Storage and Sorting LEGO

[bartneck]

Sorting bricks is almost a true science.

Edited January 26, 2016 by bartneck

[bartneck]

Whoa, what an amazing collection of storage ideas. Grouping the bricks into bins is a science in itself. Of course we all passed the phase in which we sorted and stored the bricks only by their color. But having a bin for every shape requires far too many bins. So you need to combine "similar" bricks into one bin. Such as wheels, minifigures, etc. It is a fascinating topic that overlaps with library sciences and classical taxonomies. I got so fascinated by the topic that I compiled my research into a little book: The Ideal Order. You might enjoy reading into the foundation of the sorting problem.

[WvG_853]

It is a fascinating topic that overlaps with library sciences and classical taxonomies. I got so fascinated by the topic that I compiled my research into a little book: The Ideal Order.

I'm curious, I have just ordered your book ...

So far I have organised my Lego Technic by not taking the models apart once build. This has resulted in a room full of large models and I have to say that I'm not a fan of this approach. I would like to keep 3-4 on display (853, 8110, 8480, 8275, ...). When I take a model apart I tend to keep the parts organised by set. As I have build most official sets and B-models I'm starting to explore building other people's MOCs. Sheepo's Defender for instance ... This however requires me to rethink the way I organise my parts ...

When building I make use of Allit EuroPlus Flex 37-1 system with modular inserts. These boxes are great for sorting the parts before building a model.

[madball]

For those located in the UK Aldi are selling cheap storage drawers from next week if any use to anyone for storage

https://www.aldi.co.uk/33-drawers-accessory-storage/p/092856020716000

https://www.aldi.co.uk/17-drawers-accessory-storage/p/092856026915001

[Jim]

Whoa, what an amazing collection of storage ideas. Grouping the bricks into bins is a science in itself. Of course we all passed the phase in which we sorted and stored the bricks only by their color. But having a bin for every shape requires far too many bins. So you need to combine "similar" bricks into one bin. Such as wheels, minifigures, etc. It is a fascinating topic that overlaps with library sciences and classical taxonomies. I got so fascinated by the topic that I compiled my research into a little book: The Ideal Order. You might enjoy reading into the foundation of the sorting problem.

Nice book. I will check it out.

Does anyone have experience with these kind of warehouse bins?

http://www.kruizinga...w/38-fpom-20-w/

I'm thinking about ordering 40 of them to create a storage wall. They optionally come with a lid or plastic plate, to close the bin, to prevent dust on your parts. Seems like a convenient way to store parts and to use the bins when building.

[legolijntje]

You remember my photos about my setup with all the drawers?

Well, a few years ago 4 of those cabinets were of another type. Instead of the 'normal' drawers, they had the type of drawers you linked too. I got kinda annoyed by them, they were bulky, it wasn't easy to sort in them (they are big) and because the front is lower then the rest if the drawer, it's difficult to use all the space that the drawer has.

I sold them and bought 4 of those instead and it works like a charm. I also bought one of these to store the pins in the dark-grey drawers. Because A: I got a ton of pins and they fit well in such a huge drawer and B: because it's easy access with the open front and when building Technic (which I do 99% of the time), you constantly need pins.

Having said that. It also depends on your sorting and organizing level. I personally like to sort everything by type and color. So that means I need a lot of drawers (which can be subdivided into multiple compartments). If you're sorting less detailed (for example only by part type and not color), the type you linked to becomes more appropriate, because you can just dump a pile of beams or bricks in them.

I guess you want to buy a rack like this to hang them? Because just stacking them is... living on the edge

[Jim]

I sure remember. That's what I was thinking about. I like your system, but I am tempted to get the warehouse bins. Though decision. I will mostly use them to store smaller Technic parts, so no liftarms.

Pins, axles, gears, connectors and the like.

I was thinking about stacking them

What I like about them, is you can stack them for storage and put them on your desk when you are building. I reckon that can be done with your system too (taking the drawers out). I used to store each type of gear in a separate "unit" but I am tempted to make one or two bins with various gears.

