Storage and Sorting LEGO

[alphachild]

Wow Who makes those type of storage boxes? They are very very nice

[BrickWild]

What's their price?

They look good, our toy shops sell only toys

Most of them cost about $12.00

Wow Who makes those type of storage boxes? They are very very nice

Fischer, an Australian plastics company!

Do you keep your models in wall mounted glass cabinets? That way, they won't collect dust! Mine are sitting on open shelves & collecing dust!

Edited May 15, 2011 by BrickWild

[Andy D]

Hello, monster thread!

I'm about 3 months into this new hobby of mine, and the shelves are starting to get full. Time to think about breaking down some built sets and storing them away, particularly my winter toy shop and bakery. I finally got over my mental stumbling block where I didn't want to throw boxes away. (I even kept the empty clear brick bags you cut open! Why!?)

I've decided to go with the Akro-Mils cabinets. The 44-drawer one in particular looks like a nice start:

I think I'll just get one to start with since it has a mix of big and small drawers. If anyone is interested, here is a nice link to see their product page. And here is a link to a pdf file with some stats; see page 2 with the measurements. Looks like most of them have the same width so that you can stack them, with the exception of the 16-drawer one, which is probably not what most people want anyway.

Am I strange for being a little excited about storing Lego?

I'll try and answer these after I get my 44-drawer Akro-Mils cabinet. But from what I've read, they do in fact stack and have grooves for that, but I don't know if they lock together like giant Lego bricks.

#2 is a good question. I see a bunch of the clear plastic trays with cubbys and a lid at the bead and craft area of craft stores. If you're in the USA, try Michaels and on the left side of the store they have the bead area with those things. Bring a minifig with you and test them out. This is also the area of the store where I buy the tiny 2x2 inch ziploc bags in which I will keep minifigures.

I finally decided to commit to the Akron Mills system for storage as well. I have one of the 44 drawer and one of the 24 drawer (same physical size as the 44 drawer except all drawers are the larger size) and I just ordered one more of each today.

I find that I need to divide the drawers frequently. They only include a few of the dividers for each size drawer. On Amazon they have a pack of 6 dividers for large drawers for $7 ($1.16 each) and the small ones are a pck of 16 for $9 which is a better price, but I feel still too much for what it is.

Has anyone decided to make their own dividers?

What did you use to make them?

How did you make them?

Any info will be helpful.

Thanks,

Andy D

Edited May 21, 2011 by Andy D

[Marckeyh]

That's one of the best lego rooms I've seen Happymark. Wow!

[LEGO AFOL]

I stored them in acrylic casing.

My LEGO in acrylic casing

I placed my LEGO in a acrylic set. The above is the link.

Edited May 22, 2011 by LEGO AFOL

[Bricks2000]

Hey, why make two topics of the same thing? And correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't there a thread about storing LEGO?

And the folder isn't yet public.

Edited May 22, 2011 by Bricks2000

[LEGO AFOL]

Whitefang asked me to share with u guys on my method.

How to post pictures?

Whitefang asked me to share with u guys on my method.

How to post pictures?

Please delete my post. I screwed up. Sorry.

[evilempire22]

My collection hasn't grown out of control (yet), but in the process of experimenting with organizers for some of my smaller parts, I have found that the organizer trays/containers with fixed walls are more difficult for me to get pieces out of. When I build, I usually sit in the middle of the floor or at a table and spread out everything in front of me in an arc. Fixed compartments require me to lean over frequently to reach for pieces.

At a local big box home store, I found a set of organizers that have removeable compartment cups so that if I am looking for one specific piece among many, I can pull out the cup, dump it onto the area in front of me to quickly find it, and then shovel everything back in the cup and put it back into the container. I have 4 of the following, with plans to get a couple more once I further sort out my smaller pieces.

Stanley Deep Professional Organizer

--Evil

Edited May 22, 2011 by evilempire22

[evilempire22]

Whitefang asked me to share with u guys on my method.

How to post pictures?

Whitefang asked me to share with u guys on my method.

How to post pictures?

Please delete my post. I screwed up. Sorry.

Rather than starting a new topic, I believe this discussion belongs here:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=26213

--Evil

[Ogre]

I finally decided to commit to the Akron Mills system for storage as well. I have one of the 44 drawer and one of the 24 drawer (same physical size as the 44 drawer except all drawers are the larger size) and I just ordered one more of each today.

I find that I need to divide the drawers frequently. They only include a few of the dividers for each size drawer. On Amazon they have a pack of 6 dividers for large drawers for $7 ($1.16 each) and the small ones are a pck of 16 for $9 which is a better price, but I feel still too much for what it is.

Has anyone decided to make their own dividers?

What did you use to make them?

How did you make them?

Any info will be helpful.

Thanks,

Andy D

I make my own dividers out of sheet plastic (purchased from hobby/train shops). I use one of the 'included' dividers as a template, then cut out a bunch of my own from the stock plastic sheet.

