Securely reclosing original set boxes?

[tppytel]

OK, this is kind of OCD, but I suppose I'm in the right place for that at least...

I'm mostly a set collector. Typically I build something for my kids, we all play with it for a few weeks, and I pack it up for another day. I always keep the original boxes, as they're nice and colorful on the shelves, but they're mostly just terrible for storage. I especially hate the dreaded punch-a-hole-to-open type, as they're rather flimsy and prone to damage from handling and stacking, and they're also impossible to close securely whether you open them from the end or from the back. As I do a lot of packing and unpacking of sets, this doesn't work so well for me. Are there any other set collectors out there that have found good solutions to making the boxes more useful for storage? Few of my sets are vintage or highly collectible, so modifying the box doesn't particularly bother me. What I've done for a couple of sets that I expect to see plenty of use (like the Winter Village Bakery) is build an inner box liner out of foamcore that sits just inside the original box. While this is a hassle that I wouldn't want to go through for every set I own, it does add a lot more rigidity and reduces my concern about stacking them. But it doesn't help for keeping the lid closed. On the newer, tape-seal boxes I've used small Velcro dots rather than use the cardboard tab (which seems prone to wear). That's OK for that box type, but the Velcro doesn't grip tightly enough to keep the older, flimsier boxes closed very well. I've considered a variety of other closures - ribbon, snaps, clasps - but they all seem incredibly fussy, prone to wear, or impossible to attach securely. I just ordered a box of large (7") latex-free rubber bands that should work well enough as a low-tech solution. But rubber bands seem so... hacky and inelegant. I'd prefer something that leaves the box looking fresh, but still manages to close it securely. At least for our favorite sets, I don't mind doing a little more work. Any ideas out there? I was also considering magnetic tape, but I'm not sure if the thickness will be a problem, or if there will be a solid enough paper surface to attach it to on the punch-out boxes.

[wokajablocka]

Personally I would flatten all your boxes for starage, zip lock all of your sets sepratly, get a folder for the instructions, buy large storage containers and lable the box with what sets yor have in there. You can orgainse by theme, year or set number. It sounds like your waisting alot of space inside the boxes but it dose not seem like your pushed for storage space. I have way too much to keep stored in the origianl box so this is why I've done it my way. The foam dose sound alright to keep the boxes stiff so they dont colapse.

[tppytel]

Personally I would flatten all your boxes for storage, zip lock all of your sets separately, etc.

That would be perfectly functional and I'm aware that it's standard practice. But I like seeing and handling the boxes, and so do my kids. I'm not that pressed for storage space (yet). However, I've considered doing something like that for the smaller sets within a given theme - for example, box up all the 10-200 piece Kingdoms sets together. Apart from raw volume, those little sets are a pain to organize neatly without them getting lost behind something bigger, knocked off the shelf, etc. But I definitely want to keep and *use* the original boxes for the more substantial sets. It's just part of the fun for me. This is especially true for the relatively few vintage sets I have, where you could see all the alternate builds Lego came up with.

[LEGOman273]

That would be perfectly functional and I'm aware that it's standard practice. But I like seeing and handling the boxes, and so do my kids. I'm not that pressed for storage space (yet). However, I've considered doing something like that for the smaller sets within a given theme - for example, box up all the 10-200 piece Kingdoms sets together. Apart from raw volume, those little sets are a pain to organize neatly without them getting lost behind something bigger, knocked off the shelf, etc. But I definitely want to keep and *use* the original boxes for the more substantial sets. It's just part of the fun for me. This is especially true for the relatively few vintage sets I have, where you could see all the alternate builds Lego came up with.

Flatening the boxes does not harm them and they can still be reassembled (at least the way I do it). All you do for taped-flap types is cut the tape on both sides and fold open the flaps (as if you are opening the box on both sides) then fold out the inner flaps; then press down on the front of the box so the top panel (the one with the minifigs) can be seen from the front of the box. On punch-hole types it is a bit harder. After opening the box as you normally would (punching the hole and pulling the flap down); You need to GENTLY slide a sharp knife into the opposite side where the back and side panels join; then GENTLY, keeping your wrist straight, twist your hand slightly to the left and right (NOT up and down), gently pushing the two flaps apart. Continue along the length of the box, then open it as you did the other side. After this, the end of method one applies. Note: it really is easy; it took me longer to write about it than it would take me to do it.

Edited December 12, 2011 by Legoman273