The Lego (and Knockoffs) Thread

[raksrules]

I have recently discovered Lego (yes I was probably living under a rock) and my son enjoys building them. I have personally started liking legos and like building them too. But as we know legos are crazy expensive and many a times out of reach for many people in India due to either non availability (except in big stores like Hamleys) or the cost.

Here comes the knockoffs which can burn a smaller hole in our pocket while still giving us (probably) similar satisfaction of building something. On trying to check out information about knockoff legos online, i found that the Lepin brand is pretty good (never actually bought anything) and seems they clone many of the original lego sets and even have their own. Here is a subreddit of the same if anyone wants to check..

https://old.reddit.com/r/lepin/ (yes i actively avoid the new reddit design )

We can use this thread to do various things likes...

Show your builds
Link some nice deals on lego sets (especially on Indian websites)
Discuss your experiences with Knockoff brands
Where to buy knockoff lego brand locally (if possible) or online (aliexpress etc) and good sellers
Anything else you may want to share.

 

[AMG]

following

 

[logistopath]

Tried a couple of Lego knockoffs for my son, who is 7 yo and big time into Lego. Unfortunately, they are of very poor quality, and stand no where near Lego in terms of sturdiness, durability and precision of fit. Haven't heard about Lepin so far. Would like to try out if I can get my hands on them.

many a times out of reach for many people in India due to either non availability (except in big stores like Hamleys)

Lego is available nowadays in most decent toy shops even in a tier 2 town like mine. The problem is with choice (even Hamley's carries a limited stock; Lego showrooms in malls in the metros are better), and of course as you mentioned, the cost.

 

[raksrules]

Tried a couple of Lego knockoffs for my son, who is 7 yo and big time into Lego. Unfortunately, they are of very poor quality, and stand no where near Lego in terms of sturdiness, durability and precision of fit. Haven't heard about Lepin so far. Would like to try out if I can get my hands on them.

Lego is available nowadays in most decent toy shops even in a tier 2 town like mine. The problem is with choice (even Hamley's carries a limited stock; Lego showrooms in malls in the metros are better), and of course as you mentioned, the cost.

Are there actual Lego stores in India? I highly doubt.

Edit: Searched on their website and it appears they have no stores in entire Asia. This seems weird.

 

[logistopath]

There is a Lego brand store in Phoenix Mall in Chennai Velachery. No idea about other places.

 

[msar]

Well I and my 4 year old are a big LEGO fan, bought several LEGO sets during my offshore stints. And when it started to get very expensive got the best knock-offs for LEGO and have never looked back.

Caveat: Its only available in US amazon, if possible try to ask someone to carry it for you

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dreambuilder...F8&qid=1544413130&sr=8-5&keywords=lego+blocks

 

[raksrules]

So I had received the 700+ pieces knockoff lego set I had got a month or so back and today I made the set. Just want to share opinions about the set. This is not the supposedly good knock off like lepin etc but some no brand one which I got for $16 from aliexpress. The same set is now showing $36. I would probably have not paid that amount.

For now, I don't think there are any missing pieces which is good thing.

Set came in plastic bag (see pic) with several bags, all numbered. But those numbers are sort of useless as the manuals don't mention anything about those numbers.

Manuals are not in form of book but just printed papers. The worst part about the manuals is the colors used. You cannot make out in many cases what color goes where. Check pic to see what I mean.

The pieces most of the time fit nicely. But not the best fit. Putting together the people is as task due to fit being hard.

Took me 2-3 hours to make this truck. First time in life making lego set.

 

[raksrules]

The above compared to an original lego built today by me. About 3-4 pieces are missing. I had got about 6 Kgs of Lego for $75 in US locally and this set is the most complete. Few others have more missing pieces.

To people who want to buy Lego, I suggest buy original as you can feel the quality everytime you "play" with it. The fit is great and not hard at all. The manuals are very detailed, in form of books and with proper colors. These things combined, add to joy of building it. The knockoffs are not the best quality and leave a lot to be desired.

 

[logistopath]

Got a new set for my son today. As always, quality was awesome. Like raks mentioned above, the original is in its own league.

 

[sriharsha_m]

So Funskool basically created a new line up of Lego Technic clone called, Funskool Engino.

Check it out >> https://funskoolindia.com/products.php?brand=25

>> https://www.flipkart.com/toys/funskool-engino~brand/pr?sid=mgl&ved=2ahUKEwim3t3nyabgAhUB4o8KHaa4BJcQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0cDZzB27JZIxLlc7IwKUOf

Edit: Looking at the Engino products, they look more like Lego Duplo than Lego Technic. No way near the Technic.

