Best sets for parts?

Si_UKNZ

Wondering if anyone wants to share their tips for sets which can be picked up cheap which are good for parts/ minifigs

For technics I recommend
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8146-1

For castle I recommend
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=DKCastle-1

Anyone got any others?

RedBrickMarket

I donno a lot, but the Grand Emporium seems good according to the LBG brick quantity. (If building a castle)
I really like the pricing of the new Blacksmith set considering all the new parts in it.
Like I said though, I don't know much for this. I just think about castle parts. :)

Si_UKNZ

^ Yes, on paper it seems like a good idea, but I'd like to see you buy the GE and be able to split it up. I bought another MMV for this purpose - so many great bricks in there - but just can't bring myself to do it!

Yellowcastle

I think this is an interesting topic as there are always great piece builder sets each season. For me, a piece builder set has to at the very least be around the ten cent per piece mark at MSRP. And I then still won't think about buying it until it's on some type of sale to improve on that ratio.

I find the creator sets usually have the best price/piece ratio out there, though the pieces tend to be a bit more standard. Lighthouse Island and the modulars have incredible ratios and would have been great additions this past BOGO sale. For more rare pieces, I'd look at the city of Atlantis right now.

Lastly and most importantly for me is that ANY set on clearance is almost a must buy. A Good recent example would be the Troll Wheel which I can't say I liked but was awesome on clearance. A couple of other nice piece builder sets IMO were Ambush in Cairo, Target Practice, and all of the PoP sets.

doriansdad

MMV with 1600 pieces for $99 is the best deal I have seen in a long time (even cheaper on sale). Snap them up while you can.

princedraven

I hear the new UCS SSD will be a great set to get for the parts.
Oh wait, all the parts will be grey.
Oh and wait, it will set you back an arm and a leg (and a kidney!).
Perhaps not then...
Sorry, still bitter about the cost of this monster.

prof1515

The answer to this question is relative to what parts you want. If you want parts A, B and C then a set that contains dozens of parts D, E, and F and only a couple of part A isn't better than a set that contains three or four of each A, B and C.

Si_UKNZ

^ Very true, but MMV for example has such a great range of rare colours, such a wide range of bricks and at such a good price it seems v strong for a wide range of uses.

Another thread has reminded me of another criteria; how good the minifigs are ... e.g. the larger Potter sets can work out very cost effective because people buy them, strip the minifigs, and sell the pieces on at a price which makes them extremely attractive as 'piece builders', much cheaper than anything from [email protected]

Istokg

In ancient LEGO history (well OK the 1980s)..... I had the rare good fortune to find 35 London Bus Sets at $7 each (the USA 760 numbered version, not the "rest of world" 384 numbered version) on clearance in USA toy stores in the Detroit area. I've always been a fan of classic LEGO windows (1956-86), and each of those sets contained 11 1x3x2 red windows, 10 1x4x2 red windows, 1 1x2x2 red window, and 2 1x1x1 white windows... for a total of 24 windows per set... or a total of 840 windows. Never found a better set for windows... which for me is a sore topic... because I think that since 1986 TLG has been rather slipshod in the "windows department".... :(

veritas313

I personally think that any sets retailing at half price make a great buy. For example i've just bought 4 sets of 7596 (toy story Trash compactor escape) from Argos in the uk. Im going to use the cranes as part of a scene for my railroad dock bringing together trains and city harbour theme and the conveyer belts are going to be used for my factory/lego disrtibution facility.

StuBoy

^ Agreed. Anything on sale is a step in the right direction. We don't get many half-price sales in New Zealand, but I got a tiny Atlantis set for half price a few weeks back that had quite a good selection of useful parts.

bluemoose

I thought this ...
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=6747-1
... was a great & affordable 'Classic Space' parts pack.

Si_UKNZ

I personally think that any sets retailing at half price make a great buy.

Given the amount of Lego in the sales at the moment, can anyone recommend any good part-builder sets based on current sale prices?

madforLEGO

^ Yes, on paper it seems like a good idea, but I'd like to see you buy the GE and be able to split it up. I bought another MMV for this purpose - so many great bricks in there - but just can't bring myself to do it!

I originally said the same about Potter Lego Shrieking Shack and Dumbledore's Office sets .. I had bought 6 of them when there were various sales on them.. but after seeing the prices they were going for I passed...lol

madforLEGO

Given the amount of Lego in the sales at the moment, can anyone recommend any good part-builder sets based on current sale prices?

