Storage and Sorting LEGO

[AussieJimbo]

I've been through several stages of the list. I used to know every set I had and where the all missing pieces were used in MOCs but those days are long gone.

At the moment my collection is distributed across dozens of sistema containers (http://sistemaplasti...-it-rectangular) with some sorted (mostly bricklink orders). The rest is "sorted" by the set/s the pieces originally came from.

This works well for a while because you can look up the required part on bricklink, see if you've got the set and then rummage in the right box for the pieces you need. This is still kind of working but I'm reaching the point where I'd benefit from doing some systematic sorting.

:classic:

Edited July 24, 2013 by AussieJimbo

[Blondie-Wan]

Also a couple of questions:

- Do you seperate bricks (1x1, 1x2, 1x3.....) only by color or also by size (seperating grey 1x1 from grey 1x2 and 2x2)

I know it's been a while since this question was posted, but since no one else seems to have answered it yet, I'll go ahead...

The way you asked the question, it sounds like you're treating color as the primary way of distingushing between bricks, rather than shape / size. I would recommend you do it the other way around - sort by size (and shape) first, and then sort by color as well if you like. If you have a container of lots of different colors of the same shape & size of piece, it's much easier to find one of the color you want than it is to find a brick of a certain size in a container of differently-sized bricks of the same color.

[eurotrash]

I know it's been a while since this question was posted, but since no one else seems to have answered it yet, I'll go ahead...

The way you asked the question, it sounds like you're treating color as the primary way of distingushing between bricks, rather than shape / size. I would recommend you do it the other way around - sort by size (and shape) first, and then sort by color as well if you like. If you have a container of lots of different colors of the same shape & size of piece, it's much easier to find one of the color you want than it is to find a brick of a certain size in a container of differently-sized bricks of the same color.

I completely agree with this strategy, but rather than have dedicated boxes I use a slight variation. When I'm building or destroying MOCs or receiving BL orders my Lego reserves will build up or decrease. As one particular class (e.g. 1 x plates bigger than 1 x 2) gets too big I'll move it to a larger box. As reserves get used I'll move the remaining pieces to a smaller box. They're all kept in the same relative position to my workbench so I know where they, but the actual boxes will change through time. And if I get to a point where I've got sufficient 1 x 1 tiles to warrant a new box then I'll sub them out of the generic 1 x 1 small pieces box.

It's a system that works well for me (you mileage may vary)

[ShaydDeGrai]

I completely agree with this strategy, but rather than have dedicated boxes I use a slight variation. When I'm building or destroying MOCs or receiving BL orders my Lego reserves will build up or decrease. As one particular class (e.g. 1 x plates bigger than 1 x 2) gets too big I'll move it to a larger box. As reserves get used I'll move the remaining pieces to a smaller box. They're all kept in the same relative position to my workbench so I know where they, but the actual boxes will change through time. And if I get to a point where I've got sufficient 1 x 1 tiles to warrant a new box then I'll sub them out of the generic 1 x 1 small pieces box.

It's a system that works well for me (you mileage may vary)

For me, the old question of color v. shape has really evolved hand in hand with questions of scale and functionality. I used to sort everything by shape, but as my collection grew I found I was doing too much rummaging trying to find, say 20 instances of a particular part in a particular color (particularly with small parts). When I was dealing with a collection of just a few thousand parts, I thought that just having, say, a dedicated tub of just 2x3 plates would suffice; but when it got to the point where I had several thousand 2x3 plates I realized my system had failed me and I needed to refine things. Having already vested man months in sorting by shape, I thought a simple secondary sort by color would improve things, but as I did more with MOC'ing I found that sorting by shape and then by color had me running around all over the place gathering parts. My MOC's usually feature a very limited color scheme but a very wide array of part types. My "system" was getting in the way of my creative process and complicated sorting to return parts to their rightful "home" as I broke down early drafts and prototypes. When I factored in the extra time using and maintaining a shape-then-color storage scheme, I felt it was a net loss over not having the secondary (color) sort at all.

That was about the time when I realized that one "consistent" system for all parts under all conditions probably sounded good on paper and was unlikely to succeed in practice. I started thinking about how I liked to work, what things I found annoying/distracting about the "filing and retrieval" process of my system, and where I was wasting the most time/derailing my train of thought when I should/could have been building. I realized sometimes I needed a hierarchy of sorting, sometimes a single layer would do. Sometimes just getting parts I almost never use out of the way was a plus, sometimes rummaging through odd parts was the best way to overcome Builders' Block (akin to writers' block - it's when you you either can't decide what to build or can't come up with a satisfactory way you realize your vision). And so evolved the constrained chaos that is my current collection.

