Subject:
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Re: Hoping for advice... Best way to get parts? Other "Builder AFOLs?"
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general, lugnet.inst
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Date:
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Sun, 4 Apr 2004 20:05:12 GMT
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Viewed:
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2414 times
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In lugnet.general, Paul S. D'Urbano wrote:
> I'd love to hear people's advice on getting the specific parts you need to build
> a specific MOC. I'd also like to know if anyone else is a "Builder AFOL" like
> me?
>
> Getting Parts:
>
> I know Bricklink is the short answer but I feel like I just don't get it. I
> think I need the long answer and was hoping someone can share some words of
> wisdom on the approach they use. Here's an example. I would love to be able to
> build this:
>
> Jake's Loco: http://www.bricksonthebrain.com/trains/images/desktop-loco.jpg
> Paul Janssen built two: http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=22712
>
> I'd just like to build one. Just a first glance: notice the four Window 1 x 1 x
> 2 in Yellow. Peeron says that part hasn't existed in a set for 30 years...
>
> If I buy Jake's book I've got the instructions, but how in the world can I get
> all the right parts without going crazy with tens of different stores, spending
> extreme cash, and/or buying a bunch of extra parts I don't need for this model
> but are required to meet Bricklink store minimums and justify shipping costs?
>
> Do I just have it wrong? Am I crazy to think that I can build something
> specific? Is that not how typical AFOLs think? I would love it if TLC sold a
> set just like Jake's loco. I'm not looking to design my own. I've always hoped
> I could use other people's instructions plus parts resources like Bricklink to
> create the sets that TLC isn't going to make themselves. Is this simply
> unrealistic?
>
> A Builder AFOL:
>
> For me my fun with this hobby is not collecting and not desiging, it's building.
> I love starting a Sunday afternoon with a pile of parts and an instruction book
> and finishing with something that looks cool (e.g. trains, star wars) and/or
> does something cool (e.g. technic, mindstorms). I'm not into looking at my
> completed models collecting dust on a shelf (I take them apart so I can build
> them again). I'm not one to design my own brilliant things from scratch. I
> just love the actual building: Following the instructions and watching (someone
> else's) great designs come to life. Am I odd? Is this rare in this community?
>
> When someone writes a book with instructions for MOCs in there are they really
> thinking that many people who buy the book will build them? Or am I missing the
> point? Are those instructions just in the book so that it will give people good
> ideas on how to use the parts already in their collection to build something
> similar? Is it really not meant for someone like me who wants to build that
> specific model? How many people are really going to have four Window 1 x 1 x 2
> in Yellow? Do you know what I mean?
>
> These topics are things that come up with me from time to time as I long for
> more advanced models to build and feel limited to TLC's selection. I'd love to
> know how other people here think about these things. Thanks in advance for any
> thoughts you have to share.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul D'Urbano
For every builder AFOL like yourself there would have to be a designer AFOL!
I'm a designer and builder. I buy sets for the parts that are in them,
assessing yield in terms of whether some parts are required in the near future
and whether all the other parts are useful.
For building technic, a set like 8455 excavator has a very high yield, since the
pneumatic parts (the main cost of the set) will all be used. Most of the other
parts are versatile technic parts that will be used generally. Only a few parts
such as trim pieces are less useful.
I like to build from what I have, but I need to have at least twice as many
parts as I will actually use in models at any time, due to the amount of trial
and error in the design and build process.
Before I start on a model I know in my head what are the core parts that I will
definitely need, so I assess whether I can build the model on the basis of
having those core parts. I also keep a good general stock of common parts, so
that there are always enough for any model.
I usaed to look at the ideas books (eg 7777) and wish endlessly that my parents
had the money to buy me all the sets and parts featured in the book.
So far I haven't bought any parts online. I have bought some second hand (and
had to wash it :-( ) to boost the general stock. One or two people from my
local club (Brickish) have given me small numbers of parts for specific MOCs. I
generally plan what I will be building over the next year or so, and tailor my
procurement accordingly.
The words in the front of 7777 suggest that you should use whatever colours you
have, though if you want to build a good-looking model it is useful if they're
all the same colour! In the case of trains, I would pick a livery that I had
the parts for, whatever colour scheme it was. I have done this with UK trains
and will soon be doing it with US ones, building in 8mm:1ft scale - mostly 10
wide for US trains! Many types of loco have several possible liveries as quite
a few different companies buy the same type of locos.
Mark
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