63 replies to this topic

[Blitzkitteh]

When you get a new set, how do you build it? Do you stagger the build? Sort out the parts first? Go bag by bag? Empty the contents directly into your parts bin? Stuff like that.

Personally, I just go bag by bag, but I'm getting the Diagon Alley set soon and would like to know your opinions and preferences on different styles of building.

-Longcat is Long!

[Wind Elemental]

I just dump the parts onto the table or something and immediately start building it. It may not be the best strategy because some parts could get lost underneath the other parts.

[Toa of Geek]

I usually go bag by bag or all at once. I don't have the patience to sort the pieces, and probably never will.

[Spinjitzu Master]

I just go bag by bag, but it depends on how excited I am for it or how large it is.

[Toa Smoke Monster]

If the set came in a canister, I usually dumped out all the pieces before I started building it. I did the same with box sets, but I simply dumped them into the empty box instead of my floor.

[Randy Disher]

With my hands. But really, I usually go bag by bag.

[Poutwuw Toa of Diversity]

This really has nothing to do with System, as I usually only get buildable figure (Bionicle/Hero Factory) sets. Empty out all parts and begin. My process: I ALWAYS start at the torso. Then I go for legs, then arms, head, and lastly helmet/mask, or if a Hero, the core. When It comes to HF, I do my best to act like the Assembly Tower.
Titan sets are similar, but I always put on the small decorative stuff last (spikes, weapons, etc.).

[fauxname]

I build bag by bag usually, unless it's a small set, where I build it all at once.

[Takanuinuva]

I dump out the parts. Usually if its with a canister set from bionicle or hero factory. I don't need the instructions to build it. But with larger sets I use the instructions.

[The Legendary QQQQ]

I empty all of the parts into a box and construct the set from there.

{QQQQ}

[Meiko]

If it's a large set, I go bag by bag, but if it's small, then I'll try to build it without the instructions.

[Shadow Kurahk]

I build it with the instructions.

-SK

[ZHX]

I go bag by bag, following the instructions booklet.

[Kaxix]

Normally follow the order showed in the instruction booklet, however if the set is simple (for example an Av-toran) I build it easly without it.

[Wotsiznaim]

I go bag by bag, but I sort the pieces of each bag when I open them, and follow the instructions. I might be slightly OCD about doing it the 'correct way' sometimes too

[Lyichir]

I generally go bag by bag, using the instructions. Occasionally, with larger sets, my brothers and I build together, alternating steps. And when rebuilding a smaller set I sometimes like to try building it without the instructions, so that it feels like a new experience.

[Nuparu1995]

Only for the really large sets I go bag by bag, but for most others I just dump all of the pieces out on the table at once. Just dumping out all those pieces at once feels so good!!1! 8D Makes searching for tiny pieces more fun, too.

[Akuna Toa of Sonics]

I dump the bags out on a table, keep the individual bag parts together, and start building.

[Plague]

Dump it out. I build the parts I can figure out first, and then use the instructions for the rest.
Example: With the first Makuta: Build the head. Build the lower arms. Build the staff. Then use the instructions for the body, upper arms, and legs.
I use that process for almost every set I buy.

[-Windrider-]

I never bother with going bag-by-bag or sorting the parts. I just dump everything into a pile on the floor, even if it does mean the occasional five- or ten-minute search for that one piece^tm.

Yes, my method did make for an "interesting" building experience with the 10030 UCS Star Destroyer.

[Aanchir: Rachira of Time]

If it's a set with numbered bags, I open one "number" at a time. And if there are a lot of bags, I generally will keep smaller parts and larger parts in separate piles or trays.

At that point, how I build it depends on whether I'm doing so alone or with my siblings. Lately we've been building some of the modular buildings as a family, and as per tradition we've been alternating steps between the three of us in a pattern. Of course, for certain sets if it's just my twin brother and me, we might divide certain identical or symmetrical sections up between the two of us, regardless of set numbering. That can be more efficient since there's less trading off and more working at our own pace.