Whenever TRU has a BOGO50 (Or buy three get one free/90% off) sale with Free shipping, go for the 'Modular' sets.. I mean I guess it all depends on how devoted you are to parting out sets...
Diagon Alley would be a good set for pieces too, but definitely not cheap by any means but a few of those would help you make some nice older looking buildings...

like @doriansdad said, the Medieval Market Village is a good parts set still, and with BOGO sales and other sales it is a good pickup... (Heck sell the figs out of it after a BOGO and you will probably get a good chunk of your money back as well)

Erinlyn80

I just scored Hagrids Hut for $20 (50% off) at a target by my house.... was merchandising and only 1 store of 6 had it on clearance... but I love all the parts! Owls, wooden doors, rat, mushrooms, pumpkins....and building it gave me an 'ah-ha' how to build other structures I hadn't thought of!

I would looooove to get my paws on the MMV just haven't had the money yet. July is such a great month for lego clearance I wish I had more money!

aplbomr79

I have just finished looking at the new 2012 Ninjago Sets, and even though I shrugged off most of the 2011 Ninjago sets (purchased 3 for parts alone) - there are a handful of 2012 sets that are VERY appealing due to parts.

The two in particular are 'Spinner Battle Arena' (9456) and Fangpyre Wrecking Ball (9457). The parts in these sets are great due to the color scheme - but it is portions of each build that I find very attractive.

Both sets lend to MOC's in the Lime Green coloring. The Spinner set allows for not one, but two different colors for possible crane MOC's; the Wrecking Ball - well, a new crane in Lime Green is almost within reach just with this set. I am sure one of these sets will offer up a solid answer to my 2011 Harbor (4645) crane instability debacle.

I am not going to lie, the Ninjago is becoming more appealing to me. I know it is a hit with my nephews... it was the only LEGO sets on their Christmas Wishlist this year (ages 7-12).

What are some other sets that you have your eye on for parts/MOC's?

bluemoose

Not sure yet, but I have enjoyed building the 'Heavy Duty Helicopter' (4439) and the 'green'/serpent-headed Ninjago vehicles I've built so far - interesting builds, nice models & plenty of useful parts (especially if you like lime green!).

The 'black' Ninjago car ("Cole’s Tread Assault", 9444) was an interesting build, with some great techniques, but I thought the final model was a bit lack-luster & the parts selection wasn't as good as I had expected. Similar story for the red ninjago bike ("Kai’s Blade Cycle", 9441). I enjoyed building the blue ninjago plane ("Jay's Storm Fighter", 9442), and the parts selection in that set are pretty good IMO.

I keep picking up the 'Dino' sets in-store & then putting them back down again; the dino's themselves are nice, but I'm just getting a 'meh' vibe from the parts selection in the sets. I bought the helo-crane model last week, but I haven't been able to work up the enthusiasm to build it yet ...

brickupdate

I agree with @aplbomr79 - the Ninjago sets seem to be filled with interesting new parts/colors that I would love to use for MOCs!

Vindic8ed

Thought I'd bring up this topic again.  Any particular sets people are going after a lot with the current line up?

CCC

Good moc part out sets for me recently have been The Hobbit sets. 50% off means you can sell the minifigs for the price paid, and lots of tans, browns, greys and sand green.

natro220

Another for me has been the Mos Eisley Cantina set.  Sell off the extra minifigs, keep the dewback and musicians (if you want) and you are left with loads of good tan bricks, plates and arches.

Vindic8ed

Where are you getting them at 50%?

hleonffu

The LEGO Fusion sets at $4.99 from [email protected] where very good deals and parts packs. 

dougts

Lotr and hobbit were great.  I'm really worried that the pickings are going to become extremely thin going forward. 

CCC

Vindic8ed said:

Where are you getting them at 50%?

Asda, tesco, John Lewis, Amazon.

novicebuilder101

hleonffu said:

The LEGO Fusion sets at $4.99 from [email protected] where very good deals and parts packs. 

Heck yeah. I got 5 of each! I'm still not sure what I'm going to use all of the purple bricks from the Friends Resort Designer. 

