Gallocelt | 04 Feb 2022 10:09 p.m. PST |
I have been checking into storage for miniatures and have found that Really Useful Boxes might be the best option for storing my 15mm figures. I am basing my infantry figures in 3s on plastic bases with magnetic bottoms. One reason I like the Really Useful Boxes is that they appear to have bottoms that are flat so that it might be easier for me to glue thin steel sheeting to them. I noticed that products like Sterilite plastic bins often have crowned bottoms. I'd rather not take the time and resources to level them. I'm wondering if anyone here has a recommendation about what size Really Useful Box works well. Anyone tried to have more than one level per larger box? Cheers!
Gallo |
DisasterWargamer | 04 Feb 2022 11:47 p.m. PST |
While I use a metal cabinet to store most things – when traveling to put on a game I use a set of plastic sterilite drawers and a set – not sure of company They are designed for holding scrapbook paper – so are flat, have a basic clasp for keeping a hinged lid closed when you want it closed to keep out dust – tall enough that it doesnt hurt flags of cav weapons Sterilite one is roughly 13 inches square with a height of 2 inches – I picked up a 7 drawer set – 1 clasp for closing the drawer The second one is same basic dimensions though closer to 3 inch in height – 2 clasps for the closing the drawer Believe I got one at hobby lobby and the other at walmart a few years back |
martin goddard | 05 Feb 2022 12:59 a.m. PST |
Just a personal viewpoint. The RUB (really useful boxes) are a real piece of genius. I use them a lot (150 so far) for my 15mm troops. For small forces I recommend the RUB 4litre For full armies I recommned the RUB 10 litre. Just one of the brilliant aspects of RUB is that each size relates to just one box shape. This means a 4 litre box is a unique size and cannot get mixed up with others. In addition they stack well, are cheap and are strong enough to have loads put on top. I have used them to transport fgures to Historicon from the Uk and suffered no damage. A word of warning. The lids of left on the floor can be broken by clumsy folk standing on them. Therefore label your lids as your own. Otherwise the broken lid aways ends up on your boxes. A truly excellent item for wargamers. martin |
Aviator | 05 Feb 2022 2:14 a.m. PST |
I can also reccomend Really Useful boxes. I use 2.5 litre ones for my DBA armies in 15mm. They fit 4 x 40mm bases across the box and can easily be used for two armies with all their optional elements. For my 25/28mm ECW armies with pikes I have used 5 litre boxes, which are deeper. They stack very well I recently moved house and transported all the boxes in the boot of my car. They do not have magnetised bases so I used some bubble wrap to hold things in place. The only damage was a single flagpole which came adrift on an ECW figure. |
KeepYourPowderDry | 05 Feb 2022 2:50 a.m. PST |
The 4 litre and 9 litre boxes are excellent. Same footprint, 9 litre being double height. If you fall foul of a broken lid you can buy replacements. Certainly in the UK, the usual suspects (Warbases, Sally 4th etc) make MDF trays that fit inside these sized boxes. A number of magnetic basing suppliers sell ready cut liners for the boxes too. |
citizen sade | 05 Feb 2022 6:54 a.m. PST |
I use the 4 and 9-litre boxes for 15mm too. Really Useful sell lipped A4 trays that fit these boxes too. These offer an extra level for shorter miniatures. Be warned that using them stretches the lids so that the box clips aren't very secure without a tray in place. |
Stosstruppen | 05 Feb 2022 7:18 a.m. PST |
While I still have some stuff in Plano boxes I have fully gone over to the RUBs. I use 4 and 9l for all my minis. For my 20mm WW2 project I am also using the Sally 4th inserts (made to fit RUBs) I find them quite handy. Yes the RUBs have flat bottoms, I line mine with sheet metal, and they stack exceptionally well. |
Garryowen | 05 Feb 2022 8:09 a.m. PST |
I have found, at least in the US, Really Useful Boxes to be expensive. My 6' x 4' x 13" cabinet is full. For 15mm figures I find the 12" x 12" clear plastic scrapbook cases from Michaels at $5.99 USD when on sale (nearly always) to work well. link Tom |
Extra Crispy | 05 Feb 2022 9:11 a.m. PST |
I use nice cardboard boxes for all of my figures, from 6mm to 28mm. I buy these "literature mailers" in bulk. They have the same 12 x 18 footprint but come in 2, 3 and 4" depths. I can make interior "shelves" with cardboard and wood blocks. I have about 100 of them. I also use 9 x 12 size as again, they fit my footprint at 2:1: link Here are my collections in storage:
Full details on my storage and transport system: link |
robert piepenbrink | 05 Feb 2022 9:45 a.m. PST |
Check out your local comic book shop. I'm getting very good use out of cardboard boxes 11"x7.5"x 1" deep purchased in bulk. The important thing is standard length and width for easy stacking. |
JSchutt | 05 Feb 2022 12:09 p.m. PST |
Black plastic Jewelry display trays do it for me. Sturdy, square cornered stackable and available in 1" deep and up increments. Designed to fit in available tote bags…..
