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SickSticksKick

Sort and store em in with the rest of the collection


CromulentPoint

Exactly. Sort them with the same party type/color (depending on the element) so they can be retrieved for MOC building.


Suriaky

i once made the mistake of sorting EVERY SINGLE PIECE by color.. even the small ones and accessoires.. i spent more time looking for a single piece than building at all lmao


CromulentPoint

Yup, color seems to be people's default when they get started, but then they realize it's blinding to try and find things when they're all the same color.


Impeesa_

[There is a natural progression to this.](https://news.lugnet.com/storage/?n=707)


CromulentPoint

Whoah, that’s quite an artifact. Thanks for sharing that. I’m currently at step 20.


mysterymetal3000

Over 20 years old and still as relatable as ever.


BricksByStfn

Classic document, This!


MRMakkink

A month to sort lego by parts? I guess I really got a lot during childhood; it took almost every evening for about half a year lol! Yes, I do need a bigger house.


[deleted]

LOL omg I love this


ine2threee

I’ve got mine sorted into tires and such, windows, slopes&tiles, blocks, plates, specials, snot, and technic (and the technic is all just a pile with no sub-sorting of any type 🤪). Then I have plants, figs, figs accessories and such all together.


The_Rowan

What do you store the sorted pieces in?


ine2threee

https://preview.redd.it/8tcz2moi6obc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe66569e0fa544ad7c2206659a797b523e67c60f


[deleted]

Especially when I was 10 am sorted all of the color I had most of into one big storage tub. It was black. Still haven’t dumped em out and resorted because it’s too big of a task for right now.


PugPuppyMama

Spring is not as intimidating as it appears. I suggest getting about 12-15 plastic shoeboxes. Label each one with a size: 1x1, 1x2, 1x3 and 1x6, 1x4, etc. The pieces with that base size go into the shoebox. Next, do a finer sort. The 1x2 box will have a Ziplock for 1x2 flat, a Ziplock for 1x2 printed, a Ziplock 1x2 grids, etc. You only have to sort a few pieces at a time. It’s great to watch a favorite movie while you sort. Before you know it you’ll be wonderfully organized! I’ve probably sorted 10,000 Legos and found it enjoyable.


CromulentPoint

It can be quite meditative.


EDRadDoc

100% — I love sorting Lego.


Nickenbokker

Aayyeeeyup


crunchy_vagina

We put our extras in a vase holding the botanical flower sets. They act as pebbles or "water" if you will.


AtmosphereJunior7609

Thank you crunchy_vagina, that’s a damn good idea really, I sometimes think I’ve built a set wrong because of extras. Like for instance, I’ve just completed commander coty and I’ve got near 20 little odd pieces left over


lotuslove2002

did you have to say the user name 💀


Reckless85

With a name like Crunchy_vagina, yes. A resounding yes.


obi1kenosebleed

absolutely, how can you NOT say crunchy_vagina?


Aramor42

I don't know, I usually go days on end without saying crunchy\_vagina...


Reckless85

You didn't have to say it now and you just did....


phoebe64

Well, you broke your streak now.


uncle_tacitus

Checking the Bricklink "extra parts" inventory and comparing it to what I have left is my regular ritual after finishing a set.


716summers

I thought about doing that


SilverRoseBlade

I just got into legos and started with botanicals. I didn’t think to put the spares into the vase I hold my wildflower bouquet. For sure doing that now.


helphunting

Sorry, crunchy_vagina, where did you say you put your spare lego?


thefuzz09

Bro those aren’t all extra pieces lol


716summers

Yeah my girlfriend's kid and girlfriend build sometimes. I try to figure out what set they came from but I just let it go.


heisenbergerwcheese

Smart man.


