I am going to build my very own Millennium Falcon

Television, Movies Games and Books Star Wars
#1

What can I say, I’m bored. A few years ago Lego was selling the Ultimate Collector’s Series Millennium Falcon kit for $499. They don’t make it any more, so it costs well over $1000 now. The good thing is that they still let you download the instruction manual on the Lego site.

Long story short, like any good Jedi, I’m gonna build my Falcon piece by piece and post the results here.

Here is a link to a REALLY BIG picture…
http://www.legozen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dscn2621.jpg

So check it out, here are the specs directly from the Lego website…

• With over 5,000 pieces, this is the biggest LEGO set ever made!
• Model is built completely to minifigure scale - minifigures can sit inside and man the controls!
• Landing gear provides a stable base for model to stand on!
• Ship is over 33" long, 22" wide and 8" tall! (84cm long x 56cm wide x 21cm tall)
• Radar dish rotates and elevates and boarding ramp extends!
• Top and bottom quad-laser turrets rotate for realistic play!
• Cockpit top can be removed to access minifigures!

Check out this stop-motion film someone made of assembly

//youtu.be/TKcEmiDwu9g

#2

So heres the fun part. I looked through the PDF of the assembly instructions, then copied all the parts I need from the last two pages along with their quantities onto a spreadsheet. Now the fun really begins! I have no doubt I will be able to build this for less than the original $499 price because I will be shopping for used parts. I started going to used lego parts sites and am off to a great start. I’ve ordered 1357 parts already for about $80 so far. I got some of the more expensive parts out of the way too. I’m still waiting on invoices from 4 vendors, but I got one paid and hopefully shipping on Monday. My invoices look great:

[Used] Black Bracket 2 x 2 - 2 x 2  (x1) ..... US $0.0765 each = US $0.0765
[New] Black Brick 2 x 6  (x2) ..... US $0.1445 each = US $0.289
[New] Black Brick 2 x 6  (x1) ..... US $0.1445 each = US $0.1445
[Used] Black Brick, Modified 1 x 4 with 4 Studs on One Side  (x6) ..... US $0.221 each = US $1.326
[New] Black Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger Horizontal End  (x1) ..... US $0.051 each = US $0.051
[New] Black Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger Vertical End and 2 Fingers Vertical End  (x3) ..... US $0.051 each = US $0.153
[New] Black Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Top Plate Thin  (x2) ..... US $0.06 each = US $0.12
[New] Black Hinge Plate 1 x 2 Locking with 2 Fingers On End  (x11) ..... US $0.0425 each = US $0.4675
[New] Black Plate 1 x 4  (x2) ..... US $0.051 each = US $0.102
[Used] Black Plate 1 x 4  (x2) ..... US $0.034 each = US $0.068
[New] Black Plate 2 x 10  (x1) ..... US $0.15 each = US $0.15
[Used] Black Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Door Rail  (x6) ..... US $0.102 each = US $0.612
[New] Black Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Holes  (x1) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.05
[New] Black Technic, Axle 12  (x7) ..... US $0.17 each = US $1.19
[New] Black Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Angled #2 - 180 degrees  (x2) ..... US $0.0595 each = US $0.119
[New] Black Technic, Liftarm 1 x 3 with 2 Axle Holes and Pin / Crank  (x4) ..... US $0.0765 each = US $0.306
[New] Black Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x89) ..... US $0.04 each = US $3.56
[New] Black Technic, Plate 2 x 6 with 5 Holes  (x2) ..... US $0.15 each = US $0.30
[Used] Black Technic, Plate 2 x 6 with 5 Holes  (x2) ..... US $0.085 each = US $0.17
[Used] Blue Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x2) ..... US $0.017 each = US $0.034
[New] Blue Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x2) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.051
[New] Blue Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x4) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.102
[New] Blue Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x3) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.0765
[New] Blue Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x6) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.153
[New] Blue Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x1) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.0255
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Brick 1 x 6  (x2) ..... US $0.0935 each = US $0.187
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Brick 2 x 2  (x2) ..... US $0.051 each = US $0.102
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Brick 2 x 2  (x1) ..... US $0.051 each = US $0.051
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Brick, Modified 1 x 2 Log  (x8) ..... US $0.085 each = US $0.68
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Grille (Grill)  (x16) ..... US $0.08 each = US $1.28
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Brick, Modified 2 x 2 with Pins and Axle Hole  (x2) ..... US $0.04 each = US $0.08
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Base  (x6) ..... US $0.04 each = US $0.24
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Hinge Plate 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger on Side  (x2) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.10
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Minifig, Utensil Binoculars Town  (x6) ..... US $0.0595 each = US $0.357
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Minifig, Utensil Loudhailer / SW Blaster  (x2) ..... US $0.102 each = US $0.204
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate 2 x 16  (x1) ..... US $0.24 each = US $0.24
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate 2 x 2 Corner  (x10) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.50
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate 4 x 6  (x1) ..... US $0.0935 each = US $0.0935
[Used] Dark Bluish Gray Plate 4 x 6  (x2) ..... US $0.1615 each = US $0.323
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate 4 x 6  (x3) ..... US $0.0935 each = US $0.2805
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud (Jumper)  (x92) ..... US $0.051 each = US $4.692
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handle on Side - Type 1 (free ends)  (x1) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.0255
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate, Round 1 x 1  (x9) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.2295
[Used] Dark Bluish Gray Plate, Round 1 x 1  (x3) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.0765
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Plate, Round 1 x 1  (x5) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.1275
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Axle 3 with Stud  (x10) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.255
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Angled #1  (x2) ..... US $0.0425 each = US $0.085
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Axle Connector (Ridged with x hole x orientation)  (x14) ..... US $0.0765 each = US $1.071
[Used] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 12 with Holes  (x6) ..... US $0.2125 each = US $1.275
[Used] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 16 with Holes  (x7) ..... US $0.4165 each = US $2.9155
[Used] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 2 with Hole  (x6) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.153
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 2 with Hole  (x1) ..... US $0.034 each = US $0.034
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 2 with Hole  (x1) ..... US $0.034 each = US $0.034
[Used] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 6 with Holes  (x6) ..... US $0.102 each = US $0.612
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Brick 1 x 6 with Holes  (x3) ..... US $0.11 each = US $0.33
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Liftarm 1 x 3 Thick  (x6) ..... US $0.11 each = US $0.66
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Liftarm 1 x 5 Thick  (x6) ..... US $0.09 each = US $0.54
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Pin 3/4  (x1) ..... US $0.034 each = US $0.034
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Tile 1 x 4  (x3) ..... US $0.0765 each = US $0.2295
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Tile 1 x 4  (x1) ..... US $0.0765 each = US $0.0765
[New] Dark Bluish Gray Tile, Modified 1 x 2 with Handle  (x3) ..... US $0.051 each = US $0.153
[New] Dark Red Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud (Jumper)  (x22) ..... US $0.085 each = US $1.87
[New] Red Technic, Axle 2 Notched  (x6) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.153
[New] Red Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Stop Bush  (x8) ..... US $0.06 each = US $0.48
[Used] Tan Technic, Axle Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise  (x2) ..... US $0.0255 each = US $0.051

