LegoNova: Thread of Just One More Brick I Swear

[Robo]

The recent announcement of a Minecraft-inspired Lego set prompted a discussion of Lego collecting on Twitter, so I thought I would start a thread here for people who are interested in (or interested in being interest in) Lego. Whether you are interested in building or collecting or are too poor to do either but just like drooling over shiny new sets, this thread is for you! I hope this thread will be a helpful resource to people interested in getting involved with the hobby. :)

All hobbies have their own jargon, and Lego is no different, so to get things started I'll provide definitions for some common Lego lingo. To wit:

AFOL: Adult Fan of Lego. Like me! Don't let anyone give you shit for playing with "kid's toys" — fully 20% of Lego's sales are to adults purchasing for themselves, and Lego is producing an increasing number of sets designed for the adult/collector market in mind. There's a large AFOL community online, and there's also conferences and local hobbyist groups.

bley: Some years ago Lego changed the color of their grey bricks. Because we all know change is evil, this caused a major upset in the Lego community, as some people had hundreds of dollars' worth of the old bricks and the new bricks would not match. The colors are referred to as "new grey" and "old grey," but as the new grey bricks had a bit of a bluish tint, some have taken to affectionately referring to the new bricks as "bley." The more official term for the new colors is stone.

BURPs: Big Ugly Rock Pieces. You know the kind. (http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/6083?img=9777)

Creator: Creator sets are old-school Lego: big buckets of brightly colored bricks, or else simpler builds such as a house or an airplane. The sets that do come with instructions always come with instructions for three different models, so these sets don't have many specialized pieces or minifigures; that said, you do tend to get more bricks for your money with these sets, so they're not a bad way to build up a stable of bricks if you're more interested in the building side of things, especially if you're just starting and need a lot of colors.

Pick a Brick, or PaB: A feature of Lego.com that allows you to order the exact bricks you need individually.

Shop at Home, or S@H: Lego.com's store, which contains sets that are exclusive to the website (or print catalog, if you hate trees).

SNOTs: A term for builds with the Studs Not On Top.

themes: Creator sets are fine for nostalgia, but if you want minifigures or more specialized pieces you'll want to look at themed sets. Lego produces sets based on both their own "generic" themes (such as City, Kingdoms, and Space Police) and licensed themes (such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and, starting this summer, Lord of the Rings). Many collectors focus on one theme or "genre" of themes (such as "Castle" or "Space"). The largest and longest-running theme by far is City, which actually comprises all of Lego's "modern day" sets; even farm sets and the wind turbine are considered part of the City theme.

vignettes: The Lego equivalent of a haiku, vignettes are a Japanese style of model, that attempts to contain a story or "slice of life" in a very small footprint, often 8 * 8. Vignettes with a larger footprint, such as 12 * 12, are sometimes known as "bignettes." A nice blog focused on Lego vignettes is VignetteBricks. (http://vignettebricks.blogspot.com/)

For further reading... The best resources for Lego on the web are Brickset, (http://www.brickset.com/) which is a very extensive Lego set database, Peeron, (http://www.peeron.com/) which has a database of Lego parts, and Bricklink, (http://www.bricklink.com/) which is the most popular marketplace for Lego pieces. Brickshelf (http://www.brickshelf.com/) is a popular site for posting pictures of your builds, but these days a lot of people are just using Flickr.

Happy building! :D

[Brad]

Shit a Brick: Something that is so shocking, unusual, or angering that it would make you “shit a brick”. Alternatively:

http://a51.idata.over-blog.com/2/87/79/27/black-frames/legofood.jpg

[drewprops]

They're building a Legoland in Atlanta. What did WE do to deserve one??


...

[torifile]

They're building a Legoland in Atlanta. What did WE do to deserve one??


...
Legoland is actually kind of shitty. At least the one in Orlando was. The kids liked it but it was totally not worth the day spent when we could have gone to the Magic Kingdom one more time.

[Wyatt]

My wife got me a little Lego set (one of the bagged ones) for my stocking this year, and that's sparked me to start collecting again. So far, I've just got three mini figures and a few accessories. They're all on my desk at work, and the setup is getting a lot of comments.

I'm hoping to get a couple more little sets in the next few weeks. The Toys R Us here has a pretty good Lego aisle, and one of the three Walmarts has a startlingly good selection too. Plus, we have a Lego store on the north side of Indy now that's pretty awesome.