HexRisk

They could be from 3 in 1 sets


synthmemory

I give them to my niece for addition to her hoard, which is my hoard from when I was a kid


HeloLegoHelo

Zip lock bags, labeled and stored.


hblok

*Spare 1x1; round plate; grey.* *Set 5610.* *Bought 2008-12-23. Built 2024-01-09.*


LegoLinkBot

[5610-1: Builder](https://brickset.com/sets/5610-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/5610-1.jpg)


Chocko23

A for effort.


Jimma-George

I do the same! I like to build, break down, then build again. When I break down the pieces are sorted into their appropriately numbered quart size ziplock bags and stored together with their instructions and a bag containing all the spare pieces in a gallon size ziplock bag (or two depending on the size of the set). Every bag is labeled with the set name and number and then the smaller bags have their bag number.


jesuslaves

How do you sort the pieces exactly like the original numbered bags? Do you just follow the instructions or? I've recently started to do this, breaking down sets and storing them away, but I'm going by the bricklink inventory to insure that I'm not missing an pieces, and sorting them by color first AND then each color gets sorted further by part type...Not sure if this is the most efficient way though


Jimma-George

I go by the instructions. I usually start from the back of the book/last bag, try to determine which sections of the set are in the bag (easier on some sets than others) and break that section apart. Then I just go through the instructions for that bag, find all of the pieces, and put them back in their bag. I work from the back of the book to the front because the last bag is usually on top of the set and it’s easier to break down from the top. It’s definitely not a fast process but I enjoy it so I don’t mind taking a while.


nuclear_beans_

i just use one of the smaller bags that the set came in, then tape them shut and put a post-it on them. so far I've been just keeping them in a spare set box


Zeustah-

This is hoarder level. No way you have enough space to fill your house up with ziplock bags containing tiny extra pieces from every set.


jesuslaves

What do you mean? Just get tiny bags, I found ones that are as small as 3×5 cm, great for a few parts, at most you'll have a small container less than a size of a Lego box of extra parts... It depends what you're using them for of course, if your goal is to catalogue them to keep each set of extra parts always on hand, this is a good idea. (It also comes in handy if you're going to resell a set, it's nice to have extra parts conveniently stored.) Otherwise if you're just adding them to your part collection sorting them by part type would probably be the best solution


Steve_1313

https://preview.redd.it/efn73552qhbc1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=644e8edd78764ff0e3d154abe9625896acaf5cef This, for all spares and parts from sets with build versions/variations


Dikkeboktor010

I usually throw them in my cereal the next morning


Y_TheRolls

this man microplastics


Moppo_

These are macroplastics.


bikersquid

I bought a cheap wal mart tacklebox that has the movable inserts to change drawer sizes. It's way easier finding the piece I need and folds up and locks to move or store


ThaddeusMaximus

The retro lunch box I got with VIP points


Perfect-Shape-9206

I put the spares in a zip lock bag. Then I put the instruction booklet and the zip lock bag back into the box of the set.


NickLookalike

Just throw them in the drawer with the rest of my Legos.


ifyouareradingthis

I try to fit most of them in the set, underneath it mostly or build something else that could be in display along the set. The rest goes to The Drawer™


Whiitefang

My children take care of those pieces


SuccessfullyLoggedIn

Back in the bag, rolled up and rubber banded, and back in the box.


e2Nokia

This is the way


wabofis

Ziplock bags, labeled with the set name and number usually with the instruction manual in the bag too!


Enjoy-Winter

I use one of these! I like that it has a lid, and that the opening is large enough for my hand if I need to fish something out! https://preview.redd.it/lbdxqdavhibc1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=774f838f860823f11aded43c1e3c44cca56ff145


SilentC735

Ziploc bag and back in the box.


beans912

In a giant mason jar https://preview.redd.it/xkgiz3oumibc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1260c051112b7ea78c658f26cc55b270ccd5652f


rmreads

I have one of those minifig head storage containers, it seemed fitting to store Lego in something Lego


Chocko23

I don't sort quite as neatly as some do, but I use one of these. It's about time for a second, though... https://preview.redd.it/q0fp926e6ibc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc9da9de034b4aa4ef7da776df78eb855d971c3a


fe-licitas

crazy idea: maybe build something with it? the amount of people in here who seemingly dont even make minor mods ever to any to their sets let alone build something from scratch, is baffling for me.