Another advantage is that these bins are cheap! Although I must admit that your solution is pretty cheap as well.

Sigh....though decision.

[syclone]

Maybe I am not have so much expirience as others, but one thing that I know for sure is the drawers work like a charm for me , because sometimes you accidently tip over your sorted bin(s) of parts and everything flies around...

My drawer tipped over recently and only some pieces were on the floor, the rest intact.

Also, most of the time they come with a plastic flap that prevents the collection of the dust on your pieces.

Anyway , you must choose what you think better will work for you.

[davidroberts01341]

Does anyone have experience with these kind of warehouse bins?

http://www.kruizinga...w/38-fpom-20-w/

I've never used them for Lego but I worked in places which had them in workshops and stores. As legolijinte mentioned, a problem with them is their low front lip, meaning that you can't totally fill them and stuff falls out if you're scrabbling through it in the draw to find a particular part. They're great for heavy stuff in small quantities, such as metal screws or bolts but perhaps not for lots of lightweight Lego parts. The other thing that I don't like about them is that they're not transparent, so you can't easily see what's inside and have to remember or use labels. I'm very visual person when it comes to Lego building and much to prefer to see rather than read what's in a container. I never found the system of unhooking and re-hooking them onto the wall mountings very convenient either.

I'm not a fan but that's just my preference. They are a strong product, with a lot of sizes and colours available, which is always a good thing for sorting.

[Jim]

Thanks for your hints and tips guys. There are front covers which prevent parts falling out, but I understand the problems you are stating (like transparency etc). And without the front cover you can only fill them half way.

I guess I need to think about it some more. Or simply order them and see whether they work for me. If they don't really work, I can still use them to store stuff, and they are not that expensive.

[Jim]

Okay, I just bit the bullet and ordered 40 bins with 40 front covers. If they don't work out the way I hope, I can always use them as storage bins inside drawers.

[Andy D]

Okay, I just bit the bullet and ordered 40 bins with 40 front covers. If they don't work out the way I hope, I can always use them as storage bins inside drawers.

Good luck with your new storag solution! Be sure to let us know your initial thoughts (once organized) and later after you have used it for awhile. Photos of your solution would be nice as well.

Andy D

[Vindicare]

I've been debating storing by part more & more lately...as I've been picking parts out of sets to use on my town layout(I store them. Y set in containers right now) and keeping track via list what parts & how many I take out of any given set. But, the list keeping is getting a bit trivial...

[SevenStuds]

Okay, I just bit the bullet and ordered 40 bins with 40 front covers. If they don't work out the way I hope, I can always use them as storage bins inside drawers.

These bins seem to work best when placed on a rack to space them out vertically. That way you could reach into them from above even with covers on.

I saw a few room tour videos where people used just this type of storage solution:

I was in my local plastics store the other day and did see quite a few in clear plastic. They were more expensive than plain black though.

[Jim]

These bins seem to work best when placed on a rack to space them out vertically. That way you could reach into them from above even with covers on.

I saw a few room tour videos where people used just this type of storage solution:

I was in my local plastics store the other day and did see quite a few in clear plastic. They were more expensive than plain black though.

I'm indeed thinking about using shelves (or a rack) to space them out vertically. I like the fact that they can easily be moved to your desk when you are building.

I don't have nearly enough space to make a wall like the one in the picture, but something like in the video might work.

I will keep you guys posted. Thanks for the help.

[syclone]

So, I am a guy who loves to recycle, and two days ago I put all my black friction pins in a washed plastic container from ice cream.The funny thing is that after two days all my unused black pins smell like chocolate

Edited July 4, 2016 by LXF

[ctx1769]

Jim

I have 8 of those without lids which I will use for pins in good time, they are part of a rack system from Aldi here in the uk.

