![\"The](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/galaxyexplorer.jpg\")
<\/a>Scans of nearly every Lego set are available on the web.\u00a0 You can often sort by year, or even by theme.\u00a0 I had great luck finding instructions for old sets that I had forgotten about.\u00a0 Even with sets I\u2019ve never built before, I\u2019ve was often able to find parts and build a few 80s city and space models (granted, my Legos bricks are mostly from the 80s).\u00a0\u00a0And if your parts don\u2019t all match up, you can be creative with part and color substitutions.<\/p>\n
Lego Instruction Sites:<\/span><\/h4>\nPeeron.com<\/a>\u00a0is the best site for scans of instructions and catalogs, but the interface is minimal and not user friendly.\u00a0 Try browsing by year<\/a> or…<\/p>\nBrickset<\/a> is a great database for sets, and is easy to use.\u00a0 Once you’ve found the set you’re looking for<\/a>, the page usually has a direct link to Peeron<\/a> under the Links tab below the image.<\/p>\n2)\u00a0Order\u00a0any parts you need<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"pick-parts\"](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/pick-parts.jpg\")
<\/a>The Lego Movie inspired me to drool over all the sets <\/a>that were made as merchandising tie-ins\u00a0(what can I say, they are particularly \u201cLego-y\u201d).\u00a0 I then spotted three models that weren’t too elaborate, but\u00a0looked cool.\u00a0 Two were from special build events\u00a0at toy stores, and another was a limited release.\u00a0 I was inspired to track down the parts, and it seemed a good excuse to figure out what the best way is\u00a0to order bricks, a la carte.\u00a0 Here’s what I did:<\/p>\n\n- I downloaded the instructions<\/li>\n
- Then checked which parts I already had<\/li>\n
- Then I ordered what I could from Pick a Brick<\/a> and Bricks & Pieces<\/a> via Customer Service<\/li>\n
- Finally, I ordered what was left from other fellow Lego fans at BrickLink<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"And](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/results.jpg\")
<\/a>And here are the results. Emmet\u2019s car is now part of an official set, but I had fun making it myself.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat I found is that\u00a0Bricks & Pieces\u00a0is the way to go.\u00a0 It costs only slightly more than Pick a Brick, but you have more parts to choose from.\u00a0 That said, you may want to try out Pick a Brick first to get a feel for the pricing \u2013 and\u00a0they might have all the parts you need. \u00a0Bricks & Pieces just sends a request form\u00a0to Lego and they get back with you with your total order tally.<\/p>\n![\"I](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/lego-space-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>The Mobile Lab set.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf there are parts that Lego.com no longer carries, Brick Link is a great resource. The prices are usually low \u2013 unless the bricks are rare \u2013 but shipping can add up, since you\u2019ll most likely need to order from several different vendors.<\/p>\n
For example, I\u00a0was really happy to track down the green space windshield piece from Brink Link.\u00a0I was able to rebuild the Mobile Lab, one of my first Lego Space sets. I remember trying to make many different space shuttles (usually red) with that green windshield when I was young.<\/p>\n
Instructions: <\/span><\/h4>\n![\"micromanager\"](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/micromanager-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"6092241-1\"](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/6092241-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"emmetscar-1\"](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/emmetscar-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n3) Trade Minifigs<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"minifigs\"](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/minifigs.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Man,](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/lego-minifigures-series-10-sad-clown-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>The Sad Clown figure is still sublime. (image from Jay’s Brick Blog)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI had avoided the \u201cblind bag\u201d Mini-Figures Collections that Lego has been releasing, but the Lego Movie Collection was too good to pass up.\u00a0If you are like me, once you pick up a few of these (or any other series), you are bound to have duplicates, like say\u00a0…\u00a0three scribble face cops.\u00a0 Sure, you could buy and\u00a0sell the remaining ones on eBay and pay a pretty penny in the process, but there are sites just for swapping minfigs and they work rather well.\u00a0 I traded a few times and ended up with a solid assortment of Lego Movie Minifigs before calling it a day.<\/p>\n