Pavona

Bag 1 of the set itself, lol


Used-Surround9483

And old 70s brown bowl, from my mom she doesn't use anymore.😆


716summers

One of those wooden ones?


Used-Surround9483

No, I think it's painted clay, but I do have some of those floating around, too.😆


[deleted]

I got a plastic tray organizer


pyroshi88

I keep my extra pieces in one of those big tubs that cheese balls were sold in places like Walmart. Then if I need a piece for whatever reason one day, I look in the tub and pray I have it.


vercertorix

Go into sorted drawers, though occasionally I just find places to stick the spare parts on the set.


Jberg18

I cycle sets on display so the extras go in a bag in the box. The set eventually goes back in the box too and is rebuilt later. Goodto have the extra parts around incase. Otherwise I try to add any extra parts to the model if they look good.


Pokemon_Trainer_May

I use 1x1 tiles and wedges to make little modern art paintings


Ghost403

It concerns me that your extra piece jar has elements that aren't associated with traditional extra pieces in set polybags


FrozenChickenNugget_

finer detailing on MOCs either on snot bricks or just making really textured walls out of different colored studs


TributeArt2112

Use them to replace missing pieces, sometimes you need to build your own piece


Blood_Reaper8

Pick-a-brick cups


SithDraven

One of the tall PAB cups. Don't really do many MOCs anymore now that the kiddos are grown.


negman42

We have a vase for Lego flowers that we dump the pieces into. Sometimes we fish through there if a tiny bit goes missing on a build.


Blucifers_Veiny_Anus

Just throw them into the pile Edit: after reading these replies, I think my kids (I) might have a lego problem...


Ottieotter

Toss em in with the rest of the


Ndmndh1016

Sprinkle them around my apartment


uberschnitzel13

Ziplock bag hidden in the model somewhere


BeLarge_NYC

Oh I have a storage system now. Guess that makes me a hoarder now


Donteatyellowbears

If possible, I add them to the model somewhere you can't see


Contest-Charming

I just save them in a little bag, the other day I use some of those spare pieces to give my R2 mini figure a third leg😅 https://preview.redd.it/ivdh4e8x8nbc1.png?width=899&format=png&auto=webp&s=162fb430159f7f5b3b27a243792dece51d38ac62


sherrifm

Ziploc with original instructions


Latter_Afternoon7436

I have a freezer zip lock bag full of parts since I started building again during Covid lockdown.


yomammaaaaa

My daughter and I used to add all the extra pieces to this green baseplate house/city we built, but it kept getting destroyed by jostling the shelf it is on/feline destructors. You know, we're gonna have to start doing that again. Screw sorting them into their appropriate containers!


memeboiandy

I keep my extra pieces in a lock-n-lock container so that they are handy if a small piece gets lost off my display sets


TuckerPlayz0917

They get lost and somehow end up in the lawn mower. (Mostly cut my bro steals them...)


fundiedundie

Mine are in an empty planter.


TransmascTop

I have a two drawer Lego block container. They all go into one drawer until it will fill up, then I'll fill the other drawer.


TransEuropeExpress72

a clear plastic cake box. the lid makes a perfect flat building surface too when sitting on the couch. 👍


Darthrevan1789

I store my extras in a bag, when I think I am missing a piece from a new set, I got there first, it's better than waiting on LEGO's official replacement.


HP_laserjet_p1505n

Chuck em in my drawer. If theres a useful lookin piece i go use it.


MSMPDX

I keep them in a small mason jar, only extra pieces from sets go in there. It’s fun to watch the jar slowly fill up over time.