[Ballom]

I keep the bags sealed, working only with the current ones that the instructions proscribe, as it makes builds faster and more efficient. I used to just dump out everything when I was younger, though.

~B~

[Taipu1]

Back when I got sets, first thing I did was ignore the instructions not to do it on a carpet. Carpet is just better. I only opened the necessary bags for the part of the build I was on though, so that kept some organisation. Except for some odd bags, where I wanted a closer look at the pieces. Or for those little boxes that had capes in.

[Electric Turahk]

I typically will just sit down on a nice, comfortable carpet (couldn't agree more that it's beter, Taipu1 haha) and just start reading the instructions. Which means I'll open bags as I need them, get to large parts as I need them. I also try to finish the build all in one sitting. Only if a part particularly interests me (such as making the Creeper out of my most recent set, Minecraft) will I go after it first. Generally it's a time of liesure and fun.

~|ET|~

Edited by 1. Xemnas, Jul 31 2012 - 08:27 AM.

[King James]

I just dump them out and start building it. If it's a set with around 1000 pieces, I do it bag by bag.

[Liopleurodon]

I mess around a little with the pieces first, then 1) if it's a small set, I dump all the pieces together and build or 2) if it's a large set, I build bag by bag.

[Cederak]

I'll dump each bag onto a separate part of the floor and start working at the build. Smaller sets, I just dump out all the pieces in a tiny pile.

-Ced

[Waffles]

As many members do, I just dump them out in one big pile unless they're in numbered bags, in which I make different piles. I tend to not worry about building fast, but enjoying the build.

[Valendale]

I always go one bag at a time. It makes the build easier and I don't really have the space to dump all the bags out at once.

[Killer_Myr]

I've spent so long digging parts out of the bottom of a pile of mixed pieces that I don't pay much attention to how I build. The last set I built, I built it going bag by bag, as per the instructions.

[BobaFett2]

I build as per the instructions.

[Bambi]

One brick at a time.
(usually I follow the instructions)

[Tekulo the WindWriter]

Well, it depends if I want to do a review or not. If I get a set and I want to review it before I open it, then I do it bag-by-bag, only I sort out the pieces by color and type neatly to take a picture.

It. Takes. So. Long.

... But, it does result in a much easier system for building the set. No going crazy over that one piece that you saw five million times before, but when you need it for something it totally disappears on you...

Though, if I'm building it and I'm not planning a review, then I just dump all the contents of every bag into one pile and get-a-building! This method has been used by me since I was a kid. XD

[Rama~Swarm]

I tear it open and start building. Then once I'm done it sits around until I need a piece from it.

[Iku]

I tend to buy BIONICLE and Hero Factory sets, so I just dump it all out and build. The titan sets I almost always build with instructions (at least the older ones, since the newer ones are much simpler, and I can build many parts without instructions).

However, the medium-small sets, I make it a rule never to look at the instruction booklet (at the box cover/back cover instead), unless I'm stuck on a part for more than ten minutes. It keeps building fun, due to the simplicity of the newer sets. I also occacionally make small modifications to the sets, using the parts provided, if the set is difficult to move, or play with the original configuration, or if it simply looks better without or with a certain piece shifted/removed.

Anyone do similar building methods?

[Raiden: Toa of Storms]

I tend to buy larger sets, and i rip apart every bag, shove it all in a pile, and use instructions for complicated stuff.

[Velox]

I go bag-by-bag, following the instructions. I'll occasionally just dump all the pieces together if it's a smaller set.

[Sinclair]

I go bag-by-bag, following the instructions. I'll occasionally just dump all the pieces together if it's a smaller set.

Basically this.

[Sumiki]

It depends on the size of the set. If it's a smaller set, then I just get down to it. If it's a larger set - one with lots of bags - I sort them out tediously before building it.

[Paleo]

I logically dump it on the floor and start building very carefully in a logical way. I have never left a set that I just purchased unassembled. Logic is the key to thoughtful control of your LEGO-building emotions.

Edited by Mister Spock, Sep 02 2012 - 12:21 PM.