Knock-off LEGO

[Dropshipbob]

Has anyone purchased these from Dollar General or elsewhere? I've been wanting to build a OD Helicopter for my "The Thing" LEGO customs, but I don't want the hassle of trying to figure out which bricks I need and trying to order them on-line and hoping I get everything I ordered, AND in the color I need.

So one day while at Dollar General, I found a helicopter kit that was in O.D. It was some knock-off line called Action Blocks. I bought a small knock-off there a few months back and tested it's blocks with actual LEGO blocks and they fit together perfectly. In fact, they looked and worked so similar that the only difference I could fine was that the LEGO log othat is often printed on each stud wasn't on the knock-offs. Even some of the more exotic pieces were identical!

I assume this is just a case of Chinese manufacturers using LEGO molds to create their own slightly modified versions to double their money. The two countries are so far apart that it isn't worth LEGO's time to go after them.

Have any of you LEGO builders used these K.O. sets to supplement your builds, or is that taboo since it isn't "real" LEGO?

 

[NSA]

I've seen some set at TRU that was some knock off building block brand. They had tanks and army trucks and stuff years ago before Megablocks did COD. I have no idea what brand it was though.

 

[thelegoguy]

As an avid Lego dude, I have seen and bought a few of these sets.

The plastic feels different and I have had a few mis-molded pieces from these sets(had only one in the 20 years of buying Legos myself). I have found a couple missing pieces as well. They just seem cheaper as a whole

With that said, I had bought many Mega-Bloks sets as well. They seem to be "almost" as good as Lego. Again, the plastic feels different and some of the colors are close but not the same. I have about 75-100 of the little Halo and CoD guys to put inside of whatever creation I come up with.

On a side note, not to hijack, but I just moved my big ass tub of Legos form my old apartment to the house. OUCH! I am over 100lbs of Legos now and all in one big @ss Rubbermaid tub.

 

[The Ewokhunter]

Those knock offs are crap. the plastic is the same caliber that bubble gum machine toys are made of. The U.S. Army line of bricks are even worse.

As for Mega Bloks, they are weird, they actually have 2 quality levels of plastic and bricks. The HALO line is higher quality and work well with LEGO but the basic lines, Barbie Line and other Mega Bloks are more generic and crappy, but not as crappy as those from DG.

However, I have no idea how this will change now that Mattel owns mega Bloks and if they will desire a quality change to compete with LEGO and Kre-O.

 

[Dropshipbob]

Well, I put together one of the KO kits the other day...not too bad. Some of the parts don't fit flush and only one was loose. It's kinda fuggly, but I don't have much recourse.

I found an even bigger set the other day that contained multiple vehicles...all in O.D. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger just so I have enough parts to make this helicopter look better. As it is, I'm bordering on $26 so far.

GAH....Is there a better way around this??? All this for a tiny O.D. helicopter!!!!