I'm surprised by how expensive it all is, though. I knew it was when I was a kid, but I don't think I really internalized it (since all my sets as a kid were gifts). I mean, I ordered a bulk pack of 300 bricks for my wife's classroom on Ebay last night, and it cost $16. If they come to us in good shape, I might buy one or two of those packs for myself later in the spring.

[drewprops]

Legoland is actually kind of shitty. At least the one in Orlando was. The kids liked it but it was totally not worth the day spent when we could have gone to the Magic Kingdom one more time.

Tori are you talking about the one over at Paradise Island? I saw that one, and it was neat, if not compact. If there's a larger one I haven't seen it.



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[Robo]

I'm surprised by how expensive it all is, though. I knew it was when I was a kid, but I don't think I really internalized it (since all my sets as a kid were gifts). I mean, I ordered a bulk pack of 300 bricks for my wife's classroom on Ebay last night, and it cost $16. If they come to us in good shape, I might buy one or two of those packs for myself later in the spring.

Lego can be expensive. Some things to keep in mind:

A lot of people selling Lego via Amazon charge more than MSRP. The Lego Smart car, for example, has an MSRP of $4.99, but people on Amazon were charging $9 for it last I checked.

Toys R Us usually charges more than MSRP for their Lego — from a couple of dollars more for smaller sets to $20 more for sets like Hogwarts Castle. That said, they often have deals (like buy one get one 50% off) that counteract their price hikes.

Of course, once Lego stops producing a set, all bets are off if you want one sealed. :wtf:

AFOLs with extra time on their hands can actually fund their hobby by buying sets, splitting them up, and selling the pieces individually on Bricklink for a profit (or else keeping the pieces they want and selling enough to break even). An in-demand minifig that's only available in a $100 set might sell for $25 by itself on the secondary market, for example. That said, this probably requires a bit of familiarity with the market; not all Lego sets are worth less than the sum of their parts, but many are.

[Wyatt]

The smart car is a great example. I found one at TRU yesterday, and it was $6 (didn't buy it), and it's still around $10 on Amazon.

I'm probably (until my kids are old enough to be into them too) just stick with little sets I can build and display in my office. The smaller (sub-$20) Creator sets are mostly what I prefer anyway, plus the collectable minifig packets.

All bets are off when my daughter hits 5, though. She's into DUPLO now, so I've probably got another Lego fan in my house. :D

[Robo]

The smaller (sub-$20) Creator sets are mostly what I prefer anyway, plus the collectable minifig packets.

Creator sets get ignored by a lot of collectors, since you can't stick a bunch of them together and make a nice city diorama or whatever, but I actually like them; it's fun to build vehicles that are larger than minifig-scale, and they're good for brightly colored bricks that the more "realistic" sets often lack.

Plus it's not like I'm not going to totally love this set. (http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=7291-1) Haha :D

Edit: I'm trying to eat better, and the collectable minifig packets are great non-candy incentives for doing unfun things. :lol: Did you know that you can actually tell which minifig is inside each packet? The barcodes are all different... ;)

[709]

http://i42.tinypic.com/166fy9s.jpg (http://penny-arcade.com/comic/2012/01/30)

[Wyatt]

I'm trying to eat better, and the collectable minifig packets are great non-candy incentives for doing unfun things. :lol: Did you know that you can actually tell which minifig is inside each packet? The barcodes are all different... ;)

I just bought one on Friday for the same purpose. Went to Walmart to pick up some coffee creamer before work. I used to always grab some candy or donuts when I made those trips, but this time I bought a minifig instead (series 5).

From what I've read, the stories about differing barcodes (or "dots" on the package) aren't really true. The only way to ID them consistently is by molesting the packaging to find the unique pieces in each set. They all have something unique in there, so feeling for different traits may be the only "foolproof" way. But then you're relying on your own perception of what you're feeling.

I'm gonna go back some time soon and feel them all up again. I want to find the one with the lizard suit before they sell all the series 5. TRU has series 5 and 6, but there was no price posted for either.

[709]

I ordered 2 magician minifigs from eBay last year, so there must be some way to tell which character is inside the packaging. I think the seller mentioned the barcode thing - but I don't remember now.

I really like the Architecture (http://search2.lego.com/exec/?q=architecture&pt=&lang=2057&cc=US&u=) series. Probably get either the Farnsworth House or Fallingwater this year sometime.