 

[sriharsha_m]

Bought my first Lego Technic yesterday at Hamleys 50% sale.

 

[adventureguy]

how much did it cost? I was planning to go there yesterday (hyderabad) but something else came up. when will the sale get over?

 

[sriharsha_m]

how much did it cost? I was planning to go there yesterday (hyderabad) but something else came up. when will the sale get over?

Sale was just for yesterday.
It costed me 2.5k approx.

I wasn't aware of the new store in Punjagutta Central, heard they have more Lego collections including Mindstorm and more Technic models.

 

[adventureguy]

dammit I missed. yeah, its actually a quite big store for a mall but fricking thomas the tank engine everywhere

 

[blr_p]

Can categorically state my childhood would have been incomplete without legos

There was a japanese competitor at the time that made dia blocks. Not quite in the same league as lego in terms of imagination but cheaper so you got more bricks.

[DOUBLEPOST=1549931414][/DOUBLEPOST]

Bought my first Lego Technic yesterday at Hamleys 50% sale.

View attachment 78735

this was my first. Had to work very hard to get it

 

[raksrules]

Anyone has suggestions for lego storage box that I can buy off Amazon / Flipkart or any other e-commerce website? I did buy 2 smaller (but longer) boxes locally but they aren't great quality and don't have clasp lid which I feel is desired in a lego box so even if the box falls, the pieces don't spill out of it.

 

[psyph3r]

Anyone has suggestions for lego storage box that I can buy off Amazon / Flipkart or any other e-commerce website? I did buy 2 smaller (but longer) boxes locally but they aren't great quality and don't have clasp lid which I feel is desired in a lego box so even if the box falls, the pieces don't spill out of it.

Nilkamal Plastic Stackable Storage Box with Wheels, 50 L, Blue and Red: Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen

Nilkamal Plastic Stackable Storage Box with Wheels, 50 L, Blue and Red: Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.in

BUCKLE UP 20 Litre Plastic Multipurpose Storage Box with Lid - Pink: Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen

BUCKLE UP 20 Litre Plastic Multipurpose Storage Box with Lid - Pink: Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.in

Storage Boxes: Buy Storage Boxes online at best prices in India - Amazon.in

Storage Boxes: Shop for Storage Boxes online at best prices in India. Choose from a wide range of Storage Boxes at Amazon.in. Get Free 1 or 2 day delivery with Amazon Prime, EMI offers, Cash on Delivery on eligible purchases.

www.amazon.in

 

[Black_Hawk]

Had bought a small Pirate Ship from COGO and finally got around to blocking it together. Here are some photos:

COGO (3118) Sea Rover Pirate Ship, 167 Pieces:

It's a nice set and once put together looks lovely! Some of the pieces were a little hard to block in but nothing frustrating (smoothness of LEGO build have spoiled me, LoL!). No missing pieces. The guide is a little sketchy but thankfully there is a speed build video available on Youtube if needed. Once it's complete the ship is very stable and no lose bits and pieces or disjointed pieces that fall out so that's a good thing at that. I'm leaving a link to it if anyone wishes to buy:

Sea Rover Pirate Ship Building Blocks

Also, got some LEGO. Will post photos post-build.

Cheers and Happy Blocking to everyone

 

[NotMyRealName]

Had bought a small Pirate Ship from COGO and finally got around to blocking it together. Here are some photos:

COGO (3118) Sea Rover Pirate Ship, 167 Pieces:

It's a nice set and once put together looks lovely! Some of the pieces were a little hard to block in but nothing frustrating (smoothness of LEGO build have spoiled me, LoL!). No missing pieces. The guide is a little sketchy but thankfully there is a speed build video available on Youtube if needed. Once it's complete the ship is very stable and no lose bits and pieces or disjointed pieces that fall out so that's a good thing at that. I'm leaving a link to it if anyone wishes to buy:

Sea Rover Pirate Ship Building Blocks

Also, got some LEGO. Will post photos post-build.

Cheers and Happy Blocking to everyone

Love your photos mate!

 

[letmein]

Cool thread. Couple of months ago during the lockdown I found my old Legos while cleaning the house. All of them were brought from abroad and are 15+ years old. Unfortunately, I threw away the boxes so not sure which series they belong too. And as expected, some pieces were missing, but it was still fun to build them again.