Disappointing Builds

jadedanc

Has anyone had this? You see a set, can't imagine how great it will be to build and then when you start the build, it is either exasperating, depressing or down right horrible to build. I have found that set for me. It was the Fire Brigade. That was the absolute worst build for me. Mostly because of the second floor. Every time I would add bricks for the front facade, it would come undone. Not to mention that the furniture kept coming off bricks as well.

effalcon

anything with big purpose built bits, typically older city sets.

mathew

^ I agree about the big blocks or 'BURPS'. The Indiana Jones Temple Escape set was a real drab to build because of their use. That and virtually every brick had its own instruction page, dumbing down the build. Give me smaller bricks and a more detailed, intricate build.

weinner

I hate those big blocks that I can just build.

pteric

Anything modular build

andhe

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it... The tree from the MMV. Falls apart as soon as you look at it.

cheshirecat

Whilst I agree about the BURPS they are really good for younger kids as are the simplified instructions. I know the juniorization was seen as a bad thing, but it did have its up side - the arctic and space port sets from 99/2000 are amazing for 4/5 year olds - simple builds, strong and very impressive finished result.

bluelion3

The tree from MMV is pretty bad. I had a bad time building the whole MMV, but that was my fault for not sorting the parts first. Finding the pieces was a real chore.

I don't like the roof on the Winter Village Toy Shop. It falls apart anytime I play with it with my son. I guess you aren't supposed to play with it. I also added some plates to the bottom so the base wouldn't fall apart anytime you moved it. It's a cute set, but a little too fragile.

How about the PotC, Alien Conquest, and Pharaoh's Quest Battle Packs? They come pre-built!

bluemoose

The least enjoyable build I've ever had was the original Star Wars Republic Gunship from 2002 (#7163). I can't put my finger on exactly why, but it has stuck in my mind as a really unsatisfying build. The final model is fine, but I didn't enjoy the process of getting to it!

Yellowcastle

How about the PotC, Alien Conquest, and Pharaoh's Quest Battle Packs? They come pre-built!

They're just minifigures in a transparent blisterpack. What were you expecting to build? ;o)

mathew

Lego trees in general are pretty flimsy. I do like how the MMV tree looks, but it's not playable... you could say the same though about any other loose pieces in the set. For example the turkey, bowel of bread, brush and perfume bottle... those pieces get knocked over all the time.

andhe

Lego trees in general are pretty flimsy. I do like how the MMV tree looks, but it's not playable... you could say the same though about any other loose pieces in the set. For example the turkey, bowel of bread, brush and perfume bottle... those pieces get knocked over all the time.

But you don't have to re-build a turkey :)

prevere

I always felt the trees (especially Xmas tree from Winter Toy Shop; and MMV) needed an axle driven through the middle vertically to support the foundation. The branches for any Lego tree are going to be a problem unless they make new ones that you can snap with a technic pin.

I could do it myself, if they would come out with brown and green technic 1/2, 3/4 and full pins.

dimefield

Im generally disappointed when they print a full page of a model in the instructions and list ONE piece to put on..

mathew

But you don't have to re-build a turkey :)

Maybe not the turkey itself, but that damn table setting (turkey, bread bowel, apple) takes a couple of minutes to set back up when knocked over.

Oldfan

4481 "Hailfire Droid" from SW series was my least-favorite build. Nothing but Technic pieces, and lots of little pins to snap together. And taking all those Technic pins apart when I broke it down was even less fun. I'll probably never build that set again. 8002 "Destroyer Droid" is a close second, but at least that was labeled and marketed as a Technic set and I knew what I was getting into (well, not really, but I wasn't surprised at the complexity...and I never did get the functionality to work right).