[Robo]

I know that the barcode thing was true for at least the earlier series of collectable minifigs. It's possible Lego wised up with the newer series, though. I haven't checked because I actually like the surprise, although it's admittedly much less fun when you already have most of them and keep getting duplicates.

[Wyatt]

I really like the Architecture (http://search2.lego.com/exec/?q=architecture&pt=&lang=2057&cc=US&u=) series. Probably get either the Farnsworth House or Fallingwater this year sometime.

I love those too. They're just simply stunning. They're mostly out of my price range, but maybe I'll put one or two on my Amazon list and hope someone loves me. :lol:

[Capella]

So i have never owned lego before but now I need to. My favorite ship from SWTOR, my own PC's ship in fact, will be coming out as a lego model according to a leaked image (http://i.imgur.com/WHRN8.jpg). You guys you don't even knowwwwww how much I need this.

[Wyatt]

There's a big Lego event at the Indianapolis convention center (http://www.brickworld.us/indy/) this weekend. Is anybody else going? Has anybody been to something like this before? This will be my first Lego event,andim wondering what it will be like.

[Robo]

Go and let us know! :)

There's a big Lego convention in Portland (I think it's called Brickfest?) but I've never gone. I've heard good things from people who have gone to conventions, though. Lots of times different local builders groups will work together on a large diorama to display. :)

[Wyatt]

I hope I remember to charge my SLR's battery. I bet I'll get lots of cool pictures there.

Also, we recently learned that our upcoming second child is a boy, and we're doing a robot-themed nursery. My wife has asked me to build a big model robot from Lego, so I'm looking for ideas online.

Right now I'm thinking about a 10X version of the Series 6 collectable minifig robot. I've been checking my local Wal-Mart intermittently on my way to work (one of only three stores around me w/ Series 6), but they seem to be out of stock there right now. I'll be checking Target and probably Toys R Us this weekend.

[RowdyScot]

I noticed the event, but have to work! :mad: I'd have made the drive, otherwise.

[Wyatt]

Sorry you can't make it, Rowdy. Are there any particular types of builds you like? I could try to get some pictures of cool stuff for you while I'm there.

[Wyatt]

Dear god. I just checked out Bricklink for the first time. My life will never be the same.

I mean, I'd heard stories, but that site is amazing. Every single brick I want is cheaper there than anywhere else. I have no idea what shipping is like from the various vendors, but I think I'll be finding out very soon. :)

Also, Brickworld was awesome. I got some pictures, but I haven't put them up online anywhere yet. As soon as I do, I'll post the good ones here.

[Wyatt]

I just made my first Bricklink order. I got 49 bricks and accessories (15 unique items) for about $6.00. From Pick a Brick, it would have been closer to $20. I'm definitely hooked!

[Wyatt]

I made another BrickLink order last week, and I just bought 1,000 bricks on eBay for about $25 (I thought that was pretty amazing). I think I need to slow down buying for a little while. :p

[Robo]

Good luck. :D

[Wyatt]

My eBay order was amazing. They're all in really good shape, and it was at least 85% Lego too.

Has anybody here grabbed a series 7 minifigure yet? They're not supposed to be out yet, but apparently some stores are stocking them. I'm going to Toys R Us this weekend to check there.

I'm hoping to get either the programmer guy or the Poseidon-looking dude. Little Red Riding Hood looks pretty cool too, and I've read that she's one of e easiest to identify through the bag.

[stielle]

I love lego mini mods, makes me want to make it a hobby. I see many of them online and they can be expensive to buy or even make. I love all the pieces you can buy for them, guns, armor, etc.

Also, many years ago I played Battletech. Sadly finding the models became difficult. Lately, I saw where some gamers are creating the Battlemechs out of legos to scale with the minis. They can be expensive but that would be incredible to play the game that way. I suppose the 'table top' would be either a very large table or an entire floor.

[Robo]

Has anybody here grabbed a series 7 minifigure yet? They're not supposed to be out yet, but apparently some stores are stocking them. I'm going to Toys R Us this weekend to check there.

I was at Toys R Us today and they had them there. I didn't grab any, though. I'm moving next week, and I don't need any more tiny plastic pieces to lose. :D

[Wyatt]

I got the programmer from somebody on Bricklink. It just came in tonight, and it's awesome.

I picked him up as part of an order for parts to build a robot to decorate my son's nursery. I've started building it, but I think I'm going to need a few more parts to do what I wanted. I'm off to a good start, though.

