The Great #Lego Sort continues. Thanks very much to all those who gave some great advice the other day. The challenge was to sort out 45 years worth of random parts so we can clear stuff out.
https://qoto.org/@davoloid/110712561338848533
This has taken all weekend and every evening since we started. Biggest problem we have is that spouse and I are struggling to agree on strategy.
Hers is to take down the existing sets, crossing over bits from the book whilst we're at it. Or do the reverse - try to build one up from the book.
The problem for both of these strategies is that there are so many bits, colours, shades, shapes, in various legacy containers, that we end up spending ages trying to find the bloody part, or a substitute, or trying to work out where we're going to put it when dismantling.
I would sooner spend what would probably be a couple of hours with all of us sifting and sorting by a more logical method. And maybe one person doing the building.
Where we have got some parts organised and sorted well, it's clear how easy it is to find the part you need. I forced the issue and started sticking the tiny parts in food storage pots, and this organiser.
One thing I have discovered is #Bricklink, a website where you can look up any part, any set, and see the components list, add it to your collection, find replacements, find what set it's from.
Amazing. For a few special parts where we can't find it or it's broken (e.g. this spindly gymnastics bar) we will see if we can buy them from that marketplace. Any tips from existing Bricklink buyers are welcome.
We've got some really old pieces that we might end up selling if it means we can reduce the amount and make space for more technical sets for the kiddo. (this is for her benefit, not mine, in case that wasn't obvious!) You can see here how age has turned some white parts into a sandy colour. Some old blue pieces are almost but not quite teal.
I think that's enough for this thread :)
Thanks again to all who gave some really useful advice and links the other day.
@davoloid going forward, I would always recommend storage where you can take out each compartment individually. There’s nothing worse than rummaging in a fixed-partition container and not being able to tip just one bit out to help you find something among a bigger heap.
@cazmockett I cannot describe accurately the look I received at this very suggestion earlier today. I could feel it over the phone, when I said I'd spotted a great two-level box with takeout compartments on eBay. 
@davoloid ha! They will learn 😉
@davoloid 👋🏻 experienced Bricklink buyer AND seller here. I've also organized and inventoried more than a hundred thousand pieces (twice, sadly).
I would be more than happy to share any tips or wisdom you would like to hear!
@davoloid to address a couple of things off the bat, your instinct to disassemble and organize before rebuilding (or cataloging) is the right call.
It's faster for finding the pieces to build with and the only way to be truly sure of what you have or don't.
Similarly, buying replacement parts on BL will be cheaper if you make the fewest number of orders. I suggest a wishlist (or multiple) for tracking the pieces. BL has a great auto-buy feature to find the fewest and most economic orders
I also got two additional #storage /organisers yesterday that were half price at #Screwfix. Some adjustable compartments, top secures down to stop bits mingling.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-sort-master-organiser-17-1-2-x-12-3-4-/73900
There's also this one which has compartments that can be taken out, but I'll keep my eye on that in case there's an offer.
The kitchen pots will do for now but it would be nice to get the storage consistent.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-deep-pro-organiser-14-1-2-x-18-/22910