"storage. storage. storage. what to do?!" Topic

Okay, the same question as others. I really just need some inspiration and ideas as to what to do.

I am as much a collector as a player and I have numerous figures from various periods/genres and sizes. The dilemma is how to store all of them so that I can quickly grab a container, know whats in it without having to open it up and get to the game store quickly. I want something modular so that I can have figures in a container on shelves, grab the one(s) I need and take them with me.

I have tried the Sabol cases and I can never get the foam trays to fit correct enough to be tight. Either the case is too big or its too small. And, then, when its time to pack up, it takes forever to remember and figure out which figure goes in which of the cut out slots.

I've tried a magnetic system. Spraying down a plastic box with magnetic paint, sticking magnets/washers on my miniatures bases and putting them in the box. Works only half heartedly as figures invariably move about and some get shifted around.

I have about 2500 pts of Imperial Gaurd, Black Templar, and Eldar, each. 3000 pts of Warhammer High elves and Empire. Two Warmachine armies and Two Hordes Armies. Heavy Gear. Anima Tactics. Flames of War. Field of Glory Ancients. Napoleonics. etc. etc. *sigh*

any advice? ideas? something efficient I am missing?

Ah forgot to mention. I am considering whether I should go with the KR boxes and case. It seems to be a modular system. But, with my aversion to foam trays and the nonsense with trying to figure out what goes where when its time to pack up, I hesitate.

Have a look at the Plano 3700 "Pro Latch" tackle boxes. You can put magnetic material along the bottom. Use a labeller to indicate the contents, and you there is a carrier that lets you slot three of the cases and go.

Look for the 1373-10 "3-Go" here: link

Each of the 3700's are under $5 USD at Lowes or Wal-Mart.

Wyatt

The magnetic paint is simply too weak to really hold figures. I make magnet-sheet lined storage boxes and sell them in 3 sizes. I use heavy duty 30-mil thick sheet magnet. A 15mm metal tank will NOT slide around in these babies. For my own collections I make nice color labels for each box.

Here are the boxes:

link

I whipped up a template for labels using PowerPoint. I use the larger, deeper size for taller models like LoTR pikemen and cavalry. For some of my smaller stuff like micro armor I make a "second level" so I get a LOT of micro armor in one box. I even make second layers for my 15mm WW2 (vehicles below, infantry above).

Here is a photo of a regular size closet, with a set of shelves installed:

link

Cheers.

It all depends on how segmented you want your storage. For larger collections I use citrus fruit boxes as 'masters' and use reinforced beer flats with note card dividers as the basic box. This system allows three beer flats per citrus box and one to two of these flats can be made deep enough for cavalry and fancy standards.

For 15mm I use 1' x 1' x 2" shipping boxes. (10" pizza boxes work really nice too).

mjc

Wyatt is referring to a Plano "3-By", actually:

link

I use two "4-Bys" (each carries one more 3700 or 3750 box) for all my 15mm stuff; actually, one should carry all anyone needs for a large game. My 15mm armies fit in the 3700 series boxes, ready to load up when required. Magnetic strip in the bottoms, as Wyatt says.

link

link

But for 25/28mm, I prefer Sabol trays. I don't have any problem fitting them in the Army transport bags. The figures are all on metal bases, and the magnetic movement trays just go in the top of the bag. But I prefer the extra protection for the heavier figures.

Allen

Check out Kaiser Rushforth. kaiserrushforth.com
Buy the cardboard boxes for storage on the shelf, mark each box according to content. Have one or two of the nicer carrying cases and when game-time comes just grab the right cardboard box, put its contents in the carrying case and off you go!

I use the same Plano 3700 boxes Wyatt and Allen mention. I have dozens of them.

Never tried magnetic paint so don't know how well it works (or not) but I use thin magnetic sheet available at Michael's for $10 USD for 2 square feet. I line document mailing boxes with it and I've never had a problem. 25s do tend to move around a little more than 15s though due to their weight, but short of dropping them, I've never had any figs damaged.

I use magnetic strip on the figure/vehicle/ship bases and just line normal A4 box files with steel paper. Works for everything, and stuff doesn't shift around (as long as you put enough magnetic strip on the base).

I have gone somewhere in between. The only safe way to move single bases 25s is in pistol bases but it doesn't take long before you have 30 odd of them cluttering things up.

I use the craft boxes from Michaels lined with magnetic material for storage and then transfer to the pistol cases if I am running something down the club.

I use a system similar to what Scale creep is selling.
Staples carries differnt size shipping boxes. Then I line the bottows with sheet magnet.

if you need to maove thes figures maybe look at a carrying case such as figs in comfort or myself. if they don't move often a file box with foam trays should suffice.

charonproductions.com

Thanks for all the advice. Would it be feasible to blend techniques. For example, lets say I order some KR cases and boxes. Rather than using foam in them, lining them with magnets.

I really like how Scale Creep has the boxes set up. have people found boxes, those sold by Mark or otherwise, that are large enough to hold 28mm figures standing up?

Like I said, go to staples.
I have all of my painted minis in (app.) 10x11x2" boxes or 10x12x4"

You can get all of the sheet magnet you could ever conceive of needing at: custom-magnets.com

Much cheaper than buying them "after market"
I have a 50' roll that I have been using for years and years…

I would highly recommend battlefoam.com

It's a new company and their products seem to be top notch!

Pphalen – thanks for the link. I think I will go your route.

the online shop has magnets with white color that one can write on. I think my plan will be to stick the material on the box bottom and then draw an outline of where the given unit is supposed to go.

Thanks again!

Good as any existing thread to add to.
This I think is first picture of all existing boxes, but starting another not in this with out of place as soon to be added stands

Left to right, top down
1 Prussian landwehr, 2 Prussian Inf,
3 Prussian Cav. 4 British Allied, 5 Prussian Artillery, 6 Russian inf, 7 Cossacks, 8 Russian cavalry, 9 ( unlabeled one) Russian vehicles, 10 Prussian inf and cavalry, 11 Russian Artillery. 12 Russian Jager, Grenadier, 14 Russian guard and Artillery

Silly me, knew 1 was missing
Not pictured
15 Bavarian and Russian vehicles
And 16 soon Prussian vehicles