7680 "Twilight" is another least-favorite candidate. With all the odd angles and big plates covering up the skeleton, this set is tricky to get together just right. Add in the horrible styling of this model, and it's not even satisfying to display after all the work you put in to assemble it (unlike other contemporary sets). Another set that I'll probably never build again.

caperberry

^^ I'd agree generally with that, coming out of my Dark Age in 2010 after having gone into it about 1982, it was a bit of a shock to see the dumbing-down in modern instructions. Admittedly those '70s instructions were pretty tough at times, but they've gone too far the other way now.

tedward

The roof of the MMV barn. It looks great from the pictures but the build was boring and far too delicate. I still have trouble moving it and have to re-attach it if I so much as touch the darn thing.

legomyLEGGO

How about the PotC, Alien Conquest, and Pharaoh's Quest Battle Packs? They come pre-built!

They're just minifigures in a transparent blisterpack. What were you expecting to build? ;o)

Lol. I love sarcasm.

I didn't have the same experience with the FB. Interesting thing, I was on eBay just browsing around yesterday, and I noticed there was a 2nd floor on sale.

I haven't built the MMV yet, but I guess I know what to prepare myself for.

I don't like the roof on the Winter Village Toy Shop. It falls apart anytime I play with it with my son. I guess you aren't supposed to play with it. I also added some plates to the bottom so the base wouldn't fall apart anytime you moved it. It's a cute set, but a little too fragile.

I definitely know what you mean. Oh well.

7680 "Twilight" is another least-favorite candidate. Another set that I'll probably never build again.

I'm glad I returned that set. It's one of those sets that I wasn't into, just by looking at the box.


I recently built the Krusty Krab Adventures (3833), and that had to be one of the worst sets I've built. Not only was it a boring build (aside from the vehicle), it had broke apart while putting together. Not enough reinforcement in the building as well. It was a disappointment considering, for those who know or are fans of the cartoon show, it doesn't come close to what you would expect how the Krusty Krab should look. The original one (3825) was better looking.

Ypres

Wait, what exactly is wrong with the MMV tree? Mine looks fine. I'm able to move it with ease and it has NEVER broken after it was built. I never had any problems building my MMV and consider today my favourite set of all time!

Disappointing builds: The winner from 2011 would have to be the Queen Ann's Revenge. While I didn't buy any Alien Conquest (which I suspected to have been the worst), some of the PotC sets were simply lacking in several aspects. QAR looks beautiful from its sails to its... umm, sticker decals on the back window. In my opinion it wouldn't have hurt lego to throw an extra $30 of pieces my way so I could built a complete ship deck, have cannons on both sides, and contain printed pieces. Yes printed pieces are expensive, but the sticker used on the Cannon covers was used 12 times in the same set!!! And no, for the reasons I complained about the Queen Ann's Revenge I didn't consider buying the Black Pearl. Nothing really lives up to the Imperial Flagship in stature.

Si_UKNZ

The VW camper van, especially the roof of the cab. The whole front of it kept falling off for me, and as the plates were warped, I never got the front of the van to sit straight.

(I told TLG cust services about the warped plate but never got a reply)

natro220

Almost any Town set from the late 90's would fall into this category for me. While this was during my dark ages, several of these sets have made it into my collection via my brother being into Lego at that time. 6426 Super Cycle Center is the worst in my opinion...giant block pieces everywhere, cars built out of like 3 giant parts (with the lame printed grill and headlights), generic minifigures everywhere. I know that they were "juniorized" and made it easier for kids to build and play with, but it makes for a really unfulfilling build.

KulshanGirl

I agree about the VW Camper Van. It started fun, and got progressively less fun as it got taller. The roof is just terrible.

stephenvw

I would have to say my worst build has to be 7194 Yoda. It was basically stacking brick on top of brick with no unique building techniques or design.

I personally enjoyed building the Fire Brigade. Especially the first floor! Although there were quite a bit of plates in the front.

I always enjoyed building Technic sets. 8421 Mobile Crane was one of my favorites! I also loved building 8285 Tow Truck and all the large Ferraris (8674, 8653, 8145)

rocao

For me it would be all of the towers in the Architecture series. I'm partially to blame because the simplicity of the model can easily be seen, but I convinced myself there must be something more to them for TLG to commit so much behind the packaging. I was wrong. And I'm a glutton for punishment because I own every one.

