Lego storage

[madoka]

Although I do open about 90% of the Lego I buy, there are a bunch of things I haven't opened yet due to lack of storage. I've been reorganizing these unopened sets, but I keep running out of room. Already my garage, one bedroom, and 3 storage rooms are filled with the stuff. Whenever I do start cataloging my collection, I start to question my sanity. But I also find things I didn't know I had, like in this pic, I realized I have 5 republic gunships, 5 star destroyers, and 8 AT-ATs among others:

What do you guys do for storage?

[phoinix]

maby you just have a lego abuse problem... 8-|

how about bying less? ;-)

[snefroe]

i think you should question your sanity... :-| X-D I mean, you clearly spent lots of money on 5 gunships, 5 destroyers,... and maybe 5 is just a little exagerated? why not sell two out of 5 and use the money to expand the collection? In the end, 5 Blockade runners doesn't really improve your collection compared to "only" :-| 3...

[ApophisV]

You know, most of us haven't exactly the same problems like you! :-P Maybe you should get in contact with TLC how they manage the boxes in their storage depots! ;-)

But seriously if you look at the different boxes (I guess there are also smaller ones that are not depicted?) you'll find some sort of a pattern behind (most of) the boxes' dimensions. Try to sort and pile the boxes up by not letting any space between them, this should save 20% to 30% percent, as long as you have enough smaller boxes around to fill the gaps!

So I can pick one of the boxes of the image for this tip? >:-) ;-)

[baby]

Wow.. tats lotsa set. I think u should sell away those that is not your interested & try keep them in cupboard to prevent them get dusty. But your AT-AT & Republic Gunship are a great set. Maybe you should open 1 set of each to make preview or something else. But if you wanna sell them i am sure people are willing to buy with a high price & you will be able to expand your collection on coming new sets. *vader*

[captaintau]

HOW MANY RGS and AT-ATs????????

My suggestion:

- Keep one or two opened and built

- Keep one or two in the boxes for prosterity / future sale

- SELL THE REST

You'd make a fortune on those two sets alone. Said fortune can then be used to buy MORE LEGO!!!

[Lego Amaryl]

I can help you by getting the Maersk ship and the airport... ;-)

[Freddie]

But seriously if you look at the different boxes (I guess there are also smaller ones that are not depicted?) you'll find some sort of a pattern behind (most of) the boxes' dimensions. Try to sort and pile the boxes up by not letting any space between them, this should save 20% to 30% percent, as long as you have enough smaller boxes around to fill the gaps!

Having worked in a toy store, I can confirm this. There is a steady pattern in the box dimensions, primairily optimized for EPAL-dimensions, but LEGO's has tapped into their brilliance used for LEGO-bricks, when they decided on the dimensions for these boxes.

Thing is, this works best with boxes of mixed dimensions. Boxes of similar dimensions won't work at all. There is a staggering amount of space you can save just by optimising your storage and using the boxes' dimensions to their fullest.

[dunamis]

I was hoarding LEGO like this for a while and recently decided to do the following:

Of the sets I really liked, I would keep one MISB and one open on display.

Of the sets I wanted to keep (because I liked the build or it was just a cool set, i.e. Technic) I would keep just the set and toss the box (because the box takes a lot of space.)

Of the sets I absolutely know are going to go up in value I keep a few MISB to trade or sell later.

Sell or trade everything else.

For a collection like yours, I would consider taking a photo inventory and having it insured. We had a discussion about this a few months ago and a fire could wipe out thousands from your collection. I had a water leak and was lucky I didn't get any of my MISB sets wet which would have reduced their value substantially.

[CopMike]

Whenever I do start cataloging my collection, I start to question my sanity.

Yes, you are insane. The best treatment is to start shipping the stuff to me and I

[Holodoc]

Holy cow! X-O :'-)

one more point: Selling sets -> money for bigger house. X-D

[Zaktan of the Shadows]

I dunno. I'll eventually start getting a storage... I have no room soon.

-ZotS

[UniqueBuilder]

Oh my God! That's a freaking load of LEGO! 8-

[Mofo Jones]

That is an absolute load of LEGO.

5 RGS?!? I'd be happy with one, and I passed up most of the Ep II sets because I went through a dark age about that time, so by the time I got back into LEGO, the clearance prices were long gone. :(

[madoka]

Yeah, I guess I'm not much into selling Lego. I've found it's rather pointless for me. I can make much more than the expected earnings from selling the sets per day I work, so spending that time to sell Lego just means I'm almost giving it away and still losing money.

I've had to reorganize everything because of the 63 copies of Vladek's Dark Castle (8877) I got. Man, those things take up a LOT of space, even unbagged. I have them in four huge 45 gallon tubs, which forced me to reorganize a bunch of box sets to the upper storage area of my garage.

But most of the sets I do open. My minifig population has exceeded 15,000 now. X-D

[CopMike]

Ok, going from a question to more of a boasting about making big $ and having most stuff .... >:-(

Log Off

copmike

[madoka]

Not meaning to boast or offend. A lot of people suggested I sell the Lego and I was just explaining why I don't want to do that. I feel quite fortunate in that regard, but I have worked hard to get where I am and still generally work 7 days a week.

Now the minifig population I'm actually quite proud of though, which is why I put the smiley there. It took me more than a decade to reach that level.

I've gone and put in some small sets as someone suggested. My primary concern is that the weight of the boxes will crush the bottom ones though. Some of the boxes are already caving in. Any suggestions for that? My secondary concern is excessive dust in the garage.

[Jipay]

In logistics we have some stuff to protect the angles of the boxes whent hey are moved on palettes. I'll tyr to find a picture of the said material

[Holodoc]

I've had to reorganize everything because of the 63 copies of Vladek's Dark Castle (8877) I got.

Holy Cow (again)! X-O

That must be something like this:

But most of the sets I do open. My minifig population has exceeded 15,000 now. X-D

15.000... Ok, I will not show how this would look like.;-)

[snefroe]

Holy Cow (again)! X-O

That must be something like this:

15.000... Ok, I will not show how this would look like.;-)

unless you own a shop, why would you want so many? i don't want to step on sensitive toes or anything, but you may want to ask yourself what you're doing here? :-) i mean, this IS fairly insane...

[phoinix]

ok this isnt just insane..

this is a bit psychotic

who needs that many sets and why?

are you trying to feel the void?

its like compalsive eating i guess...

i think a therapist might help.....honestly

[Hobbes]

OK, massing up a huge MF collection kinda makes sense to me. 15k is impressive.

I understand when people say they have a couple of certain sets they really like and keep one on display, one MISB and maybe another one to sell to invest in other sets or - if it's a train/city set or the like - to use in a layout. But why do you buy 63 copies of any set if you "just" store them?

I'm really curious as to what your goal is...

[takuto20]

I agree with the "feeling the void" thing, seriously. It was true in my case to a certain extent, of course not as much as Madoka because of my poor finances... then I saw Oprah did a program on that and realised I don't need things to make me happy, now I buy less stuff and enjoy it more.

May I friendly suggest you check "Compulsive Shopping" and "Inside the Secret Lives of Hoarders"?

[Asuka]

But most of the sets I do open. My minifig population has exceeded 15,000 now. X-D

Hmm, I

[ruckzuck]

But most of the sets I do open. My minifig population has exceeded 15,000 now. X-D

that's a lot.... I "only" need 6oo to 7oo in dark clothes for my HD-Battle!

presents and donate send to.... :-D