[Bricks2000]

Rather than starting a new topic, I believe this discussion belongs here:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=26213

--Evil

Right. And i'm sure there is a thread about posting pictures.

[WhiteFang]

Whitefang asked me to share with u guys on my method.

How to post pictures?

Whitefang asked me to share with u guys on my method.

How to post pictures?

Please delete my post. I screwed up. Sorry.

I did tell you to share. And I will appreciate if you share in the right existing topic. Read the tutorials in Euorbricks Website and Forum. Brickshelf folder need abit of time to moderate before the link become public. You can deeplink those images as quoted from the tutorials. Please be clam and don't be frantic. Appreciate greatly if you follow the advice and instructions. Thanks.

[Andy D]

I make my own dividers out of sheet plastic (purchased from hobby/train shops). I use one of the 'included' dividers as a template, then cut out a bunch of my own from the stock plastic sheet.

Thanks for the info on dividers. What thickness of sheet plastic do you purchase?

Thanks,

Andy D

[LEGO AFOL]

Yes I will read the tutorial. Sorry. My method is using acrylic set to store. All my minifigs are inside acrylic casing to prevent them from getting dusty.

I put my LEGO minifigures and sets in acrylic sets.

Edited May 23, 2011 by LEGO AFOL

[LEGO AFOL]

My series 2 minifigs in acrylic casing protected from dust.

My next acrylic casing is medieval market village. I havent build since I dont have free time. After building It I will make an acrylic casing.

Only modualar buildings I cannot make acrylic casing as It's too big and long.

Series one in acrylic case.

My MMV, I havent build and make the acrylic casing.

I also store my star war sets in acrylic casing like Home one 7754 and 8038 battle of endor.

Can you guys see my photos?

MMV 2 by Max AFOL, on Flickr

Edited May 23, 2011 by LEGO AFOL

[Ogre]

Thanks for the info on dividers. What thickness of sheet plastic do you purchase?

Thanks,

Andy D

Quite honestly, I haven't had to buy any in so long, I can't recall.

I scored a huge stash of stock plastic many years ago when a local hobby shop was closing up. So, if I need to cut more dividers, I just grab on already made, compare thickness next to a new sheet, then mark and cut.

If in doubt on thickness, just bring one of the manufacturer provided dividers with you and find some sheet styrene that is close to the same thickness but, not thicker (I find that slightly THINNER is actually better, just in case).

When you're ready to make your own, just use the provided divider as a template, trace around it with a pencil (I find that marking out a whole row at a time makes life easier, whether I need that many, or not), then use a hobby knife, or scoring tool (preferred) to cut to shape.

Make sure to round the bottom edges of the cut dividers though, just like in most manufacturer's styles. It makes the fit much easier.

My method is using acrylic set to store. All my minifigs are inside acrylic casing to prevent them from getting dusty.

I put my LEGO minifigures and sets in acrylic sets.

Wow. I'd love to be able to do that but, I'm guessing that must get quite expensive!

[Zeya]

I finally decided to commit to the Akron Mills system for storage as well. I have one of the 44 drawer and one of the 24 drawer (same physical size as the 44 drawer except all drawers are the larger size) and I just ordered one more of each today.

I find that I need to divide the drawers frequently. They only include a few of the dividers for each size drawer. On Amazon they have a pack of 6 dividers for large drawers for $7 ($1.16 each) and the small ones are a pck of 16 for $9 which is a better price, but I feel still too much for what it is.

Has anyone decided to make their own dividers?

What did you use to make them?

How did you make them?

Any info will be helpful.

Thanks,

Andy D

I think other people gave you your answer. You can just take one of the dividers and duplicate it by using it as a template. I think you could cut up a Lego box (if you don't save them) and trace around it in pencil and cut it out. Should be sturdy enough, right? If that isn't strong enough, you could use some flat plastic maybe from a food storage device like a microwave dinner or something, or maybe a milk jug or some other container that is flat on one side, but thin enough to take scissors or tin snips to.

I saw the dividers on Amazon too and their $6 or $8 or whatever they wanted was a little silly for a bit of plastic.

Since I wrote my post on the Akro-Mils drawers, I now have 3 of them. They're filling up quickly! So I need a second level of storage now. I'm looking into getting a larger cabinet, like something that fits on the floor with larger drawers, maybe like the ones they sell at Target and Walmart (US stores). I might even just start using a big bin and large ziplocs.

It seems to me that the most annoying thing to store are large single-purpose or <insert that tiresome argument> pieces, and also things like horses or the kraken/squid animals. I like to stack up my things when sorting and storing. I've also got a lot of sloped pieces that need sorting and storing. Even my minifigure accessories have filled up their little drawer. And I've only been buying Lego for less than a year already! I can see how people end up with bins and bins of this stuff as the years go by.