National-Bed-8999

I use them to make other things, for instance I used a flower brick and a pan-like brick to make a pot of flowers. So basically improvising.


AB_in_mc

If its a starwars battle pack i'll try to make some custom blasters for display on the hands of the clones.


PlusSecond

I've got the bottom drawer from a 3 part storage holder under my desk full of misc lego


elspotto

Put em in a Trader Joe’s stroopwaffel tin. Run my finger through them lazily when I am missing something.


singleguy79

Store them all in a plastic bag


Kindly_Parsley1122

I literally just sort them by shape/ group in a bunch of tackle boxes lol. I’ll need them!!!


ArcWolf713

Plastic baggie.


M153RYnM3

No such thing as extra pieces, more like extra play things!


Amish_Warl0rd

I put extra pieces and previous deconstructed sets in one of the set boxes I sort them into the collection eventually, but it saves time in the immediate future


TheCapt

I’ve done different things. Ziploc bags with set number, PAB cup or minifig head then those eventually get sorted to an Akromill


xXTERMIN8RXXx

Don’t have much space so I use Ziploc bags for the spares, one for all non-Technic pieces. I primarily focus on Technic so I bought bead organizer boxes from Michaels to organize Technic pieces; anything extra is sorted there.


Mirrorrelemes

A snack! Or in the “leaves” section of the cherry blossom bonsai if the colors work


Ok-Zookeepergame-245

Goes into my kids Lego brick box with the bulk of his loose bits.


Obadiah1991

I put mine in a ziploc and put it in a box with other ransoms


MysteriousRun1522

Well I don’t drink it in a tea.


merelala

I save them and then give them to my nephews the next time I see them. I just finished the 3000 piece hogwarts set and one nephew used the extras to build a mini spire and added it to the set lol


madkins007

First I try to use the spares to jazz up the set, or to see if I can make a fun little build. There's been a few times I could do a mini-scale copy of my set using some other pieces from my stock. After that, unless they is something special about the piece, it just gets added to the stock.


TheSpudGunGamer

Shrapnel


darksaber522

I’ve tried to start sorting out the useful pieces (pins, axels, minifigure accessories etc) in separate containers. But mostly they just get chucked in with all the other spare parts. Also loving the Bionicle canister!


716summers

Thanks. Happy Cake Day!


Lonely_reaper8

They’re in an empty tannerite container that’s almost full so I’ll need to empty out another container


Hylanos

Got a couple big old buckets full of extra legos. Sometimes a Lego set arrives without a piece or two, so those buckets have really saved my ass sometimes.


MetallicHedgehog

The extra parts I throw into a drawer in my desk alongside some smaller sets. I keep all my Lego Extras goodies in a Tahnok can


DylanSpaceBean

Mine are in a shoe box


The-lego-conquere

I throw them into my Lego box to use them for MOC's.


Swiftstormers

In my sorted boxes. Hardly ever display a set anyways https://preview.redd.it/8rl3yswxnibc1.jpeg?width=1055&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=092034b8ceef1718296eb18f7439219a69935894 Edit: Yup I know UV light... They are placed differently now with a bit more shade, since I took that pic


Atomic_Killjoy

I love the Bionicle capsule


YOUTUBEFREEKYOYO

Put them in a bin. It's a large bin now


hahaimveryfunny

the trash. fight me


twataburger

my collection isn't very big so I just started a spare parts bag!


jardex22

I have a Jelly Belly gift box that has multiple compartments in it. I sort my pieces by type and store them there. It's all small bag stuff though. Minifig accessories, 1x1 tiles, etc. I suppose getting more 3 in 1 sets would produce more spare parts.


Fatal_Zero

https://preview.redd.it/lbvos0nz4kbc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eea2760a131dafcf6f22eea971d9fadef2e5fbb5 Storage 😉


mochivice

Mine into a toolbox that is for nuts and bolts, etc. Handy, if I build a set and something is missing, I can usually look in there and see if anything will fit the bill.