Cosworth3d

How about the Ewok Village ?!? You get the best deal off mini figs wich you can sell.
and end up with a pile of bricks :)

Yellowcastle2

Zombie discussions arise! :o) I’m currently spending an obscene amount of time pouring over the BnP site but am only picking up the neat/rare/interesting pieces.  For the more standard bricks and plates, etc., would it make more sense to part out sets?  And if so, any good current options?  I’m thinking maybe the Bookstore.  Don’t see much in the way of good sales these days so I’m probably looking at RRP.

madforLEGO

It depends on the parts you are looking for. But buying sets, especially when on sale, is typically is a cheaper way to get a lot of parts than trying to build something solely with BnP parts (as they will be a bit more expensive over PaB anyway).

I bought a bunch of the Speed Champion sets for car parts, Creator sets on sale should give you a ton of parts for buildings. Star wars for space parts, etc.. With Licensed sets, you can buy sets with vehicles and buildings and sell off the figures to make some cash back.

The one thing I have noticed due to demands of LEGO sets now is that Amazon does not really need to discount them anymore, so finding sets at a good sale price is easier said than done. Best bet is to check Walmart stores for clearance prices.

Astrobricks

If just buying for parts, you could look for anything Amazon currently has for a decent discount (~20% or so) and get Target to match it with an extra 5% off for using a Redcard. And, as @madforLEGO said, check Walmart regularly for the occasional decent clearance price. They’re just a lot less common than they were a year ago :(

Also, some of the Classic boxes of loose parts are a good deal on a price per piece basis even at regular price.

Yellowcastle2

Thank you, those tips make perfect sense.  This would be so much easier if I had any sort of build in mind.  :o) As my LEGO City continues to mature, I have this overwhelming desire to gild it with my own creations.  But I seem to do things backwards these days as I tend to find the idea in the pieces I own.  So I’ve been spending a lot of time buying some of the newer, cooler widgets like double spheres, fez, white bananas, elephant tails and flex tubes to name a few but not the meat and potatoes in bricks and plates.  And my nine year old has recently raided the cupboard to build his own city. LOL

Astrobricks

Finding the ideas in the pieces you own is the essence of Lego :)

Yellowcastle2

Lol, true.

Marshallmario

Very deep Master!

CCC

Astrobricks said:

Finding the ideas in the pieces you own is the essence of Lego :)

Owning (multiples of) every part is the essence of LEGO!

Bubba

madforLEGO said:

It depends on the parts you are looking for. But buying sets, especially when on sale, is typically is a cheaper way to get a lot of parts than trying to build something solely with BnP parts (as they will be a bit more expensive over PaB anyway).

I bought a bunch of the Speed Champion sets for car parts, Creator sets on sale should give you a ton of parts for buildings. Star wars for space parts, etc.. With Licensed sets, you can buy sets with vehicles and buildings and sell off the figures to make some cash back.

The one thing I have noticed due to demands of LEGO sets now is that Amazon does not really need to discount them anymore, so finding sets at a good sale price is easier said than done. Best bet is to check Walmart stores for clearance prices.

Yep. If you got a Walmart or equivalent nearby. Back when my kids were at that prime LEGO fan age I ALWAYS visited the clearance isle as well as the Toy Isles to look for anything on sale.  I picked up the LEGO CITY Crawler Crane #7632 for $30 (%50 of its retail price) back in 2010/2011.  I've found many great deals there and even a few at the local Kroger grocery which has its own Toy isle. In the US some grocery chains larger stores have toy isles and carry an impressive number of LEGT sets for a grocery store.   

Target use to be a decent place to occasionally find deals but they seem to prefer not marking them down more than %25 off even if it means the sets sit on the shelves for years. Toys-R-Us (at least in the US) was a lot like this too. Before they shut down the stores they had here in Texas I'd find sets that were discontinued 4-5 years ago still on the shelves. 

Astrobricks

Ahhh, remember relaxing trips to the Toy Isles back before Covid? Good times ;-)

EGRoberts

I find an amazing place for parts is non profit companies like goodwill. They sell lego bags hung up on there walls sometimes. Not impossible to go in and find vintage minifigures in the bags too as that is how I rebuilt my old forestmen collection but also was buying 10 lbs bags for 25 Canadian dollars with 20 or so minifigures mixed in.. Key to goodwill shops is patience as there are many lego collectors that check often so it is partially based on luck too.

Bubba

Here in the US we have Yard Sales and Garage Sales and those too can be good places to go but you have to be wiling to get a lot of misses before finding something and even than you often have to be willing to accept a percent of non-Lego bricks mixed in. 

