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Calling all Classic Space Gurus!!!

SupraTTSupraTT Member Posts: 8
in Collecting
Hey guys! What's up?!  I'm a new member (Hello everyone!) and was wanting to get some help going through some old Legos from my childhood/my uncles childhood that I just got from my parents recently.  Like most, I actually hadn't thought of a Lego in years, and finally got out the totes that I had in my house that housed about 1/3 of my old sets from childhood (I had mostly space (pretty much every set from 1987-1994 excluding 6987, 6990, but all the SP1/2, BK1/2, Mtron, Ice P, and Spyrius) and some castle/pirates), anyhoo, there was also a huge amount of bags from my grandmas house that I guess I assumed were just "old boring legos" and was gonna stuff them away again, but I looked at some parts sorted out a handful of what I figured were unique parts and made an "Urainium search vehicle" using bricklink inv list and online instructions.  As a kid I always thought that the "old space" was boring, but now that I made one its actually kind of cool, and most importantly my two sons love legos and I like building things for them!  

Anyways, there are POUNDS of old space stuff including at least a Beta 1 command base (6970....found this out based on the one off part 3754pb01), 6971 IG command base (have big pile of blue windows and a few solid blue 4228 parts), robot command ctr (couple solid blue "rocket" pieces and a handful of solid blue canopies), couple fx star patrollers, gamma V laser craft, another Uranium search vehicle, and prob at least 10 more sets (theres a couple 924 and other numbered bricks in there too).  Sooooo, here's where I need your expert advice! I'm obviously on the right track using bricklink, etc. but, is there a way to know what "generic" (ie 1x4, etc) brick was from what time period? (ie: look at the mold numbers from the lot it was created on?)  I figure if I'm going through all this trouble I might as well try to get it as close to original as possible, esp because these sets are a pretty big deal I guess! ( just bought my son a 6990 since I didn't have one as a kid and figured that would be expensive, but had no idea that these old space bases were worth so much, which makes me want to keep them and pass it on to my children/grandchildren!).  Also, any other suggestions would be great too (ie general research/building and if there is a way to ask for older pieces when ordering off bricklink.com, etc in case I need to get a couple bits to finish out a set??).  Thanks a bunch guys!

Here's a few pics (this is just a little bit of what I've sorted already and the Invader/UFO ship/Forestman thing are just what my son had out from my stuff while I was working on this):

(and MODs, sorry if this is the wrong sub forum, I didn't see a classic space forum so feel free to relocated if needed, thanks!!)

Thanks again for all you help!!!!
Pitfall69cheshirecatchuckprancorbaitLegoKipbobabricksChrisbstmsidersdd

Comments

  • OldfanOldfan Member Posts: 706
    Welcome from another Classic Space fan! I think you're on the right track: use printed parts and other non-standard parts (i.e. window frames) to identify the sets that you have. For ordering more parts to complete your collection: be aware that Classic Space is from the "old gray" era, so when you order parts on BL/BO make sure that you order Old Gray or Old Dark Gray instead of "Stone" or "Bluish Gray" colors. Usually, the Old Gray parts will be of the proper vintage for your sets (the old colors were discontinued 2003-2004). Maybe others have a method to determine the relative age of a brick? I would simply contact the potential seller, let them know you're looking for 80's/90's vintage parts, and see if they have their parts sorted in this way. The vast majority of parts you need will be "used", but this is not an absolute determination. Best of luck!
    Pitfall69madforLEGO
  • SupraTTSupraTT Member Posts: 8
    Yes, thanks for the reply OldFan!! I def did see that they changed the gray color scheme to a 'light bluish gray', thanks for that tip, I def see how it could be confused.  Thanks so much for the analysis and years that old gray was used!  I think what you mentioned is prob best, to simply ask the seller for "older" parts (you'd think they'd be glad to unload the older looking ones right ;).  As a kid who first was into legos in the early 90s (we had to hit up an old school toy warehouse/store to acquire all our futuron and blacktron sets, it was like they didn't sell much in legos and was the only place we could find sets 2-3 yrs old.) I remember looking in the older catalogs and seeing the "old space" stuff and didn't really know much about it, I wish I would've built some of these at my grandma's as a kid, I would've prob appreciated them more back then!
  • Niels_TNiels_T Member Posts: 43
     @supraTT most bricks from that Space period is the, Void no part number bricks, and some small plates usually Pat. pend. bricks.