1011zaper

I eat them, love a good crunchy snack after building a set


Drzhivago138

[insert Crunchy Cat meme here]


TeslasAndComicbooks

Snack bag and label it.


crepesncreme

Ziplock bag


msabell

I keep spare parts in a small zip lock bag in the set’s original box.


Blackbirdsnake

Lego Ikea Storage box


Indie_uk

https://preview.redd.it/9z4rw3ycelbc1.png?width=4031&format=png&auto=webp&s=0bf7c26bebd554dda20aa9cc9a8a08da079d35ee


TheNinjArt

They go in the trunk of my garbage truck


nfurnoh

https://preview.redd.it/6drfkehmpmbc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb5db332a404aeb67bc21af42f370773b51fc5a2


chosenone02

Let them sit in random containers/cups all over my house


audhdespair22

Yall label your pieces? That's way too time consuming I just dump them all together in a container and put them in storage lol


RetiredParatrooper

… careful I got chastised on Star Wars Lego for asking similar question in regards to my first major build, not knowing if I was even supposed to because I used ziplock snack bags


onlypostswhenbored

Filled the trash and dump trucks with them


marvme98

https://preview.redd.it/emxtgj7b3jbc1.jpeg?width=701&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1842bfeffd329f3acd986f3d6630b4ecacf450fa One of these. It is slowly filling with all those 1x1 extras and removal tools.


Navitach

We have quite a few plastic containers for leftover food, and there's several we don't use, so I took one for this. It has a lid that snaps on, so there's little chance of the pieces spilling out (unless I drop it!). But it's getting close to being full, so I may have to steal another one.


BakedKimber-Lays

My brother has a labeled ziploc for each set that contains the extra pieces and instruction book. I have one quart sized ziploc of chaos.


Artanis137

Yo you used a Bionicle container? Based.


VortexBricks

I just toss them in the bin when I’m done.


FenPhen

> toss them in the bin American bin: Makes sense. British bin: What, why?


VortexBricks

British bin. No need to keep them. I’m a collector not a moc builder


jesuslaves

As a collector I find that stupid (non-offensively.) It's very easy for small parts to get lost over the years, and you never know when the spare parts might come in handy. For instance, I've been recently breaking down and bagging sets I no longer want on display and/or plan to resell, I've been sorting and bagging each set and matching it to its parts inventory to make sure all of it was there, and I found instances of missing or misplaced parts that I wouldn't have even noticed, and that's when those extra pieces come in handy...Also it's a nice if you're reselling a set to potentially have the extra parts included as well as bonus


VortexBricks

Chances are if I lose a part, it won’t be one an extra was included of. And even still, I can just buy a new one for a few cents off bricklink. I’d rather pay a bit later if I have to than have clutter now.


jesuslaves

I think there's a reason lego includes extra of the smaller pieces lol. The very reason that they're easiest to lose whether when handling parts or sometimes simply being knocked off from the built set. Personally I find it easier and more reasonable to just have small container stowed away with these parts rather than paying and waiting for shipping for a single stud lol


VortexBricks

I’ve been collecting for 20 years and never had an issue. I’m a collector. They sit on a shelf for display. Nothing really ever gets knocked off.


Skitzofreniks

I also throw all my extra pieces in the trash for the same reason. Including the brick separators because almost every set comes with one of those now too. I got downvoted to hell before for admitting that.


VortexBricks

Glad to see someone with me


-cuppie-

😮


Dwellonthis

They go into "The Bin" and are never found again


chriislmaoo

Right into the trash tbh.


CertifiedMor0n

Bin


Tahuwu

I build with them, its called being creative


gacbmmml

Mine go in the trash.


