| Wargamer Dave | 30 Dec 2016 8:46 a.m. PST |
Saw these on Restoration Hardware:
VERY nice but pricey. The big one is $75 USD! Was thinking it might not be too hard to build some of these with galvanized metal. The alternative for me in my new game room setup is to go with something like these:
I don't transport them anywhere – just looking to store them on shelves and have a labelling system. Anybody know anything about bending and shaping galvanized metal sheet? I wonder how you get that curled edge? ;-) |
Random Die Roll  | 30 Dec 2016 9:36 a.m. PST |
Dave----the curled edge is made in a tool called a break
--it is a big table that has a hinge area at the end In my sheet metal experience, it is almost impossible to get a long straight edge with a hand tool---you may be able to pick one up for not too much cost if you can find a gutter/siding place that is getting rid of a tool |
| steamingdave47 | 30 Dec 2016 10:25 a.m. PST |
I use cabinets similar to the one in the link below; very neat look and the trays can be easily removed for transporting figures to games: auction A friend has recently built a new wargames room and has several similar cabinets, which fit under his table. They are perfect if you use magnetic basing and suit all scales up to 28mm foot, (as long as they are not pike-armed!) |
| bsrlee | 30 Dec 2016 10:58 a.m. PST |
Heck, if you can find an old style sheet metal shop in your area they should be able to run up a bunch of these for a lot less than $75 USD each. As well as looking for sheet metal, check out duct work shops, they use the same tools and techniques. Unfortunately the 'modern' CNC type workshops seem to only be interested in runs of thousands of units, which is why so much stuff is being imported from India and the like, where they have old style tooling that can be set up for short runs in an hour or so. |
| CeruLucifus | 30 Dec 2016 1:00 p.m. PST |
What's the attraction of the metal boxes? Durability? If you're after a magnetic surface, just buy galvanized sheet metal and cut with tin snips to line whatever boxes you want. |
| Wargamer Dave | 30 Dec 2016 1:16 p.m. PST |
Thanks all – some great comments. Random Die and bsrlee – I saw they have an 18" workbench brake for about $40. USD I might give that a shot on my own. If not there's a nearby fabricator who might be an option – although they do higher end projects. (Which got me thinking that copper boxes would be pretty sweet) and much dearer than I probably should go! Dave47 – I was looking at units like that but I wanted to maximize some existing shelf space and these style boxes would fill it up pretty nicely. CeruLucifus – mostly just the look. I have a home office/game room now with built in shelves, a fireplace, leather chairs, etc. and wanted to store the minis in something that matched the vibe of the room. Thanks all! |
| Mako11 | 30 Dec 2016 9:45 p.m. PST |
A flat-file, for storing plans and drawings will be cheaper, and easier to use, I suspect, especially if you can find one second-hand. Same metal, but with pull-out drawers on casters. |
 Condotta | 31 Dec 2016 6:10 a.m. PST |
If it's just the look you are after, use a metal front only on cardboard boxes. You could fabricate these to fit and even use copper if desired. When stacked, most of the box is not visible, so why not save on expense and weight? |
 Extra Crispy  | 31 Dec 2016 8:52 a.m. PST |
Ikea sells stuff like that, and much cheaper too. |
| Extra Crispy | 31 Dec 2016 8:53 a.m. PST |
All depends on how many you need too. My boxes are 12 x 18 and I probably have 100 of them filled with minis and terrain. I went cardboard at $2 USD each and lined them with sheet metal. |
| Wargamer Dave | 31 Dec 2016 9:23 a.m. PST |
The IKEA version is pretty flimsy. I checked those out a few weeks ago. It has a folding divider inside as well. I was hoping these were a little more robust. I saw you carry the Sally 4th laser cut boxes. How are those? |
| Extra Crispy | 01 Jan 2017 9:20 a.m. PST |
Really fantastic. Attractive, stackable and robust. Only downside is they are kinda small – roughly 8x10 inches or so. But they have available inserts and varying depths. |
| jwebster | 03 Feb 2017 12:01 p.m. PST |
mostly just the look. I have a home office/game room now with built in shelves, a fireplace, leather chairs, etc. and wanted to store the minis in something that matched the vibe of the room.
This is really interesting – if you follow the suggestion to use standard size cardboard boxes you could face the front with something cool, maybe fake leather to look like a book, with the box contents looking like a title ? I bet a trip round the craft store would give you lots of ideas John |