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Oberlindes Sol LIC | 05 Feb 2022 12:22 p.m. PST |
All for Really Useful Boxes. Really well thought out an executed. |
Gallocelt | 05 Feb 2022 4:19 p.m. PST |
So today I purchased a 4L Really Useful Box (it was on sale). It is fairly deep for 15mm figures about 2 3/4 inches but I could use it for pike formations or cavalry with lances. In the next few days I'll be lining the bottom (which is very flat) with 26 gauge steel sheet I will cut to size. Really Useful Boxes have a variety of sizes but I wouldn't necessarily want any that are deeper since that would waste vertical space. I like the sturdiness of these boxes and the lid locks fairly tight. Thanks to everyone for your input. If I come up with any brainstorms on the subject I'll be sure to post. Cheers!
Gallo |
Grelber | 05 Feb 2022 8:32 p.m. PST |
Inspired by this thread, I looked at the Really Useful Boxes today while I was out shopping. I think I will try storing some figures in a 4 litre box. Two points: First, a friend has 3D printed figure holding frames to fit in his Really Useful Boxes, and this seems to work well for him. Presumably he found the program for these in Thingiverse or somewhere on the internet, though being far more computer savvy than I am, he may have developed or modified the program himself. Second, because the footprints are the same, I wouldn't entirely discount use of 9 litre or larger boxes for taller things, like buildings, towers, giraffes, or storm giants. However, I game in 28mm--your mileage may vary. Grelber |
Swampster | 06 Feb 2022 3:29 a.m. PST |
Various people sell MDF laser cut trays for Really useful boxes so you can have two 35mm (about 1 3/8") layers for infantry with nothing sticking up too high. (You lose a few mmm for the thickness of the mdf). I have some for storing figures which are part way through being finished, but I find I usually have a mix of cavalry and foot in most boxes so store them in the normal 4 litre boxes. |
Mollinary | 06 Feb 2022 8:12 a.m. PST |
Really Useful boxes themselves make plastic trays for inserting in the 4litre box. I have plenty, and they double the number of troopsypu get in the box. |
Gallocelt | 06 Feb 2022 9:04 a.m. PST |
It's an interesting prospect to divide the RUB storage space into more than one level. I was thinking how I might do that. Since I live in the USA, I might not have access to the ready made tray accessories. I'll do some looking though. I suppose I could try designing something but I'd rather not reinvent the wheel. Cheers!
Gallo |
Swampster | 06 Feb 2022 12:34 p.m. PST |
I use the plastic inserts a lot for sorting unpainted figures etc. I think it depends how your figures are based as to whether you would find them useful. There are at least two layouts for the dividers – one has fifteen square sections which are about 6cm square. The other I know of has different sized sections for e.g. pens. |
Extra Crispy | 06 Feb 2022 1:27 p.m. PST |
@Gallocelt: Just cut a piece foam board of thick cardboard to size and make stilts/legs out of scarp balsa |
citizen sade | 06 Feb 2022 1:51 p.m. PST |
@Swampster, the lipped A4 trays are useful as there are no section dividers, so you can fit more bases in. link |
Waco Joe | 06 Feb 2022 5:36 p.m. PST |
I use my 3d printer to print stackable inserts for my 8l boxes
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Gallocelt | 06 Feb 2022 5:43 p.m. PST |
I decided to go all in. I bought another RUB. This one is the 11 Liter. The approximate internal dimensions are: 3 1/2 inches high, 12 inches wide, 14 1/2 inches long. I will absolutely divide the vertical space into two levels. Extra Crispy, I will probably use cardboard (maybe treated) to make the upper deck. I'll glue steel sheet to both decks. The legs are necessary, I'll likely use wood as suggested. As an alternative, I might glue some kind of bracing to the inner walls of the plastic box, that would prevent the tray from moving downward. It wouldn't hurt to figure out a way to prevent it from upwards as well. Of course, that lock would have to be easily removable so I could access the bottom tray. Hopefully I get a chance to work on this soon. Cheers!
Gallo |
Swampster | 07 Feb 2022 10:00 a.m. PST |
@Citizen Sade Those do look useful. I haven't seen them when I have been buying boxes – I may have to get some from the website. |
Gallocelt | 07 Feb 2022 6:13 p.m. PST |
Hi Waco Joe, Those trays look like they would be a good idea. What are the internal dimensions of the trays? How many layers can you get in the 8 liter box? Do you do magnetic bases? Cheers!
Gallo |
citizen sade | 08 Feb 2022 12:25 a.m. PST |
@Swampster. That's where I got mine. Like you, I never saw them in any of the shops. |
Gallocelt | 08 Feb 2022 9:02 a.m. PST |
@citizen sade, I've yet to find them at any stores here in the USA including overpriced ones at Amazon.com. Cheers!
Gallo |
citizen sade | 08 Feb 2022 11:45 a.m. PST |
That's a pity and it looks like Really Useful USA doesn't stock them. Have you considered asking if they can get you some? Failing that, it might be worth importing them with the help of a British TMPer. Postage might be a kicker though. |
Gallocelt | 08 Feb 2022 6:21 p.m. PST |
I'm going to try my hand at making trays out of corrugated cardboard. I will use acrylic varnish or paint as waterproofing. Cheers!
Gallo |
Mad Mecha Guy | 19 May 2022 11:12 a.m. PST |
After reading this, I got several of these to replace my hodgepodge of different boxes for my 15mm sci-fi. Then lasered cut some MDF insert trays for them, plus some 10-12mm foam off ebay for protection. |