[Wyatt]

I ordered the modular Pet Shop from Amazon a few days ago, and it arrived yesterday. I've not had time to start building it yet, but I cracked open the box to look at the instructions. It's by far the most elaborate set I've ever seen.

First of all, the instructions are broken up into two books. I wasn't expecting that at all. The set is really two buildings, so it's one book per building.

Second, the instructions are numbered per-floor. Both buildings are three stories tall, and each floor is between 25 and 30 steps.

The last clue that it would take a while to build: The box is re-closeable, like a cereal box.

It's sitting in my closet at home right now while I'm at work. I might get to start it tonight, but I doubt I'll get very far. Then I'm going camping for the whole weekend, so I won't be able to touch it again until probably Sunday night. Then my birthday is on Monday, when I expect that I'll be getting more Lego sets.

Shit, I've got a backlog. That's never happened to me before. It's been a hell of a week. :p

I finished the robot I built for my son's nursery. I'll try to get some good pictures of that tonight so I can post them. It's not very fancy, but I had a lot of fun building it.

[Mac+]

Robo - nice thread. Been meaning to contribute to it for a while, but motivated to do so now.

Went back to my parents' place today to help Dad clear out the garage and found these gems. Impressed by the low numbers for the sets. Don't know if it means much these days though.
http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/0003-4.jpg
http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/0050-1.jpg

Growing up I loved the Technical Lego sets - as I remember them being called. :\
I had the original tractor 851 from the first year of release and the motorbike and sidecar, but my favourite was 8860 - note that the suspension was different in Australia. ;)
(I switched the steering around too, of course.)
http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/8860-1.jpg

[off topic]

Lego aside, I also uncovered this (http://www.innerspaceonline.com/battlecruise.htm) today. Does anybody remember micronauts? Drew???
Commercials: http://youtu.be/ITMYl_oygRU and http://youtu.be/b9sPZqw9UCU

Guns that fire real projectiles. God bless the 70s. :lol:

[Wyatt]

Toys R Us is having a buy 2 get 1 free sale on pretty much all Lego this week. Some things are excluded (like the Friends series), but it covers almost everything.

At the very least, I'll probably stop in later this week to pick up some minifigures. I've only got one series 8 so far, and there are a ton that I want.

Anybody else planning to hit the sale?

[Wyatt]

I'm locked up at home on bed rest. My wife felt bad for me and hit the sale in my place yesterday. She bought me two minifigures (the fairy and the German pretzel guy, who is awesome) and this set:

http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=7292-1
It took me a while to build on the couch, but I had a great time doing it. My daughter has been playing with it a little, and she thinks it's amazing. Tomorrow I might tear it down and build the alternate plane.

I've got one more Lego thing on the agenda this week: finishing the modular pet shop, which I've had for months. I built about 75% of it when I first got it, but I've not had a chance to finish it. Now I've got all the time in the world, and I'm excited about seeing the finished product.

[Escher]

Growing up I loved the Technical Lego sets - as I remember them being called. :\
I had the original tractor 851 from the first year of release and the motorbike and sidecar, but my favourite was 8860 - note that the suspension was different in Australia. ;)
(I switched the steering around too, of course.)
http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/8860-1.jpg


OMG, Mac+! That Lego Technic car with the suspension and moving pistons in the engine was my favorite ever as a kid.

Over the past months, I've become a bit of a AFOL myself. It all started with the Lego Architecture series. I had a down day, and decided to go to the toy store and buy the Farnsworth House. I had spotted it while shopping with the kids earlier in the year. Building this kit instantly reignited my childhood passion for playing with Legos.

The other trigger is that my kids are now old enough to build the sets I get them, and not break them (at least not right away). I also found the the Lego Star Wars series was a fantastic way to introduce my kids to Star Wars before showing them the actual trilogy (and then the prequels).

Then, over the holidays, we visited the Bay Area and happened upon a giant Lego display by BAYLUG, the Bay Area Lego User Group, in Palo Alto. Some of the members were selling boxed kits at below-retail prices. So I picked up as much as I thought I could fit in our luggage.

Now the kids have built a Lego city inside our house. There are a bunch of City kits, with extra buildings built from boxes of bricks, and a space link, to connect the City into the Star Wars series and Space theme.

What a kick! Thank you, Robo, for starting this thread.