How to sort your LEGO Parts - Tips, tricks and how I do it

Sorting used to be a relaxing activity but now there is a lot to do and I find it pretty overwhelming. However, I thought I would share my process and tips and tricks with you as I know I would have really enjoyed a video like this when I first got into this hobby. If you have any questions do leave them below. I may make a follow-up video answering them if there are many. I hope it was useful to some of you :)
Johanna X
Brick Identifier: rebrickable.com/blog/456/intr...
Containers: www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/nojig-or...
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:38 - My sorting system & tips
5:14 - Actually organising
7:02 - My Tips & Tricks
10:18 - Sorting containers I use
12:18 - Outro

Пікірлер: 54

  • @reneecohen9447
    @reneecohen94478 ай бұрын

    I feel I will never get my parts sorted. Every time I look for something I realize my system never works!!

  • @BrianBorges-ez3ls
    @BrianBorges-ez3ls8 ай бұрын

    Hey Johanna! Good God! You Lego room looks SPECTACULAR!!! A few months ago, a may have had 1 or 10 drinks and accidentally knocked over my floor to ceiling stack of unopened Legos. As I am my mum's primary care-giver, and she lives upstairs, I had to shout out, "I'm OK! I just knocked over my floor-to-ceiling stack of Lego sets!" ( What child doesn't dream of saying this?😂) Your system is excellent! I am totally jealous, partly for my personal safety!💕

  • @hiker1392
    @hiker13928 ай бұрын

    I think you could add to the discussion the idea of organizing by what you frequently build. I have NOWHERE near your amount of parts, so I use the organizer boxes you might use for screws etc. Harbor Freight if you’re in USA for cheap ones. So, I have a box for green/ plant/flower items for garden, forest stuff. One for brown parts for tree building. One for 1x wall building blocks. One for tiles etc etc. I’m guessing I’m not alone and people who have less may organize this way too.

  • @Cr3ator3ss
    @Cr3ator3ss8 ай бұрын

    I would love another room tour in the near future 😊. Great video. I use the same containers and sort my parts very similar. Good Idea putting the large pieces together

  • @ivanangeli
    @ivanangeli8 ай бұрын

    I find so much joy in knowing my bricks are sorted. If I have a brick, but I don;t know where it is, it is same like I don;t have it. Sorting should be in a way that makes logic to you, and depends on what bricks you have. First need is to knwow where is what and to be easy to find any brick. Second need is to use as little space as possible. Advanced steps: loose all bags, ziplock and othervise, all bricks should be in containers that have lids that hold firmly. Next, you need to have containers of diferent sizes. I have small wobyhouse containers for smaller amounts of bricks, they are usually used for fishing gear, transclear, then larger LIDL containers, same principe, just larger, with dividers, then I have 4 sizes of mercator bins, no divide, but each one type is double the size of previous one, and then I have large curver "unbreakable" boxes that are rougfly 60x40x40 cm, that can store large amounts of bricks, anf dinally I have 120 L barrels for really huge amounts of one brick, usually loose bricks (2x4, 2x2). I do own 5 tons of LEGO bricks, so sorted bricks is a must. I do make a living from building creations and renting them for events, so usually I have less then couple of hundred kg at home (studio) at any time. My studio is just 14 m2, but works more then enough for all my building needs (I did build there 5 m Millennium Falcon, 5m Notre Dame, 7m Coral Reef and in the process of building 12m Warhammer 40k ship). In truth, this was my hobby for my whole life, and organising your bricks is something that makes it pleasurable.

  • @ivanangeli

    @ivanangeli

    8 ай бұрын

    How do I sort large amounts of bricks: I sort them two times: first time is rough sort: meaning all plates in one bin, all bricks in other, all minifig related things in nect, all tecyhnics in next, all foliage (plants) in next, and I put all tiles and all transparent peaces in separate bins when sorting. I also have "mix" bin for everything else. I have a bin for slope, for arches, for clips and everything similar, and so on - anything that can be found in mass, I pre-sort it. Once that is done I start sorting presorted bins, and I sort by type, for tiles, all 1x1, 1x2, 1x3, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8 2x2 and so on in separate bins, and once this is sorted I pack them, and while packing them I sort by color (so I guess I sort all parts 3 times). This is absolutely the fastest way of sorting, for example, 200 kg of mix bricks you just bought. I know it sounds like much, 3 times sorting, but you sort so fast it actually takes less time then to put every type of brick in it's separate bin from the start (plus you would have hundred bins than on the table). And even though I have large tables, I sort on a PC desk, that is 60cm deep, using trays. I scoope unsorted bricks with bin also (protect fingernails:)