MiniFigure Trading Site:<\/span><\/h4>\nSwap Minfigures Series<\/a><\/p>\n4) Have fun and make your own creations<\/span><\/h2>\nNo matter what, have fun and make your own stuff!\u00a0 Just collecting and making sets like model kits is practically missing the point.\u00a0 Here are few ideas to try.<\/p>\n
Try using photos for reference.<\/h4>\n![\"I](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/minivan.jpg\")
<\/a>I\u00a0built this minivan using photo reference, and while it doesn\u2019t quite look like a Toyota Sienna (the windshield is at the wrong angle, among other things), I’m pretty happy with it, not to mention it seats six.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h4>\nHave fun and don\u2019t worry about the details.<\/h4>\n![\"My](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/minecraft.jpg\")
<\/a>My son recently made his own Minecraft set, and I love how it came out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTry taking turns adding to a weird creation.<\/h4>\n![\"This](\"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/taketurns.jpg\")
<\/a>This is a great activity with kids.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCheers and Happy Building,
\nBen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
So, you\u2019ve kept all your Legos, organized them by color and you\u2019re ready to take it to the next level.\u00a0 Well my friend, the internet provides!\u00a0 Let me show you how. 1) Find instructions for ANYTHING online Scans of nearly every Lego set are available on the web.\u00a0 You can often sort by year, or …<\/p>\n
Brickset<\/a> is a great database for sets, and is easy to use.\u00a0 Once you’ve found the set you’re looking for<\/a>, the page usually has a direct link to Peeron<\/a> under the Links tab below the image.<\/p>\n What I found is that\u00a0Bricks & Pieces\u00a0is the way to go.\u00a0 It costs only slightly more than Pick a Brick, but you have more parts to choose from.\u00a0 That said, you may want to try out Pick a Brick first to get a feel for the pricing \u2013 and\u00a0they might have all the parts you need. \u00a0Bricks & Pieces just sends a request form\u00a0to Lego and they get back with you with your total order tally.<\/p>\n If there are parts that Lego.com no longer carries, Brick Link is a great resource. The prices are usually low \u2013 unless the bricks are rare \u2013 but shipping can add up, since you\u2019ll most likely need to order from several different vendors.<\/p>\n For example, I\u00a0was really happy to track down the green space windshield piece from Brink Link.\u00a0I was able to rebuild the Mobile Lab, one of my first Lego Space sets. I remember trying to make many different space shuttles (usually red) with that green windshield when I was young.<\/p>\n I had avoided the \u201cblind bag\u201d Mini-Figures Collections that Lego has been releasing, but the Lego Movie Collection was too good to pass up.\u00a0If you are like me, once you pick up a few of these (or any other series), you are bound to have duplicates, like say\u00a0…\u00a0three scribble face cops.\u00a0 Sure, you could buy and\u00a0sell the remaining ones on eBay and pay a pretty penny in the process, but there are sites just for swapping minfigs and they work rather well.\u00a0 I traded a few times and ended up with a solid assortment of Lego Movie Minifigs before calling it a day.<\/p>\n Swap Minfigures Series<\/a><\/p>\n No matter what, have fun and make your own stuff!\u00a0 Just collecting and making sets like model kits is practically missing the point.\u00a0 Here are few ideas to try.<\/p>\n Cheers and Happy Building, So, you\u2019ve kept all your Legos, organized them by color and you\u2019re ready to take it to the next level.\u00a0 Well my friend, the internet provides!\u00a0 Let me show you how. 1) Find instructions for ANYTHING online Scans of nearly every Lego set are available on the web.\u00a0 You can often sort by year, or …<\/p>\n2)\u00a0Order\u00a0any parts you need<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Lego Movie inspired me to drool over all the sets <\/a>that were made as merchandising tie-ins\u00a0(what can I say, they are particularly \u201cLego-y\u201d).\u00a0 I then spotted three models that weren’t too elaborate, but\u00a0looked cool.\u00a0 Two were from special build events\u00a0at toy stores, and another was a limited release.\u00a0 I was inspired to track down the parts, and it seemed a good excuse to figure out what the best way is\u00a0to order bricks, a la carte.\u00a0 Here’s what I did:<\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/a>Instructions: <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
3) Trade Minifigs<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>MiniFigure Trading Site:<\/span><\/h4>\n
4) Have fun and make your own creations<\/span><\/h2>\n
Try using photos for reference.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/h4>\n
Have fun and don\u2019t worry about the details.<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Try taking turns adding to a weird creation.<\/h4>\n
<\/a>
\nBen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"