    So conclusion, stay away from bricks with part number.

    To identify:
    Pat pend, have molding pip, on sides, and only mold numbers inside.
    Void No part, have molding pip on stud, no part number only molding numbers inside.
    Void, molding pip stud, molding numbers, part number (4 digits mostly) inside.

    and then ther's a little difference in how looks, compare that when You have 3 of each together.

    Hope that help a bit. :-)

  • Niels_TNiels_T Member Posts: 43

    And I did some lot's of space, good easy way of using BL, is that everytime you do inv on a set, put the missing part in a wanted list.
    And then when done inv the set's get a good overlook what is missing, my experience is that when running thrugh all set's, You will find some parts in the lot that is left You culdn't find when did the inv set. And can take them off wanted list.

    My rules is evertime I order a missing part, is that next time I get to a lot, the part I just ordred is in next lot.

    So save some double orders :-) 
  • SupraTTSupraTT Member Posts: 8

    Niels_T said:
     @supraTT most bricks from that Space period is the, Void no part number bricks, and some small plates usually Pat. pend. bricks.

    So conclusion, stay away from bricks with part number.

    To identify:
    Pat pend, have molding pip, on sides, and only mold numbers inside.
    Void No part, have molding pip on stud, no part number only molding numbers inside.
    Void, molding pip stud, molding numbers, part number (4 digits mostly) inside.

    and then ther's a little difference in how looks, compare that when You have 3 of each together.

    Hope that help a bit. :-)

    Wow, Thanks Niels! Thats lots of useful info!  I take it the molding 'pip' is the small abrasion left from where the opening to the injection mold? (I do remember old 1x1 round plates used to have another piece of plastic stuck between a pair that you would have to twist off, TLG prob decided they were giving away too much plastic with those (we used to use them as jewels/precious stones as kids).  What do you mean by "void no part number"? Just that there is no part number, or does the brick actually say void somewhere (I assume it only has the part # as that's all I believe I can see).  Sounds like it would be a safe bet to look mainly for the molding pip on the side and double check that there is only one set on numbers inside (some parts I know they only made back in this period, like the trans yellow large plates, so maybe I'll use stuff like that, which I know is the approriate period, as a guide as well.)  And just to double check (I've only been looking around a Lego for a week or two so I'm pretty new to this (didn't know about part #s, etc as a kid), but I assume the part number is typically always a 3-4 digit number that matches the BL inventory while the mold number is typically hypenated (ie 3-02, etc) right?

    THanks!  ALso thanks for the BL advice!  I actually have family in Europe that will help me by shipping the BL orders from the EU that I buy (ie I only pay EU shipping to their house then they put it all in a big box and then I only pay for one internat'l shipping)  If any of you guys wanna get in on that (it may be a few weeks out at the rate I'm sorting, LOL) just let me know, In fact do they do 'group buys' on BL around here to save on shippng? (ie everyone pitches in for shipping and ships to say the most senior/trustworthy member on here who then sends out to all other members once they pay him/her for domestic shipping (via paypal, etc).  Thats just a thought, might be a good way to save on shipping, esp if we did something where we get someone in the EU to put it all in one big package.
  • mrfuturemrfuture Member Posts: 31

    Hi from another Classic Space fan.

    If you have to go looking for old grey parts in Bricklink without the Inventory list.
    If i remember correctly.
    The old grey one is called light grey.
    but the new one is called Light Bluish grey.
    But as other have written. some shops do not seperate old and new.

  • Niels_TNiels_T Member Posts: 43
    SupraTT said:
    Wow, Thanks Niels! Thats lots of useful info!  I take it the molding 'pip' is the small abrasion left from where the opening to the injection mold? (I do remember old 1x1 round plates used to have another piece of plastic stuck between a pair that you would have to twist off, TLG prob decided they were giving away too much plastic with those (we used to use them as jewels/precious stones as kids).  What do you mean by "void no part number"? Just that there is no part number, or does the brick actually say void somewhere (I assume it only has the part # as that's all I believe I can see).  Sounds like it would be a safe bet to look mainly for the molding pip on the side and double check that there is only one set on numbers inside (some parts I know they only made back in this period, like the trans yellow large plates, so maybe I'll use stuff like that, which I know is the approriate period, as a guide as well.)  And just to double check (I've only been looking around a Lego for a week or two so I'm pretty new to this (didn't know about part #s, etc as a kid), but I assume the part number is typically always a 3-4 digit number that matches the BL inventory while the mold number is typically hypenated (ie 3-02, etc) right?