  • @ivanangeli

    @ivanangeli

    8 ай бұрын

    All my bins are transparent fully. They were not when I started, but I evolved in that direction. And all my bins are in open cuppboards, so no doors. I don;t have UV light issue as my studio has only one wall exposed, and I can shut it completly. Why is everything transparent and visible? Because I like to see my collection while I build, which brick I have and in what quantity, and that gives me ideas while I build.

  • @ivanangeli

    @ivanangeli

    8 ай бұрын

    also, there could be an interesting conversation about logistics - how I transport five tons of LEGO bricks in creations to events - my first event in 2013, my breakage percentage was 95% :) I literary asked for a showel to unload bricks from car. Today, my breackage is less then 0.5% - more or less everything comes as I build it to events, and I made a whole science about this, and I beleive I work so good BECAUSE I can transport and setu0p huge event in such a short time, because of how I pack, and in what I pack

  • @BRICKMATTSTER
    @BRICKMATTSTER8 ай бұрын

    I’ve always sorted by colour but after watching this, I think I’m going to go by part type 😊 thank you and great video !

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    No worries at all. I started with the colour method but ended up finding sorting by part type just easier as I could find stuff quicker 😊

  • @CardmakerNr1
    @CardmakerNr18 ай бұрын

    I desperately have to sort my spare parts and also maybe check what I really do need from all the old HP sets 🙈

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    It’s one of those ‘I’ll do it later’ things.

  • @acimagination7982
    @acimagination79828 ай бұрын

    i need to sort my lego part collection more. i do have some of my collection sorted by type and color and a combination of both. does take time for sure.

  • @SharkisBrickAdventures
    @SharkisBrickAdventures6 ай бұрын

    This was really useful :) Thank you!

  • @legovicar
    @legovicar8 ай бұрын

    Hi - I sort into parts rather than colour as well as I find it easier to find the colour in the parts bin. It does take a lot of time though. Not sure I'd call it a bin of shame rather a bin of lost bricks that need a home. 😁

  • @travisivey199
    @travisivey1998 ай бұрын

    I love sorting

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    I used to. When it was smaller quantities. But it’s really become a chore for me now. Though I get in the mood for it every now and then. I wish I could enjoy it more 😝

  • @drbrick2727
    @drbrick27278 ай бұрын

    Ich liebe das sortieren 🤗 Kann ich total bei entspannen u wenn ich dann Bau, dann hab ich mit einem Griff, was ich suche 😎

  • @bertbergers9171
    @bertbergers91718 ай бұрын

    Oehhh happy (very happy) to know about that brick scanner thingy! that will come in really handy. Thanks for this video, helps somewhat to get started on my own sorting. One question, how is dust happening in your open container sorting system? I am myself looking to store behind closed doors and/or in closed containers to avoid dust, but that will cost more, so i am curious.

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    I mean. I’ve not noticed anything. I don’t know if that’s because of most the parts being in tubs. But dust has not been an issue (yet anyway)

  • @TheBrickGP
    @TheBrickGP8 ай бұрын

    SNAP on the ikea nojigs!

  • @tinuszke
    @tinuszke8 ай бұрын

    I would try to do the 2nd sort on a table instead of on the ground because then you can pick up the pieces more easily (e.g. sweep off the table into your hand or a bin) instead of having to pick up all the pieces from the floor. Also, I use empty tea boxes as drawer dividers which literally cost nothing.

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    Oh the tea boxes are a great idea!

  • @natemr4482
    @natemr44828 ай бұрын

    Great video Johanna have a great weekend ❤

  • @pmeim9314
    @pmeim93146 ай бұрын

    amazing, im starting a bricklink store and ive come to the conclusion i need more space and storage.

  • @BrightestWitchBricks
    @BrightestWitchBricks8 ай бұрын

    This video is for me.

