I open and display many of my Lego sets (Modular Buildings, UCS Ships).  Most of these sets have been built and displayed for just over a year.

 

I'm worrying that keeping them built for a prolonged period of time might damage their clutch power and make them much looser, thus reducing their value in the long term.

 

I recently picked up a 10179 that was never broken down and just thrown in a bin in one piece for about 5 years.  I spent a month breaking it down and rebuilding it, and most of it (Plates, large bricks) were still snug while building, but a lot of smaller 1 and 2-stud pieces would fall off if I held the set upside down and shook

 

I'm only concerned because I don't want some of my favorite sets (Imperial Shuttle, Fire Brigade) to suffer a similar fate.  

 

Has anyone on here experienced a loss of clutch power?  If so, do you have any tips/tricks that you use to maintain the bricks quality over the years?  Is there an optimal amount of time that you should display before those wonderful little bricks start to stretch?

 

I'm very close to breaking a bunch of my sets down, but don't want to destroy my awesome display shelves...help!

 

 

If you have them built and you like looking at them, why does it matter what happens to the value later? If they're strictly for investment, take them apart and put them away. I haven't heard of a set being damaged from being built too long, other than sun damage.

good ?  the 10179 is freak'****** heavy.  hard to pick up one handed to fly around.  I'm guessing its a matter of weight displacement more so then time for most set.  the modulars should be fine being up for a long period of time

^Thats good to hear, thank you for you replies.  

 

I just want my theoretical kids to one day be able to build these beautiful sets and I was worried that I might be slowly damaging them (considering that Lego is meant to be built/broken down/rebuilt)

Sun damage will be your biggest enemy, especially with your imperial shuttle, make sure your sets are out of direct sunlight.  I have never heard about clutch power fading over time with a set that is built and displayed. 

good ?  the 10179 is freak'****** heavy.  hard to pick up one handed to fly around.  I'm guessing its a matter of weight displacement more so then time for most set.  the modulars should be fine being up for a long period of time

 

I did manage to fly it around a bit

ok now try taking off the top gunner spot and holding there. so heavy and hurts a little

ok now try taking off the top gunner spot and holding there. so heavy and hurts a little

 

Haha, yeah it does!  It's the 10179 workout with the Brickpicker Crew!

 

The only time when I've had the clutch power loosen on a LEGO set was when the pieces were cracked.  If they aren't cracked, you shouldn't worry too much.  A while back I got the Green Grocer (while it was still available for retail price) and built it.  I eventually thought of all the great things I could create with the pieces and took it apart and built a few houses.  About a year later at Christmas, I was expecting to receive another modular and wanted to put them together, so I built it again.  I never had the pieces lose clutch power, and it is currently being displayed with all my other modulars.  As long as you have your sets out of direct sunlight and do not get your pieces dirty, than I would not worry about damage to the set.

we have had the falcon on display for over two years now and have decided it's time to take apart ,wash and then rebuild.  won't be untill the end of the month but I'll let you (p8nt4lyfe) know if there are any issues.  

A 2x3 Lego brick retains it's clutch power until its been joined and separated 37112 times... according to "Lego test stress machine" on YouTube.  However, a 1 x 2 plate... who knows?