    THanks!  ALso thanks for the BL advice!  I actually have family in Europe that will help me by shipping the BL orders from the EU that I buy (ie I only pay EU shipping to their house then they put it all in a big box and then I only pay for one internat'l shipping)  If any of you guys wanna get in on that (it may be a few weeks out at the rate I'm sorting, LOL) just let me know, In fact do they do 'group buys' on BL around here to save on shippng? (ie everyone pitches in for shipping and ships to say the most senior/trustworthy member on here who then sends out to all other members once they pay him/her for domestic shipping (via paypal, etc).  Thats just a thought, might be a good way to save on shipping, esp if we did something where we get someone in the EU to put it all in one big package.
    Np, just got another load of space through the door yesterday. :-)

    Easy way to explain mold pip, is take a new brick look at studs, and 1 of them have a small dot i Lego logo. That is the mold pip of modern bricks, called void because they still use them.
    They differ from the part number as mentioned before, and yes the part# is the 4 digit that matches BL catalog, or any other inv. for that matter.
    Patent pending bricks are the old one's, would say not used any more, but sometimes if TLG have leftover they still will use them.
    Their mold pip is kind like a small round mark on edge or side brick. Good way to identify is take a ok nice white brick, and some where on side/edge there would be a little darker spot, usually dirt, and that is the mold pip from that time, and they do appear in Space set's.

    Hoped that helped, English is not my best getting technical. :-)

    And lots of pages on web with pictures of diff. kind, think that www.leggodt.nl have good explanation.

    Good idea about shipping :-)
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    One thing you can do is buy old Universal Building sets for that time period and grab pieces from there. That way you know you are getting "era specific" parts. I am crazy OCD about that. I have a whole parts bin of parts from 1978-83.
  • SupraTTSupraTT Member Posts: 8
    Thanks for the 'pip' explanation, sounds like it is the place where the injection mold is injected, def saw that on the side of the more vintage blocks.  thanks for the link to!  Where do you typically go to find local lego deals? Yardsales, thriftstores, etc?

    Thanks!
  • Niels_TNiels_T Member Posts: 43

    Think it would be more correct to say that it is the point for exessive plastic, and where it is released from. Try watch  Huw's latest report from Billund and video from molding plant. There You get an idea.

    Getting Classic space here, lots mostly looking for ads in local papers, spicifik parts, tend to Bricklink.

    Cheers

  • Niels_TNiels_T Member Posts: 43

    The lot I got the other day, first did clean, then build, finding missing pcs, I had in stock, make wanted list for missing parts, put away, wait till I find missing part, or wait till I have items enough for order.

    :)

    PS. I got it bulk bricks.


    chuckpgelkster
  • SupraTTSupraTT Member Posts: 8
    Great find Niels!  I guess you just picked that up locally as a bulk lot, or did you find it listed online somewhere?
  • Niels_TNiels_T Member Posts: 43
    @SupraTT no it was in local online add, but pictures is everything, can't find original picture, but that what would be a story, that would say taking a good and decent picture is everything.
    In the add you could kinda only see some mini fig, and a bit blue and gray bricks, none special in add picture. I had it on watch seeing if other did bid, no one did and I gave a fair bid, from his picture.
    Just thought it as spare parts.
    As soon as I got, I could quickly see that the 918 was there, but finding a complete and nice 3430c03 and 2 Trans Clear 3876 is in BL kinda what I got the lot for.

    Discover that almost alle the set's where complete with no instructions though, is kinda very nice find.
    Actually the reason the 928 is missing quite a bit parts, is that I could use them in anohter set's, and have them comple, and now just have 2 set's I need go Inv and wanted list at BL.

    Hope this help You in finding right pcs for Your lot.

    :-) :-)


    PS. space is actually not my thing. :-)
  • chuckpchuckp Member Posts: 684
    @Niels_T That's a nice find, especially getting the 2 trans clear shields for the Mobile Tracking Station. 

  • SupraTTSupraTT Member Posts: 8
    Yeah, here I thought the trans red shields were hard to find!  Some rare parts are surprisingly expensive too.  I know it's not CS, but I looked up the quarter dome windshield in trNgrn for 6989 and it runs about $25 plus on BL!
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