bought 20kgs of lego, whats the best way to sort

Gruff666

Bought a haul off someone local. Theres around 20 star wars sets all mixed into a big box. Whats the best and quickest way to sort it in order to rebuild the sets?

graphite

I would start with a quick pass sort into groups like normal plates (could separate 1x? and 2x? and larger if you want), modified plates, bricks, modified bricks, tiles, and "other".  If you have instructions for the 20 sets just pick one and sort by inventory in the back of instructions or get it from Bricklink.  If you don't have instructions and don't know what sets are there, pick the most unusual piece you see, find it on bricklink and try to narrow down the set and go from there with the inventory.

CupIsHalfEmpty

To rebuild sets, I like to sort by type not colour. It's easier to spot a red 1x2 in a pile of 1x2's then it is to spot a red 1x2 in a pile of red. 

madforLEGO

That and you can check out the existing thread:

http://bricksetforum.com/discussion/comment/335375/#Comment_335375

datsunrobbie

If there are partially built sets I would start with separating those from the rest of it, then start sorting the rest by type of part. I typically sort just to the category, using Brickset parts categories, rather than every variation.

GIR3691

If you want to verify that they are 100% complete, print out the Bricklink inventories of each and cross off each element type as you go.

Gruff666

I have most of the instructions thankfully. I guess I'll have to purchase a lot of storage tubs and star sorting by brick type

MattsWhat

I like to sort alphabetically by the words on the studs. It'll take a while for 20kgs mind. 
I tend to use these categories:
L in box one
a-z in another box
blank in the last one
The first I keep, the second goes to the boys and the last goes in the bin. 

cmrt1014

Before spending money on storage tubs, see what you have around the house that you can use in the short term.  Knowing what type of tubs you want when you get through all of it, is better than guessing now.  Do you have any clean take out containers for some of the smaller parts?  Bowls, or zipper bags for bigger parts?  Zipper bags might be more useful both now and later. 

When I organized DS's collection, I found Brickstore invaluable.  It really helped me keep track of what was missing - and then when I found a part that was hiding, it was easy to put it with the rest of it's set.  I used a lot of zipper bags - from snack to 2 gallon (sorry, don't know the UK equivalents).

Have fun!

ecmo47

I just finished a project of this size that had over 30 sets to include both Simpson sets and 4 modulars. Hopefully you have the instructions for all known sets. 

1. Print of a parts list from Bricklick for each set. This will give you all the info you need for each part.
2. Buy a bunch of ziplock bags so that you have at least one for each set. 2.5 gal works for larger sets and one gallon works good for smaller sets. These bags are usually big enough to hold parts, instructions and the parts checklist.
3. Inventory all minifigs first. This will give you an idea of how "complete" the potential set might be and will help you decide if it's worth the effort (there will significant time and money involved) to make the sets whole again. Despite the fact that "Yeah, all the parts are there!" it's funny how all the $20.00+ minifigs are always missing.
4. Sort by color. Your parts list are all grouped by color so it makes sense you do it the same way. While sorting by color, screen out all pieces with sticker on them. Finding which set a stickered pieces goes to is one of the hardest tasks.
5. Now sort all the pieces into 6 (ish) basic groups - anything bigger then 2x (plates, etc), 2x anythings, 1x anything, 2x2, 1x2, 1x1, odd ball pieces (antennas, pins, axles)
6. Depending on the volume of each category, divide each one of those categories into bricks and plates. For the 1x's, it was bricks, plates and tiles. For the 1x2's it was bricks, plates, tiles, and all snot pieces. 1x2's will be your most numerous piece category. Will need to have a bunch of quart ziplock bags for this step.
7. After all that presorting, you are now ready to start pulling individual pieces for each set! Dump out all Black pieces into there individual piles on a large undisturbed area (tough with kids and animals). You should be now able to find the part your looking for fairly easily. 
8. Once through all the colors, it's now the Bricklink ordering phase for all the missing parts you will need to really complete all those "complete" sets.
9. Get parts. Add to sets and reinventory each sets to ensure completeness.
10.....6 months later.....enjoy!

AllBrick

Gruff666 said:

Bought a haul off someone local. Theres around 20 star wars sets all mixed into a big box. Whats the best and quickest way to sort it in order to rebuild the sets?

Beverages, pizza, friends and the net. I always start with minifigures, then printed / stickered bits. Get yourself a good magnifying glass too.

Gruff666 said:

I have most of the instructions thankfully. I guess I'll have to purchase a lot of storage tubs and star sorting by brick type

This changes things, open them up and start building!

Gruff666

ecmo47 said:

I just finished a project of this size that had over 30 sets to include both Simpson sets and 4 modulars. Hopefully you have the instructions for all known sets. 

1. Print of a parts list from Bricklick for each set. This will give you all the info you need for each part.
2. Buy a bunch of ziplock bags so that you have at least one for each set. 2.5 gal works for larger sets and one gallon works good for smaller sets. These bags are usually big enough to hold parts, instructions and the parts checklist.
3. Inventory all minifigs first. This will give you an idea of how "complete" the potential set might be and will help you decide if it's worth the effort (there will significant time and money involved) to make the sets whole again. Despite the fact that "Yeah, all the parts are there!" it's funny how all the $20.00+ minifigs are always missing.
4. Sort by color. Your parts list are all grouped by color so it makes sense you do it the same way. While sorting by color, screen out all pieces with sticker on them. Finding which set a stickered pieces goes to is one of the hardest tasks.
5. Now sort all the pieces into 6 (ish) basic groups - anything bigger then 2x (plates, etc), 2x anythings, 1x anything, 2x2, 1x2, 1x1, odd ball pieces (antennas, pins, axles)
6. Depending on the volume of each category, divide each one of those categories into bricks and plates. For the 1x's, it was bricks, plates and tiles. For the 1x2's it was bricks, plates, tiles, and all snot pieces. 1x2's will be your most numerous piece category. Will need to have a bunch of quart ziplock bags for this step.
7. After all that presorting, you are now ready to start pulling individual pieces for each set! Dump out all Black pieces into there individual piles on a large undisturbed area (tough with kids and animals). You should be now able to find the part your looking for fairly easily. 
8. Once through all the colors, it's now the Bricklink ordering phase for all the missing parts you will need to really complete all those "complete" sets.
9. Get parts. Add to sets and reinventory each sets to ensure completeness.
10.....6 months later.....enjoy!

This is great advice. Looks like im in for a long fun couple of months

waynegg

Use a tiered sieve. Big holes up top, small holes at the bottom.