Now, the only shape-first/mixed color storage I do is for technic parts, mini-figure accessories, and highly specialized elements. For technic, function trumps color and I often don't care about color-matching internal gears and couplings. The color palette for most of these parts have been pretty limited in the first place so a secondary sort by color is rarely useful. As for mini-figs and their various parts, I don't tend to do much with them and while I do find the occasional clever use for a spear, telescope or light saber, etc. they're not a regular part of my MOC'ing palette; they are more for set dressing after the fact. They get pulled off to the side mostly to get them out of the way unless I'm specifically looking for something. Specialized parts (Exoforce swords, excavator buckets, various Bionicle bits, Rock Raiders drills, etc.) don't even warrant a fine degree of shape sorting for me - I usually just look at a part (of which I only have one or two), wonder briefly what I'd ever make with that, and toss it in the white elephant bucket. Surprisingly, my "white elephant bucket" does not actually have any white elephants - and if I did own any, I would have filed them with the minifigures (which also includes rats, cats, eagles, horses, cows, dinosaurs, cave trolls, etc.)

For everything else, I have master bins sorted by color and, within those, sub-bins for major part categories (plate, brick, modified brick, tile, wheel, etc.) and then within each sub-bin, individual parts sorted by shape as well as a 'misc' pile (not enough to warrant its own baggie) and a 'to be sorted' (probably belongs somewhere other than the 'misc' pile but haven't had the time to sort properly yet) bucket. I draw the line between "misc" and dedicated part-color specific storage at about 200 studs worth of volume (200 1x1s, 100 1x2s, 50 2x2s, etc.) I works for me because I find myself more often looking many parts in a single color than I do for a particular piece in any color.

When this latter case does arise, say I need a 1x1 brick with studs on all four sides and _know_ I don't have one in earth blue (or whatever) I usually just look for it in black, white or light gray. I know my collection well enough to know which colors are most likely to yield a particular shape and within each go-to color, the parts are sorted finely enough to allow me to resolve a search (successful or not) quickly.

I always have a large bin of completely unsorted parts (pick-a-brick finds, set "extras", parted out sets, "retired" display models, etc.) kicking around. This is one part me just being too busy to sit down and sort things and partly an inspiration bin. I'm expected to be a disciplined and organized person professionally, so it's vitally important to be able to kick back on a whim, dump out the bin and play like a 5 year old every now and then. It's good for both my stress levels and my creativity, and since the bin was unsorted in the first place there's no vested time lost in just dumping everything back in the bin when it's time to check back into real life.

Now if I could only find a storage solution that's a) as compact and flexible as Zip-Loc baggies in a plastic bin, b) as easy to sequester as crates in a closet, but c) as readily accessible as parts cabinets, printer's trays, tackle boxes, etc.... I think I need a Lego room TARDIS - a small box that fits easily in a closet that's actually a thousand square foot workroom with fully stocked parts walls on the inside.

[MikroMan]

See above Till a year ago, I had a collection of about 13k pieces - enough for a decent MOC, but my problem was, that I had pieces from random themes, so I always had problems while building something that required, say, 15 pieces of the same color. Since then, I've started doing BL orders with - relatively - large piece counts, plus I'm adding the pieces I brought from PaB wall. I have a drawer system + some tubs and I sort mostly by piece, at least for small parts. As I order a larger quantity of some tile, plate, bracket... I resort the new pieces to a new drawer, separate from differently colored parts. The problem is, that I'm constantly running out of drawers, merging them, etc. I suspect it's gonna work up to about 30k, but then I'll have to do a major redesing of my sorting

I also have a medium sized bin for scrapped ideas, parts I rejected in the building process and haven't sorted them back yet plus parts from BL orders that I haven't decided where will they go. It serves as my go-to bin for ideas and creativity bucket.

[eurotrash]

Surprisingly, my "white elephant bucket" does not actually have any white elephants - and if I did own any, I would have filed them with the minifigures (which also includes rats, cats, eagles, horses, cows, dinosaurs, cave trolls, etc.)

Ok, I admit it. I did LOL at that one....

[Tariq j]

Hi, a quick question, basically if you dismantle a Lego advent calender the mini sets are stored in plastic boxes, would these be good to store small pieces like technic pieces.

[tomdobs55]

Hi, a quick question, basically if you dismantle a Lego advent calender the mini sets are stored in plastic boxes, would these be good to store small pieces like technic pieces.

I'd say they're pretty good for sorting, buy my issue is there's no good way to cover it.

[Tariq j]

I'd say they're pretty good for sorting, buy my issue is there's no good way to cover it.

Thanks, that is the only problem, unless of course you put it back in the box.

[Andy D]

Now if I could only find a storage solution that's a) as compact and flexible as Zip-Loc baggies in a plastic bin, b) as easy to sequester as crates in a closet, but c) as readily accessible as parts cabinets, printer's trays, tackle boxes, etc....

This is the system I am currently trying out. A combination of all these things. My Zip-Lock bags are in plastic bins in my cabintes, so hidden from view. My crates in a closet are Glad food storage bins in the closet on shelves and I use 2 Akron Mills storage cabinets on my build desk. So far, so good, but I've only just started. I will have to check back in a few months to let you know how it's working.

I think I need a Lego room TARDIS - a small box that fits easily in a closet that's actually a thousand square foot workroom with fully stocked parts walls on the inside.

I agree, I think a LEGO Room TARDIS is the "only" reasonable long term solution.

