Suggestions for Organization

[Demetreous]

I've recently emerged from my dark ages, only to be greeted by my entire collection dismantled inside of a large bin. Because I want to finally be able to utilize all of my resources when building, I've been attempting to organize my collection. However, I don't want to end up completely organizing my collection, only to get lazy and end up undoing all of my work. So, does anyone have a method of organization that would allow me to find what I need fairly easily, but not take me days to accomplish?

[Andy D]

There is a wonderful thread here about storage solutions.

I have come to a conclusion that I either organize or I don't, there is no middle ground. Once you start organizing it can (for me it did) become an all consuming endeavor I have come to the conclusion that LEGO is as much a hobby about sorting as it is about building.

everyone's storage solution will be slightly different I have settled on a solution that (mostly) works for me. I just want to know where a particular type of piece would be, if I have one (or many).

Take a look at this thread 

It has some great ideas.

good luck,

Andy D

Edited December 17, 2016 by Andy D

[BubbaFit45531]

Plano 23730-05 Stowaway with Adjustable Dividers
Check out the reviews and reviewer photos of this on Amazon from a Lego user.

I also have this and sorted my parts by color with Basic blocks separate from plates separate from stud direction change pieces separate from mini figure weapons, etc. separate from hinges and joints separate from slopes. In order to build something, I need to have an idea how many of each part I have.

Later, I might keep large plates or Basic blocks in the pick-a-brick large cups. I'm planning to buy another Plano for Lego Dimensions vehicles (Cyberman's tall vehicle robot fits without removing NFC tag stand). Sterilite 3 drawer plastic organizers from Walmart are also nice to use and they seem stackable. For tiny 1x1 pieces and Technics style axles, etc., I'm using Taco Bell polypropylene cheesy potato containers or plastic take out sauce mini containers with lids. The plastic mini cups Sam's Club uses for food samples are also nice and relatively deep.

I'm also on the lookout for an Iris modular stacking box for finished sets big enough for Blue Power Jet.

[Boulderer]

The thread linked above is a great source of ideas. 

Storage and sorting is a very personal thing and something you'll have to do a bit of trial and error on. A couple of general pieces of advice:

1) don't overfill boxes or partitions, it makes searching for pieces a nightmare

2) don't be afraid to change your system when you feel the need

[Demetreous]

Thanks to all.

[henrysunset]

I'm biased, but I strongly recommend sorting by part, and storing most of my bricks in small plastic drawers.  (I use plastic bags to store overflow, such as bulk brick purchases.)

 

The first step is to pick a storage solution.  I prefer the "Akro-Mils" brand, but other builders like "Stack-on".  Outside the USA, there are other brands that are popular based on how well they work for LEGO, and price.

Two of the most common brands in the USA.

 

Next step is to ensure you can actually find the bricks you are looking for.  This requires a few steps:

1. Developing a logical organizational system, or in technical terms, define your taxonomy.  A good place to start is look at the groupings used on BrickLink website.  (bricks, plates, tiles, wedge, etc...)
2. Sorting the bricks.  A good way to do this is to sort into broad taxonomic groups first, then sub-sort each group into individual parts.  (It will be normal to have an "other" drawer containing rare bricks that you only have a few of.)
3. Labeling the drawers.  This is a place that I invested a lot of time, as I've developed a collection of over 800 labels that you can print at home and use for your growing LEGO collection.   

 

LEGO Brick Labels on Akro-Mils storage cabinet.

 

Some of the latest additions to the label collection...

 

A well sorted and labeled collection allows you to focus on building, not on finding.  It also makes me more creative, as I can scan the labels on the drawers for creative ways to solve a problem in my model.

 

For more tips on storage, and to learn more about my labels, visit http://brickarchitect.com/labels/

 

Sincerely,

Tom Alphin

Edited December 19, 2016 by henrysunset

[pyro690]

On ‎12‎/‎19‎/‎2016 at 2:26 AM, henrysunset said:

*snip

A well sorted and labeled collection allows you to focus on building, not on finding.  It also makes me more creative, as I can scan the labels on the drawers for creative ways to solve a problem in my model.

 

For more tips on storage, and to learn more about my labels, visit http://brickarchitect.com/labels/

 

Sincerely,

Tom Alphin

Tom, I love your labels, I just need to find a printer I can barrow to print them.   Thank you for the work you put into these!