[otaku72]

After decades of collecting, I finally found a combination of containers and shelving that is functional and easy
on the eyes. Once I finish labeling these bins, I will be good to go.

Doing this made me wonder what storage systems our other members are using for their parts backlog. What
works for you?

 

[spyder]

I bought a couple of these cabinets from Hobby Lobby last year and I'm super happy with them. I may even get one more because they look so nice. Black Metal Cabinet | Hobby Lobby | 1867472

 

[otaku72]

I bought a couple of these cabinets from Hobby Lobby last year and I'm super happy with them. I may even get one more because they look so nice. Black Metal Cabinet | Hobby Lobby | 1867472

These would look great in a wood shop as well. I notice they are all sold out.

 

[Stryker2011]

I use some of the sturdier boxes from figures (TBLeague makes nice ones),remove all the foam trays/inserts, and put the majority of loose parts in individually labeled ziplock baggies. For head sculpts I use plastic parts bins like the ones found at hardware/home improvement stores. I also bought two long TV cabinets from IKEA (don’t see them being made anymore) that I can store the boxes in. On top of those cabinets are Detolf units.

 

[Talon65]

I have a plastic tub that has seperate upper section that has dividers. They make the bottom in a deep and a shallow bottom and I use the shallow for my "project box". I do wish they would make dividers for the bottoms. Bodies go in the bottom and the top gets divided into sections for hands, feet/boots, uniforms, webgear, firearms and knives/swords, etc.

 

[Talon65]

I bought a couple of these cabinets from Hobby Lobby last year and I'm super happy with them. I may even get one more because they look so nice. Black Metal Cabinet | Hobby Lobby | 1867472

I looked at these at my local Hobby Lobby also for my gaming miniatures!

 

[cdn_rhino]

I have so many options for storage, it makes me think I have too many figures.

Basic storage shelving. Organizer bins. Larger plastic bins. Ziploc bags. Shoebox style figure boxes.

 

[Captain Canuck]

Ziplocs, Ziplocs, and more Ziplocks in plastic totes.

 

[FlyAndFight]

Like Captain Canuck, I use Ziplock bags to keep all of the unused extras from each boxed figure and write the name of the figure on the baggie with a Sharpie.

I then store all of the Ziplock baggies in either a large cardboard box or one of the really big plastic storage containers.

 

[Moonbase Alpha Male]

For loose items I use a variety of Dollar Store boxes, beading, or fishing tackle trays. But IMHO the #1 thing you need to preserve sanity is a good Label Maker, and I love my new one: https://www.amazon.com/DYMO-LabelMa...abel+manager+pnp+plug+and+play+,aps,77&sr=8-6

I've had a bunch of handheld labellers the years, from Dymo or Brother, ever since the days they used to do embossed plastic. This latest one however is USB Plug and Play on the computer, so it's super-easy to vary fonts etc (which is great on the eye for finding stuff quickly). It even allows small black and white pics, so eg my Super Hero stuff boxes start labels with a SHIELD logo. Or, you can use it in actual bashes, like Indy's name tag here:

 

[otaku72]

For loose items I use a variety of Dollar Store boxes, beading, or fishing tackle trays. But IMHO the #1 thing you need to preserve sanity is a good Label Maker, and I love my new one: https://www.amazon.com/DYMO-LabelManager-Wireless-Label-1812570/dp/B009NUWRF4/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1AZ3P1RH341ZU&keywords=dymo+labelmanager+pnp+plug+and+play&qid=1643568087&sprefix=dymo+label+manager+pnp+plug+and+play+,aps,77&sr=8-6

I've had a bunch of handheld labellers the years, from Dymo or Brother, ever since the days they used to do embossed plastic. This latest one however is USB Plug and Play on the computer, so it's super-easy to vary fonts etc (which is great on the eye for finding stuff quickly). It even allows small black and white pics, so eg my Super Hero stuff boxes start labels with a SHIELD logo. Or, you can use it in actual bashes, like Indy's name tag here:

Completely agree with the label maker. I'm looking for self adhesive label pockets to attach to my smaller bins.

 

[otaku72]

Like Captain Canuck, I use Ziplock bags to keep all of the unused extras from each boxed figure and write the name of the figure on the baggie with a Sharpie.

I then store all of the Ziplock baggies in either a large cardboard box or one of the really big plastic storage containers.

Agreed. I'm kind of OCD with baggies and arranging items in bins by kind.

 

[otaku72]

I have so many options for storage, it makes me think I have too many figures.

Basic storage shelving. Organizer bins. Larger plastic bins. Ziploc bags. Shoebox style figure boxes.

The container store has gotten a lot of $$$ from me buying bins.

 

[otaku72]

Show and tell time. Bakers rack and translucent totes. Part of the parts backlog storage. I got rid of all of my carboard boxes years ago. The Iris totes are great for storage, but they don't ship well. Had a lot of replacement parts requests because of improper packing. The Container Store's plastic shoe boxes are okay. The snap on lids barely stay attached. I use giant rubber bands to keep them together.

 

[cdn_rhino]

View attachment 492188

Show and tell time. Bakers rack and translucent totes. Part of the parts backlog storage. I got rid of all of my carboard boxes years ago. The Iris totes are great for storage, but they don't ship well. Had a lot of replacement parts requests because of improper packing. The Container Store's plastic shoe boxes are okay. The snap on lids barely stay attached. I use giant rubber bands to keep them together.

Yours looks even more organized than mine actually is. I like the transparent ones because you can actually see what's inside. I did buy a bunch of Rubbermaid bins on sale, and you can't see into those, so I have to be pretty diligent on labelling the contents of each bin.

 

[otaku72]

Yours looks even more organized than mine actually is. I like the transparent ones because you can actually see what's inside. I did buy a bunch of Rubbermaid bins on sale, and you can't see into those, so I have to be pretty diligent on labelling the contents of each bin.

Thanks. The transparency does help but I still do a lot of blind bin pulling because I haven't added labels to each one.
Labels for the win.

 

[Valken]

After decades of collecting, I finally found a combination of containers and shelving that is functional and easy
on the eyes. Once I finish labeling these bins, I will be good to go.

Doing this made me wonder what storage systems our other members are using for their parts backlog. What
works for you?

Can you share what kind of bins do you use and how do you store your MISB figures? The boxes, while beautiful, literally takes up TOO much space for me. I do not mind something really small and tight like a vacuum sealed clamshell but worry about it being strong enough and moisture proof.

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Moonbase Alpha Male]

Should have included this recommendation above: Try to eat 3 Danishes for every Boxed figure. My main 1/6 supplier is Toy Square, and there’s a Costco in the same complex, so it’s easy. IMHO this is a perfect 1/6 figure sorting/storage unit, and they’re free. About the same rigidity as any toy blister at the retail store. Convenient to sort, access and work with. For longterm strength and more moisture protection etc these stack conveniently within big lidded crates. Just get the Danishes or croissants, so there’s no smooshed cream to wash off.

 

[Valken]

Great idea but remember to clean it! Any leftover food or frosting is mold and bug food!