Hello from So. Calif. New to Lego products

lisantica

Hello all.
I just bought my first Lego set #60120, Volcano Starter Set.  How fun that was!
I purchased it as an add-on item from Amazon mainly to get the 4 people, but built it all and had a blast doing so.
My first thought was how on earth will all these little pieces form such big items, well it works as you all know.

Seems odd that a person could go 5 decades without using Legos, but it does happen.

Another forum I belong to had photos of the little Lego characters interacting with their Swiss Army Knives (something I collect), which is why I looked into buying Legos in the first place.

Long story short, I signed up here and at Lego.com to order that Palace Cinema.  My concern after watching some YouTube videos is that I should probably build some other kits first as I'm at newbie status.  The Cinema is considered expert.

Any recommendations for a kit that is between 83 pieces (Volcano) and 2000+ pieces (Cinema), that might be tailored for the beginner?  I'm so new to this, I don't know if more pieces always equates to more difficulty.

I look forward to reading any replies.

Huw

Welcome to the forum!

More parts doesn't necessarily mean more difficulty because the instructions take you gently through the building process whatever the size of the model.

The only thing more difficult is finding and perhaps in your case identifying parts in a larger pile.

lisantica

Thank you for the reply!
It's good to know that the instructions remain understandable.

I can relate to what you mean about identifying parts, as that did prove to be a stumbling block as I began this first build.

lisantica

I just watched more YouTube videos and one person panned by some large maybe 2x6 or 2x8 sized Legos and I'm certain I've snapped a few of those together in my time, possibly at a kid's table at a dentist office (I probably built a tall chimney), but I've never put a kit together.  I didn't want to be misleading.

Switchfoot55

I don't think there is anything wrong with starting big and going for the Cinema. As Huw mentioned, your biggest challenge will likely be quickly identifying parts to follow the instructions. I haven't personally built the Cinema yet, but believe if you take your time and enjoy the process of the build, you'll be fine. And hooked!

There is something very therapeutic for me when it comes to putting a set together. No need to rush. Learn as you go and enjoy the ride!

lisantica

Thank you for the encouragement Switchfoot55.
I have the Lego City Van & Caravan 60117 arriving tomorrow so hopefully, that will give me additional practice before the Cinema arrives.

I agree about the therapeutic element.  

Fauch

lisantica said:

My first thought was how on earth will all these little pieces form such big items, well it works as you all know.

I still wonder sometimes.

the palace cinema isn't a very hard build, the hardest part may be to sort the bricks. a lot of smaller sets have more complex builds.
sets that involve lots of technic usually seem more complicated to me.

one of my first set, coming out of my dark age was arkham asylum breakout. it's not as big as the cinema, but still comparable I guess, and possibly a more complex build, and I didn't find it hard, but I found it taught me a lot.

lisantica

Thank you Fauch for the reply.
I had to Google, "arkham asylum breakout".  I see now that it looks complicated.

I just found out that there is a Lego convention about 2 hours from me going on this weekend, I may have to check that out!  May as well jump in with both feet!

GeordiePaul

@lisantica I came out of my dark age over a year ago and hadn't built any Lego sets at all for over twenty five years. The first set I chose to build again after all that time was the Death Star. If I can do that then you can definitely do the Cinema! I say go for it and have fun. No need to rush it. Do a little bit every day and you'll be fine :-)

lisantica

Just Googled, Lego Death Star, Yikes!!!!!  Good on ya for tackling that project!
I think I'll be just fine now with the Cinema.
Thanks for the reassurance GeordiePaul!

MaffyD

Hi @lisantica! Welcome to the forum - I love those starter sets, they have a little bit of everything: a small set needs to be quite ingenious if it wants to create something memorable. I would echo others statements about going for it. My first set after childhood was the 1300 piece #7191 and it was a longish build but not taxing. Give yourself plenty of time to really appreciate it and I'm sure you will love it!

lisantica

Wow, that X-Wing Fighter looks complex to me.
I agree with you MaffyD, that starter set sure had the right amount of something because it is memorable, and it's the little kit that got me started. 
I wasn't even looking to get started on Lego.  I just wanted that little Scientist lady in the kit.

Fauch

lisantica said:

I had to Google, "arkham asylum breakout".  I see now that it looks complicated.

google? what is brickset for then? you have a search field at the top right.

lisantica

Oops, still learning this site.

catwrangler

Sometimes people are confused because the main Brickset.com is separate from the forum, but you can indeed find details of all the Lego sets, historical and current, on the database there. It can be very addictive to look through them! 

I hope you enjoy the Palace Cinema; it was my first modular building, and the largest model I've made to date. While I'd never really stopped building with Lego since childhood, I think it was really more about the amount of sorting, as the others have said - that, and length of time. I like to spread a large model like that out over a few days, and since you build one floor of the building at a time it's easy to do. It's a really great display piece, and a great choice!

AllBrick

@lisantica - You're getting it bad already, after the convention it will be game over for any spare space you have left at home. Just need to wait and see ic the Swiss army knives take a back seat or, kicked out of the car completely XD.

Here are some useful sites . . 

Brickset 
Bricklink
Rebrickable
Brickowl
Peeron

Then there are things like Lego digital design to get into, also look for builds by the Arvo brothers.

If I am getting sucked into this game, I'm taking everyone i possibly can with me.

lisantica

Thank you catwrangler.   I think the Palace Cinema looks like you said, a great display piece.
Thank you AllBrick, I already by-passed a couple of Swiss Army Knives I would have purchased in anticipation of spending some money at the convention.

MeganL

Welcome!  If you find you like the convention this weekend then I would encourage you to come to Bricks by the Bay up in the San Francisco area this summer.  It's a lot of fun!

I enjoyed Palace Cinema a lot.  If you do, I'm guessing you'll get the rest of the modular buildings currently available.  You might also like some of the other Creator sets, if you want some in between sized sets to work on.

lisantica

Thank you MeganL about the Bricks by the Bay convention.  Not sure if this Lego phase of mine will last, but I hope so!

Aerros1

lisantica said:

Thank you Fauch for the reply.
I had to Google, "arkham asylum breakout".  I see now that it looks complicated.

I just found out that there is a Lego convention about 2 hours from me going on this weekend, I may have to check that out!  May as well jump in with both feet!

You must be talking about Bricks LA in Paseadena. As a fellow SoCalifornian I've been contemplating going this year. I went last year and enjoyed it. It was a rather large room with about 2/3rds being really cool displays and the rest being vendors. Just be careful when buying at a con due to some vendors mark up to pay for their travel and accommodations. Rule of thumb is 10 cents a brick for current sets and always check ebay and brick link before buying older stuff. I spent about 3 hours there myself last year.

Also depending on what direction you're coming from you might look up Frank and Sons if you go on Saturday. its a warehouse/indoor swapmeet full of vendors selling collectibles including Legos. I often find some good deals there. and it's about 40 mins from Pasadena. Franks is only open Wednesdays evenings and Saturdays.

There is also a Lego store in Glendale not to far from Pasadena and in the surrounding areas. Ontario is the one I frequent when I'm traveling about

Welcome to the forum and the hobby.

Glacierfalls265

Welcome! I would agree, Palace Cinema is a moderate build when following the instructions, not quite as complicated as others! 

lisantica

Thank you both for the comments, just finished my second set and now I'm looking for more!
Palace Cinema won't be here for a few more days, so meanwhile, I might just buy something at the Pasadena show (thanks for the tip Aerros1 on price per brick).