"What do you store your troops in?" Topic

I am completing two Square Bashing armies, Late War Brits and Germans, and am currently storing them in some tools storage boxes, but this is not ideal. I was wondering what anyone else was using to store their figures and if there was a better alternative?

Are "Store" and "Transport" different needs for you? The answer changes if they are.

84 boxfiles/plastic storage boxes.

Most of my games are played at my place but on the few occasions I play elsehwere I use a toolbox to transport my figs.

Sorry, yes they are. I'm looking to store. The flatter the better and stack-able is always a bonus! Like I say I currently have screw storage boxes, but they have a lot of dividers that I can't move and I'd like to keep Battalions together if possible.

I use these and sell them as well:

link

Mark "Extra Crispy" Severin
Owner, Scale Creep Miniatures
ScaleCreep.com
FlagshipGames.com
DeepFriedHappyMice.com

Cut down copier paper boxes.

Steel Belgian cookie cans. Square, stack well, and I magnetic base.

I also have some things store in old dell boxes. You might also be able to find some sort of small-lot wholesaler or packaging store where you can get pizza boxes unfolded for a reasonable price.

a shelf, on it that is, not in.

Metal power tool boxes, card file boxes and a custom foam compartment case.

I use bankers boxes with specially constructed foam core trays. You can build two trays from one sheet of foam core, they are strong, versatile, purpose built, and work great. Oh, and they are cheap too.

Inexpensive archival acid-free photo stoage boxes can be found at most art supply stores. I currently stack them 12 high, some are heavily laden with unpainted lead, others with painted 28mm figures. I actually use the box lid for the painted figures by placing a magnetized sheet in the lid, placing the figures, and then lowering the "body" of the box. This keeps them clean, protected from UV and yet easily transportabe and accessible.
A bonus is that each box has a metalic label holder so you can organize your collection.

Sotre in old map drawers (garage) , in metal tool boxes under various beds and some plastic drawers in the study

Tally Ho!

I have been using plastic storage boxes, but most of them come from fishing supply box stores, because they are cheaper and have a wider selection of styles. I like the ones that have no dividers in them and then put in sheet magnets to hold the metal based figs.

I do like the photo storage box idea. Have to check those out.

Scrapbooking storage cart available at Joanns and Michaels:

link

Trays are available separately, too.

Trays are 12x12x3, so just less inside. Deep enough for marching figs with upright muskets, most cavalry and mounted officers; not enough for standards and eagles.

I mount my figs on metal washers, then line the trays with magnetic sheet. Figs hold very well for light transport. If a long or bumpy trip, I will pad the figs on top with thin foam padding.

My Spider Tackle Box (suppose to be used for fishing tackle) works great for 1/72 figures. I use the tackle box for transportation. I use clear plastic containers (suppose to be used for fishing tackle) to store all of my figure in if they are on the shelf or in the tackle box.

link

I keep dice and such in the removable top compartment. My figures go in the 4 clear plastic containers. I place magnetic tape in the bottom of the clear plastic containers and base my figures on washers so they stay in place during movement. The trays will fit lying flat instead of on there sides as seen in the pictures on the link.

You can buy more clear plastic containers as they are a standard size available from sporting goods stores.

I need to find a box to hold rule books to pop rivet to the tackle box and then it would hold everything I need to throw down a game but terrain.

LLC aka Ron

I like 3-drawer Sterilite boxes (chests of drawers?) from Wal-Mart. I line the drawer bottoms with webby shelf liner, which coimcidentally are exactly as wide.

For transporting, I get larger Sterilite tubs in which they fit. It is very easy to try out the fit in the store to get what you want. The tubs hold 2 chests, with plenty of room on top for terrain, dice, etc.

Brilliant, there's a lot of suggestions to be going on with there. I'll look into a few of them.

I am with Schogun. They are clear which makes it easy to see what box is which, you can stack two levels of 6mm figures and they frequently go on sale. I have about 15 of them.

And with the 40% coupons Michael's and Joann's runs every week (may be available online, too), they're a steal!

I store my figures in their transport system, in their foam trays, stacked as many as will fit on the shelf or in the box or whatever. I use 1-2-3 trays depending on the size of the unit, and write on the edge of the foam tray with a paint pen what is in it.

I decided it takes too much time to move figures from storage to transport and back. So I got lots of extra foam trays and gave every unit and model its own home in a foam tray, custom if necessary. Now I just grab a case and start filling it with the foam trays of the figures I want, add extra foam to fill up any void space, and I shut the case and I'm out the door.

Scale is also an issue…
Fer 28mm, I use these…
charonproductions.com
They are awesome. When I need to take minis on the go with me, I put them in there and CHECK the bag. Yup. They go under with all of the other luggage, and I have only had one figure damaged, so far….
Really well done cases.

I'm with Schogun as well.

I use lab sandpaper boxes from work and their free.Rob

Just like OFM I use the 3 drawer plastic chest. I line mine with 8.5x11 sheet metal and based my figs with magnets. I used straps to hold the drawers shut when I transported.

This is what I use for both, check it out:

link

link

Take a look at these Jarna CD cabinets, Full glass sliding doors with glass shelves. Cost was 20 bucks at Ikea but they have discontinued them so you have to hunt them down yourself.