In many cases I am ordering the same part from three different places since they don’t have the quantity I need. Also, I am trying to order more of the parts I need to start assembly sooner. The problem with ordering parts is many of these places have a minimum order of $10-$20, so I have to plan out what I need carefully so that I have enough to order from that one vendor just to get them to ship it.

More updates on Monday, unless someone posts a question for me.

#3

Sounds absolutely epic, what a great idea! Can’t wait to see your progress.

#4

I couldn’t sleep so I browsed for more parts, got another 318 parts for $25.04 (8 cents a part!) This place didn’t have used parts, only new, but they had some parts I couldn’t find at the used sites, so hopefully this will be my largest price per part average.

#5

Although it was a much smaller one, I’ve thought about doing the same thing for another model a few years ago. I gave up because I could not find suppliers for the specialty bricks.

I’m very intrigued with your project. Keep us posted on your progress.

As Thunderscreech said: Epic ossimmeness!

#6

If you go here:

http://www.bricklink.com/searchAdvanced.asp

It’s the Amazon of individual Lego bricks, but you have to know the part number from the back of the instructions.

Also, I started going through my boxes of Legos today and found another 73 parts I needed! Plan on going through some more boxes today and seeing how much money I’ll save.

#7

If anyone can tell me what this number is, I’d greatly appreciate it. For some reason it did not turn out well on the PDF.

#8

I can’t make out the number, I wonder if it could be http://www.ibrickshop.com/catalog.php/iBrickshop/pd1960397 ?

#9

If the numbers don’t match exactly, could the piece be the wrong size or improper shape? Or, is it a unique and special piece?

#10

Now that I’m looking at the directions more, I think the problem I had is thinking it was an 8 x 8 part, but really I think it is a 10 x 10 part. In the second picture below, the round dark grey disk is an 8 x 8, and the dish looks bigger. I’m gonna try hunting for that.

Of course, I’m thinking maybe it was blurred out on purpose since it is a discontinued set, maybe that specific part has been discontinued as well? As you can see in the pic, the other numbers look fine. Off to hunt.

Oh, and I found another 115 parts I needed from my personal Legos this morning.

#11

BAM! found it, it was the 10 x 10, no wonder I was getting nowhere. Yaaaaay!

$2.17 for that one part! It will be the most expensive pice on the ship.

#12

Yay! The technical correctness tag team duo comes through! d:

#13

Hold up! Lemme get this straight. You could build this for less than $500?

I purchased #497 Galaxy Explorer a little while back and it cost me some coin. I wonder if I could have done it your way for less.

Here are the other two sets I had as a child:

Star Fleet Voyager and Beta I Command Base

#14

If I continue to get my parts for the same average price as I am getting them now, and including the parts I already have from my box of Legos, it will cost me a total of $300.52 to build it with used parts. I’ll keep an updated tally of how much I spent as invoices come in.

#15

This is gonna be fun to watch! :smiley: Good luck!

#16

This is awesome!

#17

So far only one out of five of my parts orders have been shipped. When I get all 5 I will have 1671 of the parts I need and I’ve spent a little over $100 so far. I put some of my bricks onto the website and already had a $10.00 purchase. My buddy is gonna see if he can find his box of Legos and he says if he does, he’ll donate them to the cause. It’s really a pain in the ass to list all the parts, but I guess in the end It will be worth it.

I’m hoping within the next week I’ll get enough parts that I can start some construction. I still have to go over my parts list and see if there are any more I need to get ordered right away, regardless of cost.

My parts list is at 3208 parts left. I already have my next 5 purchases planned out on my spreadsheet, It looks like I’ll be getting some overtime at work soon, so I’ll have some more money and hopefully get them all soon. Regardless, I’ll be putting in another big parts order on Friday.

There is a good chance I’ll be getting the first parts shipment today (Wednesday.)

Time to sleep.

#18

Hey now! I got two shipments of parts today!

Hoping to start construction this weekend. (still need a few more parts)

#19

I am utterly fascinated by this entire process. Do keep us up to date.

#20

I would have more pictures up by now, but as luck would have it, the shipment I needed first and ordered first wasn’t the first to arrive!