build LEGO's, they know to stop and have me put the stickers on (which can take me 2 or 3 tries to get them exactly centered).

I use a very sharp knife that I stick a little bit of the sticker on and then once I position it, I press down and pop the knife out.

Demyx wrote:

I always sort all the pieces by type before building.

This is the only way.

It's all put into modules now. Most sorting I do is big pieces on one side and little ones on the other. I enjoy the hunt.

It'll be interesting when some of these sets get disassembled. They'll all be in one big bag for each set. So instead of having five convenient modules to build from, it will be all in one big pile.

I don't know if I could do it if I didn't organize the pieces.

PRG013 wrote:

I use a very sharp knife that I stick a little bit of the sticker on and then once I position it, I press down and pop the knife out.

I use tweezers for the same purpose.

Actually, the Winter Carnival I got recently was the only time I've actually used the stickers. Previously I was so worried about making them crooked that I just wouldn't use them at all.

Strewth wrote:

It'll be interesting when some of these sets get disassembled. They'll all be in one big bag for each set. So instead of having five convenient modules to build from, it will be all in one big pile.

Just look up what parts are in what module and disassemble them back into separate bags.

Also, crooked stickers drive me crazy.

I definitely suck at putting stickers on.

I don't know if I could do it if I didn't organize the pieces.

I usually just do the pour out and build method. Organizing seems like it would take up too much extra time!

2 bins: one for large pierces and one for small. Only open one bag at a time. This has usually been enough organization for me.

Now when my kids are done playing with a set we have a large bin where the parts go. Then they build whatever they want.

sjam613 wrote:

Now when my kids are done playing with a set we have a large bin where the parts go. Then they build whatever they want.

Sacrilege!

I just found out that when asked who Lord Business reminded them of, all of my neices and nephews chose me.

PRG013 wrote:
sjam613 wrote:

Now when my kids are done playing with a set we have a large bin where the parts go. Then they build whatever they want.

Sacrilege!

I just found out that when asked who Lord Business reminded them of, all of my neices and nephews chose me.

Oh I wish I had the space to become a Lord Business!

karmajay wrote:

I usually just do the pour out and build method. Organizing seems like it would take up too much extra time!

Organizing is part of the fun, though!

I am totally a Lord Business except for the glue part. That's just wrong.

My sorting method varies based on the piece count and work space. If I'm working at my desk, everything stays in bags. If I have more room, I'll dump bags of bigger pieces into piles and sort them out.

I do love that in 30 years of enjoying LEGO, I have yet to ever come across a moment where I was missing a piece.

McIrishJihad wrote:

My sorting method varies based on the piece count and work space. If I'm working at my desk, everything stays in bags. If I have more room, I'll dump bags of bigger pieces into piles and sort them out.

I do love that in 30 years of enjoying LEGO, I have yet to ever come across a moment where I was missing a piece.

Not I. My MultiCore Magnetizer was missing a spring and one of my Easter Chicks was missing a Left Wing.

Try contacting Lego. I've heard they're really good about replacing missing pieces.

If it ever happens, go here.

A couple of years ago, I had a whole bag of pieces missing from one of the bigger sets. They have an online tool that shows all the pieces in the set and I just selected the ones that were missing and they shipped them to me. Not sure if it's changed since then though.

You're probably out of luck on the Magnetizer though.

So I visited my parent's place today for Easter, and noticed some new builds that my Mom has on display in the living room. On the surface, these look like they're the Main Street kits...

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/BlZBYLX.png)
IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/BgR4rnL.png)

Spoiler:

But they're not! My mom rummaged through all my old LEGOs, separated them by type, downloaded the instructions for these kits, and has been ordering pieces she doesn't have on hand from BrickLink. Yes, 90% of these builds are my 20 year old LEGO!

McIrishJihad wrote:
Spoiler:

But they're not! My mom rummaged through all my old LEGOs, separated them by type, downloaded the instructions for these kits, and has been ordering pieces she doesn't have on hand from BrickLink. Yes, 90% of these builds are my 20 year old LEGO!

You need to give that mom a big hug for me. That's awesome, and count yourself lucky.

Wow kudos to your mother.

Your mom is awesome.

My mom would've given my LEGO's away.

7066 earth Defense HQ - pretty awesome set. Lot of movement and extras!

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/3mQfgR2.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/Tf0izjL.jpg)

McIrishJihad wrote:

So I visited my parent's place today for Easter, and noticed some new builds that my Mom has on display in the living room. On the surface, these look like they're the Main Street kits...

Spoiler:

But they're not! My mom rummaged through all my old LEGOs, separated them by type, downloaded the instructions for these kits, and has been ordering pieces she doesn't have on hand from BrickLink. Yes, 90% of these builds are my 20 year old LEGO!

I've seen two of those sets (Café Corner and Market Street) go for $1000-$2000 or more new in box on ebay. Even ones that are cobbled together from other sets can fetch several hundreds of dollars.

karmajay wrote:

7066 earth Defense HQ - pretty awesome set. Lot of movement and extras!

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/3mQfgR2.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/Tf0izjL.jpg)

Nice, that is very cool.

PRG013 wrote:

Your mom is awesome.

My mom would've given my LEGO's away.

Mine did :X

/oldwounds

m0nk3yboy wrote:
PRG013 wrote:

Your mom is awesome.

My mom would've given my LEGO's away.

Mine did :X

/oldwounds

My mom sold mine at a garage sale

gewy wrote:

I've seen two of those sets (Café Corner and Market Street) go for $1000-$2000 or more new in box on ebay. Even ones that are cobbled together from other sets can fetch several hundreds of dollars.

That's what my Mom mentioned, and when I suggested it, her response was legendary:

McIrishJihad's Mom wrote:

I've held onto these LEGO for more than 20 years, they're worth more than money to me.

McIrishJihad's Mom wrote:

I've held onto these LEGO for more than 20 years, they're worth more than money to me.

She needs to have a chat with my wife who is constantly telling me to sell my LEGO's. I tell her my kids can have them when I die.

She asked my son if he would sell them and he told her, "No."

PRG013 wrote:
McIrishJihad's Mom wrote:

I've held onto these LEGO for more than 20 years, they're worth more than money to me.

She needs to have a chat with my wife who is constantly telling me to sell my LEGO's. I tell her my kids can have them when I die.

She asked my son if he would sell them and he told her, "No." :)

Whenever my 8 year old nephew visits my parents, we pull out my huge box of 80s Lego and go nuts with it. He loves it.