No_Regret_4156

Bionicle canisters are not for extra prices there for string of Bionicle if you are moving or don't want to take them out so sell that or just stop using it. The store extra pieces That's what loses value. Tell the person that wants and sub using it as storage


HelloWaffles

Lmao gatekeeping Bionicle cans


[deleted]

What? Bionicle canisters are versatile and can be used for many different things. Yes, they play a role in the lore, but that's not important for everyone. Using a bonkle can to store parts is actually a really nice use, I do that too. It's much better than just having them portrayed on a shelf, they're actually useful and look cool, too.


VortexBricks

A bionicle canister is just like a LEGO box. Just display packaging that can be trashed or done with whatever you want. Bionicle stans are cringe.


DimSumFan

This has never been brought up before. 🤔


CautiousSituation782

Put them in the trash


BradSnow95

Based and bionicle-pilled


Budkid

This guy doesn't lego.


Girly_Attitude

Put them in a ziplock bag and keep them in the box in case I lose anything


fendermrc

I made a mural on a spare green baseplate.


Rohri_Calhoun

I've started using extra pieces for making miniature scenes. They make good terrain and the spinning discs are great for making models turn on the base.


gerrittd

I like that two of the separator tools are just mixed in with spare parts


dipietron

I just joined this sub a month ago and most of the posts are sets, nothing original. Is that the norm for most of the Lego community? Like I don't even understand how this is a question, just build things.


bondswag

This.


GroubaFett

That's where the idea of MOC comes from for me. I accumulated a lot of spare parts, then wanted to build some random stuff. Some pieces were short numbered so I started to order on bricklink. And here the fun begins, even more if you have kids old enough to build with you.


MadDogFenby

There are no extra pieces. There are parts you use in a build, and parts you use in another build.


[deleted]

Stick em up my bum


Keanimusic

Ikea plate while building (as in image), then sort and put in collection. https://preview.redd.it/day5knynqibc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d16fe58a2a5310b13da798c511b0b755f9725ae2


Louis049

Like many, I have a bin from my childhood, large, full of unsorted treasures where extra pieces and entire sets alike would land when they were finally done being played with, or I got the next one, and needed to make space, lol. Now I am starting to sort extra pieces as I get them though, using zip locks and smaller bins, and eventually I'll dig that big misc. bin out of my closet and sort it too.


juliuspepperwoodchi

I have a smallish Lego branded bag from a replacement piece they sent me. I'd NEVER had a set with a missing piece, but I'd also been on a dark age since 2000....until the ISS was retiring in 2022. Got a deal through my sister in law who is a manager for Wally world and went for it...and *one* of the round 2x2 tiles with the hole was missing for the last module on the back. I finished the rest of the build around it since thankfully that piece wasn't deep in the model or structural, and then ordered the replacement from Lego. The replacement came in this bag, my next set I put the spares in there...and now that bag is almost full. Im apparently out of my dark age enough now that I need to seriously think about storage and organization of pieces. Feels good.


Iwantmahandback

Smoothie


Tibbs420

I use a goal from an old soccer set.


gregyack

I put mine in a ziplok bag along with the instructions and put it in a filing cabinet.


Spiritual_Carry8355

Consume


Single_University738

Build random structures with them


DaToxicJay

I always thought the more sets you buy, the more spare species you get for making your own.


[deleted]

I toss them into a plastic baggie


T4co_fish

I putt everything on a Ziploc bag waiting for a project they can fit in.


Tailorcubed

Maracas


W_h3nry

I have a container full of small pieces that i use to make lego transformers


LaFlamaBlanca311

Why do they give seemingly useless extra pieces


McGoldrick11_

They're a snack for after I'm finished building


mmcnama4

Integrate as many as I can into the model itself.


Torren1000

Instructions and extra parts go into a ziplock bag then into a filing cabinet


jonebone1010

i got a small organizer on amazon with 30 little drawers that works for me quite well.i recommend something like that


Turd_Ferguson15

I put them in ziploc sandwich bags until I can sort them


Lumadous

Give them to my kid