  • @kevinhardisty6465
    @kevinhardisty64652 ай бұрын

    A big help

  • @jws3dnyc
    @jws3dnyc8 ай бұрын

    I like to put all my printed or sticker tiles on base plates . One for selling and trading and one for the cool ones I keep

  • @KiwiBrickster
    @KiwiBrickster8 ай бұрын

    I lean towards a sort at last resort approach, and my miscellaneous drawer is mayhem...is that a new MOC I see to your left?

  • @petersimpson1353
    @petersimpson13538 ай бұрын

    Do you have an inventory of your parts? Or is it just a visual check to see what you have ?

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    Oh my gosh no. I don’t think I could be asked to keep up with one. I have no idea what I really have

  • @pedro380085
    @pedro3800858 ай бұрын

    Actually sorting for me is as fun as building. It is very relaxing. I can build mine and I can sort them for you haha

  • @erwincoplo6305
    @erwincoplo63058 ай бұрын

    Hey hightea, may i ask what brand of lighting you prefer please?

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    I tend to mostly use Game of Bricks. I find their kits to be a happy medium between good value and lovely results. 😊 if you are in the market maybe wait until Black Friday week as many light brands have 60%+ sales on :) I do have some affiliate links in the description if you wanted to simultaneously support the channel.

  • @erwincoplo6305

    @erwincoplo6305

    8 ай бұрын

    @@HighTeaToys thank you so much 🙏 greetings from Belgium

  • @punchanoob
    @punchanoob8 ай бұрын

    Probably already been asked this but where abouts did you get your brick storage drawers from? Can never find decent ones 😅 thank you in advance! 😊

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    The different sizes bins are Nojig and the mesh basket are Trofast both from ikea

  • @punchanoob

    @punchanoob

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you! What about the storage drawers that you have for specific little pieces? Got a couple but they stopped selling the ones I had 😭

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    @@punchanoob ah those. The ones I got are quite expensive though as at the time I ordered them they needed to be a specific size and that limited my options. They’re screw sorting boxes. The small ones are from B&Q: www.diy.com/departments/20-compartment-organiser-cabinet/1499442_BQ.prd And then the big expensive ones Sealey, I can’t find the original link now. But I think it’s in my old video about storage. However you can find similar ones elsewhere

  • @punchanoob

    @punchanoob

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you again! Hopefully I can get all my stuff sorted soon… ish 😂

  • @anfieldlad70
    @anfieldlad708 ай бұрын

    Hi Johanna, are you going to the Bristol Brick Show this weekend....? I'm displaying again.

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    Hiya. No I won’t be. I’m working this weekend sadly.

  • @SinghsBricksReviews
    @SinghsBricksReviews8 ай бұрын

    Wow I just have containers. Big parts in one. Small in the other

  • @RoyceLovesHisShotgun
    @RoyceLovesHisShotgun8 ай бұрын

    "They're called "noel-jig" " LOL🤣👍🤣

  • @florisjansen5576
    @florisjansen55768 ай бұрын

    Ah, the all too familiar half sorted bins... Good to know I'm not to only one :)

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    I think we’re all like that secretly 😂

  • @jadedespars9920
    @jadedespars99208 ай бұрын

    hi, how do you sort all your minifig part?

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    At the moment it’s not the best. But generally I have torsos in rough colour categories, heads (yellow male, yellow female, child, skin tone male and skin tone female) all the hair in one big tub and all the legs in one big tub. But I am in the middle of splitting it out a little more.

  • @jadedespars9920

    @jadedespars9920

    8 ай бұрын

    Oh good Idea, for the moment my heads were all in a bin haha pure nightmare 😂

  • @BrittneyAMcCubbin
    @BrittneyAMcCubbin8 ай бұрын

    What’s the best way to sort 6-7 hundred pounds of bulk Lego. 😅 seriously 😊

  • @HighTeaToys

    @HighTeaToys

    8 ай бұрын

    Not going to lie. I feel that needs a army of willing volunteers and some snacks ;).

  • @mattscott8961
    @mattscott89614 ай бұрын

    Def a part type sorter - colour didn't work...😂

  • @classicmovies4130
    @classicmovies41308 ай бұрын

    i dont understand why ppl shop at ikea. its over priced and there so much cheeper out there and even better