[Brickdoctor]

Since I wrote my post on the Akro-Mils drawers, I now have 3 of them. They're filling up quickly! So I need a second level of storage now. I'm looking into getting a larger cabinet, like something that fits on the floor with larger drawers, maybe like the ones they sell at Target and Walmart (US stores). I might even just start using a big bin and large ziplocs.

I agree, the larger drawers will probably work better at this point. I have a trio of Akro Mills drawers resting on top of Sterilite 3-drawer containers that I use for basic elements. (1xns larger than 1 x 1; wedge plates larger than 4 x 4s; etc.) That combined with a few other assorted bins and the ever-present 'to be sorted' box easily accommodates 15,000 pieces.

[LEGO AFOL]

Quite honestly, I haven't had to buy any in so long, I can't recall.

I scored a huge stash of stock plastic many years ago when a local hobby shop was closing up. So, if I need to cut more dividers, I just grab on already made, compare thickness next to a new sheet, then mark and cut.

If in doubt on thickness, just bring one of the manufacturer provided dividers with you and find some sheet styrene that is close to the same thickness but, not thicker (I find that slightly THINNER is actually better, just in case).

When you're ready to make your own, just use the provided divider as a template, trace around it with a pencil (I find that marking out a whole row at a time makes life easier, whether I need that many, or not), then use a hobby knife, or scoring tool (preferred) to cut to shape.

Make sure to round the bottom edges of the cut dividers though, just like in most manufacturer's styles. It makes the fit much easier.

Wow. I'd love to be able to do that but, I'm guessing that must get quite expensive!

Yah, they are quite expensive.

[Vindicare]

Sadly all(except Pet Shop) are apart and in boxes in big plastic bins. Minus my other modulars and Imperial Flagship, they're in boxes and assembled. Edited May 25, 2011 by Legocrazy81

[Fraden]

Coming back to lego, I currently have all my pieces in carrier bags, boxes, even a suitcase! I'm going to go buy some drawers etc so I can actually spend time sorting it out so I know exactly how much I have got.

[Follows Closely]

I use a Sterilite solution that I have found to be reasonable on the wallet. However I want to keep to just one size drawer, yet add dividers in some of the drawers. Has anyone had success adding dividers to a plastic drawer?

• Maybe hot glue plastic strips in place.
  
• I don't see tape working.
  
• I can see adding smaller containers inside the drawers. But, I have yet to find a good source for such small containers.
  

Any advice/information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Brickdoctor]

I use a Sterilite solution that I have found to be reasonable on the wallet. However I want to keep to just one size drawer, yet add dividers in some of the drawers. Has anyone had success adding dividers to a plastic drawer?

I have similar drawers, and as of now they don't need dividers, but when my collection was small enough that they did, I used them for basic bricks and bagged certain varieties. (e.g., drawer of red basic bricks with 2xns loose and 1xns bagged) That worked well for medium amounts of basic bricks. I did try cardboard before, and it works well as long as you don't take the drawers out of the casing, otherwise the dividers get squeezed up a little and could ruin the sorted arrangements. Whatever you try, I wouldn't permanently attach the dividers, because if you keep buying eventually you'll get to the point where you fill up the whole drawer with one type of brick. Edited May 31, 2011 by Brickdoctor

[Legofan4ever88]

I use a Sterilite solution that I have found to be reasonable on the wallet. However I want to keep to just one size drawer, yet add dividers in some of the drawers. Has anyone had success adding dividers to a plastic drawer?

• Maybe hot glue plastic strips in place.
  
• I don't see tape working.
  
• I can see adding smaller containers inside the drawers. But, I have yet to find a good source for such small containers.
  

Any advice/information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Why not duct tape and cardboard? You could cut strips of cardboard and tape them in place w/ duct tape. It wouldn't cost very much. A lot of businesses will let you have old cardboard boxes(like for transporting the stuff that goes on shelves) for no cost plus the duct tape doesn't cost much for a roll. And as another bonus, you can switch up the way it's set up as your needs change pretty easily. However, you may want to have a small pair of scissors on hand for the duct tape. The stuff doesn't always tear easily.

[fred67]

However I want to keep to just one size drawer, yet add dividers in some of the drawers. Has anyone had success adding dividers to a plastic drawer? ....

I use smaller containers, but am not particularly happy with it. These are the more shallow Sterilite drawers, right? I found bins that sort-of interlock (two sides have a lip that, when put next to the same type of bin in the same orientation, hold them together).

Something like these: , but cheap dollar store ones.

These look interesting:

I wouldn't duct tape inside my drawers... I hate "permanent" modifications to things like that, and the residue from duct tape makes it, IMO, permanent enough that I wouldn't want to deal with it.

The bins also make a lot of empty space... they don't fit exactly, and even if they did there'd be some wasted space between, but they work fair enough for organizing. I like the idea of bins, especially for smaller parts, that I can take out and work with.