Storage and Sorting LEGO

[firecloud]

I really like the Akro Mils drawers, but no matter what system you use, I've created a set of labels you can print-at-home on waterproof labels.

LINK: http://tomalphin.com...-your-lego.html

Take a look and see if they will work for you!

I use these labels on 3 Akro-Mils modules for my all-white Architecture brick collection (2x 44 drawer modules and 1x 64 drawer module). I also have 8 drawers upstairs which are used to store my larger all-color collection which is sorted by Part ID rather than color.

The storage system looks great. Do you have the dimensions?

[Erathor Pridenar of Loreos]

I have recently got a decent metal cabinet, in which I can store most of my bricks and on which I can display my MOCs. I use quite a few small boxes, as well as PaB cups, to store the bulk of my bricks, but I also have a couple of large boxes for more generic ones.

[henrysunset]

The storage system looks great. Do you have the dimensions?

Whether it's the 24, 44 or 64 drawer model, the Akro cabinets are 20 inches (wide) x 15.8 inches (tall) x 6.4 inches (deep). They are stackable which is really convenient:

• The larger drawers are 4-3/8-Inch (wide) x 2-Inch (tall) x 5-1/4-Inch (deep)
  
• The smaller drawers are 2-1/8-inch (wide) x 1-1/2-inch (tall) x 5-1/4-inch (deep)
  

​Akro drawers are highly recommended, and they are pretty cost effective at Amazon or other stores. Links to the bins and the compatible Brother printer on my website at: http://tomalphin.com/bricklabels

Enjoy!

---tom

Edited October 2, 2014 by henrysunset

[KeepLeft]

I used to use box tops from A4 boxes and had my Lego town on a dining room table, though I got frustrated at the limited dimensions so I decided to make my own specialised Lego table top and storage all in one. I made two boxes from mdf and painted them in Lego colours, one yellow and the other green on the inside. I still am planning to make a top which will be placed on top of the two boxes measuring around 1m by 3m. The Lego I keep in plastic tubs which can be stored in the boxes.

I dislike sorting and so tend to have many different pieces mixed in one box. I stick to sorting by basic colours for bricks and have smaller boxes for other specialised pieces (eg flat, sloped, wheels, windows etc). The plastic boxes are great as they are see through which allows me to see which box I need.

[darksheep]

I use to have different kinds of storage. Now i only use Raaco. There expensive but good and have always the same dimensions and you can always buy new inserts.

Gerry nice the blue parts of the cabinets are the plasticky or steel ,can you post a pic of your complete storage (the whole room) ?

[HawkLord]

I used to have plastic containers that were adjustable with individual compartments, but I've now reached the point where the compartments are not specific enough. I basically have too many weird bricks.

My solution is to be less picky and I have each color dumped into two large bins. One for small bricks, less than 1x3. The other for everything else. I still keep baseplates separate, though - anything 4x4 or larger gets kept out.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Hawkman

[TheLegoDr]

^That's a good idea. I think sorting depends on how someone builds. I tend to get inspired when looking through individual color tubs I have. I'll find other pieces of the same color that I could use or other things I didn't think of originally that I could find a use for.

It isn't organized build and maybe that's why it takes me a while to do anything, but it's how my mind works.

If everything was perfectly sorted, I'm sure I could adapt to it, but I think I need some clutter to stay focused as counter-productive as that sounds.

[glendo]

I've camped in the lair this weekend to revise/update/tweak my sorting system.

The method I put into place is working, but just some of it needs refining as the collection of loose grows and grows. Some things i have decided to merge, other things have been separated or re-arranged.

I swear half of this hobby is sorting... to fulfil the OCD within all of us

[Andy D]

I swear half of this hobby is sorting... to fulfil the OCD within all of us

Only half? ;)

Andy D

[glendo]

Im starting to think most of us here could swap lego with marbles or coloured beads, and we'd still feel fulfilled with sorting.

[Andy D]

Im starting to think most of us here could swap lego with marbles or coloured beads, and we'd still feel fulfilled with sorting.

I'm not sure about this. I do believe that at least half the LEGO. Hobby is sorting, but the other half (or whatever is left) is all about building things with these little plastic bricks. I don't really see myself building things with colored beads or marbles.

I may complain (a little) about sorting but sometimes sorting is relaxing and I do find parts I forgot about and I do like to build and I would not trade my bricks for marbles, beads or whatever.

Andy D

Edited October 26, 2014 by Andy D

[tomdobs55]

I find sorting to be one of the most soothing aspects of my life lately...now storage, that's a whole other issue I can't seem to tackle very well!