EGRoberts

Ya we have the dreaded mega blocks too lol.. Don't forget the hair (not always off the head ewww), screws, batteries, old pieces of food, and kinder egg toys lol.  Always bags and boxes full of surprises!

Bubba

What about the LEGO classic Bricks sets like # 11011, are those a good way to stock up on bricks? They appear to be marketed for exactly that but the price per piece still seems to be in line with most sets unless its on sale. 

Astrobricks

Bubba said:

What about the LEGO classic Bricks sets like # 11011, are those a good way to stock up on bricks? They appear to be marketed for exactly that but the price per piece still seems to be in line with most sets unless its on sale. 

RRP for #11011 is $60 for 1500 pieces, so $0.04 per piece, which is far below average compared to non-Classic sets. (BTW, when using the # it needs to be right next to the set number for the link to work.)

Helpfully, Brickset now lets you sort sets by PPP :)

Astrobricks

This search may be helpful:
https://brickset.com/sets/theme-Classic

Bubba

Astrobricks said:

Bubba said:

What about the LEGO classic Bricks sets like # 11011, are those a good way to stock up on bricks? They appear to be marketed for exactly that but the price per piece still seems to be in line with most sets unless its on sale. 

RRP for #11011 is $60 for 1500 pieces, so $0.04 per piece, which is far below average compared to non-Classic sets. (BTW, when using the # it needs to be right next to the set number for the link to work.)

Helpfully, Brickset now lets you sort sets by PPP :)

So if I type the # sign followed by a set number the forum will auto-convert that to a link to the set? I did not know that. 

Astrobricks

Bubba said:

Astrobricks said:

Bubba said:

What about the LEGO classic Bricks sets like # 11011, are those a good way to stock up on bricks? They appear to be marketed for exactly that but the price per piece still seems to be in line with most sets unless its on sale. 

RRP for #11011 is $60 for 1500 pieces, so $0.04 per piece, which is far below average compared to non-Classic sets. (BTW, when using the # it needs to be right next to the set number for the link to work.)

Helpfully, Brickset now lets you sort sets by PPP :)

So if I type the # sign followed by a set number the forum will auto-convert that to a link to the set? I did not know that. 

Yup. Just click it to be taken directly to the set on BS. Caveat - if you want to test a link you just created in a post, you must first reload the page once so the JavaScript can do its thing.

Brickchap

Ive been buying up a lot of the Harry Potter castle sets to slowly build up my collection of tan parts. Tan and its close colour neighbours is probably my favourite lego colour to build in at least for buildings.

Thats probably due to growing up in Australia where there are very few 'European' buildings around as in the sort of buildings that inspire Lego modular buildings and of these they are almost always built out of sandstone. Eg Queen Victoria Building.

Ive often bought Friends sets for various parts or ideas such as the Italian restaurant which could easily be converted to a 'normal' (non pink) restaurant.

I do envy Star Wars collectors sometimes as although I hate the theme, Lego Star Wars sets often have many of the aeroplane wing and cockpit pieces that would greatly assist in my building old aeroplanes,especially warbirds.

As a fan of old cars I rather ironically always have to rely on Lego hot rods despite hating hot rods irl. Sadly Lego rarely makes old cars but sometimes does hot rods so many a MOC 1920s-1940s car in my city started out as a crazy hot rod (usually belonging to City criminals) and by adding a proper engine, raising the front and adding era appropriate details (sometimes its as simple as putting the doors back to front) I have an old car!

CCC

Medium sized Star Wars sets have been good grey and/or tan parts packs, and cheap if you sell off the figures. Not too small that the minifigs are common and cheap and not too big that there are relatively few figures to sell to offset the costs.

Brickchap

@CCC I considered getting the set with tan bricks, trees and 'brick pattern' nougat bricks, no idea the name it has this nice creature looks like a turtle with orange head and glasses. It was from the movies with Kylo Ren in it Im pretty sure

The_Rancor

#75139 Battle on Takodana

Bumblepants

Brickchap said:

@CCC I considered getting the set with tan bricks, trees and 'brick pattern' nougat bricks, no idea the name it has this nice creature looks like a turtle with orange head and glasses. It was from the movies with Kylo Ren in it Im pretty sure

Yeah I grabbed a few of those on deep clearance for parts. Selling off the figures made it almost free parts.