There are lots of different types of LEGO fans. Some just build sets, some like to build their own creations, some like to collect a variety of specific parts and, others might do a combination of these. Every LEGO fan has a different way of approaching the hobby and they are all equally valid.

I recently had a chat with Wade Davey, the RLUG Ambassador for the Melbourne LEGO User Group (MUGs), about his passion and obsession for collecting specific parts.

Sue Ann: Thanks for chatting with us! How did you start on the journey of being a collector of specific LEGO parts?

Wade: I’ve always dabbled in collecting outside of LEGO, but with LEGO collections it all started with the Nexo Knights power tiles. With a bit of effort, I collected the full set and displayed them three years ago at Brickvention 2018. I really enjoyed the challenge of completing the “set”. The power tiles were a gateway to collecting other LEGO parts. Once the pandemic hit, I was bored, and looking for something to do, so I started creating want lists in BrickLink for little things… and it grew from there.

Wade’s latest obsession - minifig armour

Sue Ann: What are some of the other collections of LEGO parts you have completed or are currently working on?

Wade: There’s quite a few! (Wade provided a long list, but I’ll summarise it) Any variations of 1x1 tiles, plates and slopes both plain and printed and of varying shapes including round, quarter, half circles, hearts, flowers and panels; map tiles; musical instruments; shields; drinks; “Nexo tiles”; licensed minifigs; VIDIYO tiles; books; and newspaper tiles.

Printed newspaper tiles displayed as a newspaper stand

Sue Ann: What is it about these parts that made you want to collect them? What inspires you to collect something new?

Wade: It started with a list of parts—seeing what was out there and then adding parts to an order I was doing on BrickLink. I then started creating a new part list every time a part caught my eye. It was mostly driven by the boredom of lockdown and then sparked on every time I saw a cool, new printed part.

Sue Ann: What has been your main method of collecting the parts? How did you source the parts for the various collections?

Wade: At the very start I was asking members of MUGs and ALUG if they had a “1x1 spare parts” container that I could look through and use to build up my small parts collection. I then started on want lists for each collection on BrickLink. I primarily use BrickLink to identify new parts for my collections, but I also refer to sites like New Elementary to identify new parts to add to my lists.

The 1x1 parts are usually easy to come by as most sets have a “spare” so I can usually obtain parts from sets that I or my friends have built.

Sue Ann: Have you ever used these for your own MOCs or creations?

Wade: Not really. I did have the display of the Nexo Knights power tiles at Brickvention 2018, and I’m currently working on a display of my current collections for Brickvention 2022.

Sue Ann: Do you have any plans for any of the collections? For example, will they be framed and hung on the wall or do they just sit in boxes?

Wade: At the moment, they mostly sit in boxes, but I am working on creating a display so I can showcase them all.

Sue Ann: What is your favourite collection of parts?

Wade: I love the 1x1 colour collection—it’s a great reference to the many different colours LEGO has produced. The 1x1 printed tiles are also great as it’s interesting to see the range of tiles made; most of them have appeared in the last three years thanks to the DOTS theme.

Sue Ann: What’s your most treasured part and/or have you spent a lot of money on any specific part?

Wade: There are a few that are worth a pretty penny. A printed tile from an Ironman figure is quite expensive as is the Treebeard eye from Lord of the Rings. I won’t go into the cost of the LEGO Shields!

Hero factory masks - the start of a new collection for wade

Sue Ann: Do you have anything else apart from LEGO parts that you collect?

Wade: Loads of things! I also collect Absolut Vodka—full, sealed bottles of which there are over 200 bottles in my collection, and Australian $2 coins as we have a huge range of coloured and interesting coins.

Sue Ann: One last question. What will be your next LEGO parts collection?

Wade: I have a few ideas on the go. I’m mostly trying to keep things on a collectable scale; I completed the Lord of the Rings minifig collection so might look at other licensed minifigs next. We’ll see how the wallet feels after I complete the current collections!

What specific LEGO parts do you collect? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Do you want to help BrickNerd continue publishing articles like this one? Become a top patron like Charlie Stephens, Marc & Liz Puleo, Paige Mueller, Rob Klingberg from Brickstuff, John & Joshua Hanlon from Beyond the Brick, and Megan Lum to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more.