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.

https://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=200&colorID=86