Apologies to Adam Reed Tucker. For what it's worth, I do like many of the larger sets.

natro220

For me it would be all of the towers in the Architecture series. I'm partially to blame because the simplicity of the model can easily be seen, but I convinced myself there must be something more to them for TLG to commit so much behind the packaging. I was wrong. And I'm a glutton for punishment because I own every one.

Apologies to Adam Reed Tucker. For what it's worth, I do like many of the larger sets.

I have to say, while they look nice, most of the Architecture series has not been fun to build. Even the bigger ones like Fallingwater were boring, just a bunch of plates. But like you said, you can see what you are getting, most look very simple.

mattheww888

Ok, huge Lego Star Wars fan--just wanted to get that out of the way first. It's pretty much the only theme I buy. Even with just that one theme, some of the sets can be tedious, but not necessarily disappointing. Every set has some sort of satisfaction associated with it when it's done, even though the building process for some of the UCS sets gives you that "will this never end" feeling, and a lot of the re-issues (sets that get re-designed and re-released) can be boring cause it's like deja vu from the previous version. The 3rd X-Wing, for example, is out and it really hasn't changed since the version with Yoda's hut. Of course, at the same time, when I finish a set, I get that satisfied/disappointed emotion--disappointed that it's all done and the building fun is over. *tear*

jadedanc

Wow! I haven't had an issue with my MMV tree. Of course once built it stays put and no one touches it :) Maybe that's why lol. Also dislike the dang T6 fighter. There is just no easy way to display that one.

Thezoofox

i really enjoyed falling water. Couldn't stand ewok attack- thought the instructions were poor and the build disappointing.

SpaceCake

Almost any Town set from the late 90's would fall into this category for me.

giant block pieces everywhere, cars built out of like 3 giant parts (with the lame printed grill and headlights), generic minifigures everywhere. I know that they were "juniorized" and made it easier for kids to build and play with, but it makes for a really unfulfilling build.

This. Without a doubt.

Bumblepants

The Star Wars TIE Crawler was pretty boring for a build. Half the time spent building was linking the treads together and then the rest was repetitive and not very interesting. The final model wasn't too bad but it certainly wasn't a satisfying build.

The_Brick_Builder

GE was my least favorite build. Very repetitive. Finished model is amazing.

samiam391

The AT-TE for me was my least favorite build. More than half the build was building the 6 legs which were all designed about the same. Model looks nice though.

Blue1dot

Green Grocer was my bad one. I bought it used and there were a couple of pieces missing. I was able to replace them with my spare parts but still it was disappointing. Now whenever I look at it I find fault with it. I might take the whole thing apart and rebuild again later this summer.

I agree with others regarding the one piece instructions, what a waste of paper and time.

mathew

Funny how opinions vary on some of the best sets. The opposite is also true-- fun builds but disappointing models. For example, I built the Ninjago Rattlecopter for my son. Very intricate build, lots of "neat how they designed that" moments, but the final model is rather meh.

prof1515

Three words: Anything Town Junior

weinner

I don't mind the repetitive because my g/f and I build them together and we can take turns building the sections, works out well. I'm sick of the stickers though, like on EN, that gold would look sick if it was laid on. I would also lime to see more sets directed towards AFOL'S with more smaller blocks for more detail.

StuBoy

6426 Super Cycle Center is the worst in my opinion...giant block pieces everywhere, cars built out of like 3 giant parts (with the lame printed grill and headlights), generic minifigures everywhere. I know that they were "juniorized" and made it easier for kids to build and play with, but it makes for a really unfulfilling build.

I agree the vehicles suck, but I actually quite like the garage/showroom buildings, and considering its a Town Junior set - it slots in well with any modern City layout. I recently bought the parts to make the buildings for my sons city, but didn't bother with the vehicles, they are especially bad. The buildings aren't a whole lot different to modern City buildings really, most of those have large wall panels and columns.

pvancil27

Funny how opinions vary on some of the best sets. The opposite is also true-- fun builds but disappointing models. For example, I built the Ninjago Rattlecopter for my son. Very intricate build, lots of "neat how they designed that" moments, but the final model is rather meh.