I redrilled the holes and added 3 more shevles to the cabinets. Cost me 2 bucks for each shelf at the local glass place and a bag of shelf supports was another few dollars.
I was able to fit 5 glass shelves giving me 6 surfaces to store figures on. Each space was a bit short of 3 inches.
So excluding flagbearers, you can fit 300 28 mm figures in each cabinet with the advantage of full display. Most cabinets have some sort of trim around the glass. These do not and are only 6 inches deep so you can buy plenty of them. I have more than 30 of them in my mancave. And the better half is happy because the figurea never have to be dusted. A spritz of Windex is all you need.

I love these because, after all my work, I don't want my collection hidden. I want to see my troops.

If anyone decides to try one shoot me a PM. I have an article that I wrote for another site saved on the computer
that explains in step by step detail "how to do it".

There is no 'ideal' solution. You have to be flexible and use applications appropriate for the special needs of the figures involved. What works for 15mm will not work for 28mm.

For 15mm WWII (which I am assuming you are using), I use 12" x 10" x 2" cardboard boxes divided by folded note cards glued to the box using rubber cement. This allows you to get a 'custom' fit for each base, gun or vehicle.

mjc

I use magnet lined carboard boxes.

Really Useful 4 litre plastic stowage boxes from Staples.

link

Shallow, stackable, transparent. They work great with magnabased figures.

I use anything and everything provided it gives enough protection for the paint jobs on my minis!

A4 boxfiles lined with steel paper and the magnabase on the bottom of the figs. For 15s and most 20s I use the slimline ones.

For transportation I use folding garden waste bags, each can acommodate half a dozen box files easily, as to the Figues in Comfort storage bags, but they are a bit pricey for me.

P.S. If you have a LOT of figures (like me), I both label the boxes and use different ones colour coded by nationality – French blue, Brits red etc.

Usually the 4 litre RUUB boxes as above and have started adding the "hanging" top sections if the figures are mostly foot with nothing tall sticking up like flags.

Ancients are in a shallow draw filing cabinet and transprted in a steel toolbox.

10mm stuff is in a plano toolbox.

I make my own from two clear shadow boxes, then clear packing tape along one side. They handle all 15mm ancients, including pikes, and they are completely clear (without magnetic sheet on bottom.

Cost is $ 3.95(x2) for the shadow frames at Michaels or Hobby Lobby (in the frame department), clear tape is cheap as well.

Apply tape to both inside and outside surfaces for a better "Hinge".

BR

Like the OFM and Tabletopwarrior, I use the Sterilite
3-drawer for storage and transport. I also use a larger,
deeper version for cavalry (single drawer, but 4" deep)
and a big tub for trees/terrain. That's for 28mm.

I use the cheap dollar store back to school pencil boxes. Most have a 6x10 1/2 dimension, with about a 2" interior height. They stack extremely well, and are only about a dollar apiece. They often come in different colors which makes it easy to find what you are looking for. Look for them around August.

Warstore sells the Fozzbox. Hold 66 minis or 100s of FOW minis cause there 4 on a base. This is $12 USD and is the best system available as stuff can be turned upside down and no problem. I also use foam cases for bigger items and my gaming armies as I can strap them to my shoulder and easy to pack and unpack.

Pacemaker boxes. Nicely sized and very sturdy. I did quite a bit of contracting with Medtronic and their competitors and was able to scavenge a fair number.

I use old computer game boxes for my 10mm. Postal boxes I got for free for my 28mm as well as a mix of scrounged cardboard boxes.

I'm now in the process of converting to plastic boxes. Local store has great ones that aren't too expensive.

Shoeboxes,computer keyboard boxes,fishing tackle boxes,3-drawer plastic boxes….

link I lay my minis on their side on layers of foam, slotted to hold the edge of the bases. Most of my armies are in boxes, but cases (like a shotgun case) work best because the lid holds the two layers of figures securely….

Wow! I wasn't expecting the wealth of replies this topic has brought up! I was in Homebase the other day and stumbled on these:

link

They are perfect for my Squarebashing needs, each row holds two battalions and their supporting MGs. All the other supporting units fit in the rest of the rows. The only problem is I made these moral markers before I bought the case:

link

They are 50mmx50mm in size and the rows in the case are 50mm wide, just too small. So I'm still on the lookout for a very flat box for the morale markers…

Worth a look at the KR Multicase range here: link

All trays are available in 5 depths, combining different depths for troops and markers means you can get them all in 1 case,

Many thanks
KR

I mainly use tackle boxes I get from White Elephant, but these are not the best. I am starting to use Priority Mail boxes from the post office (they are free), but I know they are not durable. I have never had a need for my boxes to be very durable so I think they should work. Another good one I do use (got them in a trade) is a giant tool box, take everything out so it is hollow, and build foam core trays that stack from the bottom up. I need to do more of these, the guy I paint for did them up.

I use battlefoam trays stacked on a close shelf. Then, when I need to take any with me, the relevant tray goes in a transport bag. Good to go.

Because they come in a variety of sizes and can be customized, I can stick with the same organization scheme regardless of miniature scale or army size.

Ikea shelves.

I use Figures In Comfort's carrying cases and storage boxes. Very happy with this solution.

Cookie tins are the way to go! I have a bout eighty of 'em. The "square" variety preferred. Then I carry them in wooden boxes designed to hold three tins each. The biggest plus for cookie tins is,… they come filled with cookies!

Wooden wine boxes, with supports added in the corners to allow another "shelf" to be added. I can get 800 25mm napoleonics per box.

I use plastic boxes made for fishing tackle. In my area a manufacturer (Flambeau) has an outlet store with sales at various times of the year where they can be purchased for half off or so. Their carrying cases are nice also. The plastic trays come in a variety of depths and tray configurations as well.

Allen