Edited July 4, 2016 by ctx1769

[Littleworlds]

So, I am a guy who loves to recycle, and two days ago I put all my black friction pins in a washed plastic container from ice cream.The funny thing is that after two days all my unused black pins smell like chocolate ������

From that I learned two things:

1-Those containers work very well as storage, I think about getting more of those to use instead of cardboard boxes.

2-They offer great building experience later :)

I'm using icecream boxes too! They are simply a great solution, especially the ones with clear lid, where you can see the contents: large enough for grouping parts of the same kind, but various sizes together, stackable - and they are filled with icecream when you buy them!

We also use them as food boxes for our Degus here (the ones without lego parts!)

Edit: my storage-system is grouping bricks of similar shape for common variants. Exotic variants go into separate tubs and small specialized parts come into little resealable plastic-bags, I got from minifig-buying at bricklink.

Minifig accessories live in several of these plastic boxes with compartments you get in DIY stores. Works for me

Edited July 5, 2016 by Littleworlds

[Coren]

So we are moving soon and now I need a new system for the LEGO (well mostly my son's, but also mine and well, if only I had more time :()

We have this 220x80cm desk that is adjustable in height (from Ikea). Beneath it there is much room so i was thinking about Trofast for storing the parts. I did come to realize though, the bins are too big. So instead of 2 I will probably use the one we already have with the smallest bins (9 total, each bin is appr 40x28x9cm. Great I think for holding for example a bunch of big plates (4x4 and bigger) and stuff like greens, wheels etc (link: http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/catalog/products/S79102958/)

Then besides that, I will be getting a tv-closet (link: http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/catalog/products/S09132874/#/S19047427) and filling those with Ikea tackleboxes (link: http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/catalog/products/00283103/) which hold 5 compartments each. The little closet can hold up to 16 of those boxes. The boxes will probably be used for 1 colour (i.e. white), then sorted in compartments for type (or maybe the other way around, not sure yet).

Then, to top it of, on the surface of the table I will probably be getting one of the Raaco drawers with 32 drawers for the real small stuff.

All in all, I'd be having 121 compartments for storage of LEGO, which should provide some means to divide without having like 40 containers that I do now. Also, I will be using the tackleboxes I already have, not sure how yet :)

Now I only need something to label the tackleboxes with...

If you have any tips or comments, please let me know... I really dread the sorting process!

[SevenStuds]

So we are moving soon and now I need a new system for the LEGO. I will be getting a tv-closet and filling those with Ikea tackleboxes which hold 5 compartments each. The little closet can hold up to 16 of those boxes.

Sounds like you have it well thought through. My personal preference is to not have more "tackle boxes" than I can fit on a desk when I build. I prefer having large drawers with divisions inside so that I can quickly access each part. I'm a big fan of these.

[TheWackyWarehouse]

WOW - i dont think I can meet your level of organisation.

I have a set of drawers from Ikea and have split some of the drawers into compatments for the smaller bricks & pieces (see what I did there)

Edited July 13, 2016 by Fugazi
Please don't quote long posts with pictures

[Anonknee Muss]

I have an unopened lego set, what conditions would be best to store it without it dis-colouring/yellowing and getting damaged?

[BrickCurve]

I use the Sistema range of boxes, they are well though out, sturdy and very good quality. http://sistemaplastics.com/products/storage I also have a few of the large Really Useful Boxes for transporting MOCs.

[Littleworlds]

I have an unopened lego set, what conditions would be best to store it without it dis-colouring/yellowing and getting damaged?

I guess dry and dark is a pretty sure bet. I think you can't go wrong with storing such things only in a place where you would like to live too. So no humid, mouldy cellar or an attic which becomes a furnace during summer

Maybe inside a bigger box to prevent the package from being damaged too.

[Anonknee Muss]

I guess dry and dark is a pretty sure bet. I think you can't go wrong with storing such things only in a place where you would like to live too. So no humid, mouldy cellar or an attic which becomes a furnace during summer

Maybe inside a bigger box to prevent the package from being damaged too.

Thank you, very helpful!