Andy D

Edited September 2, 2013 by Andy D

[OriginalJK555]

Working on a system of storing my extra bricks now. For the moment I am just using a small transparant case and one of those Sterilite 3 drawer towers seperated by part type. I plan to expand to seperating by type and color soon, once I get my office and basement back from the renter we have. I can't complain too much. She is in a way paying for my LEGO.

[Gremer]

I'm planning on sorting my LEGO, but I haven't yet.

AS for storage, I put my pieces in a container. My sets go on shelves and the top of my desk.

[Modulex Guy]

Here's how I sort my 1x1 rounds, 1x1 plates, clips, and cheese

All the 1 bys! by ChrisR18t, on Flickr

[Tariq j]

Here's how I sort my 1x1 rounds, 1x1 plates, clips, and cheese

I like that method, it looks good.

It would be cool if Lego sold there own mini PAB Walls so fans could put small pieces in there.

[Blondie-Wan]

Here's how I sort my 1x1 rounds, 1x1 plates, clips, and cheese

All the 1 bys! by ChrisR18t, on Flickr

That's a beautiful sight.

[Andy D]

Here's how I sort my 1x1 rounds, 1x1 plates, clips, and cheese

Nice storage, very nice collection of 1 x 1's. With a collection like that you should have no trouble having or finding the piece you want, when you need it.

Is that multiple Plano boxes? I just transitioned away from Plano boxes, but your solution shows me that the Plano boxes can have a place in a multiple, different types of storage containers in a sorting and storage system.

I keep reading this thread for inspiration, and my sorting and storage system is ever evolvilng.

Andy D

Edited July 31, 2013 by Andy D

[Modulex Guy]

Nice storage, very nice collection of 1 x 1's. With a collection like that you should have no trouble having or finding the piece you want, when you need it.

Is that multiple Plano boxes? I just transitioned away from Plano boxes, but your solution shows me that the Plano boxes can have a place in a multiple, different types of storage containers in a sorting and storage system.

I keep reading this thread for inspiration, and my sorting and storage system is ever evolvilng.

Andy D

Its a total of 4 boxes.

[Tariq j]

Its a total of 4 boxes.

Can you then fold them up again into one box?

[Modulex Guy]

Can you then fold them up again into one box?

Not sure what you mean, its 4 separate boxes.

4 of these:

[Tariq j]

Not sure what you mean, its 4 separate boxes.

4 of these:

Sorry, I thought there were four boxes that could unfold together and were joined.

[JopieK]

We store it in Curver Unibox, either 20L or 30L.

We used our lablewriter to label front and back of those boxes and put them in a shelf.

The 20L version is easier to store, but for larger sets and bulk it is better to use a 30L version in our opinion. We also use these boxes to transport our builds to events. A 20L box will just fit a 32x32 + 32x16 (so about 32x48) baseplate at its' bottom.

We have single boxes with:

- green stuff (trees, leaves, flowers), sorted in zip-bags per kind

- minifigs

- tiles

- slopes

- points PF

- straights PF

- curved / flex PF

- 9V Mixed

- rocks BURP/LURP

And then boxes with:

- bricks

- modified bricks

- trains

- car parts

- western

- boats / harbor stuff

- cars

- city

And I probably forget something, but anyway, that is how we store and/or transport our LEGO.

A LEGO Storage Tardis might indeed be a very neat idea, now we have a large attic with 8 of those shelves:

But what if we might move to another house within some years... I guess I will need a Tardis by then... or just a large basement ;) (neater Dutch houses often only have a small attick, unlike our current 'in between' house.

[parksroad]

Apologies if someone has already addressed this--I'm late to a rather long thread!--but how do you integrate lego storage with, um, the overall liveability/aesthetic of your home? I've got a no-lego-in-the-living-room-or-kitchen rule to keep Lego from taking over and scaring friends away (although most of my friends realize that Lego is awesome). Maybe this is actually not a problem to think much about }:-)

[TheLegoDr]

Short of having your own LEGO room, I'd suggest some sort of cabinetry with covered front doors that you could place the boxes/containers/drawer systems in, so they can be easily accessible when needed, but out of sight when not needed.

That is what I planned on doing in my LEGO room, and my wife told me no. She wanted the LEGO room to be overflowing with LEGO. Very odd woman.

[Redhead1982]

We have a small corner in the living room dedicated to my bricks, and there's a table with some organizers with drawers. In addition, some boxes are stored under the table. It works for me, but it does look untidy and crowded all the time. Some of the sets and MOCs are on display in the living room and bedroom. As we don't have visitors often, it's not a problem, but I wish I'd have enough room to have my collection stored in more effective way, so the living room wouldn't look so cluttered.

how do you integrate lego storage with, um, the overall liveability/aesthetic of your home?

[parksroad]

. . . That is what I planned on doing in my LEGO room, and my wife told me no. She wanted the LEGO room to be overflowing with LEGO. Very odd woman.

Haha, she sounds awesome :D Alas, I'm in a one-bedroom apartment at the moment, but maybe someday I'll have my own Lego room... I wonder what my own partner would think of that, hm ;-)