This, for example I loved the build on the Twilight. Not the finished model is fairly boring looking but the build itself was one of my Faves.

Just finished building the AT-TE I got in my lot off CL and I'll agree with @samiam391 that the legs made it a fairly meh build overall, but it does look nice finished.

Alczervik

The mmv was the worst for me since I came out of the dark ages, the tree kept falling apart too for me, I kept putting pressure on it and it kept collapsing. It is a great looking set and it is like saying no pain no gain for that set

graphite

^^ I enjoyed the Twilight build as well. The SW ships that are full stud plates on the outside are always meh for looks. Like either iteration of darth maul's ship.

Just started my FB build so will have to see how it compares to people's comments. All I did tonight was build the fire truck and I liked that it was done without any special vehicle base and some of the detail techniques are great.

jadedanc

I liked most of the FB build @graphite, it was just the unstability of the front facade/walls on the second floor lol. Ever time I put the bricks on the front, the dang floor came detached. Fair warning! Hee hee

Jasen

I quite liked the FB and GE and the PS but the apartment that comes with the PS annoyed me alot.
The only yhting that annoys me everytime is not getting a set on sale :)

mnbvc

I enjoyed MMV (and my tree is fine! :) ) and the modular series immensely.

My most disappointing build was probably City of Atlantis. The mechanism to raise the golden statue is really poor and doesn't work satisfactorily, and the whole temple itself is really flimsy. Still, I bought it solely for the 2x2 round grille bricks, so I can't complain too much - part of my dissatisfaction with the set is probably because the extra characters and marine vehicles didn't hold a lot of interest for me.

Multiversal

MMV as whole was everything but a disappointment to me (which is great, as it was my first D2C set, and marks the start of an era for me). The tree, however, I agree was a failure.
Other than that, I don't actually build very many sets. I pick them up for parts, and only build the ones that look really interesting; and those tend not to disappoint. =)

andyscouse

Yes, I love the MMV (and am getting another - maybe two - to build larger versions with detachable floors, etc) ... but that tree!! Other than that, it is a favourite of mine and I love it! Will be better when I have multiples to expand the buildings thereof.

jadedanc

I actually went and looked more closely at my tree since everyone has mentioned it. I actually can pick mine up by the top "leaf" section and it is real strong. ??? Maybe I built it wrong??

mattheww888

Those of you who have the 10143 Death Star II can empathize with this. It wasn't the overall build that got me--I was very satisfied with the end result. Unfortunately, in my attempt to attach the lower portion of the partially constructed half of the sphere onto the interior frame, I had trouble getting the technic pins to align properly. Well....something that fragile and with that many pieces (the section I was trying to attach) just doesn't survive a 3 foot fall off a kitchen table. Of course it disintegrated on impact, I had a long moment of silence, picked up the several hundred pieces off the floor, and called it a night. It still haunts me to this day.

jadedanc

@mattheww888 OUCH! I can imagine how that would hurt! I do not own any Death Star sets YET but that will stay with me when I eventually get one (or more) and build it

Oldfan

...something that fragile and with that many pieces (the section I was trying to attach) just doesn't survive a 3 foot fall off a kitchen table. Of course it disintegrated on impact, I had a long moment of silence, picked up the several hundred pieces off the floor, and called it a night. It still haunts me to this day.

Yep, same thing happened to me, although I had completed the build and was just trying to relocate the model to a different room. I was still discovering missing pieces from that disaster over a year later...

rocao

Green Grocer was my bad one. I bought it used and there were a couple of pieces missing. I was able to replace them with my spare parts but still it was disappointing. Now whenever I look at it I find fault with it. I might take the whole thing apart and rebuild again later this summer.

I fully believe "to each their own", but, IMO, you must have had impossibly high expectations in order to be disappointed with Green Grocer. I can think of several 5 year chunks where the entire product line of LEGO didn't offer a more interesting build!