[glendo]

I find sorting to be one of the most soothing aspects of my life lately...now storage, that's a whole other issue I can't seem to tackle very well!

I know exactly what you are talking about! they are two completely different problems

[Andy D]

I know exactly what you are talking about! they are two completely different problems

Sorting is easy... It just takes time... I agree that storage is more difficult. I have a pretty good storage system, yet it is continually evolving. Just putting pieces away is one thing, remembering what I have and where it is another problem all together.

My storage has evolved to using Sterelite 15 quart bins with either freezer baggies (1 qt. and 1 gal) and or Glad entree storage containers. I also use Plano boxes for mini figs and small decorator pieces. I am trying to integrate some Akron Mills cabinets (which I already have from a previous attempt) into my storage system.

For labeling I plan to use the labels from templates so generously provided by EB member henrysunset either as direct labels or as inventory type sheets in my Sterelite boxes.

At this time I am not sure my storage solution will ever be complete.

Andy D

[Boulderer]

At this time I am not sure my storage solution will ever be complete.

Andy D

The storage solution can only ever be complete once your Lego collection is complete ... and when is that ever likely?

[mrbean]

What brand of bins are the ones with the blue handles, and where did you buy them? They look quite nice, I don't think I've seen them here in Canada.

[kinggregus]

What brand of bins are the ones with the blue handles, and where did you buy them? They look quite nice, I don't think I've seen them here in Canada.

I am fairly certain that these are the Really Useful Boxes. You can find them here. It looks like Canada is not listed as a country where they are available.

[Mowikan]

Gerry nice the blue parts of the cabinets are the plasticky or steel ,can you post a pic of your complete storage (the whole room) ?

It is steel!

[KeepLeft]

What brand of bins are the ones with the blue handles, and where did you buy them? They look quite nice, I don't think I've seen them here in Canada.

As mentioned by kinggregus they are Really Useful Boxes. They are quite useful if you do not get too overly concerned about sorting each individual piece into its own slot.

I bought them locally in South Africa.

Edited November 7, 2014 by KeepLeft

[darksheep]

This is my solution does any one use some think similar ?

I like these boxes because they are easy to connect and so far I have found they come int 3 sized .All are about 14 studs deep and 6 high .

The biggest ones are about 21 studs wide and have not separation mechanism, the second ones is about 14 studs wide and has a separator that can be used to create 2 partitions 7 studs wide, the smallest one is about 7 studs wide and has a partition that can be used to create 2 partitions 7 studs wide and 7 studs deep.

[antp]

That seems a nice and modular system

[SweetiePie88]

This is my solution does any one use some think similar ?

I like these boxes because they are easy to connect and so far I have found they come int 3 sized .All are about 14 studs deep and 6 high .

The biggest ones are about 21 studs wide and have not separation mechanism, the second ones is about 14 studs wide and has a separator that can be used to create 2 partitions 7 studs wide, the smallest one is about 7 studs wide and has a partition that can be used to create 2 partitions 7 studs wide and 7 studs deep.

Those remind me of the stack on hardware organizers we have in the states. But those look like a much thicker material

[glendo]

I also have 2 akro-mils type drawer systems for specific items, but generally the mainstay of my loose parts are in here.

(for aussies, these drawers are at Masters, Kmart and Target at $8-15 each depending on stores)

[The Bridge Engineer]

Hello all, for me I find that organising pieces across two similar areas including colour and shape / style are the best for organising Lego in a Post Office - Drawer organisational set up. Thanks everyone!

[Retroshift]

Hi, I am about to move soon and I was looking for some clear/transparant storage boxes/bins/containers that can store two 32x32 studded base plates next to eachother. Clear material is an advantage because you do not have to label your boxes. I want to move/transport/stock my modular Lego buildings. Therefore, the inner bottom dimensions of the box should be at least 51cm/21inch length, 26cm/11inch width and 30cm/12inch height.

It would be nice to also have a clear box that is half the height of this one, in order to store lego sets that are less heigh, or upper floors of modular buildings. When it is exactly half the height but has the same length and width, the two different boxes can be stored very tidily.

It would also be best if the boxes are nestable when empty and stackable when full. The boxes should be sturdy (with nerves) and durable, made of polypropylene, have no wheels but a flat bottom and if possible be air- and watertight. Also, lids/latching grip systems seem best for lifting and nesting.

I know this is a lot to ask, and I didn't find a single box in Europe/North-America that met these requirements. I'm surprised noone ever seems to have thought about this.

So, do you guys have any good ideas/alternatives? How do you store/move entire (modular) Lego sets? Breaking them down and rebuilding them seems a lot of time-wasting.